Sacramento Holi celebrations: Spring festival to welcome new season with colors, music

Spring is right around the corner now, signaling the start of warmer temperatures and sunnier skies. The Hindu festival of Holi, officially celebrated March 18, is one of many cultural holidays that welcomes the season with colorful powder, food, celebratory music and dance.

The spring festival often includes people flinging colored powder onto each other and someone playing the iconic South Asian drum, called dhol. Traditionally, each color carries different meanings, such as fertility and love, to usher in a new season filled with blessings.

The color throwing usually concludes with a water gun fight to wash away the stains. It is recommended to wear white or light colors in order for the pigmented powder to show.

Here are some places in the Sacramento area inviting anyone, Hindu or not, to participate in this vibrant celebration.

Wild Roots

Wild Roots Learning Center is hosting a free celebration meant for families. Kids will have the opportunity to participate in art activities and learn more about the meaning behind the Hindu festival.

The event takes place at the learning center on 300 Natoma Street in Folsom from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m on Friday. Guests are asked to bring a picnic lunch. Register for free here.

Sacramento Telangana Association

Cultural nonprofit Sacramento Telangana Association is hosting its annual Festival of Colors on Saturday, March 19. The free event includes music, dance performances, food and color throws every half hour.

The celebration is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive, Rancho Cordova. As an added bonus, the first 50 people who check into event will receive a free white t-shirt. Register for the event here.

Marathi Mandal Sacramento

Local nonprofit Marathi Mandal Sacramento is inviting the community to its first-ever Holi Festival of Colors event March 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The outdoor event, taking place at Lew Howard Park at 7000 Baldwin Dam Road in Folsom, features colors, games, Indian cuisine and music.

The festival is free to those who are members of the group, and tickets for non-members are $20 for those 18 and over. Tickets for children between 5 and 17 are $15, and children under 5 years old are admitted for free. The registration form is available here.

This list will be updated throughout the week. If you know of a Holi celebration not listed, please email utilityteam@sacbee.com to submit the event.