Independence Day

When celebrating Belize’s national holidays, Belizeans know how to make every year’s celebrations unique, colorful, energetic, and patriotic. Belize’s Independence Day on September 21st is the culmination of patriotic celebrations with a national party highlighting all things Belizean. San Pedro Town held another memorable celebration with a massive and fun parade involving students, citizens, carnival dancers, live performances, and visiting international DJ Osocity.

The anticipated pre-Independence Day celebration in San Pedro Town was held at the Honourable Louis Sylvester Sporting Arena on Wednesday, September 20th, with thousands of islanders in attendance. This year, San Pedranos joined Belizeans nationwide and abroad in celebrating Belize’s independence anniversary under the theme ‘Hope Ignited, Hands United, Vision Reviewed: Belize @42! The traditional event included cultural presentations, speeches, and the official flag-raising ceremony at midnight, ushering in Belize’s Independence Day-September 21st with a grand fireworks spectacle.

San Pedro Town, one of the most patriotic municipalities in Belize, welcomed the month of September with the annual flag-raising ceremony that marks the beginning of a celebration that will honor many key events throughout the month, culminating with Independence Day. The beginning of the September Celebrations on the island also included the first-ever San Pedro Street Fest held on Barrier Reef Drive.

The carnival road march in San Pedro Town for Independence Day saw hundreds of people lining the streets to celebrate September 21st after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The colourful, fun and anticipated festivities included a carnival march with dancers in outstanding outfits dancing to the beat of Soca music. The parade not only included Belizean dancers but a group of fun and vibrant young ladies from the United States who decided to celebrate the country’s special day Belizean style by joining the parade. With the help of the Mother Nature Creation Carnival band members, they found costumes and blended in the parade, dancing and singing through the streets of San Pedro, celebrating Belize’s birthday.

San Pedranos have been waiting for a hospital in San Pedro Town for decades. The past administration spoke about the much-needed health center for the island, but the project never materialized. Under the People’s United Party (PUP), the new administration pledged to deliver on the promise. In March, they confirmed that funds were secured via a grant from the Republic of China (Taiwan). On Independence Day this year, Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez reaffirmed the commitment and said that a ground-breaking for the hospital should take place early in 2023.

Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño said during his Independence Day address on Wednesday, September 21, that the most anticipated increase in the minimum wage from $3.5 to $5 per hour would come into effect in January.

Revelers invaded the main streets of San Pedro Town on Wednesday, September 21st, to celebrate the nation’s 41st Independence anniversary with a massive parade that included schools, citizen marching bands, and energetic carnival dancers. The parade, said to be the longest in island history, started from Blake Street and Coconut Drive, south of downtown, and ended north at the Boca del Rio beach park.

September is here, bringing with it the patriotic celebrations commemorating the 224th anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and Belize’s 41st Independence Day celebration. The patriotic month was welcomed across the country with the annual flag-raising ceremony. In San Pedro Town the San Pedro Town Council held the annual ceremony at 6AM on September 1st at Central Park. The event saw the presence of local authorities and proud Belizeans who together sang the national anthem while the flag was hoisted.