If you’re a fan of all things Belize, you might not need much of an excuse to pack your bags and plan your next trip. But just in case you needed extra incentive, the month of May is teeming with plenty of good reasons to travel: from good weather to a host of activities. That includes two can’t-miss Belize festivals, both of which are happening in the south. This month, look to the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts for unique and fun experiences that are sure to make your Belize vacation one to remember.
May 17th – 19th – The Chocolate Festival of Belize
Photo Credit: Chocolate Festival of Belize
Beloved for millennia, the cacao fruit (and more so its most famous byproduct, chocolate) has an entire festival dedicated to it in Belize. It makes plenty of sense when you consider that the country is home to a burgeoning chocolate industry—and even more so considering Belize’s rich Mayan heritage.
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- Photos courtesy of the BTB
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- Photos courtesy of the Chocolate Fest of Belize
This May, head south to the cacao capital of Belize—the Toledo District—for the annual Chocolate Festival. It features three days of family-friendly fun including a Chocolate Gala to be hosted at Copal Tree Lodge. Dubbed the signature event of the festival, the Chocolate Gala will bring together chocolatiers and chocolate lovers for a night of sampling, dancing, and socializing. Tickets (which can be purchased online) are BZ$75/pp (US $37.50) and include two complimentary adult beverages.
The following day will feature a pop-up marketplace dedicated to celebrating all things chocolate. Taking place right inside Punta Gorda Town, the Celebrate Chocolate Market will offer festivalgoers the chance to discover a variety of chocolate vendors, artisans, and entrepreneurs. And, finally, on Sunday, the festival closes off with a friendly football competition in the village of Big Falls.
With the unique and off-the-beaten-path Toledo district as its setting, Belize’s annual Chocolate Festival is sure to be a delight. You can learn more by following the festival on Facebook.
May 17th & 18th – Belize Songwriter Festival
Photo Credit: The Belize Collection
For the music fans, set your sights north of Toledo: the tiny seaside village of Hopkins will once again be the setting for the Belize Songwriter Festival. The second iteration of this country music festival features a slew of songwriters and musicians set to perform over the course of two days.
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- Paul Overstreet at the 2023 Belize Songwriter Festival. Photo by the Belize Collection
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- Lindsay Ell at the 2023 Belize Songwriter Festival. Photo by the Belize Collection
It all begins on May 17th with the Lodge at Jaguar Reef and Mango’s Bar as the setting for what’s expected to be dynamic performances. Guests will be treated to the musical stylings of Jamie Paulin, Tyler Farr, and Lucas Hoge (host of Hoge Wild and founder of the festival) as well as Nate Kenyon and beloved Belizean musician Kylon Eiley.
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- Photo Credit: The Belize Collection
Then, on May 18th, festivalgoers will get to do it all over again, this time with Rodney Clawson, Phillip Lammonds, and Trent Tomlinson performing at Jaguar Reef while Andrew Wiscombe and Stephen Covell will perform next door at Playbar. With just under two weeks to go, there’s still time to book your Belize Songwriter Festival Tickets as well as book your accommodation for the night at one of four idyllic Belize Collection resorts.
Featured Photo courtesy of the Belize Chocolate Festival
