September is just around the corner and while some people will tell you that this month is considered the “slow season” for tourism in Belize, I wholeheartedly disagree. September is celebration season! It is my favorite time for touring the country and getting immersed in the culture. The towns are painted red and blue, flags adorn every home and business, and the streets are flooded with parades. Get swept up in the excitement of September Celebrations in the charming coastal communities of the Placencia Peninsula on the country’s southern shores. From children’s activities to raucous dance parties and plenty of good old-fashioned beachside barbeques, September is a great time to visit and experience the simple pleasures of village life. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening in Placencia next month.
Family Fun
Placencia, Belize. Photo by the Belize Tourism Board.
Kick off the month of celebrations with a wholesome beach bash for the entire family. The Placencia Village Council will host a miniature festival on September 1st at the Placencia Point Beach that will include music, vendors, games, and sporting events. Classic competitions like water balloon tosses, three-legged races, and the egg-on-spoon obstacle course are highlights of the day. Splash around in the sea or take a seat in the sand to cheer on the teams in the volleyball tournament. Cold drinks and hot barbeque are certain to be on offer alongside artisan and craft vendors.
Similar: Belize’s Placencia Peninsula Is More Than Meets the Eye: Here’s What You Need to Know
Have fun in the sun as well as under the stars. Bring your blanket or beach chairs to the Point Beach on Saturday night (September 7th & 14th) for an outdoor movie screening. Children’s films will be shown on a big screen on the beach for a cinematic experience at the edge of the Caribbean Sea.
Regatta Weekend
Placencia, Belize. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
Placencia will host the Belize Sailing Association’s National Championship Regatta this year. Youth from across the country will compete in six races over the two days of competition to complete the sailing season and crown the national champion. Enjoy the view of the races from anywhere along the beach. Have fun cheering on the young sailors as they make their laps through the course.
Plenty of Parades
Photo by Belize My Travels
Placencians love a parade, and they have plenty of them planned for September. We salute the First Responders on September 9th during the Fire Truck Parade. It’s a fairly young tradition that began in Belize City and spread countrywide to now include Police and EMTs. A small parade of marchers will trickle through town on September 10th, a national holiday commemorating the Battle of St. George’s Caye. The school children will hit the street on September 20th which is a preamble to the big day of celebration and marching.
Similar: Carnival Season Is in Full Swing: Join in on the Revelry With Belize Carnivals
September 21st, Belize’s Independence Day, is the main event when it comes to parading and partying. The festivities begin at daybreak with a boisterous and joyful Jouvert. Everyone gathers along the road for the Carnival March in the afternoon. Troupes of colorfully costumed dancers will make their way along the 1-mile parade route to end at the municipal pier. Feathers, glitter, and enthusiastic gyrating are par for the course. Spectating is a sport in and of itself because even the most casual observer will have difficulty standing still with the music and energy’s infectiousness.
Placencia Carnival. Photo by @belizemytravels on IG
Join the fun of the celebration season! Visit Placencia during September for the true local experience. Get to revel in the authentic charm and contagious energy of the peninsula.
Featured Photo by Belize My Travels
