Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival, also known as the Festival of Love, the Festival of Colors, or the Festival of Spring. This exciting celebration has become known as India’s most vivid, joyous festival, often being celebrated by throwing around colored powder and water balloons. Though it originated in South Asia it has gained popularity across the world.
Here are some exciting ways to celebrate this festival in NYC.
When is Holi this year?
This year, Holi will be celebrated on Friday, March 14th.
Holi In The City: Festival of Colors Party
Attend one of NYC’s best Holi parties and the city’s only outdoor Festival of Colors party! 3 Dollar Bill in Bushwick is hosting a day full of amazing music, dancing, colorful powders, and food and drinks!
🌈 Buy your tickets to Holi In The City
Where: 260 Meserole St, Brooklyn
When: March 15, 22, 29 (11 am – 5 pm)
Holi at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Head to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a day of fun filled with Holi-centered powder. Save the date, May 3rd, as the museum is throwing a high-energy Holi Festival in collaboration with Ajna Dance Company featuring art, dance, food, and music!
Be sure to wear white as the main event includes heading to Brower Park and covering yourself in different colored powder! It’s happening from 10 am – 12:30 pm.
🌈 Buy your tickets to Holi at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Where: 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn
When: May 3
Holi Celebration at The Seaport
The Seaport is partnering with The Culture Tree, a NY-based organization that promotes cultural literacy about South Asia and the South Street Seaport Museum to host a number of Holi festivities on March 15th.
Visitors can experience interactive dance performances and workshops, a literary festival, delicious tastings, art activities, a puppet show and, of course, colored powder!
There will also be traditional Indian cuisine and festive shops and local businesses to support too! It’s completely FREE to attend!
🌈 More information about Holi at The Seaport
Where: Seaport
When: March 15th, 11 am – 2 pm
Holi at NYPL
Author Anu Sehgal, founder of The Culture Tree, will read from her first book on Holi at the New York Public Library on March 13th at 4 pm. This special bi-lingual (Hindi and English) book reading of Kahani Rangeeli will teach one of the ancient stories of Holi and how it is celebrated. Afterwards there will be an art making activity and Holi face painting.
NYPL is hosting an additional Holi art party on March 14th which will feature plenty of themed arts and crafts.
🌈 More information about NYPL’s book reading
Where: NYPL 53rd Street Library – 18 West 53rd St.
When: March 13th & 14th
Rang de New York at 230 Fifth Rooftop
Get ready for a Holi like never before at beloved rooftop spot 230 Fifth, whose hosting a bash on March 15th called “Rang de New York.”
Expect live DJs spinning Bollywood, Bhangra, and Tollywood beats, dance performances, free airbrush colors for all, costume characters, belly dancers, and so much more. They’ll be utilizing 3 parts of the venue to accommodate for delicious food stalls, a gaming zone, a dance floor, and more. Tickets start at $23.
🌈 Buy tickets to Rang de New York
Where: 230 Fifth Avenue
When: March 15th (2 – 9 pm)
Holi feast at Tamarind Tribeca
No celebration is complete without a meal. Spotlighting colorful, aromatic dishes from across India, Tamarind Tribeca will welcome guests on March 14th for a wide array of dishes, including Dahi Bhalla featuring rich lentil dumplings in yogurt, the restaurant’s signature Punjabi Kasdhi, crispy vegetable fritters in a spicy yogurt sauce, and Gujiya, a crispy flaky pastry stuffed with milk solids and nuts, to name just a few.
🌈 Learn more on the restaurant’s website
Where: 99 Hudson St
When: March 14th (11:30am – 3pm, 5:30 pm – 11:30 pm)