Holi Color Festival

This spring festival has been celebrated by Hindus for centuries. Holi focuses on colors, relationships, laughter, and the arrival of spring. Although traditionally an Indian or Nepali tradition, Holi has gained traction in North America and Europe, due its positive and uplifting themes.

The festivities commence with people dancing and singing at a Holika Bonfire on the night before the official start of Holi. Come next morning, the color free-for-all begins with participants chasing and throwing colored powder and water on each other. And no one is safe from the onslaught. Whether you're a willing participant, or a passer-by, you'll be drenched in colors galore. The event takes place throughout parks, buildings, outside of temples, and in the streets. Most of India will have some version of Holi, although the largest celebration is in Delhi. Along with all the playful color battles, participants visit family, friends and foes to laugh, talk, and enjoy food and drink.

Holi occurs on the day after the full moon in March. If you want to treat this event as an amazing once in a lifetime party, which you won’t regret, we recommend avoiding southern India, where the festival is quite religious, and thus more subdued and solemn.