Holi in Portland, Oregon

Holi is celebrated in the American city of Portland, Oregon.

Events and activities

The city of Portland has seen various events and activities to commemorate Holi. In 2017, Red Baraat, DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid, and Ganavya performed at a Holi Hai celebration at Star Theater.[1] There was a Holi celebration at White Owl Social Club in 2019; local authorities investigated a sexual assault that was reported after the daytime dance party.[2][3] DJ Prashant and Bollywood Dreams Entertainment hosted a Holi celebration at Opaline in the northwest Portland part of the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood in 2022. The event was attended by approximately 100 people.[4][5] Hundreds of attended Portland Holi Hai in 2023.[6]

The city's first official Holi festival at Pioneer Courthouse Square in 2025 was attended by approximately 6,000 people.[7][8] Previously, celebrations were held in suburbs, including Hillsboro.[9] According to KPTV, "The smaller celebrations were limited by space and funds, but this year, Kakad was the recipient of the 'Scale Up' grant from Travel Portland and Prosper Portland, which funds local events to attract visitors from outside the city... The funds allowed him to run a massive two-day event at Pioneer Courthouse Square, complete with food vendors, performers, and more than quadruple the number of attendees."[10] The family-friendly event in 2025 had a dance party, a disc jockey, and other performances.[11][12]

Educational institutions

The University of Portland's Campus Program Board organized a Holi Hai Festival in 2016.[13][14] Portland Community College hosted a Holi celebration in 2023.[15] Reed College's Holi celebration in 2023 was organized by the South Asian Student Union.[16] According to the Wilsonville Alliance for Inclusive Community, there have also been Holi celebrations at Portland State University (PSU).[17] PSU's Middle East, North Africa, South Asia Student Center celebrates the holiday.[18]

Holi Spring Harvest Festival at Topaz Farm

DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid performed at the Holi Spring Harvest Festival at Topaz Farm in 2022 and 2023.[19][20] The fourth annual event in 2025 included Bhangra and Bollywood dancing and music, farm animals, performances by DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid, and South Asian cuisine.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Events calendar: March 28–April 3". Portland State Vanguard. Portland State University. Archived from the original on 2024-09-18. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  2. ^ Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon (2019-04-18). "Police investigate reported sex assault at popular Portland bar". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-19. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  3. ^ Kavanaugh, Shane Dixon (2020-10-07). "Patron charged with raping woman at popular Portland bar". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  4. ^ "Portlanders celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors, and welcome spring". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-04-25. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  5. ^ "Holi Hai 2022 in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  6. ^ Graves, Mark. "Portland Holi Hai 2023, the Festival of Colors Bollywood Party". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  7. ^ Downtown Portland welcomes first ever Holi festival celebration. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-10 – via www.kptv.com.
  8. ^ "Portland hosts its first Holi festival downtown". KATU. 2025-03-30. Archived from the original on 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  9. ^ "A splash of color hits Pioneer Courthouse Square as Portland celebrates Holi". opb. Archived from the original on 2026-01-06. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  10. ^ Olson, Karli (2025-03-31). "Downtown Portland welcomes first ever Holi festival celebration". KPTV. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  11. ^ "Portland Tacos, Tequila & Tamales Festival, Holi Festival of Colors among weekend events". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2025-04-01. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  12. ^ "Festival of Colors: First-ever Portland Holi Festival coming to Pioneer Square". Portland Tribune. 2025-03-26. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  13. ^ "Holi Hai Festival a hit". The Beacon. University of Portland. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  14. ^ "Holi festival brings diverse fun to campus". The Beacon. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  15. ^ Hill, James. "Holi Festival Returns to Rock Creek Campus | News at PCC". Portland Community College. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2026-03-10.
  16. ^ "Events Calendar 3/24". The Reed College Quest. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  17. ^ "Holi: Festival of Optimism". Wilsonville Alliance for Inclusive Community. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  18. ^ "CRC Spotlight: Middle East, North Africa, South Asia Student Center". Portland State University. 2024-05-14. Archived from the original on 2025-03-14. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  19. ^ "OPB's Guest DJ: DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  20. ^ Holi Spring Harvest Festival, 2023:
  21. ^ "Portland's packed weekend: Catch CityFair, Coco Jones, the Holi Festival, Cirque du Soleil and more". KGW. 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2026-03-10.

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