You can find paint-throwing Holi celebrations in this small Alberta town

There’s a Holi festival being held right in small-town Alberta.

Sylvan Lake will be hosting The Meltdown this month, a spring festival with Holi traditions, celebrating the end of the cold and the rise of the warm. With activities and performers for both children and adults alike, you can feel free to attend and participate in it all. Whether it’s paint-throwing, taking a pic at the photo booth, or watching the traditional dancers, you’ll be stoked to have attended.

What to expect

If you don’t know anything about Holi, let me give you the rundown. Holi is a major Hindu festival, celebrated as the festival of love, colours, and most importantly, spring. As the festival of colours, there is commonly a paint and dye-throwing celebration, with different colours having different meanings. In essence, it’s a festival full of joy, laughter, and harmony.

The Meltdown features the best parts of Holi. It’s offering a place filled with activities, music, and performances for all ages right in Centennial Park.

For $2, non-toxic and easily washable colour powder is available for purchase onsite. At 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., there will be classic colour throwing going on for everyone to participate in.

Other activities throughout the day include henna artists and face painting, interactive art activities, a DJ booth, and more. To really immerse yourself in the culture, you can watch the Young Bhangra dancers with their traditional instruments and props. Or, you may want a taste! There’s Spice Junction serving up traditional favourites like samosa, pakora, and chai.

This festival has been a staple in Sylvan Lake, and it continues to grow and nurture the community. If you’re interested in participating in Holi celebrations this year, this is definitely the place to visit.

When: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: 874 Lakeshore Dr., Sylvan Lake, Alta.
Cost: Free

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