Next: 22 to 23 Mar 2027
Holi
The festival of colours: a bonfire the night before, then a day of coloured powder, water, music and sweets.
When is Holi in 2027?
Holi 2027 runs from 22 to 23 March 2027. Other years: 2026, 4 to 5 March 2026; 2028, 11 to 12 March 2028.
About Holi
Holi welcomes spring on the full moon of the month of Phalguna. On the first evening communities light Holika bonfires, recalling the story of Prahlad, who was saved from the demoness Holika by his devotion to Vishnu. The next morning people throw dry colour and coloured water at friends and strangers alike, and old quarrels are traditionally set aside. In Mathura and Vrindavan the celebration lasts for days and draws on the playful love of Krishna and Radha. Songs, drums and bhang-flavoured thandai are part of the day. Many people wear white so that the colours show, and families end the day with a meal of sweets and savouries.
Holi dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Holi date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 to 5 March 2026 |
| 2027 | 22 to 23 March 2027 |
| 2028 | 11 to 12 March 2028 |
What is eaten
- gujiya
- thandai
- malpua
- dahi vada
- puran poli
Also part of it, and being written: Holika Dahan (The bonfire lit on the eve of Holi.), Lath mar Holi (Barsana women playfully chase men with sticks in the days before Holi.), Thandai (A cold milk and nut drink poured at Holi.), Dol Jatra (The Bengali spring festival that falls on the same day.).
More marked on Holi
🇮🇳 Goa, India and 2 moreBhai Doojभाई दूज
A Hindu festival of sibling bonds marked by forehead markings, feasts and blessingsFestival · Feasts and festival meals
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreHolika Dahanहोलिकादहन
A Hindu ritual bonfire lit on the eve of Holi to welcome the spring.Spiritual
🇮🇳 Anandpur Sahib, IndiaHola Mohallaਹੋਲਾ-ਮਹੱਲਾ
A three-day Sikh festival of martial arts, poetry, shared meals and grand processionsFestival
🇮🇳 Jaipur, IndiaGangaurगणगौर
A North Indian spring festival honouring Shiva and Gauri with clay idols and processionsFestival · Fasting and breaking the fast
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreDol Purnima
A Hindu spring festival honouring Radha and Krishna with swing processions and colourFestival
🇮🇳 Barsana, IndiaLathmar Holi
A playful spring festival in two Uttar Pradesh towns where women strike men with sticks to reenact a divine legend.Festival
🇮🇳 Imphal, India and 1 moreManipuri danceJagoi Raas, Raas Jagoi
A classical dance from Manipur, danced as an offering to Radha and KrishnaPerformance
🇮🇳 IndiaDhundhढुन्ढ
A Hindu ritual in Rajasthan where infants are symbolically married to Holika on Holi to ward off mischief.Festival
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Holi" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bhai Dooj: SandeshLamsalNepal, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dol Purnima: Satyabrata sahoo369, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Holika Dahan: Banswalhemant, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Hola Mohalla: Aayush sharma 923, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Gangaur: Avinashmaurya, CC BY 3.0, source
- Lathmar Holi: Original: Sachinghai09 Derivative work: Radomianin, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Raslila: https://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/, CC BY 2.0, source