Holi 2026 Dates in India-Mathura Vrindavan Holi Schedule, Braj Holi & Tour Packages

Holi 2026 in India will be celebrated with lots of joy and happiness throughout the month of March. Holika Dahan 2026, according to Hindu Panchang, will be on Tuesday, the 3rd of March, 2026, symbolizing the triumph of virtue over vice through the fire ceremony. The next day, Wednesday, 4 March 2026, will be the occasion of Rangwali Holi when the festival participants and visitors enjoy playing colors, music, and delicious sweets.

Holi is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of Phalguna month according to the Hindu calendar, which slightly affects the regional traditions. While the northern part of India celebrates Rangwali Holi the very next day, the eastern states prolong the celebrations by an extra day.

Holi is officially announced as a public holiday in the majority of the leading Indian states, which paves the way for a spiritual and cultural ​‍​‌‍​‍‌escapade.

Holi 2026 Dates, Calendar & Celebration Schedule (India)

Holi 2026 will be celebrated with full joy and devotion across India in the first week of March. According to the Hindu Panchang, Holi is observed on Phalguna Purnima, and the festival is divided into two main days—Holika Dahan and Rangwali Holi.

Holi 2026 Calendar – Mathura, Vrindavan & Braj (India)-

Holi 2026 Dates & Event Schedule

The Holi festival in 2026 will be celebrated according to the Hindu Panchang on Phalguna Purnima. In the Braj region (Mathura–Vrindavan), Holi is a multi-day celebration, starting almost a week before the main festival.

Holi 2026 Official Dates (Confirmed)

1. Holika Dahan: 3 March 2026 (Tuesday)
2. Rangwali Holi / Dhulandi: 4 March 2026 (Wednesday)

Panchang & Tithi Details

1. Phalguna Purnima Tithi:
2. Begins: Evening of 2 March 2026
3. Ends: Evening of 3 March 2026
4. Holika Dahan is performed on the night of 3 March, after sunset, when Purnima is prevailing.

Regional Celebration Variations

1. North India (UP, Delhi, Rajasthan, MP):
2. Holika Dahan on 3 March, colors on 4 March.
3. East India (West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar):
4. Holi may extend to Dola Purnima or Basanta Utsav, sometimes continuing for an extra day.
5. Maharashtra & Central India:
6. Rang Panchami may be celebrated a few days after Holi.

Government Holiday Status

1. 4 March 2026 (Rangwali Holi) is expected to be a gazetted public holiday in most Indian states.
2. 3 March 2026 (Holika Dahan) may be a restricted or regional holiday depending on the state.

📌 Travel Tip: With back-to-back holidays, Holi 2026 is perfect for planning Mathura–Vrindavan, Barsana, and Braj Holi tours in advance.

Important Notes for Visitors

1. Holika Dahan should be performed after sunset on 3 March 2026, during Purnima.
2. Braj Holi celebrations begin 7–10 days before Rangwali Holi, unlike most other regions of India.
3. Temple programs and special events may have fixed time slots decided locally.
4. Advance planning is strongly recommended due to heavy crowds during Holi week.

Why Celebrate Holi in Braj Bhoomi?

Celebrating Holi in Braj Bhoomi is not just a festival experience—it is a journey into the divine land of Lord Krishna. Cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon are globally regarded as the most authentic and spiritually rich destinations to witness Holi. This is where Holi was originally played by Lord Krishna with Radha and the Gopis, making every ritual deeply rooted in devotion rather than entertainment.

Unlike commercial Holi parties, Braj Holi unfolds inside ancient temples, village courtyards, and sacred streets, guided by age-old traditions, Raslilas, and temple rituals. Local residents actively participate, welcoming pilgrims as part of the celebration. The experience beautifully blends spirituality, culture, music, colors, and devotion, creating a once-in-a-lifetime Holi that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

Explore more related guides:

1. Mathura Vrindavan Holi Tour Packages 2026 – Book with Vrindavan Mathura Tourism
2. https://vrindavanmathuratourism.com/blogs/mathura-vrindavan-holi-tour-packages-2026-book-with-vrindavan-mathura-tourism
3. Holi in Mathura & Vrindavan 2026 – Complete Travel Guide, Dates & Celebrations
4. https://vrindavanmathuratourism.com/blogs/holi-in-mathura-vrindavan-2026-complete-travel-guide-dates-celebration-tour-packages

Braj​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Holi 2026 Timeline – Day-by-Day Celebration Schedule

Braj Holi 2026 timeline has its roots in the spiritual leelas of Lord Krishna and is a multi-day celebration. It happens in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon, and each day has a different set of rituals and is full of folk traditions.

1. Laddu Holi (Barsana):

It all starts with Laddu Holi at the Radha Rani Temple, where instead of tossing colors sweets are poured to symbolize happiness and divine hospitality.

2. Lathmar Holi (Barsana & Nandgaon):

This is one of the Holi events that gets worldwide attention and has great fun on it, where girls playfully hit boys with the sticks, based on the legend of Krishna’s secret visits to Radha’s house.

3. Phoolon Wali Holi (Vrindavan):

Largely celebrated inside the temples in Vrindavan, where the followers are always showered with flower petals but never with colors, and the whole place becomes a kind of heavenly garden.

4. Widow Holi (Vrindavan):

A heartfelt, moving moment for social unison as the widows after a long isolation, get a chance to join in the festivities holi with color and flowers, thus breaking down the barricades of old customs.

5. Rangbharni Ekadashi:

Is the day that symbolically crowns the beginning of the color Holi when Lord Krishna is given gulal at the temple.

6. Holika Dahan (3 March 2026):

At night the holy bonfire symbolizing good winning over evil is lit.

7. Rangwali Holi (4 March 2026):

It’s a day fully charged with color in Mathura and Vrindavan, where music, devotion, and a sea of people thronging to the streets blend together.

For full dates, travel planning, and curated experiences, check out the comprehensive guide:

Holi in Mathura Vrindavan 2026 – Dates, Complete Schedule & Tour ​‍​‌‍​‍‌Packages-

Holi in Mathura Vrindavan 2026-Dates, Complete Schedule & Tour Packages

​‍​‌‍​‍‌Famous Types of Holi in India (Pan-India Cultural Guide)

Holi is a festival that is celebrated in India in different ways and each one of them bringing out the cultural richness of the country. Braj Holi, which is celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan, is the holiest and most spiritually significant among them. It is all about the divine love of Lord Krishna and Radha and is marked by temple rites, Raslilas, and devotion through colors.

Lathmar Holi in Barsana is known all over the world for its tradition which involves women symbolically hitting men with sticks and men running to save themselves this way portraying the lila of Krishna. Royal Holi of Jaipur is a blend of grandeur, folk dances, and the tradition of the palaces.

Holi being celebrated as Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan, the occasion is marked with music, poetry, and cultural refinement. Hola Mohalla of Punjab is a kind of festival that highlights the valour of Sikhs through displays of martial arts, whereas Rang Panchami in Maharashtra celebrates the festival of colors even days after Holi.

Such a vibrant mix of celebrations allows travellers to go beyond mere regions, traditions, and beliefs and get a genuine experience of Holi. Holi festivals in India are not to be found anywhere else in the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌world.

Holi Tour Packages 2026 - Dharmic Experiences in Braj Bhoomi.

It is the most ideal time to experience the most spiritual and original color festivals in India through professionally designed Holi tours in Mathra, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon. These packages are family-friendly, pilgrim, and international traveler packages that incorporate devotion, comfort, and local knowledge.

1 Day Holi Tour - Vrindavan

Perfect during short tours, this tour will take into account the temple Holi, Phoolon Wali Holi experiences and guided color celebrations with crowd-managed darshan.

Mathra Vrindavan 2 Days Mathra Holi Package.

An itinerary consisting of Krishna Janmabhoomi, Banke Bihari Temple, Holika Dahan rituals and Rangwali Holi and one-night stay.

Barsoi Nandgaon Special Holi Tour.

Tour the world-renowned Lathmar Holi celebrations with local guides, secured seating and secure transfers.

Luxury Holi Tour (Hotel + VIP Darshan).

Being a premium, personal transport, assisted VIP darshan, and custom temple celebrations to be able to enjoy a hassle-free experience.

👉5 Days Mathura Vrindavan Holi Tour 2026-Experience the Divine Colors of Braj Bhoomi (Most Recommended) Book Holi 2026 with Vrindavan Mathura Tourism and celebrate the festival where it was born.

Best Places to Celebrate Holi 2026 in India – Detailed Comparison Guide

Choosing the right destination for Holi 2026 depends on whether you seek spirituality, tradition, culture, or energetic celebrations. Below is a clear comparison to help travelers plan the perfect Holi experience in India.

Vrindavan Holi vs Mathura Holi

Vrindavan is ideal for devotees and families looking for temple-based Holi, Phoolon Wali Holi, kirtans, and spiritually controlled celebrations connected to Lord Krishna.

1. Mathura, on the other hand, offers a more vibrant mix of temple rituals and street Holi, attracting youth and large public gatherings, especially around Dwarkadhish Temple.

Barsana Holi vs Nandgaon Holi

1. Barsana is famous for the iconic Lathmar Holi, best suited for cultural explorers and photographers.
2. Nandgaon provides a slightly calmer yet equally traditional experience, ideal for those wanting authenticity with manageable crowds.

Temple Holi vs Street Holi

1. Temple Holi focuses on devotion, rituals, and flower-based celebrations, making it safer and more family-friendly. Street Holi is louder, color-heavy, and energetic, preferred by younger travelers.

Family-Friendly vs Youth Crowd Locations

1. Families and senior citizens should choose Vrindavan temples and guided tours, while youth travelers may enjoy Mathura streets and selected public zones.

Why Choose Vrindavan Mathura Tourism for Your Holi 2026 Journey?

Holi in Braj is something magic--but not when it is arranged improperly. Vrindavan Mathura Tourism is a local organization with a strong connection in Braj Bhoomi and provides genuine, secure and controlled Holi celebrations in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Nandgaon. We have our strong points in our itineraries that are well designed to be inclusive of the temple rituals, cultural events, and comfortable travelling-so that you do not experience the Holi in the chaos.

We offer customizable Holi tourism packages to families, elderly people, groups, and international tourists. Starting with brief Vrindavan Holi visits in one day to Braj Holi circuits spanning multiple days, you can customize every itinerary to your speed and interests and accommodation needs. We have local coordination guaranteeing us smooth transfers, crowd aware scheduling and trusted guides all the way.

At the height of the Holi seasons, darshan is a challenge, this is where we can bring some real value. We also organize VIP/assisted darshan in the major and congested temples of Mathura and Vrindavan (where allowed) to help you save on time and to be in devotion without disturbance. You can make your Holi 2026, with private cars, purchased hotels, and on-ground services, memorable, meaningful, and stress-free.

Plan smart. Celebrate authentically. Vrindavan Mathura Tourism with Book Holi 2026.

Concluson

Holi 2026 is not a color festival alone, it is a spiritual, cultural and emotional affair particularly when held in the sacred land of Braj. Dates of confirmed Holi 2026 and Panchang and the colorful Braj Holi timeline, ancient customs, and celebrations in different regions of India, this guide will allow you to plan each detail clearly and confidently. You may want to see temple based Holi in Vrindavan, vibrant street festivities in Mathura or traditional Lathmar Holi in Barsana, but no matter what you choose, it is always better to ensure a hassle-free experience by planning ahead.

Vrindavan Mathura Tourism can make sure that your Journey to the Holi 2026 in Vrindavan Mathura will be safe, genuine and spiritual with professional guidance, customizable itineraries, and assisted darshan services. Make a booking and play Holi in the place where it was originally created.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Holi 2026. (FAQ's)

Q1. On which day will Holi happen in 2026?

The celebration of Holi 2026 will take place on 4 March 2026 (Wednesday). On 3 March 2026 (Tuesday), Holika Dahan will be held.

Q2. Is Holi a national holiday in India?

Indeed, Rangwali Holi (4 March 2026) will become a gazetted public holiday in most Indian states. Holika Dahan can be a local or a limited holiday.

Q3. What is so special about Holi in Mathra and Vrindavan?

Mathra and Vrindavan are places that are directly linked to Lord Krishna. Holi celebrated here is done in the form of temple rituals, Raslilas, Phoolon Wali Holi as well as traditional customs hence spiritually unique.

Q4. What is the number of days required to celebrate Braj Holi?

Preferably, three-five days would suffice to have a comfortable experience of Laddu Holi, Lathmar Holi, temple Holi, Rangwali Holi and Holika Dahan.

Q5. Can Holi be safe in families and among the elderly people?

Yes, Holi in temples and guided tours are safe and family and elder citizen friendly as long as they are planned with local experts.

Q6. Is it possible to personalize my tour package of Holi 2026?

Absolutely. The tour packages of Holi are completely tailor made in terms of duration, hotel type, darshan, and speed of travelling.

Q7. Does it have VIP or assisted darshan during holi?

No, you can have an assisted or VIP darshan (when it is allowed) in large temples to avoid the line and large crowds.

Q8. How early do I need to book my Holi 2026 tour?

The booking at least 3-4 months in advance is highly suggested because hotels, transport, and darshan placement occupy fast.

Q9. How do I dress when I am in Holi in Braj?

Wear plain and relaxed cotton clothes, ideally, light-colored or worn-out clothes. Keep off treasures on color festivities.

Q10. What is the most recommended first-time visitor to Holi tour?

The Mathura-Vrindavan-Barsana holi tour is a 3-5 day trip that is perfect when visiting Holi in the first time to have the whole experience in a peaceful setting.