The vibrant festival of Holi lit up Singapore’s East Coast Park on March 1 as residents, community leaders, ministers and MPs gathered for Holi by the Sea 2026, a lively celebration of colour, culture and multicultural harmony.
Held at Angsana Green near Carpark E2, the event drew about 400 residents and families, transforming the beachside venue into a festive canvas of colours, music and laughter.
Organised by the East Coast GRC Indian Activity Executive Committees, the family-friendly celebration reflected the growing popularity of Holi in Singapore’s multicultural landscape.
The event was supported by Indian Women’s Association and Masti Media Network.
The morning was filled with bursts of colour as participants joined in the traditional throwing of eco-friendly colour powders, while enjoying music, dance performances, games and a festive Indian lunch.
Among the guests of honour were Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash, and Members of Parliament Jessica Tan and Hazlina Abdul Halim.
Greeting the crowd amid cheers of “Happy Holi”, Mr Tong said the festival captured the joyful spirit of community celebrations in Singapore.
“Very beautiful! So colourful, so lovely, so full of life and light,” he said while interacting with residents during the celebrations. “Happy Holi!”
Dressed in a kurta to join the festivities, Mr Tong joked about the splashes of colour around him, adding that Holi events such as these highlight the camaraderie and friendship among Singapore’s diverse communities.
Mr Dinesh also joined the colour play, recalling his earlier experiences celebrating Holi in India.
“The last time I celebrated Holi in India was more than twenty years ago,” he said. “It is wonderful to see it celebrated here in Singapore. This is the best time of the year – we have Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Holi. That’s what Singapore is all about.”
He added that festivals like Holi show how different cultures are celebrated collectively in the country, strengthening social bonds across communities.
MP Hazlina, who attended the celebration with residents from her constituency, said the event beautifully reflected Singapore’s multicultural identity.
“This is truly Singapore’s beauty – Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Lent and Holi all happening around the same time, each respected and celebrated side by side,” she said.
The programme featured lively dance performances by Shubhi Dance Academy, a flash mob by members of the Indian Women’s Association, and music by RJ Antra and Deejay Khan, which kept the festive atmosphere alive throughout the morning.
A highlight of the cultural performances was a multilingual musical segment by 16-year-old performer Risheek Kulkarni, who entertained the audience with songs in different languages.
The young all-rounder, who holds six Singapore Book of Records titles in mathematics, is also known for his community volunteer work, performing regularly at welfare homes and cultural events.
Dr Venka Purushothaman, Chair of the Siglap South Community Centre Indian Activities Executive Committee, said the celebration reflected the essence of Singapore’s multicultural society.
“Holi by the Sea reflects the best of multicultural Singapore – bringing residents together in a vibrant family-friendly festival,” he said. “Sharing colours, food and entertainment strengthens our commitment to harmony, especially in complex times.”
The event was coordinated by the organising committee led by Ms Seema Jain, who said the celebration was designed as an inclusive community gathering.
“The Holi by the Sea 2026 celebration brought together residents in a spectacular display of colour, culture and community spirit,” she said. “Families, seniors and young people all participated enthusiastically, reflecting the inclusive and multicultural spirit of Singapore.”
Beyond the colour play and cultural performances, the event featured family games, prizes, popcorn, cotton candy, ice-cream and community bonding activities, making it a lively outing for residents of all ages.
While the East Coast Park celebration emphasised community participation, another Holi event earlier in the weekend showcased the festival’s entertainment side.
On Feb 28, about 350 people gathered at the National Service Resort & Country Club in Changi for Rangrez – Holi Bash 2026, organised by Viva Loca International.
The large open-air party featured live DJs, singers, dhol drummers and dancers, creating a high-energy celebration of Bollywood music and colour play. The event included performances by DJ Sonia from India and DJ Melwin, drawing crowds for an evening of music and festive entertainment.
Viva Loca founder Vikrant Shrivastava said the aim of the event was to create cultural platforms for the Indian community in Singapore while promoting multicultural interaction.
“Holi symbolises unity, joy and breaking barriers,” he said. “Through events like these we bring communities together while celebrating our traditions.”
