What Holi is

The Hindu festival of colours, marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil in the story of Holika and Prahlad.

The evening before is Holika Dahan, a bonfire; the following day is the throwing of coloured powder in the street.

How this date is calculated, and why it shifts each year

The countdown at the top of this page is live, and the date beneath it is the next occurrence. The date comes from a lunisolar calendar, which follows the moon but adds a leap month every few years to stay in step with the seasons. That is why it drifts earlier for two or three years and then jumps back.

The date is computed from the relevant lunisolar calendar rather than taken from an official announcement, and observance dates can differ between countries and communities that use slightly different calendar rules. Where the exact day matters, check the calendar or authority followed where you are.

What is coming up next

Once this date passes, the countdown moves on according to the recurrence rule described above. Calculated lunar dates remain estimates until the relevant calendar or local authority confirms them. See the full list of upcoming events, or use the countdown timer for a duration of your own.