What is the Holi Festival of Colours and where I can celebrate it in London?

Traditions do not get much more fun than Holi, the Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life.

Some families hold religious ceremonies, but others use the colourful centuries-old festival for a joyful time – hurling paint at each other.

Holi is also known as the “festival of colours”.

What is Holi?

Holi marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It is usually celebrated in March.

It is a tradition celebrated across the Indian subcontinent by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and nonbelievers alike, and is held annually to mark the start of spring and celebrate life. For Hindus, it’s a time to celebrate the love of Radha Krishna and the triumph of good over evil with events that begin with a ritual evening bonfire, followed by coloured paint flinging, music, and feasting the following day.

When is Holi 2024?

Holi falls on Monday, March 25 this year, although many celebrations will take place on the weekends before or after that date.

How is Holi celebrated?

On night one of Holi, traditionally, people light bonfires and throw popcorn, coconut, and chickpeas onto them.

The next day, people of all ages go into the streets for fun and paint-throwing.

What do the Holi colours mean?

Some people believe the Holi colours came from Krishna mischievously throwing coloured water over his milkmaids when he was a boy. This developed into the practical jokes and the games of Holi that are played every year.

Where can I celebrate Holi in London?

There are a few places that Londoners can get their Holi kicks.

On March 23, the London Ki Holi festival is taking place. Guests can expect laser- and light-themed indoor and outdoor raves, and a mini Bollywood festival with dhol players, dance, circus performers, and workshops. There will be plenty of food stalls, too, where you can get your dose of dosas, chaat, and biryani.

Ministry of Sound is hosting a neon rave on March 25, for students, with the colours and lights of the festival projected with UV. Expect glow sticks, UV paint, face painters, and UV cannons, all alongside Bollywood classics and “desi hits”.

And foodies out there can look forward to Babur in Forest Hill teaming up with MasterChef UK 2023 finalist Anurag Aggarwal to host a celebratory menu “where each course carries a visual and philosophical feel of colour”. The idea allows everyone, Hindu or not, to immerse themselves in Holi’s colour and storytelling. This takes place from March 25-31.