Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. In Metro Vancouver it is celebrated at temples and community centres, on university campuses and at large ticketed music festivals where thousands of people throw clouds of coloured powder. This guide covers Holi 2027: the confirmed festival date, what local events are expected, and how the main celebrations ran in 2026.
When is Holi 2027?
Holi 2027 falls on Monday, March 22, 2027. The bonfire night of Holika Dahan is the evening before, Sunday, March 21, 2027. These dates come from the Hindu lunar calendar, where Holi follows the full moon (Purnima) of the month of Phalguna, as published by Drik Panchang for 2027. In 2026, Holi was on Wednesday, March 4.
Because the festival date moves each year and often lands on a weekday, Metro Vancouver’s big public Holi parties are usually held on a weekend in March, sometimes a week or more after the festival itself. Temples may observe the religious rituals on the calendar date and host a community colour play on the nearest weekend. Always check with your temple or the event organizer.
Holi 2027 status in Metro Vancouver
As of early November 2026, no Metro Vancouver Holi event has announced its 2027 date, venue or tickets. Big outdoor events usually put tickets on sale in January or February. Below are the 2026 editions as a guide to what to expect. We will update this page when 2027 events are confirmed.
Holi events at a glance
| Event | 2027 status | 2026 date and venue | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTSAV Holi, UBC | Not announced | Sat, March 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., UBC B4 Lot | Ticketed; ages 16+ |
| Holi on the Water boat party | Not announced | Sat, March 7, 6 to 10 p.m., Burrard Queen | Ticketed; 19+ |
| Holi at Tsawwassen Mills | Not announced | Sun, March 22, 1 to 4 p.m. | Free; registration encouraged |
| SFU Holi Bash, Burnaby | Not announced | Check the SFU Student Society | Ticketed in past years |
| Temple and community Holi | Not announced | Varies by temple | Usually free or by donation |
UTSAV Holi at UBC
The largest Holi gathering in the region takes place in a parking lot on the UBC campus, and is billed as Canada’s largest outdoor Holi music festival. It grew from about 50 people in 2012 to around 4,000 participants by 2025.
- 2026 edition: UTSAV Holi 2026 ran on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UBC B4 Lot, 6365 Agronomy Road, presented by Decibel Entertainment.
- What to expect: A DJ stage, colour throws, CO2 jets, an LED wall and Indian food trucks.
- Rules in 2026: Ages 16 and up, no re-entry, no outside food or drink, and zero tolerance for intoxication.
- Tickets: In 2025 (the “Sound Meets Colour” edition on March 29), tickets ran about $47 to $65 per person, with group rates. 2026 and 2027 prices should be checked with the organizer.
- Getting there: UBC Exchange is served by the R4 41st Ave RapidBus and the 99 B-Line from Commercial–Broadway Station. Allow extra time, as buses fill up on event days.
The event has been linked with UTSAV, the UBC Indian Students’ Association, which ran UTSAV Holi 2025 at the same B4 lot. Watch their social channels and Showpass for 2027 tickets.
Holi on the Water: boat party
For an adults-only evening, Vancouver Boat Parties runs a Bollywood and Punjabi music cruise around Holi. In 2026, Holi on the Water sailed on Saturday, March 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. aboard the Burrard Queen, boarding at Dock A, 760 Pacific Boulevard near the Plaza of Nations. It is a 19+ event and government photo ID is required. Tickets are sold in advance, so book early if it returns in 2027. The dock is a short walk from Stadium–Chinatown Station on the Expo Line.
Family-friendly Holi
Holi at Tsawwassen Mills
In 2026, Holi at Tsawwassen Mills was held on Sunday, March 22 from 1 to 4 p.m., with live entertainment from 1 to 3 p.m. It was free, with advance registration encouraged. Note that coloured powder was not allowed inside the mall, so this is more of a music, dance and culture event than a powder fight. It was listed through Diwali Fest, which also runs Diwali events in the region. See our Delta guide for more nearby.
Temples and community groups
Many Hindu temples in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver hold Holika Dahan prayers and a community colour celebration, often with food, music and children’s activities. The India Cultural Association of Vancouver also posts Holi programming on its website. These events are usually free or by donation. Dates are announced close to the festival, so check with your local temple in February.
Campus celebrations
Student groups at Simon Fraser University have a long-running Holi tradition on Burnaby Mountain. In 2023, the SFU Student Society’s Holi Bash took place on Sunday, March 5 in the north parking lot of the Burnaby campus, with tickets from about $18 to $34. Look for 2027 details from the SFU Student Society and the Indian Student Federation in late winter. See our Burnaby and Surrey guides for more local events.
What Holi celebrates
Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil and the coming of spring. On the night of Holika Dahan, bonfires recall the legend of Prahlad, a devotee of Vishnu who survived the fire meant to destroy him, while the demoness Holika burned. The next day is Rangwali Holi, when people of all ages throw coloured powder (gulal) and water at each other. It is also linked with the playful love of Krishna and Radha.
Holi is a day for forgiveness and fresh starts. People greet each other with “Happy Holi” and the phrase “Bura na mano, Holi hai”, meaning “don’t take offence, it’s Holi”. Traditional treats include gujiya (sweet stuffed dumplings) and thandai, a spiced milk drink.
Tips for playing Holi
- Wear old clothes. White clothes show the colours best, but assume nothing you wear will come out clean.
- Oil up first. Coconut oil on skin and hair makes colour easier to wash off.
- Protect your eyes and phone. Sunglasses and a waterproof phone pouch help.
- Dress for March. March in Vancouver is often cool and wet. Bring a dry layer and a towel for the trip home.
- Use transit if you can. Many events are in parking lots with limited space, and you may not want to get colour in your car. Bring a towel to sit on if you do drive.
- Be kind with colour. Ask before putting colour on people who are not playing, and avoid faces of young children.
- Check the rules. Some events supply their own colour packs and do not allow outside powder.
More spring events
Holi lands in a busy season. Browse the March events calendar for St. Patrick’s Day and spring break ideas, the April events calendar for Vaisakhi, and our Vancouver events calendar for the full year. You can also see all upcoming events.
