Holi Like Never Before: Unforgettable Places to Celebrate in 2025

While the Holi Festival is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is a celebration that happens all over the world.

Holi, referred to as the “Festival of Colours,” stands out as one of the most important Hindu celebrations, marked by exuberance and delight across India and other regions. In 2025, the ritual of Holika Dahan, or Choti Holi, will take place on Thursday, March 13, with the main celebration of Holi occurring the next day, Friday, March 14.

While the Holi Festival is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is a celebration that happens all over the world. It brings people together and invites them to throw away their inhibitions, feeling united in one big colorful group.

Discover the top destinations to celebrate Holi, where traditional customs meet contemporary music festivals. Each location provides a distinct and memorable experience.

Mathura

Mathura is renowned as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, making it a significant pilgrimage site. The city’s beauty and allure attract countless devotees, especially during the Holi festival, when they come to honor Lord Krishna and seek his blessings. Many visitors flock to the Dwarkasheesh Temple to pray and joyfully celebrate Holi in the spirit of Shri Krishna.

Udaipur

In Udaipur, Holika Dahan marks the eve of Holi, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits. This event is celebrated with great grandeur by the Mewar dynasty. A vibrant procession moves from the royal residence to the Manek Chowk of the city palace, featuring elephants and horses adorned in colorful decorations, accompanied by the royal band. Coinciding with the elephant festival, there is also a tug of war involving a group of men and women against an elephant, along with captivating elephant dances.

The festivities culminate in the spectacular Holika Dahan ceremony, where a large bonfire is ignited in the palace courtyard, accompanied by cultural performances and a dazzling fireworks display.

Vrindavan

Vrindavan, often called the city of Krishna, bursts with unparalleled energy, making it one of the prime spots to experience the Holi festival. Unlike other parts of India where Holi is a one-day affair, Vrindavan celebrates this festival for an entire week, filled with unique rituals, vibrant colors, and deep spirituality. In 2025, the Holi festivities in Vrindavan will take place from March 7th to March 14th, featuring special events each day. Attendees can look forward to grand temple ceremonies, exciting color battles, and cultural performances. The “Phoolon Ki Holi” at the Banke Bihari Temple is particularly renowned. Visitors from around the globe flock to this site to partake in the Holi celebrations and catch a glimpse of Lord Banke Bihari.

Jaipur

In Jaipur, Holi is celebrated with great splendor, featuring lively processions, cultural events, and bustling markets filled with colorful Holi items.

Agra

Agra is a wonderful destination for celebrating Holi with immense enthusiasm and joy. The festivities involve people joyfully applying colored powders on one another and enjoying quality time with family, relatives, and friends.

West Bengal

In Shantiniketan, Holi is known as Basanta Utsav. Families prepare delectable dishes and joyfully engage in the festival, applying gulal and colors on one another. Students from Shantiniketan don saffron attire to perform songs and dances inspired by Tagore. Dol Jatra is also observed in West Bengal, where idols of Radha and Krishna are paraded through the streets. The Basanta Utsav holds a vital place in Bengali culture and tradition.

 Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, the Kumaoni celebration, also referred to as Khadi Holi, is a prominent musical festival. Locals partake in the festivities by donning traditional attire such as Chudidaar, Nokdaar Topi, and Kurta Pyjamas, engaging in group dances while performing Khari songs. Kumaoni Holi is observed in various forms, including Khari Holi, Mahila Holi, and Baithki Holi. The songs, which are sung in different ragas, typically commence at temple grounds. A fascinating aspect of Kumaoni Holi is the use of natural materials like water, ash, and floral extracts in the celebrations.

Punjab

In Punjab, Hola Mohalla serves as a platform to showcase strength and valor. The Nihang Sikhs lead this warrior Holi festival, where participants passionately exhibit their martial arts skills and cheer loudly. Although traditional color play is absent, the women of the region adorn their homes and courtyards with intricate murals known as Chowkpoorana.

Barsana

Barsana is renowned for its distinctive Lathmar Holi. True to its name, Lathmar Holi involves the use of sticks rather than traditional colors. During this celebration, women playfully strike men with sticks, following local customs. The festivities see people coming together in a vibrant and spirited atmosphere. Experiencing this celebration in vibrant color is truly incredible, and we highly recommend that every visitor should take part at least once.