Phagwa Festival at Independence Square

Phagwa op het Onafhankelijkheidsplein

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Religious & SpiritualParamaribo
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdSmallAbout 25,000 people
Best forCeremony, pilgrimagePhagwa is listed among Suriname's officially
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: SRD
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Phagwa Festival at Independence Square in Paramaribo

Phagwa, also known as Holi-Phagwa, is a confirmed major national holiday in Suriname, celebrated by the Hindustani community with color-throwing, music, and gathering, and is officially observed each year, with a 2026 date of 3 March.

Suriname's Hindustani community, descended from Indian indentured laborers brought to the Dutch colony beginning in 1873 to work on plantations after the abolition of slavery, has preserved and adapted the Hindu festival of Holi into what is locally known as Phagwa, one of the country's most visually striking and officially recognized annual celebrations.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Phagwa is listed among Suriname's officially recognized cultural holidays on the Culture of Suriname reference page and appears on Suriname's 2026 public holiday calendar as Phagwah on 3 March, confirming it as a genuine, government-recognized annual observance tied to the country's substantial Hindustani, or Indo-Surinamese, community descended from nineteenth and early twentieth-century Indian indentured laborers

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Phagwa follows the broader Hindu Holi tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil

The sacred route

Living ritual

and in Suriname is distinguished by chowtal singing

The local code

Living ritual

a call-and-response folk singing style accompanied by dholak and manjira

Tradition 5

Living ritual

brought by indentured Indian laborers and preserved by their Hindustani descendants

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Old, expendable light-colored clothing is strongly recommended, since colored powder and water are thrown liberally during Phagwa; many participants wear white specifically so the colors...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

SRD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map5.87 N, 55.17 WOpen in Google Maps

Paramaribo, Caribbean, Suriname

Nearest airportPBM — Johan Adolf Pengel
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Paramaribo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Paramaribo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearOld, expendable light-colored clothing is strongly recommended, since colored powder and water are thrown liberally during Phagwa; many participants wear white specifically so the colors show vividly.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Suriname and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Phagwa Festival at Independence Square?

Phagwa Festival at Independence Square is listed for Past edition: 3 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Phagwa Festival at Independence Square take place?

The festival is listed in Paramaribo, Suriname. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Paramaribo, Caribbean, Suriname

How big is it?

Small: 25000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLwaterkant.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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