Holi Festival 2017: Where to celebrate in London

Time to put a dash of colour in your life

Escaping the cold grasp of winter is always worth a cheer, as those who celebrate Holi well know.

The Hindu festival of colours – sometimes known as the festival of love – celebrates the coming of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Much of the festival is in honour of love, happiness, Hindu God Vishnu, and his eighth incarnation, Krishna. The festival is often remembered for paint-throwing and revellers showering each other with colour. It's a tradition which is both meant to reflect the coming of colour in Spring and reflect Krishna’s playful pastimes.

Though the day itself this year is Monday March 13, there will be a handful of celebrations beforehand this weekend. Here’s what’s on and where.

Cinnamon Kitchen Paint Pods

Outside Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Kitchen in Devonshire, there’s a specially constructed Paint Pod, where Londoners can book a thirty minute session to chuck neon colours at each other, with both the paint and protective white suits provided. Afterwards, settle in at the restaurant itself for a special five-course 'Holi Bites' menu.

Info: Until March 12, Cinnamon Kitchen, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL, designmynight.com

Dishoom throw a party

The deservedly beloved London chain Dishoom are throwing not just one but two parties over in Bethnal Green’s York Hall. The first, running midday till 3pm, is open to everyone and welcomes families, while the second, from 6pm until 10pm, is just for the grown-ups.

Both will features oodles of street food, plenty of drink, upbeat live music and paint galore. They’re hoping everyone will just let go and have a little fun: sounds an absolute blast to us. Tickets are required. If you can’t make it down, console yourself with one of the special Holi plates the group are putting on across the city.

Info: March 12, York Hall, 5 Old Ford Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PJ, dishoom.com

Chai Ki take to the water

Holi smokes, Batman. Canary Wharf’s Chai Ki are briefly headed for a change of scenery this Sunday as they go to Hackney Wick for a cruise on the Alfred Le Roy. The boat will be firing colourful Holi cannons as it cruises back down the Limehouse Cut.

After an afternoon of Indian small plates, cocktails and CRATE beers, the boat moors by the restaurant’s Canary Wharf site, where everyone is invited in to their bar for a toddy. Tickets required.

Info: March 12, Alfred Le Roy, 7 Queens Yard, E9 5EN, designmynight.com

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