Holi, which is on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna, marks the triumph of good over evil, the end of winter, and the beginning of spring.Holi is a festival where communities unite to indulge in merry color battles, traditional music, dance, and mouth-watering sweets. The festival is connected with the story of Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap and also a celebration of Radha and Krishna’s romantic playfulness. The two-day celebration starts with Holika Dahan, when bonfires are set to celebrate the victory of good. The second day sees people of all ages indulging in colors, music, and happiness. All states in India imbue the celebration with their distinctive flavor, such that it must be experienced for both residents and tourists. With India being so diverse, each region celebrates Holi in its own special way.
From the famous Lathmar Holi of Uttar Pradesh to the richly cultural Shantiniketan Holi in West Bengal, this is the list of the top destinations to experience Holi in 2025. While traveling to these places, a comfortable and smooth journey is required. The car rentals with their various car options will help you to reach your destination with utmost comfort. These are the 12 best places to celebrate Holi in India in 2025, where the festival is celebrated with unmatched passion.
1. Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace and childhood city of Lord Krishna, are two of the most symbolically charged destinations for celebrating Holi. The celebrations here are entrenched in mythology and have a spiritual quality that draws thousands of pilgrims each year. Celebrating Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan lets you become a part of the divine history of Radha and Krishna, which is re-enacted through music, dance, and playfulness of colors.
- Highlights of the Celebration: The celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan is a week-long affair, with each day offering a unique and enchanting experience. One of the highlights is the Phoolon ki Holi, where priests at the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan shower flowers on devotees, creating a serene and fragrant atmosphere. Another noteworthy event is the Widow Holi, celebrated at the Gopinath Temple, where widows break traditional taboos by playing with colors and reclaiming joy in their lives.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon is another spectacle, where women playfully beat men with sticks while the men attempt to shield themselves. This tradition is steeped in mythology and offers a lively and entertaining experience. Devotional songs and ras-lilas performed in temples add a spiritual essence, making the celebration an unforgettable experience. - When to Visit?: The festivities begin about a week before the actual Holi date. You can take part in all the exciting activities and experience the divine ambiance if you arrive early.
2. Jaipur, Rajasthan:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Jaipur, the Pink City, is renowned for its royal past and grandeur, and Holi in the city is no exception. The city presents a well-planned and luxurious celebration of Holi that is mixed with traditional practices and contemporary celebrations. Jaipur’s own way of celebrating Holi makes it a popular destination for domestic as well as foreign travelers.
- Highlights of the Celebration: One of the most exciting experiences in Jaipur during Holi is the Eleholi festival, where elephants are adorned with colourful hues, elaborate designs, and ornaments. This event gives an experience of the cultural diversity of Rajasthan and is a chance to see regal elephants in all their splendour. Holi parties organized in heritage hotels give a touch of royalty to the festival, so that guests can experience traditional Rajasthani hospitality. Folk dance and music performances also add to the festive mood, combining luxury with culture, offering a magical experience.
- When to Visit?: To ensure a well-rounded experience of Jaipur’s lively celebrations, it is best to arrive the day before Holi in order to attend the Elephant Festival and take part in the pre-Holi festivities.
3. Shantiniketan, West Bengal:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore popularized Shantiniketan, a celebration that blends art, culture, and tradition, to celebrate Holi as Basanta Utsav. Not only are colors celebrated here, but music, poetry, and dancing are also used to welcome spring.
- Highlights of the Celebration: At Shantiniketan, the Basanta Utsav begins with students and teachers of Visva-Bharati University donning traditional attire and performing Tagore’s songs and dances. The vibrant hues of yellow dominate the festival, symbolizing the onset of spring. Art exhibitions and poetry readings add a unique intellectual and cultural layer to the celebration. The atmosphere is one of harmony and creativity, making it a must-visit for those looking to experience a different aspect of Holi.
- When to Visit?: It is advised to arrive one day prior to Holi in order to take in the cultural acts and the calm yet lively atmosphere of Shantiniketan.
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Varanasi, which is also called the spiritual capital of India, has a unique Holi celebration that combines spirituality, tradition, and revelry. The ghats of the city get enlivened by rituals and thus, it is an extraordinary place to celebrate Holi.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Varanasi Holi starts with ceremonies on the ghats of the Ganges, where pilgrims congregate to conduct traditional rituals. Color play acquires the spiritual flavor as they chant hymns and paint one another with bright colors. One of the highlights of the festival is the “Bhang” thandai, a traditional beverage prepared with cannabis, milk, and spices, which lends a special flavor to the celebration. The winding streets of Varanasi turn into a painting of colors, music, and happiness, providing an experience that is unparalleled.
- When to Visit?: To take part in the Holika Dahan ceremonies and experience the spiritual atmosphere of this historic city, it is advisable to arrive one day early.
5. Udaipur, Rajasthan:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Udaipur, or the City of Lakes, is a royal and scenic place to celebrate Holi. Its lush landscapes and rich cultural landscape make it the perfect location for an unforgettable Holi experience.
- Highlights of the Celebration: In Udaipur, the Holi festival starts with a big Holika Dahan function organized by the royal family in the City Palace. The ceremony involves traditional folk dances, music, and ceremonial bonfire. The following day, the roads of Udaipur are painted with colors as locals and travelers participate in the celebrations. The peaceful setting of lakes and palaces provides an air of romance and majesty to the celebration.
- When to Visit?: To observe the royal customs and take in the joyous mood, schedule your trip to coincide with the Holika Dahan celebration.
6. Hampi, Karnataka:
- Why Celebrate Here?: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi provides a distinctive and vibrant Holi celebration. Even though Hampi is in South India, where Holi is not as popular, their celebrations are a wonderful exception.
- Highlights of the Celebration: The events are set against the spectacular backdrop of the ancient ruins of Hampi, which creates a mystical atmosphere. Locals and visitors gather to dance, play with colors, and take in the joyous atmosphere. The energy is increased by drum circles and folk music performances, which makes Holi in Hampi a memorable occasion. Because of the more relaxed and social nature of the event, guests are free to mingle and really enjoy the festival.
- When to Visit?: Since Holi in Hampi is usually a one-day event, schedule your trip appropriately to take full advantage of this special occasion.
7. Goa:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Goa, which is well-known for its beaches and exciting nightlife, celebrates Holi as Shigmo, a spring festival that highlights the distinctive fusion of Western and Indian customs.
- Highlights of the Celebration: The Shigmo festival of Goa includes float parades on mythological lines, which are a visual feast. Holi beach parties present a contemporary variation of the classical celebration, where music, dance, and color come together. Goan food and feni, a country liquor, form part of the festive fare, complementing the experience.
- When to Visit?: You can take part in the Shigmo parades and take in Goa’s lively atmosphere during Holi if you arrive a few days early.
8. Pushkar, Rajasthan:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Known for its camel fair, Pushkar comes alive with color during Holi. The town is the perfect location for a small but exciting party because of its tiny size and dynamic culture.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Locals and visitors congregate at Pushkar’s main square for music, dancing, and color play during the Holi celebrations. Vibrant celebrations are also held on Pushkar Lake’s ghats, giving the occasion a more spiritual aspect. The vibrant ambiance created by the dhol’s and traditional songs’ upbeat beats makes Holi in Pushkar a memorable occasion.
- When to Visit?: To take part in the main festivities and discover Pushkar’s distinct charm, make plans to visit the town on the morning of Holi.
9. Delhi:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Some of the most exciting Holi celebrations are held in India’s capital city, which welcomes a wide range of guests. Delhi’s Holi celebrations are a favorite among youthful partygoers because they combine tradition with innovation.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Large crowds attend Delhi’s Holi celebrations, like the Holi Moo Festival, which include live music, DJs, and entertainment. A more personal and family-oriented experience can be had at traditional Holi festivities in residential settings. A distinctive celebratory ambiance is produced by combining contemporary party vibes with traditional appetizers like gujiyas.
- When to Visit?: To get the most out of both worlds, check the schedule of Delhi’s main Holi celebrations and arrange your trip appropriately.
10. Manipur:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Yaoshang is a six-day celebration of Holi that blends Hindu and indigenous customs in Manipur. It is an intriguing place to enjoy Holi because of its distinctive cultural features.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Yaoshang starts with the immolation of a hay hut, which marks the commencement of the festival. Thabal Chongba, a Manipuri folk dance, is the highlight, in which individuals dance in a circular motion to beat rhythms. Kids raise money for community celebrations, giving it a communal flavor. Cultural shows and sports competitions are also part of the celebrations, making it an all-encompassing experience.
- When to Visit?: You can experience the full event and all of its many activities if you get there early in Yaoshang.
11. Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
- Why Celebrate Here?: Hola Mohalla, a Sikh celebration that falls on the same day as Holi, is celebrated at Anandpur Sahib. This event offers a distinctive take on Holi by emphasizing martial arts, spirituality, and community building.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Hola Mohalla includes Gatka demonstrations, the classical Sikh martial art, which exhibit the bravery and martial skills of the Sikh community. Devotional songs and poetry recitals impart a spiritual flavor to the celebrations. Free kitchens, or community langars, serve yummy food, reflecting the spirit of sharing and oneness.
- When to Visit?: Come and see this special fusion of spirituality and martial arts during the Hola Mohalla festivities.
12. Gujarat:
- Why Celebrate Here?: Gujarat, with its thriving cultural heritage and rich customs, celebrates Holi in an unparalleled atmosphere of fervor and happiness. While the festival is a blend of traditional rituals and vibrant contemporary celebrations, it is a special place for Holi celebration-lovers. From small villages to urban cities, Gujarat is filled with the festive mood of unity, imagination, and enthusiasm during the festival of colors.
- Highlights of the Celebration: Among the most significant traditions of Gujarat in Holi is Holika Dahan, the traditional bonfire representing the victory of good over evil. This spectacular celebration is remembered by social gatherings with people congregating to listen to devotional songs, relive stories, and celebrate togetherness. The bonfires, usually followed by folk music, make the atmosphere enchanting and spiritual that unites everyone closer.
One other highlight is the Garba and Dandiya performances, giving Holi a unique Gujarati flavor. Choreographed groups of dancers, dressed in traditional finery, move and sway to the beat, weaving beautiful patterns and high-energy performances. The sheer joy of dancing together brings people from every walk of life into a single moment of revelry.
No celebration of Holi in Gujarat is ever complete without savouring delectable traditional sweets such as “Puran Poli” and “Gujiyas.” These mouth-watering delicacies, made at home and offered with love, infuse the festive celebrations with sweetness, transforming the festival into a feast for the senses. - When to Visit?: To fully experience the Holi festival of Gujarat, make your visit a day prior to Holika Dahan. This will give you an opportunity to observe the elaborate preparations for the bonfires, take part in the local gatherings, and relish the rhythmic dance that turns Gujarat’s Holi into an unforgettable experience.
Holi is not a festival, it is an emotion, a celebration of love, life, and togetherness. Whether you like the grandness of Jaipur, the sacredness of Varanasi, or the cultural diversity of Shantiniketan, every place has something special for Holi. Plan your visit to one of these amazing destinations to experience the real spirit of Holi in 2025. Don’t forget to bring comfortable attire, natural colors, and an open heart to make the most out of this colorful festival.
