The 10th annual Whittlesea Colour Carnival is set to bring a vibrant day of festivities to the community this summer.
The vibrant event has been organised by Mission Smile to celebrate the traditional Hindu festival of colour, Holi.
A Mission Smile spokesperson, Nishthma Goel said the event is one of the biggest in Whittlesea.
“Holi is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and across south Asian communities worldwide.
“People of all ages, backgrounds and faith groups come together in a shared experience of colour, music and food.”
Ms Goel said there will be many traditional Holi activities symbolising the victory of triumph over evil.
“We will have powdered colour play, face painting, and multicultural performances.”
There will also be community groups with market stalls and emergency services representatives at the event.
“A CFA firetruck will be there for community engagement… kids can jump in and see what goes behind the scenes,” Ms Goel said.
“The firefighters will be sprinkling water on the community to celebrate.”
A new addition to the carnival for 2026 is a musical depiction of the story of Holi which will be performed in the evening.
“Holi is rooted in the story of Prahlad and Holika which reinforces the values of faith, resilience and prevailing over injustice,” Ms Goel said.
Ms Goel said Mission Smile is proud of the community and council support over the last 10 years.
“Its a very community focused event and without the local businesses it wouldn’t happen.
“There’ll be food trucks and market stalls as well as people showcasing their home based businesses.”
Ms Goel said she expects thousands of attendees at the event from diverse backgrounds.
“Whittlesea is diverse with diverse culture and a mix of communities.
“Come along by yourself or bring your family friends… no matter which cultural background you belong to, we guarantee a day of fun for you.”
The event will run from noon to pm on 28 February on the lawns of the Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.
Details: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1519554
