Holi 2026
Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated on the day after the Phalguna full moon. It marks the arrival of spring and the victory of devotion over arrogance in the story of Prahlad and Holika.
In 2026, Holi is on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Date and timings for New Delhi.
All days of Holi 2026
| Date | Observance | Tithi / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 3 Mar | Holika Dahan | Holika Dahan muhurat: 6:22 PM to 8:50 PM |
| Wednesday, 4 Mar | Holi (Dhulandi) | — |
How the date is fixed
Holi falls on Purnima of Phalguna. The day is decided by Purnima at dusk free of Bhadra; if Bhadra covers the evening, after it ends (or the next evening when Purnima lasts long enough the next day). When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for New Delhi. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
After Holika Dahan the previous night, people play with coloured powder (gulal) and water, visit friends and family, and share sweets such as gujiya and drinks like thandai. In Braj — Mathura, Vrindavan and Barsana — the celebrations last more than a week.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Holi in 2026?
In 2026, Holi is on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. (New Delhi)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Holi?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.