Best 15 Holi Activities for Adults in 2024

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. Known for splashing bright-colored powders and water balloons, Holi is often considered a children’s festival. However, adults can also participate in the vibrant festivities and make memories.

As an adult, avoid risky activities like binge drinking or behaving recklessly. Instead, focus on Holi activities for adults that are safe and fun. Here are the top 15 ideas to celebrate Holi 2024 as a grown-up:

Attend Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan marks the eve of Holi. On this night, people gather around bonfires to signify the victory of good over evil. Attend the community bonfire to soak in the festive atmosphere. Chant holy mantras with the crowd and watch the fireworks lighting up the sky. The bonfire ritual is an important part of the Holi celebration and attending it will connect you to the true meaning of the festival.

Host a Holi Party

Gather your friends and family for a Holi celebration with colors, music, and food. Decorate your home with colorful balloons, flowers like marigolds, and festive lanterns. Prepare traditional snacks like gujiyas, mathri, and dahi bhalla along with favorite dishes. Stock up on organic, herbal gulal and water guns or pichkaris. Play upbeat Bollywood Holi songs and dance the afternoon away after a fun but safe coloring session. End the party with a potluck meal.

Plan a Holi Brunch or Lunch

Treat your loved ones to a delicious Holi brunch or lunch get-together. Set up a potluck if you have a large group. Prepare festive dishes like dahi bhalla, paneer tikka, malpuas, or thandai. Cook rainbow rice with vegetables or a Rajasthani panchmel dal with ghee and spices. Serve chilled beverages like thandai, chhaas, or frozen cocktails. Exchange greetings, hugs, and sweet treats during this meal together.

Visit Friends

Spend Holi visiting friends you haven’t met in a while. Take sweets like gujiyas or mathri with you. Meet their family and chat over tea or coffee to catch up. Reminisce over childhood Holi celebrations and memories. Exchange affection by gently applying gulal on each other’s cheeks. Wish them a Happy Holi to strengthen your bonds.

Volunteer

Dedicate your Holi to a good cause. Volunteer at an orphanage, old age home, or with underprivileged groups to spread cheer there. Distribute fruits, sweets, small gifts, and snacks to bring smiles. Interact by playing games, singing songs, or getting creative with organic colors. Your presence, time, and contributions can make someone’s day special.

Also Read: 8 Smashing Ways to Celebrate Lohri with Your Elders

Pamper Yourself

Take time for yourself this Holi. Book a spa or salon service and enjoy a massage, facial, or hair treatment. Take a relaxing bubble bath at home with a face mask or sheet mask. Give yourself a pedicure. Play soothing music and try meditating. Cook yourself a nourishing meal and watch a favorite film or show.

Join a Fun Run

Many organizations host special Holi fun runs, marathons, or Zumba events. Participate in wearing white or light clothes. Get doused in organic, non-toxic colors during checkpoints or after completing the run. Click selfies and bond with fellow participants over this fitness activity. Physical exercise will keep you energized.

Have an Indoor Celebration

If you prefer to avoid outdoor Holi hullabaloo, opt for indoor celebrations with loved ones. Invite friends over for a potluck meal or ask everyone to contribute a dish. Play Holi songs and dance together. Make eco-friendly colors using turmeric, beetroot, flower petals, and spinach leaves. Apply them gently on each other and take memorable photos.

Cook Traditional Foods

Unleash your inner chef this Holi. Try making gujiyas, dahi bhallas, malpuas and other traditional snacks at home. Look up authentic Holi recipes and whip up festive drinks like bhang and thandai as mocktails. Involve family in the cooking and then savor the dishes together. Prepare some sweets as gifts for loved ones too.

Play with Water

Relive childhood fun with safe water play – an integral part of Holi. Fill water guns and balloons for an epic water fight. Install a small pool or use buckets. Add organic gulal to the water and splash each other. Play Holi songs and dance while getting drenched. It’s a refreshing outdoor activity if the weather is warm. Stay hydrated and avoid getting water in your eyes.

Watch Holi in Films

Can’t join outdoor Holi fun? Watch iconic Holi sequences from Bollywood films for entertainment. Classics like Silsila, Lamhe, Mohabbatein and Baghban showcase Holi in all its color and splendor. More recent films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Badrinath Ki Dulhania also capture the Holi spirit beautifully on screen.

Photoshoot in Holi Outfits

Create special memories in traditional Holi outfits and makeup. Women can drape colorful sarees or Anarkali suits. Men can wear kurta-pajamas with Nehru jackets. Use organic gulal or flowers for a photoshoot capturing candid moments. It’s a trendy way of celebrating festivals in 2024. Share the photos online or print your favorites.

Learn Holi Recipes

Immerse yourself in Holi flavors by learning to cook popular snacks and drinks. Sign up for a special workshop or online cooking class to master making puran poli, gujiyas, dahi bhalla, and thandai. Note down family recipes from elders. Prepare some dishes before Holi to serve guests or gift loved ones.

Enjoy Holi Sweets

Indulge your sweet tooth this Holi with traditional Indian confections. Savory fried snacks like gujiyas, mathri, papdi, and namak pare lend themselves well to teatime. Sweeten the celebration with malpuas, moong dal halwa, kheer, or colorful kulfis. Prepare them at home or visit your neighborhood mithai shop.

Play Holi Antakshari

Gather family or friends for a lively game of Holi Antakshari. Sing popular Holi songs and old Bollywood hits back and forth. Divide into teams or go head-to-head. This musical game is sure to get everyone in the festive spirit!

More Celebration Ideas:

Visit a local mela or fair to experience street food stalls, music, performances, and shopping.
Fly kites with friends or family for a vibrant sky.
Attend Holi parties organized by companies and communities. Meet new people!
Get creative with organic colors and design T-shirts, canvases, or posters.
Holi clean-up and self-care. Clean yourself and home, exfoliate skin, and hydrate post-celebrations.

Tips for Adults and Seniors:

Use herbal, non-toxic colors and avoid dark/power colors near the eyes.
Apply hair oil and moisturizer generously to skin and hair before playing with colors.
Wear old, comfy clothes you don’t mind getting stained.
Avoid alcohol consumption and rowdy behavior.
Drink lots of water and juices to stay hydrated.
Wash off colors thoroughly by evening and apply soothing products.

Holi offers many opportunities for adult Holi celebrations. Avoid wild parties with drunk, unsafe revelry. Instead, pick activities that are cultural, creative, social, or pampering. Spend time with loved ones, volunteer, and immerse yourself in the local festive vibe mindfully.

Make arrangements to avoid messy cleanup after celebrations. Use organic, natural colors if playing with gulal. Wear old clothes and apply oil on the skin and hair for easy wash-off. Hydrate well and stop coloring activity by evening to avoid skin or eye irritation.

Adults can set a positive example for kids and teens by celebrating Holi safely. Your participation can make your family and neighborhood festivities more lively and memorable. Prioritize community, moderation, and mindfulness while ringing in the vibrant springtime spirit of Holi!

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