Belize Chocolate Festival 2026 Officially Launched in Toledo

The countdown to one of Toledo’s biggest cultural celebrations is officially underway following the launch of the Belize Chocolate Festival 2026 over the weekend in Bella Vista Village.  The festival, which highlights Belize’s rich cacao heritage and growing tourism product, will feature several major events throughout the month of May, including a cacao and chocolate symposium, a wine and chocolate gala, a street fete in Punta Gorda Town, and the highly anticipated Cacao Cup football tournament in San Pedro Columbia Village.  Government officials, tourism stakeholders, cacao farmers, and residents gathered for the launch ceremony, where Area Representative for Toledo East and Dr. Osmond Martinez, underscored the importance of the festival in driving economic opportunities for southern Belize while celebrating the region’s cultural identity.

Also addressing the launch was Area Representative for Stann Creek West, Rodwell Ferguson, who spoke about the importance of supporting local cacao producers and preserving the traditions tied to Belize’s chocolate industry.

According to organizers, activities for the Chocolate Festival of Belize continue on May 15 with the Cacao and Chocolate Symposium at the Punta Gorda Sporting Auditorium, followed later that night by the Wine and Chocolate Gala at the Punta Gorda Welcome Center featuring musical entertainment by DJ Absolute and the Caribbean Collective Band.  The celebrations continue on May 16 with the Chocolate Street Fete in Punta Gorda Town before culminating on May 17 with the Cacao Cup 2026 football competition in San Pedro Columbia Village.