Celebrate Holi at These DC-Area Events – Washingtonian

The annual Hindu pageant Holi kicks off this week. The 2-day vacation celebrates the start of spring. Typically known as the “Pageant of Colours,” people will play and dance with their neighborhood, drenching their family members with water and coloured powders to have a good time love and the tip of winter.

Holi is likely one of the oldest and most generally celebrated Hindu festivals, rooted in wealthy mythology. Tuesday marks this 12 months’s Holika Dahan, additionally known as Choti Holi—the night time earlier than the vacation. Individuals mild bonfires within the night to represent the triumph of excellent over evil, a reference to the story of the demise of evil king Hiranyakashyap. The subsequent day, Holi, is the celebration of colours, an allusion to the story of Hindu gods Krishna and Radha. Krishna was jealous of his love’s truthful pores and skin, so he smeared coloration on her so she would resemble him. Now, family members douse one another in coloration to characterize their affections. 

Listed here are a number of methods to have a good time love, friendship, and springtime for Holi this 12 months: 

Holi Celebration at Union Market

Union Market (1309 5 St., NE)

Have fun Holi with colours, meals, music, and dancing at 5:30 PM at Union Market on Wednesday, March 8. Attendees will obtain a pack of coloured powder upon arrival (whereas provides final), and the colour throwing commences at 6 PM. Afterwards, friends can pattern a colourful line of cocktails made particularly for the event. A portion of course of from the occasion will go to SEWA Bharat, a corporation that empowers girls staff. The free occasion is first come, first serve. 

Pageant of Colours and Campfire

Sri Bhaktha Anjaneya Temple (4143 Ayodhya Method Ijamsville, MD )

On Sunday, March 12, go to an unlimited Holi celebration with campfires (like those lit on Choti Holi), coloration throwing, procuring, henna tattoos, a bouncy fort, and extra. Plus, dine on all-day dosas, mango lassi, badam milk, and different Indian snacks. Proceeds from the occasion will help the temple’s subsequent building challenge, a 36-foot tall Anjaneya Vigraha determine. The Holi occasion is $15 per automotive on the door, $10 for early chicken registration. Take a look at tickets right here. 

Holi Social gathering on the Ven

The Ven at Embassy Row (2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW)

The Ven will host its second annual Holi Social gathering at 2 PM on Sunday, March 12. For $10, adults will obtain admission and two luggage of coloured powder. Youngsters can enter totally free. Have fun with a DJ, snacks, and drinks offered by Fred and Stilla world restaurant. E book your tickets right here. 

Washington D(e)C(s)i Evening 

KOI Nightclub (1413 Ok St., NW)

For an all-adults model of Holi, go to KOI nightclub at 10 PM on Saturday, March 18. Company ought to gown in neon coloured outfits and put together to have neon and glow in the dead of night paints splattered at them. Plus, prepare for a setlist stuffed with Bollywood, Bhangra, and South Indian tracks to bounce to. Tickets begin at $15, accessible right here. 

Holi in DC – Rang Bollywood 

Arduous Rock Cafe (999 E St., NW)

At 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 18, take a look at Rang Bollywood, a Holi get together hosted by the Arduous Rock Cafe. The occasion will characteristic Bollywood and bhangra music, in addition to stay dholi drum performances. Organizers suggest white apparel that you just’re comfy being coated in coloured powders. Tickets begin at $20, accessible right here. 

Pageant of Colours, Holi DC

Bull Run Park Particular Occasion Centre (7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA)

Introduced by Intense 102.9 FM, the Pageant of Colours takes place at 12 PM on Sunday, April 30. Guests can store from distributors, get pleasure from meals and drinks, and naturally throw colours on each other. There will likely be youngsters’ actions and henna tattoos, together with dancing, stay performances, and a DJ. For tickets, beginning at $10, go to right here. 

Holi Celebration – 1 Mile Colour Enjoyable Run

Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods (10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia)

At 12 PM on Sunday, April 30, Howard County will kick off its Holi celebration with a coloration run. Runners meet at Symphony Woods for a one-mile race, the place individuals will likely be doused with coloured chalk (they suggest not carrying your favourite outfit). The occasion is free, household pleasant, and may have stay music performances, meals vehicles, and distributors.