London is alive with colour this month, as the city celebrates the Hindu festival of Holi.
The celebrations signal the end of winter and the arrival of spring, with the official festival taking place from March 20-21.
It's being marked with events throughout the month, from fantastic dining to technicolour parties, and promises to be one of the uplifting and feel-good moments of the year.
From colour powder parades to one-off special menus, here's our pick of how to celebrate Holi in London.
Cinnamon Kitchen in Devonshire Square
Vivek Singh’s restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen in Devonshire Square is hosting its fifth annual pop-up party for Holi this year, welcoming guests until March 21. Guests can mark the celebrations by pulling on a white protective suit and enjoying a paint-pelting session with family and friends. Tons of fun. After working up an appetite, guests can tuck into the five-course Holi menu and a suitably colourful cocktail selection, designed especially for the event.
Until March 21, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL, buy tickets here
Bang Bang Oriental
North west London’s shrine to Asian cuisine, Bang Bang Oriental, is marking this year’s festival with an evening of dance. A night of traditional Indian performances will light up the foodhall from 7pm to 8pm on Thursday March 21, with Bhangra, South Indian and Bollywood dance groups all celebrating the festival of colour. There is, of course, huge choice when it comes to food too — there are 30 food kiosks packed into the Edgware Road food hall, offering an eclectic mix of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian dishes.
March 21, 399 Edgware Rd, NW9 0FH, Thursday 21 March 2019, bangbangoriental.com
Indian Accent
The standout from Indian Accent’s special Holi menu is the stunning beetroot chop with peanut butter and goat cheese raita. It’s a light but sumptuous course, bursting with seasonal flavours and invention. It’s the perfect dish to celebrate the start of spring, embodying everything this Mayfair gem does well.
The Holi a la carte menu is blessed with plenty of gorgeous vegetarians and vegan options, as well as hearty meat dishes which encompass culinary traditions from all over India. While you’re there, make sure to ask for the blue cheese naan bites too; they’re some of the most delicious mouthfuls of food you’ll find anywhere in London. No wonder Fay Maschler gave the place the full five stars.
Throughout spring, 16 Albemarle St, Mayfair, W1S 4HW, read our write up here.
Magic of India: London Holi Colour Dance Party
Don’t dress too smartly for this family friendly event in north west London — there’s going to be a whole lot of paint powder involved, with guests whipping up a technicolour storm in Swiss Cottage Park. The event, which takes place from noon until 3.30pm on March 24, will feature DJs playing a mix of pop and Bollywood classics, as well as live music, dancers and great street food. It promises to be one of the most joyous Holi celebrations in London this year.
March 24, Swiss Cottage Park, NW3 3NR, buy tickets here
Kanishka
Atul Kochhar, one of the most influential figures in the UK’s Indian dining scene, has put together a special Rangil Tasting Menu at Kanishka in Mayfair to mark the occasion. The restaurant focuses on cuisine from the often-overlooked border regions of India and surrounding nations, and the tasting menu brings together a whole host of inventive seasonal dishes. Start off with a Rang Birangi Cocktail and Puchka with vodka shots, before enjoying Lahasa Thupka — a Tibetan noodle soup — and a Paneer or goat curry, finishing with an assortment of Kanishka desserts. The menu is priced at £55 per person and runs until March 30.
March 30, 17-19 Maddox St, Mayfair, W1S 2QH, kanishkarestaurant.co.uk
