Placencia’s bars, restaurants, and resorts do a decent job of coordination, so special events like beach barbecues, horseshoe tournaments, karaoke, and live music are offered throughout the entire week—especially during the high season. Your best bet is to check the Placencia Breeze (www.placenciabreeze.com) newspaper and look for current schedules.

The Barefoot Bar (tel. 501/523-3515, 11 a.m.–midnight) is wildly popular in the high season. Sandy-toed revelers choose from hundreds of froofy cocktails and bar food; there’s live music Friday–Sunday and happy hour 5–6 p.m. daily. Another happening bar is J-Byrd’s (tel. 501/523-3412, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.), right on the water behind the gas station, with live bands most Fridays and Sundays.

A bit farther down the harbor, Yoli’s is a locally popular dock bar and restaurant; they have barbecue and ring toss starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Around the corner on the lagoon side is Sugar Reef, a relaxed bar a few blocks from the main road.

The Tipsy Tuna (tel. 501/523-3089, www.tipsytunabelize.com) is popular, with an inside sports bar and outside beach bar with Garifuna drumming on Wednesdays and more live music on weekends from 7 p.m.–midnight.

The biggest party of the year happens the third week of June, during Lobsterfest. The whole south end of town closes down for lobster-catching tournaments, costumes, dances, and food booths everywhere. Easter weekend is insanely popular as well, as Placencia is a destination for many Belizeans as well as foreign visitors; they typically book their rooms months in advance, so be prepared for the crowds. Look for a Halloween celebration, complete with parade and trick-or-treating (for kids and adults alike).

Another annual gig, the Mistletoe Ball, wanders to a different hotel before Christmas every year and doubles as a fundraiser for the local Belize Tourism Industry Association chapter. The town humane society organizes various fundraising events as well; keep an eye out.