Lobsterfest In Placencia: Dates And Delights

The Placencia Lobsterfest in Belize is an annual celebration of the opening of the lobster season in the country. The festival is held in July, usually over a long weekend, and lasts for three days. In 2024, the Placencia Lobsterfest will take place from July 5th to 7th.

The festival is organised by the Placencia Village Council and the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). It was first held in June 1998 as a small gathering near the main dock of the Placencia harbour. The Placencia Lobsterfest has since grown into one of the most spectacular events on the Belizean calendar, attracting thousands of local and international visitors.

Lobsterfest 2024 dates

Lobsterfest is an annual seafood festival in Belize, marking the opening of the lobster season. The festival is held in three areas: Caye Caulker, San Pedro, and Placencia.

The Placencia Lobsterfest 2024 will take place from the 5th to the 7th of July. It will be a three-day event, as usual, with a packed schedule of activities and entertainment.

The festival will feature a Belikin beer drinking contest, a hot spicy wings eating contest, and the 'biggest lobstah' competition. There will also be a range of games, including the Lobsterfest classics: 'Throw the cast net' and 'Reel in the kayak'.

Attendees can also expect to enjoy an extensive menu of lobster dishes, including lobster pies, grilled lobster, stew lobster, lobster fajitas, and even lobster pizza.

The Placencia Lobsterfest is organised by the Placencia BTIA and the Placencia Village Council. It was first held in June 1998 and has since grown into one of the most spectacular events in Belize, attracting thousands of local and international visitors each year.

History of Placencia Lobsterfest

The Placencia Lobster Festival, or Lobsterfest, is an annual event held in Placencia Village, Belize, to mark the opening of the lobster season. It is one of four Lobsterfests held across the country, but Placencia's is considered the best due to its beach location and diverse selection of lobster dishes.

The Placencia Lobsterfest began in June 1998 when the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) decided to create an event to attract visitors to the village and improve the local economy. The first Lobsterfest was a small gathering at Placencia fishing harbour, with just one table hosted by the Green Parrot Resort, serving lobster bruschetta. The event also featured makeshift carnival games to raise funds for the Placencia BTIA.

The event was designed to coincide with the start of the Placencia Fisherman’s Cooperative annual Fisherman’s Day festivities and the beginning of the lobster season. The BTIA planned it in collaboration with the Green Parrot Resort of the Maya Beach Community in northern Placencia Peninsula.

The humble beginnings of the Lobsterfest soon grew, with the event doubling in size in the following two years. By 2000, it had expanded beyond the docks, attracting foreign visitors and local artisans and performers. The event moved to the Placencia Village Beach Front to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

The Placencia Lobsterfest has become a major event on the Belizean calendar, drawing locals and tourists alike to enjoy the food, music, and entertainment. It has also become a platform for local chefs and cooks to showcase their culinary skills and compete with each other. The festival features over 50 booths serving a variety of lobster dishes, including grilled lobster, lobster pizza, and lobster fajitas, as well as other Belizean cuisines.

In addition to the food, the Placencia Lobsterfest offers a range of entertainment, including live music, a well-stocked bar, and games such as the annual Lionfish Tournament and the classic "cast the net" contest. The festival also incorporates cultural activities, such as artisan stalls selling traditional crafts and Garifuna dance performances.

Lobster dishes

The Placencia Lobsterfest in Belize is a grand celebration of the opening of the lobster season, attracting thousands of local and international visitors. The festival offers an extensive menu of lobster dishes, including:

Lobster on the Grill

A classic way to cook lobster, resulting in tender and juicy meat cradled in a shell brimming with garlicky, herby butter. Grilled lobster tails are a summer extravagance and can be served with creamy risotto or a fresh arugula salad.

Lobster Thermidor

A classic dish where gently cooked lobster meat is stuffed back into its shell with a wine-based sauce and a touch of cheese before being broiled. The natural sweetness of the lobster shines through the rich, yet not heavy, cream sauce.

Lobster Ceviche

Ideal for the summer months when conch season is closed, this dish is made with raw lobster meat cured in citrus juices and spiced with ají peppers, onions, and fresh herbs.

Lobster Kebabs

Chunks of lobster meat are skewered and grilled to perfection, often served with a variety of vegetables and a side of rice or salad.

Lobster Chowder

A hearty and creamy soup made with lobster meat, vegetables, and a blend of spices, creating a comforting and flavourful dish.

Lobster Pies

A twist on the traditional meat pie, these pies feature a generous helping of lobster meat in a creamy sauce, encased in a flaky pastry crust.

Grilled Lobster

A simple yet decadent preparation, where lobster is grilled to perfection, often served with melted butter and a squeeze of lemon.

Lobster Pizza

A unique take on the classic pizza, featuring lobster meat as the star ingredient, paired with a variety of toppings and a cheesy base.

Lobster Fajitas

A Mexican-inspired dish where grilled lobster meat is served with sautéed peppers and onions, wrapped in a warm tortilla.

Lobster Bisque

A rich and creamy soup made with a stock of lobster shells, vegetables, and spices. It is a decadent and satisfying dish that can be served hot or cold.

Lobster Rolls

A quintessential summer dish, lobster rolls come in two styles: Maine-style with mayonnaise, and Connecticut-style with melted butter and chives. Both are typically served in a buttered, top-split hot dog bun.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

A luxurious twist on the classic comfort food, featuring generous chunks of lobster meat and a rich three-cheese sauce.

Other Belizean cuisines

The Placencia Lobsterfest in Belize is a grand celebration of the opening of the lobster season, attracting thousands of local and international visitors. The festival is held annually in July and lasts for three days. It features a wide range of lobster dishes, from grilled lobster to lobster pizzas and pies, as well as other Belizean cuisines.

Belizean cuisine is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities that have inhabited the nation. It is influenced by Maya, Garifuna, Kriol, Mestizo, and Spanish and African cuisines. Here are some other Belizean cuisines that you can expect to find or taste outside of the Lobsterfest in Placencia, Belize:

Tamales

Belizean tamales are unique in that they are wrapped in plantain leaves instead of corn husks. They are filled with an assortment of meats, cheese, chillies, and vegetables. The dough is made from corn and often steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf. Tamales are a popular grab-and-go meal and can be found at roadside vendors or enjoyed as a sit-down meal.

Panades

These are Belizean delicacies, similar to empanadas, filled with fish, red or black beans, or other fillings of the cook's choice. They are usually served with onion, cabbage, and pepper salsa, providing a spicy kick.

Salbutes

These are fluffy, fried corn tortillas topped with shredded onion, cabbage, chicken, tomato, cheese, and avocado and Marie Sharp pepper sauce. Salbutes are a popular lunch or dinner option and can be found in restaurants across Belize.

Sere/ Hudut

Sere is a fish soup made with fried fish, coconut milk, plantain, and cassava. It resembles hudut, a dish from South Belize and is representative of Garifuna cooking. Hudut is made by cooking plantain until tender, then combining it with fish, spices, and a coconut milk dip.

Rice and Beans

This is a culinary staple in Belize, often cooked creole-style with rice stewed in beans and coconut milk. It is typically served with fried fish, baked or stewed chicken, or other meats. It is commonly consumed on Sundays and is a must-try when visiting Belize.

Boil Up

A national dish of Belize, the boil-up includes a variety of ingredients boiled in stock, such as vegetables, eggs, bread dumplings, and fish. It is a starchy and hearty meal, often served with dumplings and is a source of pride for Belizeans.

Belizean cuisine offers a diverse range of flavours and culinary traditions, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. These dishes provide a taste of Belize beyond the lobster-focused festivities of Lobsterfest.

Lobsterfest entertainment

Lobsterfest in Placencia, Belize, is a grand celebration of the opening of the lobster season in Belize, attracting thousands of local and international visitors. The event is organised by the Placencia BTIA (Belize Tourism Industry Association) and the Placencia Village Council and has long been a traditional mainstay of Placencia's economy.

Lobsterfest in Placencia is a three-day event, held on the beach in front of Placencia Village. It features over 50 booths serving an extensive menu of lobster dishes, including lobster pies, grilled lobster, lobster pizza, and lobster fajitas. The festival also offers various other mouthwatering Belizean cuisines for those who don't like lobster.

In addition to the food, there is plenty of entertainment at Lobsterfest in Placencia. Here is a list of some of the entertainment options:

• Live music
• Well-stocked bar operated by the village council
• Games, including Cast Net and Reel in the Dinghy
• Annual Lionfish Tournament, where the contestant who catches the largest lionfish wins a prize
• Lobsterfest raffle
• Beauty pageants, with some contestants dressing up as lobsters
• Beach parties
• Street fests

Frequently asked questions