Holi Hai

I went to the festival for the first time yesterday. Although they encourage people to register online, it’s free admission for everyone. Registering allows you to be entered for a raffle. For this year’s raffle, it was for movie tickets to see Captain America: Civil War before it hits theaters nationwide. Now on to the event. It was well-​organized. They charged $ 5 per cup of color. A bit pricey. Even if you don’t buy a cup, you will get color on you. Wear a white top, but make sure it’s a shirt you do not care about and plan to throw away. They had many different performances from singing to dancing. The MCs were fun and entertaining. They did a good job at yesterday festival. Hope they bring them back for next year. The food selection wasn’t a lot but plenty enough. Most people did not come to the event for food so it makes sense not to have too many vendors. Event went from 11am to 6pm. It was a family friendly event. I saw all ages there. It really is an event that celebrate happiness, love, and the freedom to live vibrantly. I can’t wait for next year.

I have been a regular at this festival since 2010. They really bring an Indian flavor to New York City. Unlike other festivals where there is alcohol and college crowd, this festival offers more family friendly environment and an alcohol-​free festival. The festival offers great music, dance, food, entertainment, and FREE ADMISSION!

Great spring time experience here in the city and worldwide. Holi Hai is an Indian festival that celebrates spring, friendship, life and joy. You wear a white top and simple clothes cause this powder stains! There are food vendors, live performances and a great energy of all partaking and those just passing. The mood is festive and fun. I would leave pets, strollers and kids less than 5yrs old home because people do get carried away with throwing color on one another. It’s free. You buy the color there for a few bucks a cup and have fun. See you next year !

Free local event. Had an awesome time here, but they could have used better music choices to hype of the crowd. Highly recommend going with a group of friends to make the experience even better! Color is quite expensive $ 5 each, recommend taking your own color if you can find it! Definitely going back next year!

A huge event where everyone comes dressed in white and gets to throw colored powder at complete strangers without being chased and/​or arrested?! Count me in!
Holi Hai in NYC is such a fun, enjoyable, unforgettable way to spend a beautiful spring day. It is completely free, which I love, and the only thing you have to pay for is the colored powder, which is $ 5 a cup. It may sound a little pricey, but I got two colors, and if you don’t go crazy, they could last you hours before they’re all finished. Also, even if you don’t buy any powder you’re still likely to walk out looking like a Jackson Pollock painting!
What I loved most about this festival is that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, everyone is welcome. There was such a huge variety in attendees, and I think that variety will only increase as the festival grows.
The performances were also amazing! There were dance groups from different colleges and universities (some even traveled from other countries!), dance routines on roller skates, traditional Indian and Native American dances, and amazing singers of all different genres. For a free event, I definitely have to commend them on booking all of this awesome talent because the performances were plentiful and varied. The host, whose name I unfortunately can’t remember, was also really engaging and funny and did a really great job.
Nevertheless, I still feel as though there are some kinks that need to be worked out before it’s perfect. For instance, although the event ran from 11am to 6pm, by about 2pm the colors they sold had already run out, or at least that’s what was being claimed, so anyone who arrived after that couldn’t fully experience all the festival had to offer. I felt especially bad for the children who came and didn’t have any powder to throw. Also, I definitely feel as though the space is a bit small, but maybe that’ll change as the years go by.
Other than that, I love this event and I’ve had awesome, fun experiences each time that I go. I definitely think that it’s worth a visit and all of the inevitable stares on the subway ride home, and my advice is to arrive early to really have a good time. So come dressed all in white and get ready to have some fun!

Such a beautiful festival of colors and joy! People of all ages and even a sweet little dog got in on the fun. Colored chalk was $ 5 each, but free for NYU students. People happily doused each other in a rainbow of colors. This year’s event was from 11:30 AM to 4 PM, but you really only need 1 – 1.5 hours max here. Any longer than that — the colors will blend and you’ll look like the swamp thing.
Wear something you don’t care about because although they say the colors are washable, my white tee is permanently stained. Stay far away from this plaza if you’re a party pooper and don’t want to get color-​bombed!
Many acts (mostly dance groups) performed throughout the day — both Indian and non-​Indian. 1 – 2 Indian restaurants sold food in the back under a few tents (cash only).

lots of fun and COLORS!!! you will need to get tickets (coupons) first which are $ 5 per ticket in order to receive cup of color powder. it takes time to get colors since there was no formal line-​people just pushed their way through. atmosphere is def friendly and fun. must go.