{
 "title": "Belize public and bank holidays",
 "page": "https://belizepulse.com/events",
 "checked_on": "2026-09-23",
 "licence": "CC BY 4.0: free to reuse with credit to belizepulse.com.",
 "date_status": {
  "confirmed": "exact date published for that year by an official body or the organiser",
  "expected": "legal date is fixed, but the observed day for that year has not been gazetted yet",
  "usual": "normally happens in this month; no date announced for that year",
  "unconfirmed": "reported, but we could not confirm it, or sources conflict"
 },
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "Government of Belize Press Office — Public and Bank Holidays 2026",
   "url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "note": "the official 2026 list (PR#218-25, 6 Nov 2025)"
  },
  {
   "name": "Press Office — Public and Bank Holidays 2025",
   "url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2025/",
   "note": "past Monday moves"
  },
  {
   "name": "Belize Gazette — Public and Bank Holidays 2024 (with amendment)",
   "url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Amendment-Gazetted-holidays-2024.pdf",
   "note": "shows a notice can be changed after it is issued"
  },
  {
   "name": "Press Office — Public and Bank Holidays 2023",
   "url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2023/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Press Office — Public and Bank Holidays 2022 (updated)",
   "url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2022-updated/"
  },
  {
   "name": "The San Pedro Sun — 2021 holiday list",
   "url": "https://www.sanpedrosun.com/politics-and-government/2021/01/04/two-new-belizean-public-and-bank-holidays-in-2021-pan-american-day-removed/",
   "note": "the 2021 Sunday moves"
  },
  {
   "name": "The San Pedro Sun — Emancipation Day",
   "url": "https://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2021/08/03/belize-observes-emancipation-day/"
  },
  {
   "name": "The San Pedro Sun — 12 October renamed",
   "url": "https://www.sanpedrosun.com/government/2021/11/19/gob-quickly-changes-the-dia-de-la-raza-holiday-to-indigenous-peoples-resistance-day-after-public-objection/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Wikipedia — Public holidays in Belize",
   "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Belize",
   "note": "background on what each holiday marks"
  },
  {
   "name": "The San Pedro Sun",
   "url": "https://www.sanpedrosun.com/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Ambergris Today",
   "url": "https://ambergristoday.com/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Breaking Belize News",
   "url": "https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/"
  },
  {
   "name": "Channel 5 / Greater Belize Media",
   "url": "https://www.greaterbelize.com/"
  }
 ],
 "year_notes": {
  "2026": "Official list published 6 November 2025.",
  "2027": "Not published yet (checked 23 September 2026). These are the legal dates; which weekday each is observed on is set by the 2027 notice. The notes say where a Monday move is likely, based on past years."
 },
 "holidays": [
  {
   "name": "New Year's Day",
   "start": "2026-01-01",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "George Price Day",
   "start": "2026-01-15",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Honours George Price, Belize's first Prime Minister. Added as a holiday in 2021.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "National Heroes and Benefactors Day",
   "start": "2026-03-09",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Originally Baron Bliss Day, after the Englishman who left his fortune to what was then British Honduras.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Good Friday",
   "start": "2026-04-03",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Holy Saturday",
   "start": "2026-04-04",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "A public holiday in Belize (Easter Sunday itself is not on the list).",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Easter Monday",
   "start": "2026-04-06",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Labour Day",
   "start": "2026-05-01",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Emancipation Day",
   "start": "2026-08-01",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Marks 1 August 1838, when enslaved Africans in the English-speaking Caribbean were legally freed. A public holiday in Belize since 2021.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "St. George's Caye Day",
   "start": "2026-09-10",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Commemorates the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Independence Day",
   "start": "2026-09-21",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Belize's independence from Britain, 21 September 1981.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Indigenous Peoples' Resistance Day",
   "start": "2026-10-12",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "The 12 October holiday, once Columbus Day / Pan American Day, then briefly El Día de la Raza. Renamed in November 2021 to honour the native peoples of the Americas who resisted colonial conquest.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Garifuna Settlement Day",
   "start": "2026-11-19",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Honours the Garifuna people; a public holiday since 1941.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Christmas Day",
   "start": "2026-12-25",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Boxing Day",
   "start": "2026-12-26",
   "date_status": "confirmed",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Govt. Press Office, 2026 list",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "New Year's Day",
   "start": "2027-01-01",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "George Price Day",
   "start": "2027-01-15",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Honours George Price, Belize's first Prime Minister. Added as a holiday in 2021.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "National Heroes and Benefactors Day",
   "start": "2027-03-09",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Originally Baron Bliss Day, after the Englishman who left his fortune to what was then British Honduras.",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Tuesday. When this holiday fell mid-week in 2022 and 2023 it was moved to the Monday before, so it may be observed Mon 8 Mar. But the 2025 and 2026 lists left other mid-week holidays where they fell. Wait for the 2027 notice.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Good Friday",
   "start": "2027-03-26",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "observed_note": "Follows Easter (Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027).",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Holy Saturday",
   "start": "2027-03-27",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "A public holiday in Belize (Easter Sunday itself is not on the list).",
   "observed_note": "Follows Easter.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Easter Monday",
   "start": "2027-03-29",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "observed_note": "Follows Easter.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Labour Day",
   "start": "2027-05-01",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Saturday. Saturday holidays stayed on the Saturday in the 2022 and 2026 lists (2024 moved two of them). Wait for the 2027 notice.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Emancipation Day",
   "start": "2027-08-01",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Marks 1 August 1838, when enslaved Africans in the English-speaking Caribbean were legally freed. A public holiday in Belize since 2021.",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Sunday. In 2021, the last time 1 August fell on a Sunday, it was observed on Monday 2 August, and every Sunday holiday in the 2021–2025 lists except Christmas 2022 moved to the Monday. Expect Mon 2 Aug; not confirmed until the 2027 notice.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "St. George's Caye Day",
   "start": "2027-09-10",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Commemorates the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Independence Day",
   "start": "2027-09-21",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Belize's independence from Britain, 21 September 1981.",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Tuesday. Independence Day has stayed on 21 September in every list we checked (2021–2026).",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Indigenous Peoples' Resistance Day",
   "start": "2027-10-12",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "The 12 October holiday, once Columbus Day / Pan American Day, then briefly El Día de la Raza. Renamed in November 2021 to honour the native peoples of the Americas who resisted colonial conquest.",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Tuesday. When this holiday fell mid-week in 2022 and 2023 it was moved to the Monday before, so it may be observed Mon 11 Oct. But the 2025 and 2026 lists left other mid-week holidays where they fell. Wait for the 2027 notice.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Garifuna Settlement Day",
   "start": "2027-11-19",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "summary": "Honours the Garifuna people; a public holiday since 1941.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Christmas Day",
   "start": "2027-12-25",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Saturday.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  },
  {
   "name": "Boxing Day",
   "start": "2027-12-26",
   "date_status": "expected",
   "category": "holiday",
   "observed_note": "Falls on a Sunday. The last time Christmas fell on a Saturday (2021), Boxing Day was observed on Monday 27 December. Expect the same; not confirmed until the 2027 notice.",
   "source_url": "https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/public-and-bank-holidays-2026/",
   "source_name": "Legal date as in the Govt. Press Office lists; 2027 notice not yet issued",
   "checked_on": "2026-09-23"
  }
 ]
}