Vibrant Holi Festival Celebrates Spring at Sac State

Students gather for music, food, and colorful celebrations at annual campus event.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:38am

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Sacramento State University hosted its annual 'Festival of Color & Community: Heartbeat Holi' celebration, bringing together students and the community to mark the arrival of spring. The event featured live music from KSSU, free food, games, and a massive color powder explosion as attendees danced and played in the vibrant hues.

Why it matters

The Holi festival holds deep cultural and spiritual significance in Hindu traditions, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the renewal of life. Hosting this celebration on campus helps promote diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding among Sacramento State's student body.

The details

The Heartbeat Holi festival took place on the lawn near Acorn Amphitheatre, organized by the Hornet Heartbeat, Associated Students Inc., and the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Center. Students participated in activities like giant Connect 4, bracelet making, and ax-throwing, while enjoying Bollywood and Punjabi music from the KSSU stage. Attendees received free white t-shirts to be decorated with colorful handprints, and the event culminated in a massive color powder explosion as the crowd chanted 'Heartbeat!' and 'Holi!'

  • The Heartbeat Holi festival took place on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The event ran from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The players

Hornet Heartbeat

The student organization that promoted and helped organize the Heartbeat Holi festival.

Associated Students Inc.

The student government organization that co-hosted the Holi celebration on the Sacramento State campus.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Center

The campus center that collaborated with other groups to bring the Holi festival to Sacramento State.

KSSU

The campus radio station that provided the music and entertainment for the Holi event.

Nahom Semere

The director of operations and innovation for the Division of Student Affairs at Sacramento State.

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What they’re saying

“I'm an international student from India and have celebrated Holi my whole life. It's very special to be celebrating Holi here in the U.S. for the first time; it's really special. Everyone's made it great.”

— Kabir Dua, Third-year hospitality and tourism student (statehornet.com)

“It's a good way of educating us like, 'Hey this is what we do.' It's a good way of showing other people different cultures.”

— Iris Palencia, Second-year social work major (statehornet.com)

“People are just dropping their backpacks and getting into it and it's beautiful to see. If I didn't have to go back into the office, I'd be out there.”

— Nahom Semere, Director of operations and innovation, Division of Student Affairs (statehornet.com)

What’s next

The Heartbeat Holi festival is expected to return to the Sacramento State campus next spring, continuing the annual tradition of celebrating the arrival of the new season.

The takeaway

The vibrant Holi celebration at Sacramento State showcases the university's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, where students from all backgrounds can come together to experience and appreciate different cultural traditions.