13th Annual Holi Festival

The Birmingham Museum of Art is partnering with City Walk Birmingham to celebrate the vibrant and joyous Holi Festival with the Indian Cultural Society for its 13th annual event. Embrace the spirit of Holi, a traditional Indian festival marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. This colorful celebration is filled with live music, dance performances, art activities, and of course, the iconic throwing of colored powders. Suitable for all ages, the BMA’s Holi Festival is a perfect way to experience the richness of Indian culture, enjoy a fun-filled day with the community, and welcome the spring season in a burst of color and festivity.

Event Details:

• Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Birmingham Museum of Art Auditorium and City Walk Amphitheater

Schedule of Events:

• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Dance Performances (Auditorium) – Ticketed Only
  • Experience an hour of captivating dance performances by local Indian dance troupes in our auditorium, showcasing a blend of traditional and fusion styles. Due to the high demand and our auditorium’s limited seating capacity, we are implementing a reservation system to guarantee your spot. BMA members can reserve up to two seats for free. Non-members can reserve up to 6 seats per $5 donation to the BMA. Members must use the link below and log in to verify their membership and claim their complimentary seat. Please note, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis until our capacity of 328 seats is reached. For those unable to attend in person, we will be recording the performances to be available for viewing at a later date.

• 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: City Walk Amphitheater Activities & Art Activities
  • The City Walk Amphitheater will be alive with activities including music by DJ Krish, dance performances, and pop-up instructional dance workshops. Enjoy face painting, henna art, and a selection of food truck options. Additionally, art activities will be available at City Walk from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, inviting attendees to create Holi-inspired art pieces.

• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Art Activities (Museum Lobby)
  • Art activities will also take place in the museum lobby. These Holi-inspired art activities are designed for all ages, allowing every participant to take home a piece of the festival.

• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Throwing of Colors Ceremony (City Walk Flex Space)
  • Join us for the festival’s highlight – the throwing of colors ceremony. This exuberant celebration, featuring lively music by DJ Krish, brings together the community in a vibrant display of joy and color.
    
  • Gulal (Hindi: गुलाल) or Abir (Bengali: আবির) or Abhir (Odia: ଅଭିର) is the traditional name given to the colored powders used for throwing during Holi. Limited quantities of Gulal are provided by the BMA while supplies last, learn where You Can Purchase Your Own Gulal

Special Notes:

• Food and Refreshments: A selection of food trucks will offer a variety of delicious options to satisfy your appetite.
• Health and Safety: Color powders used during the festival are safe and eco-friendly. We recommend wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting colorful.
• Tickets and Reservations: To secure a seat for the dance performances in the auditorium, a $5 donation per person is required for non-members, ensuring availability on a first-come, first-served basis. BMA members, however, can reserve their seat at no cost by logging in through the provided link to verify their membership status. Your contributions and support play a vital role in enabling us to provide enriching experiences for all visitors.