Holi, the festival of colors, takes place in 2027 on Tuesday 23 March according to the Indian government’s official list of holidays; the Holika Dahan bonfire is lit the evening before. Holi follows the full moon of the month of Phalguna, so its date varies each year, between late February and late March.
A Hindu spring festival, Holi is celebrated throughout India, especially in the north, and in Nepal. This guide gives you the 2027 date, our astronomical calendar of Holi full moons through 2035, the heat to expect by region and date, the best places to experience it and the precautions to take, especially for women travelers.
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Holi: key points
- Holi 2027: Tuesday 23 March 2027 (a holiday in Delhi according to the DoPT list of 16 July 2026); Holika Dahan the evening before
- Rule: Holi follows the full moon of Phalguna; depending on regional calendars, the date may differ by a day
- Where: the northern plain (Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh), with extended celebrations in the Mathura and Vrindavan region
- Climate: early March is still mild (31 °C (88 °F) on average in Delhi in March); by late March the heat rises fast
- Safety: the UK FCDO advises you to avoid large gatherings, including at religious sites, and notes that stampedes have occurred at religious gatherings
- Entry: a visa is required for India (unless you hold an OCI card), see our India visa guide
What is the date of Holi in 2027?
The 2027 holiday list for central government offices located in Delhi, published by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in a memorandum of 16 July 2026, sets Holi on Tuesday 23 March 2027. The Holika Dahan fire, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil, is lit the evening before. The day of colors (Dhulandi or Rangwali Holi) takes place mostly in the morning and early afternoon.
Note: some Hindu calendars place Holi 2027 on 22 March. Dates vary depending on the method used to calculate the tithi (lunar day) and on the region. If your trip depends on the exact date, check it with your accommodation or the tourism office of the state you are visiting a few weeks beforehand.
Holi calendar: full moons from 2027 to 2035
Holi follows the full moon of the lunar month of Phalguna, the one that contains the Sun’s entry into the sidereal sign of Pisces (around 14 March). We calculated the moment of this full moon for each year, in Indian time. Holi generally falls the following day (or the same day, depending on the time of the full moon and the local calendar).
| Year | Phalguna full moon (Indian time) | Holi (day of colors) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 22 March at 4:15 pm | 23 March (official DoPT date, Delhi) |
| 2028 | 11 March at 6:37 am | around 12 March |
| 2029 | 28 February at 10:41 pm | late February or early March, to be confirmed |
| 2030 | 19 March at 11:28 pm | around 20 March |
| 2031 | 9 March at 10:01 am | around 10 March |
| 2032 | 27 March at 6:17 am | around 28 March |
| 2033 | 16 March at 7:08 am | around 17 March |
| 2034 | 5 March at 7:42 am | around 6 March |
| 2035 | 24 March at 4:13 am | around 25 March |
This table is for planning ahead: booking flights a year in advance, or knowing whether Holi will fall in early March (still mild) or late March (already hot). The official date is published each summer for the following year.
How hot is it during Holi? Climate by region
Holi falls at the turning point between the cool season and the hot season. On the northern plain, the average maximum rises by 6 to 7 °C (11 to 13 °F) between February and March, then by another 5 to 6 °C (9 to 11 °F) in April. An early-March Holi and a late-March Holi are therefore not the same experience.
| City | February (max / min) | March (max / min) | April (max / min) | Rise February → March |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi (Ridge) | @24 (75).4/12.1 | @31 (88).0/16.8 | @37 (99).0/22.0 | +6.6 °C (+12 °F) |
| Jaipur | @26 (79).1/12.0 | @32 (90).0/17.4 | @37 (99).6/22.8 | +5.9 °C (+11 °F) |
| Varanasi | @26 (79).7/12.4 | @32 (90).8/16.7 | @38 (100).9/22.1 | +6.1 °C (+11 °F) |
| Mathura (Braj) | @24 (75).4/8.3 | @30 (86).4/13.2 | @36 (97).6/17.9 | +6.0 °C (+11 °F) |
| Mumbai (Santacruz) | @31 (88).7/18.1 | @33 (91).1/21.1 | @33 (91).4/24.2 | +1.4 °C (+3 °F) |
- Early-March Holi (2028, 2031, 2034 according to our calendar): days around 28-31 °C (82-88 °F) in the north, cool nights (13-17 °C / 55-63 °F), pleasant conditions.
- Late-March Holi (2027, 2032, 2035): conditions get closer to April values, above 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon in Varanasi or Jaipur on some days. Visit early in the morning and carry plenty of water.
- Mumbai and the west coast: steady, humid heat (31-33 °C / 88-91 °F), with little difference between February and April.
- Powder and water: you end up soaked; in Mathura, where March nights drop to 13 °C (55 °F) on average, bring something to change into.
For the rest of the year, see our article when to go to India.
Where to celebrate Holi in India
- Mathura, Vrindavan and the Braj region (Uttar Pradesh): land associated with Krishna, where celebrations stretch over several days before Holi, with temple rituals and the Lathmar Holi of Barsana. It is the most intense experience, and the most crowded.
- Delhi: neighborhood parties and organized events; convenient at the start or end of a tour.
- Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar (Rajasthan): festive atmosphere, many travelers; Holi combines easily with a Rajasthan tour.
- Varanasi: Holi on the banks of the Ganges, in a city that is already very lively.
- The South (Kerala, Tamil Nadu): Holi is celebrated much less there.
- Outside India: Holi is also a major festival in Nepal and Mauritius, which has a large community of Indian origin.
Enjoying Holi: checklist
- Clothing: old, covering clothes (they will stay stained); shoulders and legs covered. The UK FCDO advises you to respect the local dress code and customs.
- Skin and hair: a layer of coconut oil or cream before going out makes cleaning easier; tie your hair back or cover it.
- Eyes and mouth: sunglasses, and mouth closed when powder is flying; some powders contain synthetic pigments.
- Phone and camera: waterproof pouch, or leave them at the hotel. Write down useful numbers on paper.
- Bhang: a traditional cannabis-based drink served during Holi (often in thandai). Its effects are unpredictable: steer clear. The UK FCDO also warns about severe penalties for illegal drugs in India.
- Alcohol: the UK FCDO notes there is often a ban on the sale of alcohol during major religious festivals and national holidays.
- Timing: colors are thrown mostly in the morning; in the afternoon, the festival winds down. Go out early and head back to wash before lunch.
- Accommodation: book early in the Mathura region and in Jaipur; choose a hotel that holds a party within its grounds if you want a calmer Holi.
Safety: what the official advice says
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 7 October 2026, read 26 October 2026) advises you to avoid protests, rallies and large gatherings, including at religious sites, and notes that stampedes have occurred during some events with large crowds, including parades and religious gatherings. It also reports a risk of sexual assault, including attacks on female foreign visitors in tourist areas and cities, and says female travelers often experience verbal and physical harassment; it advises avoiding isolated areas when alone. Holi, with its crowds and physical contact, concentrates these risks: go out in a group, stay in busy places and know your way back. The national emergency number is 112 and the women’s helpline is 1091 (UK FCDO). For Jammu and Kashmir, the FCDO advises against all travel (except travel by air to and from the city of Jammu and travel within the city of Jammu), and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) also advises avoiding travel to Jammu and Kashmir.
Preparing your trip for Holi
- Visa: required (unless you hold an Overseas Citizen of India card). UK citizens: the FCDO says your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival with at least 2 blank pages, and that you can apply for a regular visa or an e-visa. US citizens: the State Department says you need a valid passport and a valid Indian visa or OCI card, that you can apply for an eVisa at least 4 days before arriving, and that eVisas are not valid at land border crossings. Having a satellite phone or GPS device in India is illegal, according to the State Department. Steps in our India visa guide.
- Time difference: India is on UTC+5:30 all year, with no daylight saving time: +5 h 30 from London in winter (+4 h 30 during UK summer time) and +10 h 30 from New York in winter (+9 h 30 during US daylight saving time). In March the clocks change on different dates in the United States (14 March 2027) and the United Kingdom (28 March 2027). See the time difference in India.
- Health: see our travel vaccines page and consult a travel health clinic before you leave.
- Flights: the Holi period coincides with the high season in the north; book early.
- Tour: our India travel guide offers itineraries, budget and transport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the date of Holi in 2027?
Tuesday 23 March 2027, according to the Indian government’s list of holidays (DoPT, Delhi). The Holika Dahan fire takes place the evening before. Some regional calendars give 22 March.
Why does the date of Holi change every year?
Holi follows the Hindu lunar calendar: it takes place after the full moon of the month of Phalguna, which falls between late February and late March.
Where can you celebrate Holi in India?
In the north: Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana for fervor, Jaipur and Pushkar for atmosphere, Delhi and Varanasi to combine with a tour. The South celebrates Holi much less. Our guide to visiting Varanasi covers the ghats and the best season.
Is Holi dangerous for tourists?
The festival is joyful but very crowded. The UK FCDO advises avoiding large gatherings, notes that stampedes have occurred at religious gatherings and reports a risk of harassment for women: go out in a group, cover up and avoid bhang.
What is the weather like during Holi?
In March, the average maximum is 31 °C (88 °F) in New Delhi and 32.8 °C (91 °F) in Varanasi (IMD 1991-2020 normals). A late-March Holi can already be hot.
Is Holi celebrated outside India?
Yes, notably in Nepal and Mauritius, as well as in Indian communities around the world.
Our sources
- Government of India, Department of Personnel and Training: O.M. F. No.12/2/2023-JCA of 16 July 2026, list of 2027 holidays (Delhi/New Delhi), read in full reproduction on 14 October 2026.
- India Meteorological Department (IMD): 1991-2020 normals for New Delhi (Ridge), Jaipur, Varanasi, Mumbai (Santacruz); 1981-2010 normals for Mathura.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for India (GOV.UK, updated 7 October 2026), read on 26 October 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, India country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), read on 26 October 2026.
- Destination de Voyage calculation: full moons 2027-2035 (Jean Meeus algorithm, Astronomical Algorithms), in Indian time; see our methodology.
Updated October 2026.
