Have you planned anything for Holi 2026?
If the answer is still no, then this is the cue to seriously start thinking about it. Because by the time you sit down to finalise the trip, most of the good bookings will already be gone, and you might be left with half-baked plans instead of a exciting Holi getaway. And planning Holi celebration without reading this blog might make you miss out on experiences you definitely wouldn’t want to skip. Because in this blog, we have carefully picked the best 15 places to celebrate holi with their unique experiences.
But before we take you through the list, it’s important to pause and reconnect with the true essence of Holi. So let’s slip back into a quick school-time lesson and revisit what this festival really stands for.
What is Holi?
There are two ways to answer this question.
The straightforward answer: Holi is India’s festival of colors, where people gather to splash powders of different colors on each other, dance to infectious beats, and feast on traditional delicacies.
The deeper answer: Holi is when hearts open wide. The ritual of applying colors becomes a language of love and joy. When those colours rise into the sky, blending with laughter, playful chases, and that stubborn friend trying to hide, something magical happens. It’s as if life itself becomes brighter for a while. Holi celebrates connection, community, and the pure joy of being together.
Holi 2026 Date
These are the dates for the long-weekend Holi celebrations in 2026.
| Date | Day |
| 28th February 2026 | Saturday |
| 01st March 2026 | Sunday |
| 02nd March 2026 | Monday (take leave) |
| 03rd March 2026 | Holika Dahan |
| 04th March | Holi |
Beyond the Basics
Across India, Holi unfolds in countless expressions. There is Lathmar Holi, Phoolon Ki Holi, temple rituals, neighbourhood celebrations, beach bashes, mountainous escapes, and folk festivals that turn entire towns into poetry.
So instead of merely telling you the best place to celebrate Holi, this guide also adds the one special experience each destination is known for. Whether you’re curious about where is the best place to celebrate Holi in India or want something entirely new, the answers lie below.
Let’s begin.
Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India in 2026
(Starting with mountain retreats far from chaos; ideal if looking for the best place to celebrate Holi in North India.)
Sangla: Best Place to Celebrate Holi With The Himalayas
Sangla in Himachal Pradesh is a perfect spot for anyone who loves celebrating Holi with culture and tradition.
Why Sangla is special?
Hol in Sangla blends with the four-day Faguli Festival, where snow-dusted mountains, wooden temples, and local traditions create magic. It’s quiet, authentic, and perfect for those seeking the best place to celebrate Holi in North India without crowds.
What Makes It Unique?
- Play with dry colors and snow
- Share Totu (buttermilk and roasted barley flour) with villagers
- Oil lamps blend Diwali traditions with Holi
- Marks winter’s end, summer’s start
Festival Highlights
- Morning blessings at Nag Temple
- Ramayana-inspired parade with costumed performers
- Phagli dance representing nature’s harmony
- Local dishes and phasur (traditional alcohol)
How to Reach
- Air: Bhuntar Airport (Kullu) → taxi/bus to Sangla
- Train: Delhi to Kalka (6 hrs) → Shimla Toy Train (5 hrs) → bus/cab to Sangla
- Road: Delhi to Sangla via Shimla (16 hrs); buses leave Shimla at 7 AM
Want to know about Sangla Holi? Read- Sangla Holi Blog
Pushkar: Best Place to Celebrate Holi for Sacred Colors & Spiritual Vibes
If you’re searching for the best places to celebrate Holi, Pushkar effortlessly stands out with its spiritual, musical, and festive atmosphere. Celebrate at India’s only Brahma Temple where one can experience spirituality and color together.
Curious about Pushkar Holi? Dive into the riot of colours, music and pure desert madness with our Pushkar Holi Guide.
What Makes It Unique?
- Multi-day pre-Holi festivities with music and dance
- Holy dip in Pushkar Lake (the celebration’s heart)
- Electronic beats merge with Rajasthani folk tunes
- Inclusive celebrations respecting cultural roots
How to Reach
- Air: Jaipur Airport (146 km, 1-hr flight from Delhi) → 3-hr taxi/bus
- Alternative: Ajmer Airport (27 km, fewer flights)
- Train: Ajmer Junction (11 km) → 30-min bus/taxi
- Pink City Express, Shatabdi Express
- Bus: Direct from major cities
- Delhi: 9.5 hrs (₹549)
- Jaipur: 2 hrs (₹280)
Vrindavan: Best Place to Celebrate Holi in Multiple Forms
Vrindavan is the very heart of colour-play. If someone asks which is the best place to celebrate Holi in India, Vrindavan is always in the top three because of the multiple ways in which holi is celebrated here.
Festival Calendar 2026 at Vrindavan
Feb 25 (Wed): Barsana Laddu Holi at Shri Ladliji Temple. Celebrate with the community with laddus and colored powders.
Feb 28 (Sat): Phoolon Wali Holi Banke Bihari Temple. Celebrate Holi with flower petals. It’s a celebration that will leave everyone aromatic.
Mar 3 (Tue): Join the Holika Dahan at Banke Bihari Temple and experience the local tale of good triumphing over evil around the sacred bonfire.
Mar 4 (Wed): Celebrate the main Holi festival, Dhulandi, with a riot of colors: abir, gulal, and powders flying everywhere!
How to Reach
- Road: Delhi to Vrindavan (160-183 km, Yamuna Expressway)
- 2.5-3.5 hrs by cab (₹2,500+)
- Train: Delhi/Hazrat Nizamuddin to Mathura Junction (12 km away)
- 2-3 hrs (₹100-1,200) → 20-30 min auto/taxi
- Book ahead during festivals
- Air: Delhi airport → cab/bus/train (3+ hrs)
Mathura: Best Place to Celebrate Holi with Sticks
In Mathura, Krishna’s birthplace, Holi takes on a whole new level of excitement with Lathmar Holi. While the flower Holi feels magical, this version with sticks hits differently(literally!) During the celebrations, women playfully strike men with sticks while the men defend themselves with shields. The result is a lively, dramatic, and memorable festival full of energy, laughter, and colorful chaos.
The Lathmar Holi will be celebrated in Mathura on February 26, 2026.
Here goes the celebration timeline of the entire Holi celebration of 2026:
- Mar 3 (Tue) – Holika Dahan Sacred bonfire at Dwarkadhish Temple and Vishram Ghat.
- Mar 4 (Wed) – Dhulandi Streets explode with abir, gulal, colored powder clouds.
How to Reach
By Train
- Route: New Delhi/Hazrat Nizamuddin → Mathura Junction
- Time: 2-3 hrs
- Cost: ₹100-1,200
- Frequency: Multiple daily trains
Tip: Book early for Holi, because it gets too crowded.
By Road
- Cab/Taxi: Fastest choice
- Time: 2.5-3 hrs from Delhi
- Cost: ₹2,000-3,500 one-way
- Route: Expressway
Jaipur & Udaipur: Best Places to Celebrate Royal Holi in Rajasthan
Holi is celebrated in many ways across India, but in Rajasthan, one thing stands out: its royalty. The festival here exudes a grandeur unlike anywhere else. In the Pink City of Jaipur and the White City of Udaipur, Holi transforms into a regal spectacle. Palace courtyards come alive with colorful festivities, while folk performers bring age-old traditions to life, and spread royal vibes across the region, making it one of a kind.
Jaipur Highlights
- Elephant Festival during Holi (parades, polo matches)
- City Palace celebrations with traditional rituals
- Old city street parties with Rajasthani music
- Heritage hotel exclusive events
Udaipur Highlights
- Royal Holi at City Palace with Mewar royal family
- Holika Dahan at Gangaur Ghat over Lake Pichola
- Traditional old city processions
- Sunset lake boat rides during celebrations
How to Reach
Jaipur:
- Air: Jaipur International Airport (direct from major cities)
- Train: Jaipur Junction (connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore)
- Road: 280 km from Delhi (5-6 hrs via NH48)
Udaipur:
- Air: Maharana Pratap Airport (1-hr flight from Delhi)
- Train: Udaipur City Station (from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai)
- Road: 400 km from Jaipur (6-7 hrs)
Braj: The 16-Day Holi Marathon
Want the know which place has the longest Holi celebration in India? It’s Braj. The Holi celebration is not here for one day. Not one week. But, sixteen days across multiple towns! These towns are Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon. That’s why it is perfect choice for people who want to celebrate holi in the best place in India.
What Makes It Unique?
- 16 continuous days (late Feb to early March)
- Each town has distinct traditions
- Experience Lathmar, Phoolon Wali, Laddu Holi in one region
- Deep spiritual connection to Krishna’s birthplace
- Temple hopping across sacred sites
Key Celebration Spots
- Barsana: Lathmar Holi (Feb 26)
- Nandgaon: Return Lathmar Holi (Feb 27)
- Vrindavan: Phoolon Wali Holi (Feb 28)
- Mathura: Grand color celebrations (Mar 4)
How to Reach
- Train: Mathura Junction hub (2-3 hrs from Delhi)
- Road: 150-160 km from Delhi (3-4 hrs, Yamuna Expressway)
- Local: Shared autos and taxis connect towns (₹50-300)
Varanasi: Celebrate The Best Holi on the Ghats of Eternity
Experience the full Ranjhaana vibe by celebrating Holi in Varanasi. It is one of the best places to immerse yourself in the festival along the sacred Ganges, with ancient temples as the backdrop. Here, spirituality meets color in a magical blend, making every splash of gulal a part of India’s most soul-stirring celebration.
What Makes It Unique?
- Holi on historic Ganga ghats
- Traditional bhang (cannabis drink) in government shops
- Morning aarti then color play
- Boat rides through colored clouds over water
- Classical music during evening celebrations
- Street processions through narrow old lanes
Festival Activities
- Morning: Holy Ganga dip, temple visits
- Afternoon: Color play at Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Evening: Ganga Aarti with Holi colors
How to Reach
- Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (22 km from center)
- Train: Varanasi Junction or Mughal Sarai Junction (frequent from major cities)
- Road: NH2 and NH56 connections (buses from Delhi, Lucknow, Patna)
Rishikesh: Best Place to Celebrate Spiritual Holi by the Ganges
Rishikesh brings a gentler and calmer version of Holi, one that swaps loud chaos for colours mixed with calm. Along the banks of the Ganga, the festival turns serene, spiritual, and community-driven. If you want Holi 2026 to feel meaningful, mindful, and still full of joy, this is where you go.
What Makes It Unique?
- Ganga-side Holi celebrations with soft colours
- Evening Ganga Aarti blending devotion with festivity
- Live music circles, drum jams, and community gatherings
- Sattvic cafés hosting peaceful Holi hangouts
- Yoga retreats offering special Holi sessions
How to Reach
- Road: 240 km from Delhi (5–6 hrs)
Frequent buses from ISBT Kashmere Gate - Train: Nearest major station – Haridwar Junction (20 km)
Direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow - Air: Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) – 21 km
Regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
Hampi: Celebrate Holi Among Ancient Ruins
Hampi paints Holi on a canvas of stone, mythology, and surreal landscapes. The festival here feels slow, soulful, and rooted in heritage. Instead of loud chaos, you’ll find colours drifting across temple courtyards, river ghats, and age-old bazaars sculpted by the Vijayanagara Empire. It’s Holi wrapped in history.
What Makes It Unique
- Celebrations set against UNESCO-listed ruins
- Sunset drumming circles and community-style gatherings
- Colour play around Virupaksha Temple & Hampi Bazaar
- A mix of bohemian travelers and local traditions
2026 Holi Date: March 3, 2026
How to Reach
- Road: Overnight buses from Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa.
- Train: Hospet Junction (13 km) — direct trains from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, and Mumbai.
- Air: Hubli Airport (~165 km) is the closest major airport. Taxis/buses available onward to Hampi.
Shantiniketan: The Best Way To Celebrate Holi, Tagore Style
Want art over chaos? Shantiniketan in West Bengal is it. Founded by Rabindranath Tagore, this university town celebrates Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival), which is Holi with poetry, classical music, and cultural performances. It is for those travelers who seek something beyond the usual best places to celebrate Holi lists.
What Makes It Unique?
- Students wear yellow and spring colors (not typical Holi shades)
- Classical dance and Rabindra Sangeet concerts
- Abir (dry powder) applied gracefully, not thrown wildly
- Visva-Bharati University student-led processions
- Bengali cultural programs
- Refined, artistic Holi interpretation
2026 Date Basanta Utsav: March 4, 2026
How to Reach
- Train: Bolpur Station (2.5-3 hrs from Kolkata)
- Shantiniketan Express, Kavi Guru Express
- Road: 160 km from Kolkata (3.5 hrs via NH60)
- Regular buses from Esplanade
- Air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata (nearest, 165 km)
Anandpur Sahib: Celebrate Holi with Sikh Martial Arts
This celebration doesn’t fit into the mainstream idea of Holi, it carries an entirely different spirit. This is the warrior’s Holi. In Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, the three-day Hola Mohalla transforms the festival into a powerful display of martial skill, courage, and age-old tradition.
What Makes It Unique?
- Mock battles and Gatka (Sikh martial arts) shows
- Sword fighting, horseback archery, wrestling
- Nihang warriors in blue attire performing stunts
- Processions (nagar kirtan) with hymn singing
- Community kitchens (langars) feeding thousands
- Happens day after Holi (different calendar)
2026 Dates Hola Mohalla:
- March 5, 2026: Hola Mohalla Celebration begins
- March 7, 2026: Hola Mohalla Celebration ends.
How to Reach
- Road: 95 km from Chandigarh (2-3 hrs)
- Regular buses from Chandigarh ISBT
- Train: Anandpur Sahib Station (direct from Delhi, Chandigarh)
- 5-6 hrs from Delhi
- Air: Chandigarh Airport (nearest, 90 km)
Manipur: Best Place to Celebrate Holi for Five Days Straight
The best part about India is the authenticity that its indigenous traditions carry. And if you want to experience that raw, unfiltered vibe, Manipur’s Yaosang Festival is one of the best places to celebrate Holi in 2026. This celebration is held across five vibrant days, blending Holi with Manipuri culture through folk dances, traditional sports, and heartwarming community gatherings.
What Makes It Unique?
- Five-day celebration (longer than most)
- Thabal Chongba: traditional Manipuri night folk dance
- Nakatheng: sport like coconut-breaking games
- Children collect door-to-door donations (like Halloween)
- Colors mixed with indigenous rituals
2026 Dates Yaosang: March 2-6, 2026
How to Reach
- Air: Imphal International Airport (direct from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi)
- Train: Nearest is Dimapur (Nagaland), 215 km away
- Then 4-5 hr taxi to Imphal
- Road: Via NH2 and NH37 (scenic, long journey)
Goa: Holi Celebrations with Beach Parties
We all know that if anyone is chasing the wildest Holi party energy, there’s no place quite like Goa. The blend of beaches, music, and that carefree coastal vibe creates a celebration that feels almost cinematic. But here’s something most travelers miss: there’s another festival that unfolds around the same time. The vibrant Shigmo Festival. This traditional Goan celebration brings folk dances, cultural processions, and age-old rituals to life. So in Goa, don’t just get colour-soaked beach parties; also get an authentic cultural experience running parallel, giving the best of both worlds in one trip.
The Shigmo Festival Advantage
Most visitors don’t know about Shigmo, a cultural festival coinciding with Holi. 2026 dates aren’t announced, but visit during Holi and you’ll likely catch it.
What is Shigmo?
Shigmo is Goa’s grand spring carnival, where tradition takes over the streets in full colour. Locals perform age-old folk dances in their authentic attire, moving to the beat of drums that echo through entire villages. The parade becomes the heart of the celebration, carrying vibrant tableaux of Hindu gods and goddesses, each crafted with devotion. It feels like the whole state is telling its stories in motion, under open skies painted with celebration.
How to Reach
Air
- Airports: Dabolim (South) | Mopa (North)
- Flights from: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, major cities
- Airlines: IndiGo, Air India (daily)
- Transfers: ₹500-2,000 to beaches
Tip: Pick Dabolim for South beaches, Mopa for North.
Train
- Stations:
- Madgaon (Central)
- Thivim (North)
- Vasco da Gama (South)
- Trains: Konkan Kanya Express, Mandovi Express
- From: Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin), Mumbai (~30 hrs)
Road
- Highways: NH66, NH48 (well-maintained)
- Operators: Kadamba Transport, private buses
- Times & Costs:
- Mumbai: 10-12 hrs (₹800-2,000)
- Pune: 8 hrs
- Bangalore: 10 hrs
Mumbai: Best Place to Celebrate Coastal Holi with Bollywood Flair
If you want the celebrations to feel lively but not overwhelmingly loud, Mumbai is the place to be for Holi 2026. The city blends festive cheer with its signature coastal charm. Get colour-soaked scenes at Juhu Beach and chic parties in high-rises coming together to bring a metropolitan twist to Holi without compromising on fun.
How to Reach
- Beach celebrations at Juhu, Versova, Aksa
- Celebrity-hosted parties (if connected)
- Rain Dance Holi at clubs and resorts
- Traditional housing society celebrations
- Culture fusion—North Indian, Maharashtrian, global
- Organized ticketed DJ events
Where to Celebrate
- Beaches: Juhu Beach public celebrations
- Clubs & Resorts: Westin Powai, JW Marriott parties
- Housing Societies: Local community celebrations (invite needed)
- Dharavi: Authentic community-driven Holi
How to Reach
Mumbai is India’s financial capital with excellent connections:
- Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
- Train: Mumbai Central, Dadar, CST (trains from across India)
- Road: Via NH48, NH66 (buses from Pune, Goa, Gujarat)
Delhi: Best Place for Celebrating Urban Holi Across Every Neighborhood
Delhi doesn’t have one grand event. It has variety. There are traditional mohalla celebrations, upscale hotel parties, and pool parties with electrifying music, and wild party vibes . The capital offers every Holi flavor. Delhi also hosts the Delhi Moo Festival, an amazing celebration unfolding on 4th March 2026, adding a high-energy twist to the city’s Holi scene.
What Makes It Unique?
- Celebration diversity: traditional, commercial, everything between
- Luxury hotel parties with DJs
- Traditional old Delhi neighborhoods (Chandni Chowk, Purani Dilli)
- Holi Moo Festival and farmhouse events
- International travelers joining Indian families
How to Reach
Delhi is India’s capital with connections everywhere:
- Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Train: Multiple stations (New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Old Delhi)
- Road: Highway connections to all major cities
And that brings us to the end of the list. These are the best places to celebrate Holi in 2026, each offering a distinct flavour of colour, culture, and celebration.
FAQ’s
India offers countless Holi experiences, from the unique Lathmar Holi in Mathura and Barsana to the spiritual celebrations in Pushkar and Varanasi. For a royal vibe, Jaipur and Udaipur are top picks, while Goa and Mumbai cater to party lovers.
For North India, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Braj are unmatched. They offer unique traditions like Laddu Holi, Phoolon Wali Holi, and Lathmar Holi, ensuring a celebration that is immersive, and culturally rich.
Holi 2026 falls on March 4, 2026. However, some regions have pre-Holi festivities, like Barsana and Vrindavan, which can start several days earlier.
For authentic and offbeat experiences, visit Sangla in the Himalayas for snow and cultural rituals, Shantiniketan for an artistic Holi, or Manipur’s Yaosang Festival for indigenous traditions and five days of festivities.
Most major Holi destinations are well-connected. Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Varanasi have airports and train stations. Places like Barsana, Anandpur Sahib, and Sangla can be accessed via road or local trains from nearby hubs. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak Holi season.