Holi is a vibrant and joyous festival that has spread beyond the borders of India to become a global celebration of colour, community, and love. From the Caribbean to South Africa, from Nepal to the United States, people around the world have embraced the spirit of Holi, adapting it to their own cultural traditions and local customs. While the specifics of each celebration may differ, the underlying message remains the same: that we are all united in our humanity and that we should embrace and celebrate our diversity. Whether you are observing Holi in your hometown or traveling abroad to experience it in a new context, the festival is an opportunity to connect with others, break down barriers, and spread joy and happiness. So, let us come together and celebrate Holi celebrations across the world, and continue to spread love and positivity.

In this blog, we will share about all such celebrations that have a close resemblance to Holi across the world.

La Tomatina, Spain

Whenever we hear about “La Tomatina”, the first thing that sparks in our mind is the scene from the movie “Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara”. La Tomatina is an annual festival that takes place in the town of Buñol, Spain. The festival is a celebration of tomatoes, where participants engage in a massive tomato fight.

The event began in the mid-1940s, and it has since grown to become a major attraction, drawing thousands of tourists from around the world. The festival typically takes place on the last Wednesday of August turning the streets into a sea of red. Fire trucks and hoses are used to clean the streets and the participants as well after the event is over. La Tomatina is a unique and fun way to experience Spanish culture and connect with people from all over the world.

Boryeoung Mud Festival, South Korea

The Boryeoung Mud Festival is an annual event held in Boryeoung, a coastal city in South Korea.  Held in the month of July, the purpose of this event, was to advertise cosmetics made from the local mud. The festival is a celebration of the region’s natural mineral-rich mud, which is believed to have therapeutic properties for the skin resulting in slowing the process of skin aging, exfoliating, and rejuvenating.

During the festival, participants can take part in various mud-based activities such as mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud skiing. There are also beauty treatments available, such as mud facials and body wraps. The Boryeoung Mud Festival has become a popular tourist attraction, attracting visitors from around the world who come to experience the unique and playful atmosphere of the event. It’s a memorable way to connect with nature, relax, and have fun with friends and family.

Chinchilla Watermelon Festival, Australia

Known as the ‘Melon Capital’ of Australia, Chinchilla celebrated its 15th anniversary, this year in February 2023. The Chinchilla Watermelon Festival is an annual event held every second year in the town of Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia. During the festival, participants can take part in a range of activities such as seed-spitting competitions, Melon Bull’s eye, Melon Skiing, Melon Chariot, Melon Bungee, watermelon-eating contests, and watermelon-sculpting competitions. There are also carnival rides, live music performances, and food stalls selling a variety of treats made from watermelon.

The Chinchilla Watermelon Festival is a fun and unique way to experience Australian culture and connect with people from all over the world. It’s a family-friendly event that provides an opportunity to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage and enjoy the sweet taste of watermelon.

Haro Wine Festival, Spain

The Haro Wine Festival, also known as “La Batalla del Vino,” is an annual festival that takes place in Haro, a town in the La Rioja region of Spain. The festival is a celebration of wine, and it involves a massive wine fight where participants drench each other in red wine. The festival takes place on June 29th, the feast day of San Pedro, and it begins with a procession to the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio, where a mass is held. After the mass, participants make their way to the Cliffs of Bilibio, where the wine fight takes place.

The wine fight lasts for several hours, and it’s a fun and unique way to celebrate Spanish culture and connect with people from all over the world. The Haro Wine Festival is also an opportunity to explore the La Rioja wine region, which is famous for its high-quality wines. The festival attracts wine lovers from all over the world, who come to sample the local wines and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Battle of Oranges, Italy

The Battle of Oranges, also known as the Battaglia delle Arance, is an annual festival held in Ivrea, Italy, during the Carnival period. It’s a unique and exciting event that involves a massive orange fight, where participants throw oranges at each other. The festival is based on a historical event that took place in the 12th century, where the people of Ivrea revolted against an oppressive ruler by throwing stones at his soldiers. Today, oranges are used instead of stones, and the festival is a symbol of freedom and resistance. This is the largest food fight in Italy. During the festival, participants are divided into teams, with some playing the role of the “revolting peasants” and others playing the role of the “oppressive soldiers.” The teams engage in a massive orange fight, throwing oranges at each other while onlookers watch from the sidelines.

The Battle of Oranges is a fun and unique way to experience Italian culture and connect with people from all over the world. It’s a colorful and lively event that provides an opportunity to let loose, have fun, and embrace the spirit of rebellion and resistance. It’s an unforgettable experience that combines history, tradition, and excitement.

Songkran, Thailand

Next, in the list of Holi celebrations across the world, we have Songkran. It is the Thai New Year festival, which takes place from April 13th to 15th each year. It’s one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Thailand, and it’s known for its festive water fights and religious ceremonies. The name “Songkran“, has its roots deeply rooted in Sanskrit meaning Sankranti, which means the sun moving from one Rashi to the next.

Songkran is an opportunity to experience Thai culture and connect with people from all over the world. It’s a joyous and vibrant celebration that offers a unique insight into Thai traditions and beliefs. It’s also a time for reflection, renewal, and new beginnings, making it a meaningful and unforgettable experience for all who participate. During Songkran, people splash water on each other using water guns, buckets, and hoses, as a way to symbolize washing away bad luck and starting anew. It’s also a time for family reunions and paying respect to elders, as well as participating in traditional Buddhist ceremonies.

Michigan’s Annual Mud Day, USA

Michigan’s Annual Mud Day is an event that takes place every year at the Nankin Mills Park in Westland, Michigan, USA. The event is usually held in the month of July and attracts thousands of children and families from all over the state. A massive mud lagoon is produced by combining nearly 80,000 litres of water with 180,000 kilograms of topsoil.

During Mud Day, children are given the opportunity to play and get messy in a giant pit filled with mud. They can make mud pies, create mud sculptures, and simply enjoy the tactile experience of playing in the mud. The event also features various activities such as mud limbo, a mud tug-of-war, and a mud obstacle course. Although Mud Day is a fun and unique way for children to experience the outdoors and connect with nature, it is found that adults just cannot control the urge to join the festival. It also promotes physical activity and creativity in a fun and engaging way.

Discover the vibrant and diverse ways people celebrate Holi around the world in our blog titled Holi celebrations across the world. Please share in the comments which country you want to visit to experience the Holi-like feeling.