(March 14, 2025)The festival of Holi has exploded onto the global stage. From the neon-lit rooftops of New York to the sprawling estates of London, from the beaches of Sydney to the opulent venues in Dubai, Holi has become a festival that is embraced, reinvented, and celebrated in dazzling style by the Indian diaspora. More than just a festival of colours, Holi has become a symbol of India’s soft power, serving as a cultural bridge that blends Indian traditions with modern global sensibilities. The festival’s reach has been fuelled by high-profile chefs, actors, musicians, and socialites who have turned this once-regional celebration into an international spectacle of music, food, and joy.
Anu Sehgal, founder of The Culture Tree, which organizes numerous Indian cultural events in the New York metropolitan area, shared with Global Indian, “Our Holi event has been recognized by The New York Times as one of the top events during Holi week.”
The gastronomic evolution of Holi abroad
No Holi is complete without the indulgence of its festive cuisine, and some of the most famous Indian chefs abroad have found ways to make these flavours mainstream. Vikas Khanna, the Michelin-starred chef who has become an ambassador for Indian cuisine in the West, crafts special Holi menus in his New York restaurants, featuring saffron-infused thandai, crispy gujiyas, and bhang-inspired concoctions for a refined yet traditional take on the festival’s culinary treats. Meanwhile, Asma Khan’s London-based Darjeeling Express is known for hosting elaborate Holi feasts, where the colours are not just on people’s faces but on the plates—vibrant chaats, rich paneer tikkas, and desserts soaked in the nostalgia of Indian childhoods.
In the United States, Maneet Chauhan, another influential Indian-American chef, has brought Holi to food lovers through a series of television appearances, showcasing her fusion recipes such as spiced Holi-inspired cocktails and modern twists on Indian sweets. Her festive creations have reached a broad audience, enticing non-Indians to partake in Holi celebrations through food. “It is one of the most boisterous festivals of all time,” she said in one of the interviews, “It isn’t quite as boisterous as what we would do in India, but we try to recreate it here.”
Holi in the high societies of the West
Holi is no longer confined to temple grounds or small community gatherings. It has found its way into the grand estates of celebrities, influencers, and business elites. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a global icon who beautifully blends Hollywood and Bollywood, has made Holi a staple in her Los Angeles mansion, hosting extravagant celebrations attended by international stars like Kal Penn and Lilly Singh. These parties, filled with organic colour powders, dhol players, and Bollywood DJs, have put Holi on the map in elite social circles.
Kal Penn, the Indian-American actor best known for Harold & Kumar films, has been vocal about his love for Holi, frequently attending diaspora-organized Holi events in major U.S. cities. Meanwhile, Mindy Kaling, the celebrated writer, actress, and producer, has shared her own Holi experiences with her audience, introducing the festival to her global fan base with greetings like – “Happy Holi everyone! A celebration of the victory of good over evil, and the end of winter! And because we are Indian, lots and lots of colour!”
Through social media, the influence of these celebrities has inspired thousands to embrace the festival, making it less of an ethnic affair and more of a cultural phenomenon.
Priyanka and Nick celebrating Holi in U.S. with friends, including actor Preity Zinta
The soundtrack of Holi: Music festivals and DJs taking over
Holi is synonymous with music, and in the last decade, DJs and musicians of Indian origin have taken the celebration to new heights. International electronic music producers like Jai Wolf have performed at Holi-themed festivals in the U.S., blending Bollywood nostalgia with modern dance beats. KSHMR, another renowned Indian-American DJ, headlines Holi parties in destinations such as Ibiza and Mykonos, where thousands of revelers dance to pulsating beats while doused in colors. These events are more than just cultural showcases. They have turned Holi into a must-experience festival for music lovers across ethnicities.
Anish Sood, an emerging name in the electronic music scene, has played at Holi festivals in London and Dubai, ensuring that the festival isn’t just about Bollywood music but also a blend of contemporary global sounds. With the rising demand for Holi festivals in international club circuits, it’s clear that the festival has evolved into an event that extends beyond its traditional South Asian audience.
Holi’s grand scale: Celebrations in major cities
The sheer scale of Holi celebrations abroad exemplifies its growing cultural influence. New York’s Festival of Colours, which started as a niche South Asian gathering, now attracts over 10,000 attendees, including a large non-Indian crowd who come for the music, the food, and the immersive experience of color-throwing. London’s Holi Fest has become a high-profile event, often held in major venues like Wembley or Hyde Park, featuring live acts, dance performances, and large-scale colour-throwing.
In Australia, Sydney’s Holi Festival of Colours has grown into a massive event, held in sprawling outdoor spaces where thousands come together to revel in the joy of spring. The Dubai Holi Beach Party, often hosted at exclusive resorts, takes the festival to an opulent level, combining traditional celebrations with the city’s luxury lifestyle. These large-scale events show that Holi has moved beyond community gatherings—it is now a festival that cities around the world eagerly anticipate.
Holi as a digital spectacle: Influencers and social media
In the digital era, social media influencers have played a major role in making Holi a global spectacle. Fashion influencer Diipa Khosla has been part of some of the most glamorous Holi celebrations, from high-end Holi parties in Ibiza to events featuring luxury fashion collaborations. By documenting these moments on Instagram, she has introduced the festival to a new, elite audience.
Lilly Singh, the Canadian YouTuber and comedian, has used her platform to showcase Holi’s fun and inclusive spirit, hosting small-scale celebrations that educate her diverse followers about its significance.
“Holi Hai, Brampton! The biggest Holi festival in Canada is back,” an excited Indo-Canadian shared last week announcing the event on social media, putting across details about the venue and encouraging people to join the celebration on the weekend before Holi. “Get ready to celebrate with organic colours, music, dance, and traditional Holi vibes!” she posted adding, “spacious heated venue, no worries about the cold, authentic Indian food and Bhaang and Thandai – Just like in India.”
Former U.S. VP Kamala Harris’s influencer niece, Meena Harris with her family
The universal appeal of Holi
Holi’s message of unity, joy, and renewal resonates with people beyond the Indian community. Its appeal lies in its universal themes—letting go of past grievances, embracing new beginnings, and celebrating life’s vibrancy. This makes it an attractive festival for a global audience, much like how Carnival (festive season celebrated in many countries, marked by spirited parades, music, dancing, costumes, and street parties) has transcended its cultural origins.
Through the influence of Indian-origin chefs, actors, musicians, and influencers, Holi has evolved into a cultural mainstay in many parts of the world. Whether it’s through a gourmet Holi dinner in New York, a celebrity-studded bash in Los Angeles, Holi fest in London, or a beachside celebration in Dubai, the festival continues to spread its colours far beyond its traditional borders.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, festivals like Holi remind us of the power of cultural exchange. No matter where you are, there is always a place for Holi’s infectious joy, a splash of colour, and a reason to dance to the beats of celebration—reinforcing India’s soft power on the global stage.
Agrawal Samaj USA celebrating Holi
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