Thousands of people came together at Hill Meadows Car Park on 7th March to celebrate Holi Milan, Berkshire’s oldest and biggest Holi festival. Now a firm fixture in the local calendar, the event brought families and friends from across the community together for a joyful day of colour, culture and celebration.
A beautifully decorated Holi-themed stage hosted a lively programme of cultural and dance performances, with the crowd favourite – the Holi flashmob – bringing the biggest cheer of the day. Live dhol drumming and a Bollywood DJ kept the energy high from start to finish, while colour fountains painted the sky in vivid festive hues.
Families were well catered for, with kids’ entertainers and funfair rides for younger guests, and a wide selection of food and drink stalls serving everything from hot Indian street food to cold refreshments. The atmosphere throughout was warm, inclusive and full of life.
The organisers thanked Reading Borough Council for providing a central, accessible venue close to Reading town centre, and for doubling bus frequency to the site on the day, making it easier for guests to attend and encouraging the use of public transport.
Feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees praised the scale, organisation and community feel of the event.
Aradhana Singh, Lead Organiser of Holi Milan said: “Holi Milan is about so much more than colour and celebration – it’s about belonging. It gives our community a chance to come together, reconnect with our heritage, and feel proud of who we are.
“Seeing children and teenagers who grew up here in the UK embrace these traditions with such joy is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. That connection to their roots is something we want to protect and nurture, and events like this are how we do it.”
Holi Milan has grown steadily every year, and 2025 has been its most successful to date. The team is already planning for 2026 and has more community events in the pipeline for later this year.
