Belize's Easter Date Tradition

Easter in Belize is a four-day public holiday, from Good Friday to Easter Monday, with festivities lasting for a full week. The majority of Belizeans are Christian, so Easter is a sacred time, with many special church services. Good Friday is a solemn day, with religious services and processions re-enacting the Passion of Christ. It is also a day for relaxation and reflection, when people stay at home with their families or go to church. On Holy Saturday, there is a 140-mile cross-country cycling race from Belize City to San Ignacio and back, and on Easter Sunday, families get together for meals and picnics. Easter Monday is another public holiday, with fairs and horse races.

Easter in Belize: religious and secular celebrations

With more than 80% of Belizeans identifying as Christians, Easter is the longest public and bank holiday in Belize, lasting four days, from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Schools are closed for a full week, starting from the Monday before Easter weekend. The government, public utilities, and banks shut down from midday on Holy Thursday, resulting in a slow period for commerce.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, the faithful begin work on the Alfombras De Acerrin (sawdust carpets). These colourful carpets adorn the streets of Benque Viejo del Carmen in western Belize, where the Spanish and Basque traditions of the area are celebrated.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a peaceful day in Belize, with minimal travel as most people stay home with their families or attend church services. Radio and television stations broadcast religious programs, including live coverage of the Pope's Good Friday message and the procession around Rome's Colosseum to mark Jesus Christ's crucifixion and death.

In Benque Viejo del Carmen, a traditional re-enactment of the Via Crucifix takes place, with the streets decorated with Alfombras De Acerrin. This Holy Week tradition showcases the Spanish and Basque heritage of Western and Northern Belize, which was previously suppressed under British colonial rule. Similar re-enactments of the Via Crucis are also gaining popularity in villages in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is marked by the annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Race, a gruelling 140-mile race from Belize City to San Ignacio-Santa Elena and back. The race brings the country to a standstill for most of the day, with traffic paralysed on the Western Highway. After the race, municipalities host fairs and dances.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is celebrated with mass, as Christians gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Families come together for meals and picnics, strengthening their ties to God. In the afternoons, municipalities host football games and fairs.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday marks the winding down of the Easter celebrations, though fairs are still held across the country, including one at Burrel Boom in the Belize District, which also features horse races. Most municipal towns host afternoon dances to close off the long weekend.

Good Friday in Belize: solemnity and tradition

Good Friday is a solemn day in Belize, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. With over 80% of the population identifying as Christian, it is a significant religious holiday for many Belizeans. The day is characterised by peacefulness and reverence, with most people staying home with their families or attending church services.

Traditions and Customs

Belizeans observe various traditions and customs on Good Friday. Here are some of the most common practices:

• Abstinence from meat: Following the Lenten tradition, Belizeans abstain from eating meat on Good Friday, with the exception of fish. Traditional dishes include fish burgers, fried fish, and sere, a Garifuna fish soup made with coconut milk and ripe plantains.
• Hot Cross Buns: These sweet, spiced buns decorated with a cross to symbolise the crucifixion of Jesus are enjoyed on Good Friday.
• No swimming: There is a superstitious belief that swimming in the river or the Caribbean Sea on Good Friday will turn people into mermaids or mermen.
• Re-enactments: In the town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen in western Belize, a live and colourful re-enactment of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ takes place. The streets are decorated with beautiful Alfombras De Acerrin (sawdust carpets), blending Spanish and Basque traditions.
• Gospel music and religious programs: Many Belizeans listen to gospel music and tune into religious programs on radio and television, including the Pope's Good Friday Message and the procession around Rome's Colosseum.
• Church services: In the afternoon, Belizeans attend commemorative church services to mark the solemn occasion.
• Decorating roadside altars: Tropical flowers are used to decorate roadside altars in remembrance of Jesus's death.

A Day of Reflection and Family

Good Friday in Belize is a day of reflection and spending time with family. It is common for people to refrain from travelling until after 6 pm, and the sale of alcohol is now allowed, although many continue to abstain. The day is also marked by the Cross Country Bicycle Race, a beloved tradition in Belize.

Holy Saturday: the Cross Country Cycle Race

The Cross Country Cycling Classic, also known as the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, is an annual race held in Belize on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. The race is one of the country's most popular and exciting sporting events, with a history spanning over 90 years.

The race was first held in 1928 and has since become an Easter tradition in Belize. It was originally designed to encourage local Belizeans to travel by bicycle to cricket games in San Ignacio Town, as the roads at the time were in poor condition. Today, the race has evolved into a grueling 140-mile round trip from Belize City to San Ignacio Town, attracting over 100 amateur cyclists from Belize and around the world.

The race begins at 6:00 am on the George Price Highway, with cyclists competing to be the first to reach San Ignacio Town and return to the finish line in Belize City. The entire race usually takes less than six hours, with the winners typically crossing the finish line around 11:45 am. While the race is open to both male and female cyclists, awards are given in different categories, including Masters (professional racers), women, men under 18, and men under 23. A separate "Elite" award is also given to the team with the best collective time.

The Cross Country Cycling Classic is a highly anticipated event in Belize, with thousands of people gathering to cheer on the cyclists and celebrate the country's love for cycling. The race is a testament to the endurance and skill of the participants, and it has become an integral part of the Easter traditions and celebrations in Belize.

With its rich history, enthusiastic participants, and dedicated fans, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycle Race continues to be a beloved tradition in Belize, bringing together the community and showcasing the country's passion for cycling.

Easter Sunday: mass, meals and outdoor activities

In Belize, Easter Sunday is a day of mass, meals, and outdoor activities. As a primarily Roman Catholic country, more than 80% of Belizeans are Christians, and Easter is a time for them to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. The day starts with an early morning mass, where Christians proclaim their faith and strengthen their ties to God. After the mass, families get together and share large meals or have picnics to celebrate.

In the afternoon, many municipalities hold football games and fairs, which are open to both locals and tourists. The country also hosts its largest cycling event, the Holy Saturday Cycling Classic, which runs from Belize City to San Ignacio and back, drawing crowds to the streets. The first race was held in 1928 and was won by Elston Kerr.

For those who want a more relaxed day, Easter Sunday is a great time to visit the local beaches, rivers, or the nearest bathing pool. The weather is usually hot, but occasionally a cold front moves in, bringing clouds and pleasant temperatures.

Easter Monday is a more relaxed day, when the Easter celebrations start to wind down. There are still fairs and dances held across the country, and horse races near Belize City in Burrel Boom Village.

Easter Monday: fairs, horse races and dances

Belize is a predominantly Christian country, with more than 80% of Belizeans identifying as Christian. Easter is a sacred time for many Belizeans, and the four-day Easter weekend is the longest public and bank holiday in the country.

On Easter Monday, the final day of the Easter holiday, Belizeans continue to celebrate with fairs, horse races, and dances. One of the most popular events on Easter Monday is the famed Castleton Derby horse race, which takes place in the rural village of Burrell Boom, the only village with a racetrack. People from all over Belize, and beyond, flock to the village to witness this exciting event and to enjoy the local food on offer. The children especially enjoy watching the stunning horses as they race around the track at lightning speed.

Belizeans also love to dance, and on Easter Monday, almost all municipal towns host afternoon dances to close off the long weekend. The celebrations continue throughout the day, with Belizeans taking one last opportunity to eat, drink, and be merry before the holiday ends and it's back to work on Tuesday.

In addition to the horse races and dances, Easter Monday is also a great time for visitors to explore the local sights and sounds of Belize. They can wander through the local markets, watch traditional dances, or explore ancient ruins such as the Mayan city of Cahal Pech. For those looking for a more adventurous activity, there is the option of going diving with whale sharks or exploring sacred ceremonial caves, such as the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, which contains fascinating artefacts left by the ancient Maya.

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