Holi is the traditional Indian festival of colors celebrated across the world to mark the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It's a time when the triumph of good over evil is acknowledged.
This annual holiday fell this year on Monday, though events to celebrate will continue for weeks in North Jersey. Holi is known for participants who spray colored water and powders on each other. It usually occurs on the day of the last full moon on the month of Phalguna in the Hindu calendar, and lasts a night and a day.
Holi festivities have become common In New Jersey, where about 5% of the population is of Indian origin and some school districts have added the day to their calendar of holidays.
Here are some upcoming North Jersey events for Holi, also known as Phāgu Pūrṇimā in Nepal and Phagwah in Caribbean nations. The activities are free unless otherwise specified.
Bergen County
The Fair Lawn Holi Color-Fest will be held on April 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. (rain date April 14) in Memorial Park, 1st St. and Lambert Road. Those interested in attending can register on the town's website. Vendors interested in setting up a booth during the festival can email fairlawncra@gmail.com and (518) 269-0374.
The Hindu Samaj Mandir and Community Center in Mahwah will hold Holi Mela on April 27 from 12 to 6 p.m. The event will include a kids' talent show, traditional food and cultural programs. Color material will be available for purchase. Information is available on the mandir's website and also can be requested by calling Anu Sehgal at (201) 577-1111 or Priya Vazarkar at (201) 354-7920. The center is located at 247 West Ramapo Ave.
Also in Mahwah, the 2024 Holi Celebration of Colors will be held in Riverside Park on Reich Ave and Brakeshoe Place on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date May 18 at same time). The celebration will include music, dance, traditional Indian snacks and refreshments for purchase, plants for sale for Mother's Day and activities for all ages. Attendees can register at the event webpage. For more information, call (201) 749-1990 and text #2024FestivalofColorsEvent.
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Essex County
AAPI Montclair's annual Color Run 2024 to celebrate Holi and Songkran, the Thai New Year, will be on April 28 at Brookdale Park at Watchung Avenue, Grove Street and Bellevue Avenue in Montclair. Racers (runners and walkers) will navigate a closed course inside the park where they'll be splashed with colored powder and water. There will be a color- and splash-free option for participants as well.
The 5K run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the 1-mile Fun Run is at 10 a.m. The fee for the 5K is $30, and the Fun Run is $25. The price for the event increases after March 31. Participants can register at the website for the event. AAPI Montclair says it is committed to making this event accessible. For confidential fee waivers, email info@aapimontclair.org. Proceeds from the event support AAPI Montclair's mission, with 10% of the fees going to local schools.
Hudson County
The Secaucus Public Library will present Holi Celebration for Kids Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Katherine Steffens Library Annex, 1007 Riverside Station Blvd. in Secaucus. The event will be led by Bhavna Bhadouriya and is limited to children from ages 4 to 8 who can hear a story about Holi, make crafts, and learn Holi dance moves. Attendees must register at the library's website as no seats are available, but there's a waiting list.
Rimli Roy and Surati's Holi Hai - The Festival of Colors will be held on June 15 in Hoboken and Jersey City. The first part of the festival will start in Hoboken at Pier A Park, 1 Sinatra Dr. with yoga and music performances at 9:30 p.m. Then, a color walk with drumming and a color countdown at 11 a.m. will start in Hoboken and end at Montgomery Street and Greene Street in Jersey City at around 12:15 p.m.
The second part of the festival will be in Jersey City at noon, starting with a color countdown that will occur every half-hour. A more detailed program schedule will be available at a later date, organizers say. For tickets and registration, visit the event's website or call (201) 792-2650 or (201) 360-1553.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter: @ricardokaul
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