Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, is celebrated every year to mark the end of winter and the coming of spring. While, religiously, the message of Holi is to mark the victory of good over evil and embrace new beginnings, new relationships and new life, the festival is gaining worldwide popularity thanks to its tradition of throwing colored powders and water on friends, family and strangers. Participating in a Holi celebration brings out the child in everyone. If you have fond childhood memories of water balloon fights, this just might be perfect for you.
The festival is a social one, bringing strangers together to share in the merriment. While the holiday originated in India, the message of love and the atmosphere of fun is contagious, spreading to cities around the world. If travel to India isn’t on your radar this spring but you are still excited to take part in the festivities, find a local Holi celebration in your area and join in the fun. While Holi is officially celebrated March 21 this year, across America celebrations are occurring throughout March and into April.
Los Angeles
The City of Angels is hosting several celebrations including the March 9 and 10 event at Whittier Narrows Park. In addition to the traditional throwing of colors, the festival will include live music, dancing, yoga and food vendors. Come prepared to have fun and expect to leave looking like a watercolor portrait. Admission to the festival is $6.50 for adults and children 12 and under get in for free. Ticket packages are available that include color packets and entrance for both days.
Kids and color packets for Holi celebrations. Photo: Dushyant Kumar Thakur | Dreamstime.com
San Francisco
SF Holi, hosted by Asha San Francisco March 16 at the California College for the Arts, offers a day of colorful fun for $25, which includes unlimited color packets. The festivities run from 12–4 p.m. and will include live music and a variety of food vendors.
Chicago
On March 23, the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago will host its annual Holi Festival with a day of events that include a bazaar, a cultural program and a bindya yoga class, culminating in an evening color-throwing event. The event is free and activities start at 8:30 a.m. with the yoga class. The color-throwing takes place 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Houston
Houston Holi will occur March 23 at the city’s Crown Festival Park. The event is great for families because, in addition to the all-day color throwing and live Indian music and dancing, the event is alcohol-free and offers free slides and carnival rides for the kids to enjoy throughout the day. Entrance fees are $15 at the gate or $12 online.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations
Apr 25, 2024The Creepy Appeal of Dark Tourism
While the term dark tourism applies more widely to places associated with tragedies, death and the grimmer moments in history, at its heart is a fascination with the bizarre, mysterious and spooky — qualities certain to attract older kids and teens. While sites of mass tragedy may not be suitable, you can enliven family travel with stops at some creepy places.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
North America
Apr 25, 2024Discover 5 of the Best Hotels Near National Parks
If your family travel happens to take you to a national park, look no further than the list of hotels below.
Slideshow
Apr 25, 20247 Curaçao Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Curaçao with us.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Travel Tips
Apr 25, 2024Protect Family Trips with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Summer family travel is quickly approaching. Where is your family headed? A Forbes Travel Advisor study recently found the cost of travel for a family of four for a three-night stay with airfare averaged about $3,600. Protect your family travel spending with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, offering a variety of travel insurance packages tailored to all types of travel.
ShareThis