Celebrate with so much color! Holi is a Hindu festival, widely popular all over India and in Indian communities around the world.
It is known as the festival of color and is celebrated over two days in March (starting March 23, 2024). the festival is based on Hindu mythology. For centuries the religious holiday has been an important part of the Indian culture, recounting the story of Lord Vishnu and his triumph over the evil King Hiranyakashyap.
Holi symbolizes the celebration of spring, friendship, family, and the victory of good over evil. Communities gather in the streets to throw bright-colored powder and splash each other with colored water. Red, green, and yellow colors dust the air, each carrying its own meaning.
Families also gather to share in this tradition by decorating their homes, sharing food and indulging in sweets. Here are some ways that you can celebrate Holi and the beginning of spring!
Join a Holi event and celebrate!
Holi Festival at Marymoor Park. Saturday, March 23. 10:30 am – 6 pm.
It is the Pacific Northwest’s largest color festival at Marymoor Park. Enjoy colors, music, dance, fun, contests, and tasty Indian food. There will be kid-friendly entertainment, food, and more. There are two time slot options to sign up for, including 10:30 am to 1:30 pm or 3 pm to 6 pm. You must pre-register before the event!
Address: Marymoor Park 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE Redmond, WA 98052
Cost: Free; you must register HERE.
CRY Holi 2024 at Bellevue Downtown Park. Saturday, March 23. 12 pm – 4 pm.
Head to Bellevue Downtown Park for CRY Holi 2024 for some excitement with music, a color fight, and food. Great for all ages. There will be multiple groups performing that you can look forward to!
Address: Bellevue Downtown Park 10201 NE 4th St Bellevue, WA 98004
Cost: $15/ticket, 12 and under free. Buy tickets HERE.
Holi Celebration for Kids at the Burke Museum. Sunday, March 24. 11 am – 12:30 pm.
Join the Burke Museum & Hindi Time Kids to experience Holi, the South Asian Festival of Color, on Sunday, March 24, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Kids will get to create colorful handmade Holi cards, enjoy Holi story time with a puppet show, dance and sing and enjoy delicious treats. Advanced registration is required; Register Here. You will meet at the Learning Lab, Floor 2.
Address: Burke Museum 4303 Memorial Way NE Seattle, WA 98195
Cost: $22 for adults, $14 for youth. Free for Burke Members and children 3 and under.
Family Story Time in Celebration of Holi. Monday, March 25. 11:30 am -12:30 pm
Celebrate Holi at the library with story time and a craft. Enjoy stories, music, movement, and rhymes in Hindi that develop your child’s early literacy skills. Recommended ages 0-5.
Address: Sammamish Library 825 228th Avenue SE Sammamish, WA 98075
Cost: Free
Phinney Neighborhood Association. Saturday, March 30. 1 pm – 3 pm.
PNA will have its annual family-friendly celebration with a color-throwing area, food, and entertainment. You are destined to ring in the new season brightly! There will be many activities, including temporary henna tattoos, dance performances & workshops, arts and crafts, and more! All ages.
Address: Phinney Neighborhood Center – lower parking lot 6615 Dayton Ave N Seattle, WA 98103
Cost: $7-$14, ages 2 and under are free. You must buy tickets in advance HERE.
Holi at Seattle Center. Saturday, March 30. 11 am – 4 pm.
Holi at the Seattle Center is a family-friendly event filled with a day of fun. Enjoy music, including a live DJ, dance and drum performances. There will be a raffle prize as well! This event is free, but food and color packets must be purchased (recommend bringing cash). It is recommended that people come to the event in white outfits that they don’t mind getting ruined with color! All ages are welcome.
Address: Mural Amphitheater at the Seattle Center
Cost: Free
Photo courtesy of mayuri.com
Celebrate Holi events with sweets, snacks and colorful food
Make a colorful food tray with fruits and veggies or stop at a local Indian market to sample some sweets from the bakery. My family loves the fried donuts soaked in rose syrup (Gulab Jamun) or the mildly spiced samosas mixed with chickpeas, yogurt, and onions (Samosa Chaat). Crispy plantain chips also hit the spot with a hot glass of masala chai.
Vrindaavan Indian Restaurant and Bakery in Bellevue has a good selection of traditional Indian sweets and dishes.
Celebrate with an Indian meal. Order from a local restaurant or try a recipe.
Blessing the house with a colorful rangoli
Holi: Make a rangoli, dress brightly
Adorn your porch or driveway with spring flowers or powdered colors. Use real petals or sidewalk chalk to make a design. Rangolis are said to bring good luck to your home, family and guests. Spring is all about the color! Tie-dye a T-shirt or wear your brightest outfit to symbolize all the love that you have for one another. In addition, wear colorful accessories to complete your ensemble.
Make colorful shirts to celebrate spring.
