Holi Festival in Jaipur: What It’s Really Like Attending with Toddlers and Kids
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Thinking of attending the Holi Festival in Jaipur with your little ones? You’re in for an unforgettable, colorful, messy, and joy-filled ride. But as a parent, you probably have questions. Is it safe? What should you pack? How do kids actually handle it? We recently experienced Holi in Jaipur with our toddler and five-year-old, and I want to walk you through exactly what it was like—what worked, what we learned, and what we’d do differently.
What Is the Holi Festival in Jaipur All About?
Holi is one of the biggest cultural festivals in India, especially in the north. If you’re heading to the south, like Kerala, don’t expect to see Holi celebrated in the same way—it simply isn’t a thing there. But in Jaipur, Holi is vibrant, spiritual, and a full-on street party.
In Jaipur, we noticed Holi was a mix of traditional and touristy. You’ll see posters aimed at foreigners for large, organized color parties (often filled with backpackers), but the real experience? That’s in the local neighborhoods, where families and kids throw color, splash water, and just celebrate together.
Before the big color celebration, we went to the Govind Dev Ji Temple near the City Palace. It was packed—a major event where people gather for music, dance, and spiritual celebration tied to Lord Krishna. A few nights before Holi, the temple even hosted a flower drop instead of powder, which was perfect for little ones.
Why We Chose to Attend Holi Festival in Jaipur with Our Kids
We were already in India for two months with our kids and realized Holi would be happening toward the end of our trip. It’s such a big cultural celebration—especially in North India—and we felt like it was something we just couldn’t miss. So we extended our trip by a couple of weeks to stay for it.
Honestly, our thinking was simple: Holi is such a huge part of childhood for so many Indian kids. So why not let ours experience it too? We figured we’d find a way to make it work—and we did.
That said, we were definitely cautious. We knew there were massive Holi parties and raves happening in Jaipur—some of them are huge and mostly geared toward tourists—but we weren’t interested in that, especially with toddlers. We didn’t want to be in a crowd where people could get pushed or trampled. That herd mentality can kick in fast when everyone’s excited and moving together.
Instead, we chose to celebrate Holi in a way that felt much more manageable and safe: right outside our Airbnb. Our host’s 12-year-old son and his friends were doing Holi in the street, and we just joined in with our kids. It was laid-back, local, and honestly the perfect vibe for a family celebration.
We did also check out some of the temple events in the days leading up to Holi—the big one was at the Govind Dev Ji Temple behind the City Palace. They had a whole ceremony where they revealed the deity Krishna, and it was packed. So just a heads-up: it’s a really cool experience but expect big crowds if you go.
What Time of Year Is Holi Festival in Jaipur and How Long Does It Last?
When we celebrated the Holi Festival in Jaipur in 2025, the official day of Holi—the one where people throw color—fell on March 14. But what surprised us was how much happens before that day. In Jaipur, Holi isn’t just a one-day event. It’s more like a four- to five-day celebration, and honestly, that lead-up is part of what made it feel so meaningful.
A few nights before Holi, you’ll see preparations all around the city. People start getting their color packets ready and buying clothes. Then the night before Holi, there’s something called Holika Dahan—which is a really important part of the tradition. People build big bonfires in the streets and gather around with their families to watch it burn. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the fire itself represents burning away negativity.
A couple of days before Holi, we went to the Govind Dev Ji Temple, which is right behind the City Palace. There’s this major ceremony where they reveal the deity Krishna, and everyone shows up for it. It’s packed, so just be ready for a big crowd if you go with kids. Still, it felt really powerful to be a part of it. Then the day before Holi, there was a huge music and dance performance at the temple—complete with traditional songs, performances, and even a flower drop from above instead of color, which made it feel really family-friendly. Our kids loved it.
On the main day of Holi, we celebrated in the street right outside our Airbnb. We didn’t go to any of the big rave parties or ticketed events (they’re definitely around, and mostly for tourists), but our experience felt really special. Our host’s 12-year-old son and his friends were out celebrating, so we just joined them. It was simple, joyful, and full of color. The kids played with water balloons and color powder, and we even got hosed off at the end, which—let me tell you—my toddler had very mixed feelings about.
Where to Celebrate Holi Festival in Jaipur with Kids
We kept things small, simple, and family-friendly—and honestly, I’m so glad we did. You’ll hear about a ton of big Holi parties happening in Jaipur, especially ones geared toward tourists with DJs, dancing, and ticketed entries. But that wasn’t the vibe we were going for with two small kids.
Instead, we celebrated in a few low-key and meaningful ways:
- Outside our Airbnb, with our host’s 12-year-old son and his neighborhood friends. This ended up being our main Holi celebration, and it was perfect. The kids played with color powder, water balloons, and even a water gun. It felt safe, fun, and super local. We didn’t have to worry about navigating crowds or traffic—we were just right there in the street with a small group of people we knew.
- We also joined a small gathering at Central Park, where our Airbnb host’s workout group was doing a little Holi get-together. There were a few families there tossing color in a relaxed, respectful way. It wasn’t overwhelming at all, which made it a great way to gently introduce our kids to the celebration.
- A few days before the big color celebration, we went to the Govind Dev Ji Temple, located behind the City Palace. This wasn’t a color-throwing event, but more of a spiritual and cultural celebration leading up to Holi. The night before, they had music and dancing at the temple and even dropped flowers from above instead of powder, which was so beautiful and way more kid-friendly.
If you’re going as a family, I really recommend talking to your Airbnb host or hotel to ask about smaller, more local gatherings. You don’t need to be part of a massive Holi party to have a meaningful experience. In fact, the smaller celebrations were more intimate, safer for the kids, and made us feel really included in the community.
Big tip: skip the huge advertised raves or parties, especially with young kids. They’re usually packed with tourists and can be overwhelming or chaotic. Jaipur has plenty of Holi events that are rooted in local culture—you just have to know where to look (and locals are happy to help point you in the right direction).
What to Pack (and Wear) for Holi Festival with Toddlers and Kids
Here’s what I wish I had known:
Bring oil (coconut, baby, or olive) and rub it into your skin and hair beforehand. We didn’t, and it took weeks to get the color out of my toddler’s hair. Once wet, that powder locks in.
Essentials to pack:
- Oil for skin and hair to make removing the color a lot easier
- Cheap, tossable clothes if you don’t want to toss or try to clean your own
- Wipes and towels if the kids want the color off immediately
- Sunglasses for kids if sensitive to the color on their face
- Water bottles and snacks if you’re going to be out for awhile or away from your home
Is Holi Safe for Kids? What We Noticed and Learned
Yes—if you choose the right setting. We avoided big parties and stuck with local kids in a calm neighborhood. Our kids threw color, used water guns and balloons, and just had fun.
The powder isn’t usually thrown into the air like you might expect—it’s more like a paste that’s rubbed on your face or body. Our kids were totally into it. We kept water nearby and washed up with a hose when needed.
Tips for Navigating the Crowds and Chaos as a Family
Because we celebrated in the street near our Airbnb, we didn’t deal with crowds at all. No need for a stroller or carrier—just let the kids run around in a controlled, known area.
If you’re going to a public park or larger event:
- Arrive early so you can feel the area out and get started before everyone else arrive
- Bring backup clothes if you get completely colored and filthy or just plain soaking wet
- Set expectations with your kids (and maybe do a “test run” with color at home!) you can buy color days leading up to the event
Food, Restrooms, and Breaks: The Unspoken Essentials
We celebrated for just about an hour, then went inside to clean up, change, and rest. If you plan your celebration close to your accommodations, you won’t need to worry much about food or bathroom breaks.
Our Favorite Moments from Holi Festival in Jaipur
The flower drop at the temple was magical. Our kids got front-row views of the celebration, the music, the dancing—it was something I’ll never forget.
But the real joy? Seeing our kids covered in color, laughing with new friends, and just being part of the celebration. It didn’t matter that we weren’t at the biggest party in the city. It was intimate, playful, and full of heart.
Would We Do It Again? Final Thoughts and Advice for Other Parents
Absolutely. But next time? We’re bringing coconut oil and planning for a longer cleanup because it is insane.
If you’re a family thinking of doing Holi in Jaipur:
- Skip the big parties
- Find a safe, local way to celebrate
- Be prepared for mess and magic
It’s a wild, beautiful celebration of joy, and with a little planning, it can be one of the most memorable experiences your family shares together.
