We’re now firmly in the grip of March, with all sorts of celebrations taking place – Mother’s Day has just passed us by, and St Patrick’s Day is coming soon! But there’s one ocassion in March that sees the city transformed with colour and festivity: Holi. Celebrated on the first full moon in the month of Phalgun, according to the Hindu calendar (which typically means sometime in March), Holi takes place on Monday, March 25 this year. But since that’s a Monday (and we Londoners love an excuse to celebrate) there are plenty of celebrations around that date as well!
Holi celebrates the love of Radha and Lord Krishna and the victory of good over evil. For the festival, everyone sets aside grievances or pettiness to celebrate life. The celebration also marks the departure of winter and the arrival of spring. It’s a time for giving thanks for good harvest, and a great excuse for a party! In a nutshell, it’s a wonderful, joyous celebration of colour, vibrancy, love, and life.
Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Holi The Festival Of Colours
So, without further ado, here are 9 of the most colourful and vibrant ways to celebrate Holi in London in 2024:
1. Chuck some paint at the House of Holi pop-up
One of the most iconic Holi sights is the multi-coloured, beaming faces of those participating in colour fights and paint throwing. And in London, there’s one person we can depend on to make sure the rainbow-hued fun takes place: Vivek Singh of the Cinnamon Kitchen restaurants. And sure enough, in 2024 the hugely fun House of Holi is back for the 7th year.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of time for everyone to enjoy it, with sessions running across March 15-25. You simply step inside the purpose-built space and get to flinging as you wage all-out paint-flinging chaos. (Friendly chaos, of course!) Make sure you wear some old clothes for the experience because you’re unlikely to leave with a square inch of skin or clothing not covered in paint.
Head here to find out more and book a spot.
2. Then head to the Cinnamon Kitchen’s Holi Supper Club
And since you’ve likely worked up an appetite, and hopefully washed off all the paint, why not sit down for a special Holi meal? Vivek Singh has a delicious example waiting at Cinnamon Kitchen, with a five-course Holi Supper Club to treat yourself to. Taking place on March 20 (giving you plenty of time to try out other Holi menus and events!) the special meal will only be offered at the Cinnamon Kitchen City restaurant. Dishes include the likes of Kadhi Pithod Saag (chickpea gnocchi, yoghurt and spinach sauce), Kosha Mangsho (a Kolkata-style rich lamb curry), and much more.
Make sure you don’t miss out; book your spot here.
3. Join London’s biggest Holi Colours Festival
The weekend before Holi actually takes place, revellers will be flocking to North London, where ‘London’s biggest Holi Colours Festival’ promises to take place. 1500 day-ravers will mark the arrival of spring with “an explosion of colors, music, and laughter“. Two rooms of live music, DJing, lasers, and plenty of Holi colour-throwing will keep spirits high all day long. Expect the very best Bollywood, Bhangra, and English tunes and plenty of celebration.
Find out more and grab your ticket here.
4. Or head outdoors to the London Ki Holi Festival 2024
If an indoor rave isn’t quite your thing, head east to Ilford’s London Ki Holi Festival (March 23), where both outdoor and indoor Holi festivities await. As well as unlimited colours to toss around, there will be an outdoor stage with music and a “Laser and Light themed Holi Rave party”. Head inside and you’ll be treated to a mini Bollywood fest with dhol players, Bollywood dance, circus performers, and workshops to keep everyone entertained. Each ticket also comes with a plethora of freebies and there’s plenty of food available to keep everyone fed across the whole day!
Don’t miss out – grab your ticket here.
5. Stuff yourself silly with a kaleidoscopic feast at Yaatra
Need even more food that’s as vibrant in colour and presentation as it is in taste? Head on over to Yaatra, where their special three-course Holi feast is set to dazzle celebrating diners. For just £45 per person, guests will receive a cocktail upon arrival (the best kind of greeting) before digging into dishes ranging from Togarashi grilled scallop to Awadhi spiced lamb rump and beyond. Oh and be sure to save room for the indulgent and rich kulfi falooda sundae at the end of it all!
Psst… The special menu will be available from March 25-27, giving you ample choice for when to dine!
Head here to book your table!
6. Celebrate with colour and dance
Magic of India is bringing the joy of Holi to Swiss Cottage once again in 2024, with their street-festival-esque celebrations. The organisation, which is dedicated to celebrating Indian culture, will be entertaining celebrants with their Holi Colour Dance Festival on March 17. From 11am to 4pm guests can enjoy professional dance performances, live drumming and DJs, street food stalls, and, of course, the requisite paint throwing. Your first packet of paint is even included with your ticket, with more packets available to purchase.
Find out more here.
7. Enjoy a Master-ful meal
What if you want the best of the best to be cooking your meal? After all, this is a celebration so why not go all out? Well, it doesn’t get much better than this… Forest Hill’s esteemed Indian restaurant Babur is joining forces with MasterChef UK finalist Anurag Aggarwal on a five-course Holi offering. Each course on the menu represents different colours, coalescing into one of London’s most colourful meals. The limited-time Holi menu will launch with a special dining experience on March 25, and will then be available until March 31.
Book your table here so you don’t miss out.
8. Give your Holi dining an elegant touch
Over in Sloane Square, another delectable Holi meal awaits – this time from Head Chef Peter Joseph (previously Head Chef at Tamarind, the first Indian restaurant to win a Michelin Star). At his restaurant, Kahani, guests are invited to luxuriate amidst the elegant decor and try truly delicious Indian food. For Holi, the restaurant offers a special four-course meal that ranges across dishes like Punjabi samosa chaat, Kerala fish curry, Chicken vindaloo, and more.
Reserve your spot to try Kahani’s Holi meal here.
9. Chow down on yet another Holi meal
From March 23-25, Mayfair’s Kanishka by Atul Kochhar is offering up a truly exceptional four-course meal. Starting with a selection of chef’s canapés, diners can then choose from dishes like Lamb Boti Kebab, Tiger Prawn Mappas, and Tandoori Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet. Oh, and they’re not content with just a Holi menu. They’ve also got a limited-edition Holi drink, the Holi Hai Cocktail. With a mix of Glenmorangie, orange marmalade, Aperol, lemon juice, orange juice, egg white, and orange bitters, it’s the perfect complement to their four-course Holi feast. Is anyone else’s mouth watering?!
Head here to book a table at Kanishka by Atul Kochhar.
10. Finish off with a sweet treat
Just for the Holi, the newly-opened Pravaas in South Kensington has a wonderful dessert to tempt you. (A word of warning: you’ll want to try the whole menu as well!) Chef Shilpa Dandekar has created a Puran poli Mille-Feuille. Sweet savoury and fruity flavours combine thanks to the mix of nuts, saffron, rose, Thandai cream, and rhubarb, making for a memorable and unique treat.
Book a table here to try the dessert – and check out the rest of the menu!
11. Or a sweet treat and a special drink
Over at Farzi, guests can choose from two limited-edition dishes to commemorate Holi. These include the Holi ki Thandai, a milk-based drink flavoured with nuts, spices, and saffron – which can be spiked with your liquor of choice – and the Tutti Frutti sponge roll dessert. This year’s Holi celebrations also coincide neatly with Farzi’s fifth birthday celebrations. They’ve launched a new menu for the ocassion, with seasonal Northern Indian dishes that range from Robata Grilled Scallops to Beef Boti Kebab, Chicken Parda Biryani, and more. It’s a chance for two celebrations in one – how lovely!
Reserve your table at Farzi here.