holi @ garland iii

Friends, we’re hitting pause on the “official” Holi festival this Sunday: the weather’s looking a little unpredictable.

But we still want to celebrate with you! Join us at Garland Court from 12–4pm for a more relaxed, informal gathering - free and open to all. Rain or shine, we’ll be tossing colors and welcoming spring together.

Limited food and drinks will be available à la carte.
Come by anytime between 12-4 🌸

Garland Court | 491 Driver St | Durham NC, 27703
Sunday, April 26th | 12-4pm
$12 advance | $15 door No entrance fee this year - but please RSVP below if you plan to join us.

🌸 Holi’s official (traditional) date may have passed, but we’re still gearing up to celebrate! 🌸

Join us Sunday, April 26th for our third annual joyful explosion of color at Garland Court in East Durham. India's most colorful festival is all about new beginnings, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, marking the end of winter/welcoming spring, and embracing rebirth.

Bites from Dame’s Chicken and Waffles available for purchase 🔥
Cocktails and wine available a la carte 🍹
Plenty of holi colors (gulal) 🌈

Make sure you wear clothes you're not too attached to! Holi colors are meant to go everywhere...
(Watch this video for the vibes).

Free entry for kids under 10.

A portion of our proceeds will be donated to USBG for education and training programs!

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What is Holi? 💛

Under those gorgeous clouds of color, Holi has become known as India’s most vivid, vibrant party. But behind the dancing and pigmented, joyful chaos lies unique culture and deeply rooted tradition.

Here’s a little history and context: 💙

The festival has been celebrated on the Indian subcontinent for centuries, with poems documenting celebrations dating back to the 4th century CE. It marks the beginning of spring after a long winter, symbolic of the triumph of good over evil, and it's celebrated in March every year - corresponding to the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna.

How is Holi celebrated? 💜

Throwing color is just one part of Holi. On the eve of the festival, large bonfires are lit to signify the burning of evil spirits. And on the day of Holi itself, entire streets and towns turn red, green and yellow as people throw colored powders into the air and splash, smear and generally cover each other in them.

Why the dye? 💚

Legend holds that after being cursed with blue skin by a demon, Lord Krishna worried that his fair-skinned consort, Radha, would no longer love him. When he complained to his mother Yashoda, she teasingly told him to paint Radha’s face whatever color he chose, so he did. The flying multihued pigments, called gulal, remind of the story of Krishna.

About those colors 🧡

Each Holi color holds special significance. Red dye symbolizes love, fertility, and matrimony. Blue represents Krishna, calm and otherworldliness, while green stands for nature, spring and new beginnings. And yellow is the color of happiness, meditation, and peace.

We can’t wait to celebrate Holi with you at Garland. ❤️️