Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors, Returns to Cheekwood

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vibrant sights, sounds, and colors will fill the grounds at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens for Holi, the dynamic Indian “Festival of Spring” and “Festival of Colors.”

This educational event introduces visitors to Indian culture and is the first of four multicultural festivals celebrated throughout the year at Cheekwood.

Guests will have the chance to celebrate the arrival of spring while receiving custom Henna tattoos and participating in color-throwing traditions. The festival will also feature hands-on activities for all ages, tasty fare from local food vendors, shopping opportunities, and music and dance performances. Holi will occur against a backdrop of thousands of blooming bulbs, as Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White & Blooms continues.

“Holi is a vibrant celebration of renewal, unity, and the enduring triumph of light over darkness,” said Sam Patel, Chair of the Cheekwood Indian Advisory Committee and a member of the Cheekwood Board of Trustees. “At Cheekwood, we are proud to honor this cherished tradition in a setting that reflects both natural beauty and cultural connection. We look forward to welcoming guests from across our community to experience the joy, color, and spirit that make Holi so meaningful.”

Holi will be held March 28, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Schedule of Events

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Hands-On Activities
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Arts & Goods Vendors Open
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Food Vendors Open
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – DJ Performance
10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. – Dance Performances
10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m. – Color Throwing

Hands-On Activities

Color Throwing

Brightly colored powders called gulal are thrown in celebration. Every color represents something in Indian culture ranging from love to health to the sun. Color packets are included in the price of admission, and every ticket holder will receive a pass to be redeemed for one packet of color. Color packets will only be available at the start of each color throwing event on Arboretum Lawn and must be used when received.

The color powder is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Most of the color powder will shake or wash off, but it may discolor clothes. Please note, no entry to the Mansion is permitted after a guest has participated in color throwing.

Henna

The art of Henna—called mehndi in Hindi and Urdu—has been practiced in Pakistan, India, Africa, and the Middle East for over 5,000 years. The leaves of the henna plant are dried, crushed into a fine powder, and made into a creamy paste using a variety of techniques. This paste is then applied to the skin, staining the top layer of skin only. Guests will have the opportunity to receive a free temporary tattoo or purchase a custom design from a Henna artist.

Paper Marbling

Holi is known for its bright, festive colors. Take home a custom keepsake that embraces the dynamic colors associated with Holi by learning paper marbling. Artists of all ages will use watercolor paper cut into several fun shapes and designs, shaving cream, and liquid watercolors to create abstract marbled souvenirs.

Celebrate Peacocks

Guests can learn about the significance of the peacock in Indian culture and create their own peacock out of paper. The peacock has been an inspiration and played a pivotal role in Indian tradition for centuries and was named the National Bird of India in 1963. The bird is a symbol of royalty, watchfulness, and protection and is often used as a motif in architecture, jewelry, and painting. In Hinduism, the peacock is associated with and favored by many gods and goddesses.

Decorate a Sari or Kurta Pajama

Traditional Indian clothing varies based on the climates, geography, and cultural traditions of the different regions of India. The Kurta is a loose-fitting shirt with or without a collar that is worn by men and reaches the knees. The Pajama is a lightweight pant worn with a Kurta. The Sari is a traditional dress worn by women. It is one piece of fabric that is commonly wrapped around the waist and draped over the shoulder. Attendees will have a chance to design and decorate their own Sari or Kurta Pajama on paper.

DJ and Dance Performances

From the Arboretum Lawn, DJ Srikanth spins a high-energy mix of Bollywood hits, Punjabi beats, Indian fusion, and global dance anthems that will keep you moving all day long.

Also head to Arboretum Lawn to enjoy performances by multiple local groups who showcase the richness of Indian culture through a variety of styles of dance.

Vendors

Holi will feature traditional Indian food from local food trucks and locally owned restaurants. Clothing, jewelry, and art will also be available for purchase from local business owners.

Ticket Information

Holi will be held rain or shine. All activities are included with membership or general admission. Advance reservations are required. To purchase tickets, visit cheekwood.org/calendar-events/holi.

Holi is supported by HCA Healthcare, Nissan Foundation and Cumberland Trust.

Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show

This annual show hosted by The Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society (MTDS) returns to Cheekwood. See some of the most stunning varieties of daffodils in the region, with gardeners competing in divisions for horticulture, photography, and floral design. It is open to the public March 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on March 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is held in Massey Auditorium inside Botanic Hall and can be accessed with a Gardens Only or Gardens + Mansion ticket. To reserve tickets, visit cheekwood.org/calendar-events/middle-tennessee-daffodil-show.

Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White & Blooms

Experience beauty, community, and history as Cheekwood in Bloom: Red, White & Blooms continues until April 12. This year’s festival honors America’s 250th birthday with a spectacular sea of 250,000 red and white tulips, purple-blue violas, hyacinths, and an ever-growing collection of daffodils, creating a vibrant display throughout the gardens. On select weekends, enjoy live jazz as talented student musicians from Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music perform in the gardens. Guests can also stroll through breathtaking scenery, visit food trucks, or bring their own picnic. To reserve tickets, visit cheekwood.org/calendar-events.

About Cheekwood Estate & Gardens

With its intact and picturesque vistas, Cheekwood is distinguished as one of the leading Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the 1930s estate, with its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55-acres of gardens, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum with furnished period rooms and galleries devoted to American art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries. The property includes 13 distinct gardens including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden, as well as a 1.5-mile woodland trail featuring outdoor monumental sculpture. Each year, Cheekwood hosts seasonal festivals including Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood

Harvest and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and nationally as a Level II Arboretum. It is a three-time voted USA Today Top 10 Botanical Garden, named the Most Beautiful Garden in Tennessee in 2025 by HGTV, in 2024 and 2025 received a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, and in 2021 was named by Fodors as one of the 12 Most Beautiful Gardens in the American South. Cheekwood is located eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville at 1200 Forrest Park Drive. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended days and hours of operation depending on the season. Visit cheekwood.org for current hours and to purchase advance tickets required for admission.

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