10 Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India 2026
A long weekend is coming up. Holi 2026 is around the corner. Travel on your mind, but still wondering where to go? Say no more. Holi is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in India. From flower showers in Vrindavan to royal celebrations in Udaipur and cultural performances in Shantiniketan, Holi is celebrated differently across regions.
If you’re planning to travel for Holi 2026, here are the 10 best places to celebrate Holi in India, along with what makes each destination unique.
Top 10 Places to Celebrate Holi in India 2026
Holi is one of India’s most famous festivals. The festival primarily includes Holika Dahan (bonfire) on the first night on 3rd March, followed by a festival of colours the next day on 4th March. However, different regions of India celebrate this splendid festival in different ways. Without further ado, let’s have a look at all the awesome places to celebrate Holi in India this year.
1. Banke Bihari Temple- Vrindavan
Holi is celebrated in great gusto and fervour in Vrindavan. It welcomes the advent of spring and bids good riddance to the cold chills of winter. Beginning on Vasant Panchami, Holi is celebrated in Vrindavan with large processions of people smeared in different colours, dancing to the tunes of musicians.
On the Ekadashi before Holi, the city celebrates Phoolon wali Holi, on 28 Feb 2026, in which temple priests throw flowers at devotees. Another unique celebration of Holi in Vrindavan is the Widow’s Holi, which began a few years back to break the convention that prevented widows from playing with colours or wearing coloured clothes.
When & Where
- Traditional Holi: 4th March 2026 across the city
- Phoolon wali Holi: Bankar Bihari Temple on 28 Feb 2026
Also Read: Wedding Destinations In India To Tie The Knot
2. Barsana
Another famous Holi in India is the Holi of Barsana. Barsana, near Mathura, is known for the unique Lathmar Holi, which will be celebrated on 26 Feb 2026, where women playfully hit men with sticks as part of a centuries-old tradition. Undoubtedly, Barsana witnesses the best Holi celebration in India. Barsana is the most famous place to celebrate Holi in India and offers the full Mathura Holi experience.
3. Shantiniketan- Cultural Basant Utsav
Shantiniketan is a renowned university in West Bengal, where the Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore introduced the Basant Utsav to revive an ancient tradition. To this day, the tradition is followed and celebrated with unmatched zest and vigour. Students dress in yellow, perform dances and songs, celebrate spring with elegance rather than chaos, and host a large cultural extravaganza for visitors. All this happiness, colours, and joy of Shantiniketan make it the best Holi celebration in India.
- Date: March 3, 2026 (coincides with Dol Purnima/Holi).
- Location: Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal.
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4. Delhi
With kids turning into colour hooligans and elders crazy with fun and frolic, it’s a known fact that Delhi gets a little rowdy during Holi. But if you can get tickets to the ‘mad moozik’ festival, Holy Cow, which is one of the most happening festivals of Delhi, you are in for an awesome time. With a kickass lineup including the country’s best independent music acts, Holi Cow is where every music lover flocks together in this spring festival. This year, experience the best Holi in India, in the heart of the country itself, on 4th March 2026. For a different way to enjoy the festival of colours, one of the most authentic places to celebrate Holi in India is Delhi.
Popular Holi events include:
- DJ festivals
- Pool parties
- Rain dance events
- Bollywood-themed celebrations
Tip: Choose reputed event organisers for safety.
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5. Manipur- Yaoshang Festival
On the full moon day of Phalguna, Holi, the great Yaoshang Festival of Manipur is a six-day celebration. It is a cultural extravaganza to witness, with folk dancers and musicians performing amid fluorescent lamps and bonfires, while people play with gulal. Since the very beginning of Vaishnavism, these two Manipur festivals have been celebrated here.
Related Posts: Rajasthani Holi
6. Punjab- Hola Mohalla
In Punjab, Holi coincides with Hola Mohalla from 4th March to 6th March 2026, a Sikh festival showcasing martial arts, horse riding, and mock battles. Sikh celebrations of Holi in Punjab differ from those in the rest of the country in many ways. Locals shout their hearts out following a tradition. Furthermore, they practice martial arts on this day and enjoy colours in the evening. Delicious halwa, puris, gujias, and malpuas are eaten and served to others. It is definitely one of the best places for Holi in India.
7. Hampi- Backpacker’s Holi
It is rare to find Holi celebrations in South India. However, the presence of many Western tourists in Hampi makes the city highly popular. In addition to the use of coloured powder & liquid colours, Holi celebrations in Hampi also feature a loud riot of music and dance. Holi in Hampi 2026 will be celebrated on March 3rd (Holika Dahan) and March 4th (Rangwali Holi).
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8. Purulia- Folk Holi Festival
A 3-day-long Basanta Utsava is a folk festival celebrated in the Purulia district of West Bengal on March 4–8, 2026. It begins before the actual Holi. People of Purulia sing folk songs, dance, and exhibit their unique folk art. The different forms of folk dance include the stunning Chau, Darbari Jhumur, and Natua, while the famous popular Baul musicians of WB sing melodious songs, making it the best Holi in India. This will surely give you a glimpse of the glorious festivals in March in India.
9. Udaipur- Royal Holi Celebration
Holi in Udaipur is absolutely spectacular and royal. On the day of Holi, the Maharaja of Mewar welcomes honourable guests, foreign tourists, and many dignitaries to the Royal City Palace. The Maharana arrives at the celebration in traditional attire, and a bonfire is lit on the palace grounds on 3rd March 2026. The bonfire signifies the triumph of good over evil. There are drums, folk dances, and folk songs followed by cocktails, a lavish dinner, and wonderful fireworks. The next day, on 4th March 2026 locals celebrate with colours across the city. Udaipur is definitely one of the best places for Holi in India.
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10. Jaipur- Organised Cultural Events
Jaipur is probably among the best places to celebrate Holi in India. It’s not just the enthusiasm of Jaipur’s residents that makes it a fun city to celebrate Holi, but also Rajasthan Tourism’s great effort in organising a special event for visitors on the lawns of Khasa Kothi Hotel. This event features Rajasthani folk dance, song performances, and a festive lunch on 4th March 2026 Even if you’re not a guest of this hotel, you can attend an event. The Holika Dahan will be on 3rd March 2026.
How To Plan Your Holi 2026 Trip
1. Book Early
Holi is the peak travel season. Flights and hotels sell out quickly.
2. Choose Your Style
- Spiritual & Traditional → Vrindavan / Barsana
- Royal & Elegant → Udaipur
- Party & Modern → Delhi
- Cultural → Shantiniketan / Purulia
- Offbeat → Manipur
3. Stay Safe
- Use organic colours
- Protect your eyes & skin
- Keep valuables secure
- Travel in groups if possible
4. Make It Eco-Friendly
- Avoid water wastage
- Use herbal colours
- Respect local traditions
You May Also Like To Read: Holi In Mathura
Conclusion
So, which of these, according to you, is the best place to celebrate Holi in India? Getting beaten with sticks, rocking at a concert or balancing yourself in a human pyramid? Whatever you decide, make sure to get the most out of this Holi, for it’s here to welcome the spring season. So, where are you heading this Holi? Plan your trip to India early, travel responsibly, and celebrate the festival of colours in a way you’ll never forget.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free Holi getaway, explore customised India tour packages with TravelTriangle and make your 2026 festival trip smooth and memorable.
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Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons, Facebook, Pexels and Pixabay.
FAQs About Holi In India
Where is the best place to participate in Holi in India?
Some of the best places where you can witness some craziest Holi celebrations include Jaipur, Vrindavan, Delhi, Udaipur, Uttarakhand, Awadh, and Purulia.
Is Holi celebrated in Goa?
Goa has a significant number of Hindu population, which means it is celebrated there. There are many Holi parties that are organized in Goa during Holi week.
How is Holi celebrated in Goa?
Since Goa has many Hindus, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm for almost a month and is a part of the spring festival Sigmo. The celebration includes Holika Puja, in which people offer gulal to their deities.
How is the festival of Holi celebrated?
One of the most popular and biggest festivals of India is Holi. It is a 2-day festival: the first day is called ‘Choti Holi’, and the second day is ‘Rangwali Holi’. On the first day, the Holika bonfire is lit in the evening, and people pray to God to cleanse their inner evil. On the second day, people begin celebrating Holi with herbal colours and water. The scene of chasing one another to throw Holi colours or coloured water is common on the day of Holi in India.
How we can make Holi festival eco friendly?
Use organic colours or use flowers and leaves to make your own colours, and do not waste water.
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