Belize has 14 officially confirmed public and bank holiday dates in 2026, including George Price Day, Easter, Labour Day, Independence Day, Garifuna Settlement Day and Christmas. The Government of Belize published the annual schedule through Press Release No. 218-25 on 6 November 2025.
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The holidays are governed by the Holidays Act, Chapter 289, Revised Edition 2011. The official calendar identifies national celebrations, historical commemorations, Christian religious holidays and the dates on which public and bank holidays will be observed.
This guide explains Belize's 2026 holiday schedule, national celebrations, bank closures, substitute holiday rules, employee holiday pay and opportunities for extended weekends.
Next Public Holiday in Belize
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Public Holidays in Belize 2026
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Belize's 2026 calendar contains 14 officially designated public and bank holiday dates. All dates are confirmed in the Government of Belize's official 2026 holiday announcement.
The schedule is issued under Section 3 of the Holidays Act, Chapter 289. It includes fixed-date national holidays, movable Easter observances and holidays whose dates are affected by statutory observance rules.
The government's published schedule is the authoritative reference for the dates on which Belize's public and bank holidays are observed in 2026.
How Public and Bank Holidays Work in Belize
Belize regulates public and bank holidays through the Holidays Act, Chapter 289, Revised Edition 2011.
The Act distinguishes public holidays specified in its First Schedule from bank holidays governed by its Second Schedule. Section 3 establishes the observance rules, including substitutions when certain holidays fall on weekends or designated weekdays.
Section 5 addresses bank holidays and their application to banking institutions.
The government publishes an annual notice identifying the dates on which the holidays will be observed. For 2026, that notice is Press Release No. 218-25, issued in Belmopan on 6 November 2025.
Public holidays may affect government offices, banks, schools and private businesses, although individual sectors and essential services may operate under separate arrangements.
National and Historical Holidays in Belize
Several of Belize's public holidays commemorate independence, national leaders, historical events and the contributions of different communities to the country's identity.
George Price Day
George Price Day is observed annually on 15 January in honour of George Cadle Price, Belize's first Prime Minister and a central figure in the country's independence movement.
Price played a leading role in the movement toward self-government and Belize's eventual independence in 1981.
In 2026, George Price Day fell on Thursday, 15 January.
The holiday recognizes his contribution to the country's political development and nation-building.
National Heroes and Benefactor Day
National Heroes and Benefactor Day honours individuals who contributed to Belize's national development and public welfare.
The occasion is historically associated with Baron Bliss, a benefactor whose legacy supported projects and public institutions in Belize.
Over time, the holiday's broader significance has come to include recognition of national heroes and benefactors.
The government officially designated Monday, 9 March 2026, as the holiday.
Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834 and recognizes the history, resilience and contributions of people of African descent.
Belize observes Emancipation Day on 1 August.
In 2026, the holiday fell on Saturday, 1 August.
The government's annual notice does not designate Monday, 3 August, as an additional substitute holiday.
St. George's Caye Day
St. George's Caye Day is observed on 10 September and commemorates the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798.
The historical event is remembered as an important part of Belize's national history and identity.
The celebration forms part of Belize's wider September festivities, which also include Independence Day.
In 2026, St. George's Caye Day fell on Thursday, 10 September.
Independence Day
Belize celebrates Independence Day annually on 21 September.
The holiday commemorates Belize's independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.
Independence Day is one of the country's most important national celebrations and is associated with ceremonies, cultural performances, parades and community events.
In 2026, Independence Day fell on Monday, 21 September.
Indigenous People's Resistance Day
Indigenous People's Resistance Day recognizes Indigenous peoples, their histories, cultures and resistance to colonization.
The holiday is observed on 12 October and reflects a shift away from the historical name Columbus Day toward recognition of Indigenous experiences and contributions.
In 2026, the Government of Belize officially designated Monday, 12 October, as Indigenous People's Resistance Day.
The official name published in the government's holiday announcement should be used when recording the date in public holiday calendars.
Garifuna Settlement Day
Garifuna Settlement Day is observed on 19 November and commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize in the nineteenth century.
The holiday celebrates Garifuna history, language, music, dance, food and cultural traditions.
Communities across Belize mark the occasion through cultural events, ceremonies and performances, with particularly significant celebrations in Garifuna communities.
In 2026, Garifuna Settlement Day falls on Thursday, 19 November.
Easter Public Holidays in Belize in 2026
Belize officially recognizes three Easter-related public holiday dates: Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Monday.
These dates change annually because they follow the Christian Easter calendar.
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is observed as a public holiday in Belize.
In 2026, Good Friday fell on 3 April.
The holiday has particular employment-law significance because work performed on Good Friday is subject to special holiday pay provisions under the Labour Act.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is observed between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
It is separately recognized as a public and bank holiday in Belize.
In 2026, Holy Saturday fell on 4 April.
The government explicitly includes this Saturday in the official holiday schedule, even though many employees may already have Saturday as a regular day off.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day following Easter Sunday and is a statutory holiday in Belize.
In 2026, Easter Monday fell on 6 April.
The three official Easter-related dates form part of an extended Easter period. Easter Sunday itself is not separately identified as a public and bank holiday in the government's 2026 announcement.
Christmas and Boxing Day in Belize
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both recognized in Belize's official public and bank holiday calendar.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is observed on 25 December and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
The occasion is associated with family gatherings, religious services and seasonal celebrations.
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December.
Under Belize's Labour Act, work performed on Christmas Day is subject to special holiday pay rules.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is observed on 26 December, the day after Christmas.
In 2026, Boxing Day falls on Saturday, 26 December.
The government's official annual holiday notice lists Saturday as the observance date and does not designate Monday, 28 December, as an additional substitute holiday.
Labour Day in Belize
Labour Day is observed annually on 1 May in recognition of workers and the labour movement.
In 2026, Labour Day fell on Friday, 1 May.
The holiday recognizes the contributions of working people and the importance of employment rights.
Belize's Labour Act establishes minimum standards relating to public holiday pay, overtime, rest periods and annual leave.
Public Holiday Substitution Rules in Belize
Belize has specific statutory rules governing how certain public and bank holidays are observed when they fall on particular weekdays.
Section 3(2) of the Holidays Act provides that when a holiday specified in the relevant schedules falls on Sunday, the following Monday is observed in substitution, unless otherwise ordered by the responsible Minister through the Gazette.
Section 3(3) also establishes special weekday transfer rules for certain named holidays identified in Section 3(4).
These rules should not be interpreted as an automatic Monday replacement for every Saturday holiday.
For 2026, Emancipation Day falls on Saturday, 1 August, while Boxing Day falls on Saturday, 26 December.
The government's official annual schedule retains those Saturday dates and does not list an additional Monday observance for either holiday.
Employers, institutions and holiday database administrators should follow the published government calendar rather than independently adding substitute dates.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Belize?
Belize's Labour Act, Chapter 297, establishes rules for payment on public and bank holidays.
Section 117 provides for payment at normal rates for qualifying employees when a public holiday falls on a scheduled working day, subject to statutory conditions.
Different premium rates apply when employees are required to work during public holidays.
Holiday Pay for Ordinary Public Holidays
For qualifying employees, work performed on most public holidays is generally compensated at one and one-half times the ordinary rate of pay, subject to the applicable employment provisions.
Holiday Pay for Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday
The Labour Act establishes a higher rate for qualifying work performed on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Work on these three holidays is generally compensated at double the ordinary rate, subject to the legal conditions and exemptions.
The Belize Ministry of Labour's official employment FAQs explain the statutory rates, scheduled-workday requirements and situations involving workers whose regular days off fall on public holidays.
Collective agreements and employment contracts may provide more favourable benefits. Different rules or exemptions may apply to particular categories of employees, including some supervisory and managerial positions.
Are Banks Closed on Public Holidays in Belize?
Belize's official 2026 announcement jointly identifies public and bank holiday dates under the Holidays Act.
Bank holidays affect ordinary banking operations, although digital banking, card payments, automated teller machines and other services may remain available according to individual financial institutions' arrangements.
Customers should check their bank's published schedule before arranging branch visits, transfers or transactions requiring same-day processing.
Public institutions and private businesses may follow different operating arrangements, especially where essential services are involved.
Long Weekends in Belize in 2026
Belize's 2026 holiday calendar includes several opportunities for extended weekends, particularly for employees who normally work Monday to Friday.
National Heroes and Benefactor Day on Monday, 9 March, creates a potential three-day weekend.
The Easter period includes Good Friday on 3 April, Holy Saturday on 4 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. Combined with Easter Sunday, these dates create a potential four-day break from Friday through Monday.
Labour Day falls on Friday, 1 May, creating a possible three-day weekend.
Independence Day on Monday, 21 September, and Indigenous People's Resistance Day on Monday, 12 October, each provide a potential three-day weekend.
Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December, followed by Boxing Day on Saturday, 26 December. Employees with a Saturday-Sunday weekend may have three consecutive days away from work.
Other holidays, including George Price Day, St. George's Caye Day and Garifuna Settlement Day, fall on Thursdays. Employees who obtain separately approved leave on the following Friday may be able to extend their break, but such leave is not an additional statutory holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Belize?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Belize section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Belize in 2026?
Belize has 14 officially confirmed nationwide public and bank holiday dates in 2026. All 14 dates appear in Government Press Release No. 218-25, issued on 6 November 2025.
What is Belize's country code?
Belize's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is BZ. This code is used for international country identification and structured public holiday databases.
When is George Price Day in Belize in 2026?
George Price Day falls on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The holiday honours Belize's first Prime Minister, George Cadle Price, and his contribution to the country's independence and national development.
When is National Heroes and Benefactor Day in 2026?
National Heroes and Benefactor Day falls on Monday, 9 March 2026. The holiday commemorates individuals who made significant contributions to Belize, including the benefactor Baron Bliss.
Is Holy Saturday a public holiday in Belize?
Yes. Holy Saturday is an officially recognized public and bank holiday in Belize. In 2026, it fell on Saturday, 4 April, as confirmed by the government holiday announcement.
When is Belize Independence Day in 2026?
Belize Independence Day falls on Monday, 21 September 2026. The holiday commemorates the country's independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.
What is Indigenous People's Resistance Day in Belize?
Indigenous People's Resistance Day recognizes the history, culture and resistance of Indigenous peoples. In 2026, the officially designated public holiday falls on Monday, 12 October.
When is Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize in 2026?
Garifuna Settlement Day falls on Thursday, 19 November 2026. The national holiday commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize and celebrates their history and cultural heritage.
Does Belize provide substitute public holidays when holidays fall on weekends?
Belize's Holidays Act provides a Monday substitution rule for specified holidays falling on Sunday, subject to ministerial orders, and additional transfer rules for certain named holidays. However, the government's 2026 schedule does not designate an additional Monday holiday for Emancipation Day or Boxing Day, both of which fall on Saturday.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Belize
- Government of Belize Press Office – Public and Bank Holidays 2026: The official government announcement confirming all 14 holiday dates and names for 2026.
- Government of Belize – Press Release No. 218-25: The original PDF notice issued on 6 November 2025 under Section 3 of the Holidays Act.
- Belize Judiciary – Holidays Act, Chapter 289: Establishes public and bank holidays, their statutory classifications and substitution rules.
- Belize Ministry of Labour – Employment FAQs: Explains public holiday payments, premium wage rates, scheduled working days and related labour rights.
- International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize – Public and Bank Holidays 2026: Reproduces the official national schedule, including the government's recognized dates and holiday names.
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