Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.
The streets are covered in snow, lakes are freezing over, offices are half empty and trains are cancelled. The ‘Beast from the East’ has well and truly hit London this week, and the rest of Europe too for that matter (have you seen Venice?)!
However, move even further East and you’ll find a very different story. Today, our friends over in India are enjoying their 35°c heat and celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi, which signifies the victory of good over evil, and the arrival of spring at the end of winter.
In stark contrast to the blanket of white covering the UK, Holi is known as the “festival of colours” and is celebrated by people running around outside smearing each other with coloured powders. But just because it doesn’t feel like Winter is going anywhere anytime soon for us Brits, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t follow India’s lead and join them in celebrating this festival of love, frolic and colours.
From 1st to 10th March, Londoners can escape the snow (come on, I can’t be the only one bored of it by now!) and join Vivek Singh, the Executive Chef and CEO of The Cinnamon Club, Cinnamon Kitchen, Cinnamon Soho and Cinnamon Bazaar, at Cinnamon Kitchen’s very own #HouseofHoli event.
A 30-minute Holi play session is just £12 per person, or for £24 you’ll also get a selection of Holi nibbles and one Holi cocktail each to enjoy before or after the fun.
The paint throwing happens in a purpose-built pod outside of the main restaurant, with party-goers donning fetching white pyjama suits supplied by the restaurant. But be warned, the colour does seep through a little so don’t wear anything too fancy underneath (it will wash out eventually).
The food and drink package is definitely worth going for – you’ll need the sustenance after pelting your friends with colour for half an hour! As with all of Vivek Singh’s restaurants, the food is delicious and full of exotic flavours, while the cocktails are light and fruity enough to have you temporarily forgetting it’s -4°c outside. My favourite had to be the Neela Heera – Bombay Sapphire with pear purée, apple juice & citrus lemon.
Rocking the rainbow look with Annabelle!
Visit #HouseofHoli at Cinnamon Kitchen:
Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.
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That looked so much fun.