How to Celebrate Holi in 2021

Holi is a two-day celebration starting with a family bonfire and culminating with the Hindu Festival of Colors on the second day. In Indian mythology, the gods Krishna and Vishnu represent the forces of good over evil, with love winning out overall. Holi is a time of renewal where participants look forward to the promises of the future. Each year the celebration takes place on a different day, coinciding with the last full moon of the Hindu calendar. So, when is Holi 2021? This year, the Festival of Colors begins on Sunday, March 28.

Cara Das organizes Holi events across the country. If you're concerned about cultural appropriation, do not worry; Das believes celebrating Holi fosters a sense of cultural understanding. “In the current climate of deteriorating politics and divisiveness around the world, this is a breath of fresh air in comparison to all the name-calling and hate exploding around us,” Das told Time magazine in 2020.

Those participating in Holi dress in white clothing so the colors stand out. Due to the nature of the celebration, right now it's best to forego large events and simply celebrate with members of your immediate family, to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations on large gatherings.

One fun way to do this is to set up a backyard screen via Zoom with friends and family outside of your home. An online Holi virtual party can connect families who aren't able to be together in person. All you'll need is some gulal, water to make the powder stay on longer, and Holi traditional Indian food and drink in the kitchen, like lassi and kachori, and of course the perfect Holi playlist.

Tina Maria Harvey recalled a past Holi celebration she attended with her family at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Charleston. "The community came together and shared prayer, amazing food, and a palpable sense of excitement for the coming spring," Harvey told Mom.com.

"The huge potluck consisted of delicious vegetarian dishes followed by singing and dancing, a massive bonfire once the sun went down, and of course tossing brightly colored powder on everyone dressed in white. The feeling of excitement and celebration was really incredible and I'm so grateful we were invited," shared the homeschooling mom of two.

No matter your religion or culture, the Hindu tradition of Holi is for everyone. Holi is an opportunity to raise global citizens and teach your children about the importance of inclusion, love, and celebrating as a family. A Holi at-home celebration will bring hope into what has undoubtedly been a challenging year for everyone.

• Take a deep dive into the celebration and learn its history on the Holi Festival site so you can share what you've learned with your children.

• Penn Museum in Philadelphia brings the festivities right to your computer with their five-part CultureFest! series. In March, the museum will highlight Holi. Stories from Indian mythology and Holi-themed crafts and activities for all ages will make it a great addition to any Holi celebration.

• This fun storytelling from Culture Groove Kids tells the mythological legend behind the celebration and explains to children that "we celebrate Holi to show that good always wins over evil."

• Teach your children all about Holi with the Festival of Colors, a book by Surishtha Sehgal that follows two siblings working to prepare for the Indian Festival of Colors.

• For an interactive experience, have your kids play Floyd and CuzCuz Celebrate Holi on the Education.com website. The game incorporates food, tradition, and culture in a kid-friendly and fun way.

• Afterward, they can practice their handwriting with the Holi Festival of Colors cursive worksheet and learn a little more about India.

• If you have any gender-reveal color powder left over, consider using that to keep the Holi at-home celebration fun and simple. Otherwise, several packs of gulal Holi powder can be purchased to bring the Holi celebration right to your backyard.