NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is set to come alive with vibrant sights, sounds, and colors for the celebration of Holi, the dynamic Indian “Festival of Spring” and the “Festival of Colors,” on March 23, 2024. This cultural event promises a day filled with hands-on activities suitable for all ages, delicious offerings from local food vendors, and energetic live music and dance performances.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to usher in the spring season by participating in color throwing traditions, receiving custom Henna tattoos, and enjoying the backdrop of thousands of blooming bulbs as part of the ongoing Cheekwood in Bloom: Belles Fleurs event. Sam Patel, Chair of the Cheekwood Indian Advisory Committee and a member of the Cheekwood Board of Trustees, expressed excitement about hosting the festival, emphasizing Cheekwood’s picturesque environment and its embodiment of unity, love, and the triumph of good over evil that Holi represents.
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The festival schedule includes a variety of activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including arts and crafts, DJ performances, dance shows, and the traditional color throwing. The color powders used are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, although they may discolor clothes. A new activity for this year’s festival is the Celebrate Peacocks workshop, where guests can learn about the peacock’s significance in Indian culture and create their own paper peacock.
In addition to the Holi festivities, the Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society (MTDS) will host the annual Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show at Cheekwood on March 23 and 24. This event, featuring divisions for horticulture, photography, floral design, and children’s activities, will be held in the Massey Auditorium of Botanic Hall and is open to the public with a ticket to the gardens or gardens plus mansion access.
Cheekwood in Bloom: Belles Fleurs will continue until April 14, bringing Impressions of France to life with 250,000 colorful blooming bulbs, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, and works of art by Edgar Degas in the museum galleries. Cheekwood, a botanical garden, arboretum, and art museum, offers the public access to its 30,000-square-foot Mansion and 55 acres of gardens, including the Blevins Japanese Garden and the Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden.
The Holi festival will be held rain or shine, with all activities included with membership or general admission. The event is sponsored by Nissan, supported by Asurion, and funded by Cumberland Trust. To purchase tickets, please visit cheekwood.org. Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive, just eight miles southwest of downtown Nashville, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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