Chicagoans looking to welcome spring with a burst of color can head to Navy Pier this Saturday, March 7, where the city will host its annual Holi celebration — one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the United States.

Part of Navy Pier’s Global Connections cultural series, the event invites visitors from across Chicago to experience the vibrant traditions of Holi, the Hindu “Festival of Colors,” a celebration that marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes joy, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil. 

The free event runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will take place both inside the Aon Grand Ballroom and outdoors in the Navy Pier Beer Garden. Attendees can expect an afternoon filled with live music, dance performances, DJs, cultural presentations, and the festival’s signature moment — throwing brightly colored powder into the air along the Chicago lakefront. 

Throughout the day, performers including dance troupes, musicians, and DJs will take the stage, creating a lively atmosphere that blends traditional Indian cultural elements with contemporary entertainment. DJs and guest performers will keep the energy high at the Beer Garden while indoor programming will feature cultural dance performances and presentations highlighting the history and meaning of the holiday. 

Guests hoping to participate in the colorful powder throws should note that only event-approved powder purchased on-site is allowed, a policy designed to ensure safety and protect the Pier. 

Holi has been celebrated for centuries across India and around the world as a time to gather with friends and family, dance, share food, and throw colored powders that symbolize happiness and new beginnings. In Chicago, the festival has grown into a major multicultural celebration that draws thousands of attendees each year. 

With music, dancing, and a sky full of color, Saturday’s event promises to transform Navy Pier into one of the city’s most vibrant celebrations of the season — and a joyful reminder that spring in Chicago is just around the corner.