‘Holi – Festival of Colours’ returned to Dartford’s Open-Air Theatre in Central Park on Sunday 8 March 2026, transforming the area into a vibrant spectacle of colour and joy as local residents and volunteers came together to celebrate this much-loved spring festival.
Organized by the Dartford Hindu Community plus working with Cohesion Plus and Dartford Borough Council, the event brought people of all backgrounds together in a unique celebration of unity, diversity, and renewal. This mega event was supported by Arts Council England.
Notable Civic guests including below were in attendance & all of whom joined the celebrations, endorsed the event besides Wishing to the entire crowd – Happy Holi:
- Dartford MP – Jim Dickson
- Leader of Dartford Borough Council – Cllr Jeremy Kite MBE
- Deputy Lieutenant – Gurvinder Sandher MBE
- Mayor of Dartford – Cllr Peter Whapshott
- Cllr. Avtar Sandhu MBE
- Cllr. Richard Wells
- The High Sheriff of Kent – Jonathan Neame
The festival, which was free to attend, featured high-energy music, cultural performances, dance show and, the iconic throwing of coloured powder, creating an electric atmosphere of fun and togetherness. The event in Dartford is the largest of its kind in Kent, over 3000 of all ages enthusiastically attended, embracing the spirit of Holi – a tradition rooted in love, friendship and the triumph of good over evil, reported Dartford Community Volunteer – Krishna Pavan Challa.
