Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place every spring to commemorate the end of winter. It's all about fresh starts and new beginnings. The two-day festival falls on Holika Dahan, the day of the full moon in March, where a bonfire is lit for prayers and blessings. The bonfire symbolizes purification and burns everything evil. The Festival of Colors is celebrated on the full moon the following day, where color fights are much anticipated!

Why is Holi called the Festival of Colors?

Because the main event is a color-filled celebration! The final day of the Holi Festival is all about having fun with family, friends, and the greater community by going outside or going to private parties and dousing each other in color. We definitely recommend trying it for yourself on a Holi Festival tour!

What is the history of Holi?

Having been celebrated for centuries, Holi was originally a ceremony for married women to bestow well-being and prosperity to their new families. These days, Holi follows a "good over evil" theme from the Hindu stories of Hiranyakashipu, Krishna, and Radha.

When is the Holi Festival in 2023?

In 2023, the Holi Festival of Colors (and color fight!) is on Wednesday, March 8 . Holika Dahan (prayers and bonfires) is on the night of Tuesday, March 7.

People smiling during the Holi Festival of Colors in India

Holi Festival Tours & Trips

What better time to visit India than during the Festival of Colours. Spend two days tossing a kaleidoscope of coloured powder into the air and covering everyone in a magical, iridescent glow. Whether you are celebrating in New Delhi or Varanasi, you'll have the time of your life on a tour with a Holi Festival celebration!

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What to expect at a Holi Festival

Day 1 - Preparations
The Holi Festival is celebrated in three stages and often over three days. Day one involves people gathering wood and other combustible material and bringing them to parks, community centers, and other open spaces. You may also find people stocking their homes with gourmet treats and festive foods like mathri, malpuas, and gujiya.
Day 2 - Bonfires
The next day is considered the "eve of Holi," where all those combustible materials gathered the day before are set alight. Various bonfires are illuminated throughout many cities in the world. The bonfires signify the Holika Dahan. Many people gather around the fires singing, dancing, and praying in hopes that evil would be destroyed in the fire like Holika was.
Day 3 - Color fights!
On day three, you'll see why this is coined the Festival of Colors, with clouds of powder (gulal) blasting into the air. We recommend you wear light colors as you will definitely get messy! Some traditionally used colors are dhak, kumkum, turmeric, and neem. At the end of the day, families and friends gather and enjoy prepared festive treats like thandai and kachoris.

All about the Holi Festival

What is Holi?
Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place every spring to commemorate the end of winter. It's all about fresh starts and new beginnings. The two-day festival falls on Holika Dahan, the day of the full moon in March, where a bonfire is lit for prayers and blessings. The bonfire symbolizes purification and burns everything evil. The Festival of Colors is celebrated on the full moon the following day, where color fights are much anticipated!
Why is Holi called the Festival of Colors?
Because the main event is a color-filled celebration! The final day of the Holi Festival is all about having fun with family, friends, and the greater community by going outside or going to private parties and dousing each other in color. We definitely recommend trying it for yourself on a Holi Festival tour!
What is the history of Holi?
Having been celebrated for centuries, Holi was originally a ceremony for married women to bestow well-being and prosperity to their new families. These days, Holi follows a "good over evil" theme from the Hindu stories of Hiranyakashipu, Krishna, and Radha.
When is the Holi Festival in 2023?
In 2023, the Holi Festival of Colors (and color fight!) is on Wednesday, March 8. Holika Dahan (prayers and bonfires) is on the night of Tuesday, March 7.

Celebrate Holi Festival in India with TourRadar

Best place to celebrate Holi? India!

Since the festival originated here, it's no surprise that India is home to the world's best Holi Festivals! The best part is that the Holi Festival isn't limited to a single city. Holi celebrations take place all over India, so you can be sure that wherever you go in this vibrant country, there will always be a colorful explosion nearby! Each city also customizes its Holi celebration, so the question should be, "where should I go?"

✓ For traditional multi-day Holi celebrations, head to Mathura or Jaipur. These cities are perfect for celebrating several days of traditional festivities alongside locals and fellow celebration-seeking tourists.
✓ Delhi puts on a raucous Holi extravaganza! Experience a sensory overload with music, international entertainers, street food, and of course, many, many, many colors.
✓ Still offering celebrations worth visiting, Varanasi and Pushkar offer more relaxed local festivals.
✓ Finally, Holi celebrations in West Bengal are both beautiful and spiritual for those who wish to witness the culture and colors of this diverse land.

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Tours to India in March

More places to celebrate Holi around the world

Nepal
Nepali people here celebrate the first day by decorating wooden poles called chir with colorful cloth and burning them through the night to symbolize the end of the old year. Bonfires are lit on the final two days, and the color fights begin! Colorful water balloons, paint, and dyed powders are thrown at everyone outside, and every city takes on a joyous atmosphere. Alongside feasts, dancing, and singing, Kathmandu definitely secures its spot as one of the best places to celebrate Holi worldwide.

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United Kingdom
Every year, Holi is celebrated in various parks throughout the nation, particularly in Leicester and London. The night before the celebration, everyone assembles to observe the lighting of the Holika bonfire, but the color fight is undoubtedly the most eagerly anticipated event. To allow even the smallest attendees to take part in the festivities, the throwing of colors is often a family-friendly activity where friends and family also hug and put tilaks on each other during the event. If you find yourself visiting the UK in March, be sure to include a Holi celebration in your itinerary.

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Australia
Australia hosts several Holi-related festivities, but the Melbourne Holi Festival is undoubtedly one of the most authentic and enjoyable. Striking colors boom into the skies as everyone erupts into a wave of color, throwing powder the festival organizers provide. With non-stop music, Bollywood dancing, Indian drumming, children's activities, food markets, and henna tattoos up for grabs, the festival promises a great day out for all ages for a small fee. Book your tickets in advance to ensure you don't miss out on the celebrations!

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Mauritius
The festival transcends all religious gaps in Mauritius as everyone flocks to the streets. Celebrations last two days and begin with Holika Dahan, an evening bonfire where festival-goers sing, dance, and throw items of worship into the flames. The next day, gulal fills the air with rainbow-colored remnants found in parks, streets, and beaches. You may also get soaked by waterjets known as pichkaris, made of local Mauritian bamboo stalks. Later in the day, dances continue, traditional songs serenade, and gifts are exchanged in family homes.

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