18th Holi Festival in Moscow Unites More Than 100 Countries and Showcases the Spirit of India

On April 26, 2026, the 18th Holi festival – a vivid symbol of friendship, unity, and cultural exchange – took place in Moscow. The event was held at the S. P. Gorbunov Palace of Culture, which was transformed into a celebration of Indian culture.

The festival once again demonstrated the spirit of India: the pursuit of friendship, harmony, and the coming together of the world’s peoples.

The international scale and significance of the event are reflected in the numbers: the festival gathered over 5,000 guests from more than 80 countries.

Around 500 participants from 14 countries – including Russia, India, Belarus, Armenia, the UAE, Iran, and Kazakhstan – performed in the dance competition and cultural program, bringing unique energy and diversity to the festival.

From 10:00 a.m. until late evening, guests were able to:

• taste authentic Indian cuisine;
• visit the Indian bazaar with traditional goods and gifts;
• enjoy the concert program and take part in interactive activities.

The main event was the traditional Holi celebration with colors. Participants enthusiastically showered each other with colored powders (abir and gulal) and danced to energetic Indian music.

The weather in Moscow was cool, but the festive atmosphere was incredibly warm: thousands of people danced and celebrated Holi outdoors.

The festival was organized by the SITA Indian Cultural and National Centre, together with the Nritya Sabha Foundation, the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, and the Business Council for Cooperation with India. The event continued the mission of strengthening cultural ties between India, Russia, and the international community.

The festival once again proved that culture can unite people regardless of borders, languages, or differences.