5 Things to Know About Holi Before You Celebrate
At Sanskar Savvy, we Celebrate, Explore, Connect! through the cultural moments that bring communities together. Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated across India, Nepal, and diaspora communities worldwide. Before you head to a Holi celebration in Miami, Toronto, Dallas, or your local city park, here are five essential things to know.
1. Holi Celebrates the Arrival of Spring
Holi traditionally marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The festival represents renewal, change, and new beginnings. Many celebrations begin the evening before with Holika Dahan, a symbolic bonfire observed in parts of India and Nepal.
2. The Colors Have Cultural Meaning
The colored powders, known as gulal, represent joy and equality. When participants cover each other in color, visible differences fade, reinforcing the idea of shared community during the celebration.
3. Music Is Central to the Celebration
With both traditional folk songs and Bollywood anthems like “Balam Pichkari,” music shapes the energy of Holi. Modern events in North American cities often feature DJs, live performances, and curated playlists that blend Bollywood, Punjabi, and global sounds.
4. Holi Has Expanded Across the Diaspora
Holi is now widely celebrated in cities across the United States and Canada, including large-scale festivals in Miami, New York, and Vancouver. These events often combine traditional color throws with food vendors, live entertainment, and community programming.
5. Holi Is Celebrated Over Two Days
While many people associate Holi with color throwing, the festival traditionally spans two days in many regions. The first evening often includes community gatherings and bonfires, while the second day focuses on playing with color and music, and on shared celebration. Modern city festivals may condense the experience into a single event, but historically, Holi has always been more than just one afternoon of color.
Get Ready for Holi
Planning to attend a Holi event this spring? Stream our Holi playlist to set the mood before the color throws begin. Explore our Holi event list to find celebrations happening across North America.
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