Holi starts on the evening of the full moon night (Purnima) in the 12th Hindu month (Phalguna). It usually takes place in February or March on the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Holi will begin on March 13th and continue on March 14th.
When Is Holi 2025?
Holi 2025 will start on Thursday, March 13th and celebrations will continue to Friday, March 14th. March 14th is the main Holi day (Dhuleti Holi/Rangwali Holi) during which the act of playing with colors will take place.
As the Hindu calendar is lunisolar, the Gregorian date for the festival changes each year, but it always takes place in February or March.
Holi 2025 Dates and Times
Holi is scheduled on the full moon day (Purnima Tithi) of the Hindu month Phalguna (12th Hindu month). This day is considered to be a sacred and auspicious moment.
| Date | Date/Time | Activities | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Day before Holi (Holika Dahan) | March 13 (Thursday) | Ritual burning of bonfires | This day is called Holika Dahan or Choti Holi in Hinduism |
| The Main Holi Day | March 14 (Friday) | Playing with colors | Called Holi, Dhulandi, or Dhuleti in Hinduism |
| Purnima Tithi begins | 6:05 am on March 13 | Purnima Tithi refers to the full moon day | |
| Purnima Tithi ends | 7:53 am on March 14 |
What Is the Second Day of Holi 2025?
The second day of Holi is the main Holi day. The Holi event is a 2-day celebration — the first day is for burning statues of Holika, and the second day is the main Holi day during which people will throw colors at each other. During this day, the locals will go to open spaces and playfully smear colors on each other. They will also sing and dance with great enthusiasm.
The second day of Holi is also called Rangwali Holi and is also called Holi, Dhulandi, or Dhuleti in Hinduism.
Holi Public Holidays 2025 in India
The main Holi day (March 14th, 2025) is a major public holiday in most states in India, during which people will have a day off for joyful celebrations. The seven states in which Holi is not a public holiday are Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Why Does the Date of Holi Change Each Year?
The dates of Holi are determined by the Hindu calendar. It falls on the evening of the full moon night (Purnima) in the 12th Hindu month (Phalguna). The Hindu calendar combines both lunar and solar positions and is different from the Gregorian calendar, which is purely solar. Therefore, the Gregorian calendar date of Holi changes each year but it usually takes place in March (occasionally at the end of February).
Holi falls within half a lunar month of March 15th and retreats by about 11 days a year which is the difference in days between a solar year of 365 days and a lunar year of twelve 29½-day lunar months, i.e. 354 days.
Holi Dates for 2025, 2026... 2030
The date for Holi is based on the Hindu calendar. It starts on the evening of the full moon night (Purnima) in the 12th Hindu month (Phalguna). The festival usually takes place in February or March on the Gregorian calendar. See below the dates for Holi in 2025, and so on to 2030.
| Year | Holi Day | The Day Before Holi (Holika Dahan) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, March 14 | March 13, Thursday |
| 2026 | Wednesday, March 14 | March 13, Tuesday |
| 2027 | Monday, March 22 | March 21, Sunday |
| 2028 | Saturday, March 11 | March 10, Friday |
| 2029 | Thursday, March 1 | February 28, Wednesday |
| 2030 | March 20 Wednesday | Tuesday |
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