Holi Festival 2025: Dates, Things to Do, Places to Celebrate and More

By - April 9, 2024 - Festivals, India
Places to Celebrate Holi in India

Holi is a colorful festival that marks the arrival of spring. It is an important occasion for Hindus who eagerly await the celebration, which lasts for two days. The date of the festival varies each year as it is determined by the lunar calendar. Although Holi is celebrated globally, it is mostly observed in select regions of India and Nepal. 

What is the Holi Festival?

Holi, the vibrant festival celebrated across India and in various parts of the world, is a time of joy, forgiveness, and renewal. It is essentially divided into two main events: Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi, each carrying its significance and way of celebration.

Evening of Holi: Holika Dahan

The festivities kick off with Holika Dahan, observed on the eve of Rangwali Holi. On this night, communities gather to light bonfires made of wood and dung cakes. The ritual symbolizes the victory of good over evil, inspired by the legend where the Hindu deity Vishnu aids in the defeat of the demoness Holika. This tradition is a vivid reminder of the power of righteousness and the triumph of benevolence over malevolence.

The Day of Colors: Rangwali Holi

The following day, the air fills with excitement and colors as Rangwali Holi begins. This day is a stark contrast to the solemnity of Holika Dahan, characterized by laughter, music, and an explosion of colors. People of all ages step out of their homes, armed with vibrant powders and colored water, ready to drench friends, family, and even strangers in hues of joy. The practice of throwing colors symbolizes unity, forgiveness, and the obliteration of social barriers. It’s a day when differences are set aside, and communities come together to celebrate life and renewal.

The Essence of Holi

At its core, Holi is more than just a festival; it’s a reaffirmation of relationships, a celebration of life and the changing seasons, and an occasion to spread happiness and love. It encourages people to let go of past grievances, embrace one another, and look forward to a bright and colorful future.

When is Holi in 2025?

Holi festival 2020 in Mathura

In this year 2025, Holi took place from March 13 to 14, although it is still celebrated in different parts of the world, this festival usually lasts for three days, between February and March, according to the Hindu calendar during the Phalgun Purnima or Purna Mashi, full moon.

Please note the dates for the festival of Holi in 2025 and 2026.

Holi celebrated in 2025:

  • Holika Dahan: 13th March 2025
  • Holi: 14th March 2025

Holi celebrated in 2026:

  • Holika Dahan: 03th March 2026
  • Holi: 04th March 2026

How to Plan a Holi Tour in India?

Planning a trip to India for Holi can be a fun and exciting experience! Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip:

Decide when you want to travel: Holi is celebrated in March, so you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly. Keep in mind that the exact date of Holi varies each year, so you’ll need to check the date for the year you plan to travel.

1. Choose your destination

India is a large country with many places where Holi is celebrated, so you’ll need to decide where you want to go. Some popular destinations for Holi include Mathura, Vrindavan, and Barsana in Uttar Pradesh, which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna; and in other states like Rajasthan, Gujrat, Punjab, West Bengal, etc.

2. Research accommodation and transportation

Once you’ve decided on your destination, start looking for accommodation and transportation options. Many hotels and guesthouses in the towns and cities where Holi is celebrated will offer special packages for the festival. Keep in mind that accommodation and transportation can be more expensive and harder to come by during the Holi period, so book early.

3. Learn about the customs and traditions of Holi

Holi is a cultural festival, so it’s important to learn about the customs and traditions associated with it before you travel. Read about the history and significance of Holi, and learn about the different ways it’s celebrated in different parts of India.

4. Be Prepared for Crowd

Holi is a popular festival, and many people travel to the towns and cities where it’s celebrated. Be prepared for crowds, noise, and traffic delays. Also, be prepared for the Holi colors and water guns and balls.

5. Safety Measures

As India is a developing country and can have many health issues, hence please do carry the basic health essentials, and also be careful of your belongings and yourself in the crowd, as the crowd might be very dense.

Also, do keep a tab on the COVID-19 situation, check for any travel advisories and restrictions in place, and get the necessary clearances and vaccinations before travel.

Overall, planning a trip to India for Holi requires a bit of research and preparation, but with the right planning, you can have a fun and unforgettable experience celebrating this vibrant festival!

How Long Should You Stay for Holi in India

In general, the length of time you should spend in India for a trip to celebrate Holi will depend on your personal preferences. Additionally, you should also consider the specific itinerary you have in mind. Most tourists plan to stay for around 5-7 days during their trip to India to celebrate Holi.

If you’re planning to experience the main Holi celebrations in Mathura, Vrindavan, or Barsana, arrive a few days beforehand. The main day is filled with colorful celebrations and rituals. You will be able to explore the towns, visit temples, and participate in pre-festival activities.

If you wish to see Holi celebrations in other Indian states such as Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, etc., you may need to factor in additional travel time.

There are different rituals and activities on different days of the Holi festival in India, like Choti Holi, Rangwali Holi, Lathmar Holi, Phagwah, etc. You may want to stay for several days after the main day to experience these other celebrations.

The best way to experience the Holi festival and also explore the surrounding areas is to spend 5-7 days.

Also Read: What is Sunburn Festival?

How many generations have celebrated Holi?

The significance of the celebration of this festival has always been linked with several mythological characters and stories. The celebration with colours has been mentioned on the date back to the fourth century and the famous play Ratnaval of the 7th century has also mentioned this colouring festival.

The burning of the devil Holika has its own story while some people linked it with the heroic couple Radha and Krishna. Krishna had always loved Radha, but on seeing different skin tones of each other he felt embarrassed. His mother advised him to paint her face the same colour as his. So this celebration has always been exciting for the lovers, as they put colour on each other faces during the celebration.

How do people celebrate this festival?

Holi 2020 Bhang thandai

No one on this day wants to stay alone at home. This festivity is a time to celebrate together with your friends, family, and communities where you stay. A festival that brings the people of the nation together to have fun. When we talk about the Holi festival, food has always been an indispensable part.

 The kitchen of each house is loaded with the most decadent desserts. To indulge your guests’ sweet tooth, the homemaker tries to create gourmet dishes. How can you miss the Bhang Thandai at the festival of Holi? A drink with a mix of milk, dry fruits, and spices is just amazing and takes you into another world with the temperature rise.

Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India 2025

In all the North of India, Holi is celebrated in every corner, so if during these dates you travel through this area, you will surely enjoy the most impressive Festival of Colors, especially in the so-called Golden Triangle, but my recommendation is to Do it in towns or small cities, where it is much easier to integrate and be part of this important festival.

1. Barsana in Mathura

Barsana (Mathura) is a small town 150 km away. From Delhi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, known to be the birthplace of Radha, the wife of Khrisna, and where Lathmar Holi is celebrated. This means that women receive men from the neighboring town of Nandgaon with sticks and beat them, while they provoke them with songs.

Although the atmosphere is festive and laughter, women hit them with all their might, so it is not strange to see men in quilted suits avoid suffering too much.

Read more details for Lathmar Holi: What is Lathmar Holi? Date, Why & How is it celebrated?

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2. Nandgaon in Mathura

The next day, the party moves to the village of Nandgaon (Mathura), where Khrisna was born, and where the men of Barsana, which is only 10 km away, move. From there, to were beaten by the women of Nandgaon.

The colors are thrown on all sides, and the party is concentrated around the Temple of Khrisna. Without a doubt, spectacular!

Read Also: Top Festivals to Enjoy in India in March

3. Vrindavan in Mathura

The festival of Holi in Vrindavan is the most important and famous of India, and a pilgrimage site during these days, so it is filled with people from all corners of the country.

 Therefore, it can be said that the place where Khrisna spent her childhood is the best place to experience the Festival of Colors in India. The party lasts a full week, and every day is celebrated in a temple in the city, is highly recommended not to miss the Bakai-Bihari temple.

Read Also: List of Famous Temples in Mathura

Suggested Vrindavan (Mathura) Tour Package: 2 Days Mathura Vrindavan Holi Festival Tour

4. Purulia

The most remarkable of the Purulia Festival, about 6 hours from Calcutta, in West Bengal, is that the neighbors organize it to live it, and it is amazing, not only for throwing colors but for a large number of musicians that They go down the street playing and dancing traditional dances.

Now, if you decide to spend Holi here, you have to keep in mind that the accommodation is usually in tents. All an experience!

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5. Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan Holi

In Shantiniketan, in West Bengal, the spring festival was driven by the prestigious poet and Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore, who began to organize an annual event for this reason at the University of Vishva Bharati, with an extensive cultural program where among other things the songs of Tagore are danced, and to which a multitude of foreign tourists go.

Undoubtedly, apart from the festival of colors, it represents the most cultural Holi in the country.

6. New Delhi

If during these dates you are in New Delhi, enjoying all the incredible places to see, you have to know, that apart from the religious celebrations in each temple, and the merchants and children who throw colors to the tourists in the neighborhood of Paharganj Delhi, the party is quite decentralized.

Although Delhi is very modern, the Holi Festival is organized, a party with DJs, good music, colors, and dances on the outskirts of the city, which is full of locals and tourists. If you want a real party, this is the most recommended option.

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7. Jaipur

Jaipur Holi

In Jaipur, the beautiful capital of Rajasthan, the elephants have a leading role during the celebration of Holi, since they have traditionally participated in races, beauty contests, and a multitude of activities, which for a few years have been canceled due to pressure from groups animalists

Anyway, if you are visiting the most important places in Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan, you can still see the elephants adorned near the Amber Fort.

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7. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer could not miss this list, because it is where Holi has spent the most time, and for being a beautiful city in the middle of the Thar desert, with many attractions to visit and traditional life.

Its friendly people integrate you into the party, smear you with colors, invite you to the pyres in honor of Holika that prepare in the doors of their houses, and that according to the superstition says the luck that is going to have the family during that year, depending on the clouds that cover or not the full moon or the wind that carries the smoke to one side or another.

You can also see how women beat the men of the family with sticks, while these fill them with colors, and they will offer you bhang, a derivative of cannabis that is diluted in lassi or yogurt, with which cookies are made and especially with the one that shows respect to the god Shiva, being present at all the religious celebrations. Do not miss it!

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8. Udaipur

The charming city of Udaipur is a perfect place to spend Holi, not only for all the attractions to see, for its impressive Pichola Lake, and for its charismatic and friendly people, but because the royal family works hard to attract people up here, organizing a huge Holi bonfire that catches the guard of the Mewar dynasty, and an elaborate function in the palace.

Read Also: Top Places to Visit in the Udaipur

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9. Varanasi

One of India’s holiest and most ancient cities, Varanasi celebrates the Hindu festival of Holi in a vibrant and colorful style. One of the holiest and most ancient cities in the world, Varanasi comes alive during Holi with music, laughter, and vibrant colors. In large groups, people smear each other with powder, dance, and sing traditional songs.

The main celebration takes place around the ghats and temples of the city, where devotees gather to perform rituals and prayers. Besides the traditional bhang (cannabis drink), Varanasi also offers special delicacies and cultural performances at the festival. Varanasi’s Holi celebrations are a must-see event for any traveler visiting India during this time of year.

10. Holi in South India

South India Holi

In South India, there is no tradition of celebrating Holi beyond the religious rites in the temples, so if you travel through this area of the country at this time, do not expect to find much, except in very tourist places like Goa where You will find the hippie Holi, Hampi, or Fort Kochi in Kerala where the festival is concentrated in the Konkani Temple.

The fun is guaranteed during the days of the Festival and the colors with their joy surround everything we see around us.

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Preparing for Holi, what do you need to know?

Each one of us wants to enjoy this festival by playing with colours. But at times, this awaited festival might turn into unhappiness. The next very day when you wake up you see sudden rashes appearing on the skin. So time to take care before going out of the home.

  • You can moisturize yourself by applying castor oil all over your body so that your skin remains hydrated.
  • Don’t fail to drop with cotton some oil just behind the earlobes and nails as colours easily stick in such places.
  • Oiling hair just a day before Holi is a must. This will help your hair to get extra nutrition and as a result, your hair won’t go dry. If you are very prone to allergies you can drop lemon into the oil which you are going to apply.
  • Care and regime a day before are not only enough. Here is a way how you need to take care of yourself after the day to avoid unnecessary problems.
  • Avoid rubbing your skin intensely with soap to remove colours. Instead, you can go for a mild soap that has moisturizer properties in it.
  • Hairs need to be taken with utmost care. Once you rinse with plenty of water, and color from hair, to avoid getting frizzy apply olive oil once your hair is completely dry. This makes your hair shiny, and stronger and most importantly it will avoid hair fall.

Some of the new ways to celebrate the festival

 This Holi let’s make it unique. Holi has always been festive for lovers and newlywed couples too, involving more dear ones in your family. Here are a few ideas to call your friends at your place and enjoy:-

1. Eco-friendly Holi

A party without colors this festive season is incomplete. It is time to get conscious of your skin and play with vibrant homemade colors. We can prepare such organic colors just with the ingredients available in and around the kitchen. An Indian Kitchen has always been loaded with turmeric and even flour. Well to make it more colorful one can go with red sandalwood powder, beetroot, henna powder, and black grapes which will help your skin to shine more.

2. Set a Bollywood theme

Bollywood Theme Holi

Holi has always been a part of Bollywood. Several songs and scenes are dedicated to this festive. It will be great fun to watch several Bollywood characters walking into this party in their Andaaz to rejoice in this festival.

Suggested Bollywood (Mumbai) Tour Package: 1 Night 2 Days Dharavi Slum with Bollywood Tour

3. Build a photobooth

This era is all about social media. Everyone wants the most Instagram-worthy venues which will give a funky look to their profiles. One can add up basic Holi elements like Pichkaris or you can try to show someone dripping colors from the top to add more charm and glamour.

Some twist into your traditional drink

How can you imagine Holi without the ultimate traditional drink? Bhaang Thandai has always been delicious loaded with milk and dry fruits with spices. This drink has always added color to this day. Well, one can also offer Kesar milk or Jaljeera to this day. One can also try experimenting with several fruits like kiwis, beetroot, and oranges.  Well, if you want to get high without being one can come up with the Whisky Thandai recipe. So time to be creative and then add spice to this day out.

Get drenched with the colors, dance with the folk, and get naughty with squirt guns and throw water on each other to witness the beauty of this amazing festival of colors.

FAQs About Holi Festival in India:-

Q. What is the Holi date in 2025?

A. Holi is usually celebrated in the middle of the march. According to the Hindu calendar, it is Phalgun month. The hold is basically on the fool moon day. Normally it falls in the middle of the march. In 2025, the date is March 14th. This is the day when Holi will be celebrated.

Q. What is the reason behind Holi?

A. Holi is celebrated to celebrate the victory of God against evil. People over here celebrate Holi with colors. It is a way of greeting other people. On this special day, people play happily and greet each other welcoming the good side of them and removing the evil.

Q. Which is the best place to celebrate Holi in India?

A. Holi is amazing in many cities in India. However, talking about one place, we can say Jaipur is the one where Holi is given significant importance and Holi is played with full excitement over here. You can also go with any other parts of North India if you want to take full advantage of Holi.

Q. Why do they celebrate Holi in India?

A. Celebration of Holi is because of the God wins over Evil. This is according to Hindu Culture. Most people in India are Hindu. Therefore, people over here have their significant importance of the Holi festival Therefore, they celebrate Holi in India. Also, the festival is celebrated in various other countries.

Q. Why is the Holi festival celebrated?

A. People in India celebrate Holi as a way of showing happiness and to celebrate the victory of God. This is for the people who are Hindu. For the rest of the people who also play Holi, they play it to enjoy the festival and to get the best out of it.

Q. How is the Holi festival celebrated in India?

A. Holi is a wonderful festival celebrated in India. Here, people bring various colors and apply them to each other face as a symbol of love and gesture. People of all pages starting from small to grown-up adults celebrate this amazing festival with full excitement. People wear white clothes which show that they are interested in playing.

Q. What is the significance of Holi festival?

A. Holi significances the victory of God over evil. It is the day when we forget all the evil things and move on to the good things as we move forward. The festival is celebrated with colors. People also celebrate it as a Thanksgiving.

Q. Are any tips to play Holi safely and happily?

A. There are certain measures that you need to take when it comes to playing Holi safely. You should not use any chemicals when you are playing Holi. Also, the use of oil should be decreased. The one who is playing Holi should cover their eyes. Most importantly, you shouldn't force anyone to play Holi especially the strangers.

Q. What are other names of Holi?

A.• Lathmar Holi - Barsana village, Uttar Pradesh • Khadi Holi - Kumaon region, Uttarakhand • Hola Mohalla - Punjab • Basant Utsav and DolJatra - West Bengal • Shigmo - Goa • Yaosang - Manipur • ManjalKuli - Kerala • Phaguwa - Bihar • Phakuwah - Assam • Rang Panchami - Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh • Royal Holi - Udaipur, Rajasthan

Q. Can people of other religions play Holi?

A. Holi is a religious festival for Hindu. It is theay when God had victory over evil. However, there are no restrictions on who can play Holi. Anyone who wants to get the enjoyment of Holi, can play an amazing festival. So, feel free to play Holi despite any religious.

Here is a list of major traditional festivals and their dates in India:-

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