Fremont to Host Holi Festival of Colors
The city of Fremont, California, will host its annual FOG Holi 2026 event on March 7 at Washington High School. The celebration, known as the Festival of Colors, will feature the traditional throwing of colored powder and is open to all ages.
The annual FOG Holi event is organized by the Federation of Globe (FOG), also known as the Federation of Indo-Americans of Northern California (FIA). Established in 1983, this non-profit organization works to create a vibrant South Asian community and has been hosting cultural events for over three decades. The FOG Holi festival in Fremont is billed as the largest celebration of its kind in the Bay Area, drawing over 5,000 attendees in previous years. Holi itself is an ancient Hindu festival with deep roots in Indian mythology. It celebrates the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the divine love of the deities Radha and Krishna. The playful throwing of colors is a re-enactment of Krishna's playful coloring of his beloved Radha. Each color holds a symbolic meaning: red for love and fertility, yellow for prosperity, blue for the divine, and green for new beginnings. The festival also draws from the legend of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king who demanded to be worshipped, and his son Prahlad, who remained devoted to the Hindu deity Vishnu. In the story, the king's sister, Holika, who was immune to fire, attempted to carry Prahlad into a blaze. However, Prahlad's devotion saved him, and Holika was consumed by the flames, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The night before the main color festival, known as Holika Dahan, bonfires are often lit to commemorate this event. In addition to the throwing of organic, skin-friendly powders, the Fremont event will feature nonstop Bollywood music from a DJ and dance performances by local studios. A variety of food will also be available for purchase on-site. The organizers recommend that attendees dress in white to fully experience the vibrancy of the colored powders.
