On Saturday, May 3, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) invites families to continue the celebration of Holi, the vibrant Hindu festival of color, with a full day of dance, art, food, and play. Co-presented with Ajna Dance Company and The Culture Tree, this annual tradition has become BCM’s most popular event, attracting thousands of visitors across the Tri-state area each year.
Also known as the “Color Festival,” Holi originated in India and is now celebrated around the world as a joyful expression of spring, renewal, love, and the triumph of good over evil. At BCM, Celebrate Holi brings these traditions to life through hands-on cultural activities and spectacular color powder play in neighboring Brower Park.
“Celebrate Holi returns for another year at BCM – whether it’s your eighth time with us or your first, we look forward to this vibrant celebration,” says Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “Holi is a time to embrace spring and renewal, and to come together in celebration as one. Seeing children and families covered in colors and dancing to Bollywood beats captures exactly what BCM is all about—bringing our community together through meaningful cultural experiences for upliftment and understanding.”
“The Culture Tree is thrilled to share the stories and traditions of Holi at Brooklyn Children’s Museum,” said Anu Sehgal, Founder and CEO of The Culture Tree. “Join us as we celebrate this vibrant Indian festival, offering families a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic and real spirit of this festival of new beginnings, spring, colors and inclusivity through engaging activities and cultural experiences. This year we will start with an engaging bilingual storytime with my book Kahaani Rangeeli or Colorful Story, followed by a cooking session and tasting, and finally end with our puppet show, ‘Color of Krishna’s Love,’ which teaches the quintessential message of Holi: that by the end of the day after playing Holi, everyone looks the same, no matter their skin color, age, income level, or gender. You can be a part of this joyous celebration that promotes diversity, inclusivity, understanding, and togetherness, as we spread joy and lots of colors through this unforgettable event.”
Celebrate Holi will take place across three timed sessions:
Each session features the same line-up of activities and culminates in an exhilarating color powder celebration. Families are encouraged to wear white for maximum color-powder impact and to purchase powder in advance.
This year’s festival highlights include:
Live Bollywood performances by Ajna Dance Company, plus interactive workshops that give visitors the chance to learn some moves of their own.
Food workshops with The Culture Tree where children can make and taste thandai, a traditional Indian cold drink.
Interactive puppet shows by WonderSpark Puppets, bringing the story of Holi to life with humor and imagination.
Delicious bites from beloved NYC food vendors, including:
Shopping from vendors such as Desai Designs and Kulture Khazana, offering artful crafts and goods inspired by Indian heritage.
Creative workshops in BCM’s ColorLab art studio and Nature’s Engineers STEM makerspace:
Celebrate Holi will take place on Saturday, May 3 starting at 10:00 am. Tickets are $15 for general admission and grant access to all of the day’s programs. Tickets are free for children under one year-old. To purchase tickets, visit: www.brooklynkids.org/holi.
