As Holi approaches on March 4, 2026, residents of the national capital are being greeted with a change in tradition: liquor shops will remain open throughout the festival. The Delhi government has removed Holi from its list of official “dry days” — occasions when the sale of alcohol is prohibited — in its latest excise department order. The move ends a recent practice of shutting down licensed alcohol outlets during Holi celebrations and is set to affect thousands of revellers across the city.

Dry day list revised: What’s open and what’s not

According to a government order issued in January 2026, only a select set of occasions will now be observed as dry days in Delhi until the month’s end. These include Republic Day, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami and Mahavir Jayanti but not Holi. The excise department’s revision means roughly 750 liquor shops across the capital will stay open on the day of the festival, selling alcohol during normal operating hours.

Officials confirmed that while licensed shops will be allowed to operate as usual on March 4, licence holders will not receive compensation for the removal of Holi from the dry-day calendar. The exemption from dry day restrictions also does not apply to hotels and guesthouses that serve alcohol to guests, which are governed by separate regulations.

This decision marks a break from recent years, when Holi was routinely included among days when alcohol sales were suspended to maintain public order and reduce festival-related incidents. The latest excise policy aims to standardise the list of dry days and avoid the disruptions that often accompany sudden sales bans.

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Reactions and implications

The policy change comes amid broader discussions about alcohol regulation and public behaviour during large festivals. Some citizens have welcomed the move, saying it will reduce last-minute crowds and discourage illegal alcohol trade. Others have raised concerns about festival safety, particularly around instances of public drinking and related traffic violations.

While neighbouring areas such as Noida will observe a traditional dry day on March 4, Delhi’s approach reflects a distinct administrative choice that could influence how celebrations unfold across the capital. Residents planning Holi gatherings with friends and family are advised to take note of the updated regulations and ensure responsible behaviour during the festivities.

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This Holi, Delhi is set for a different kind of celebration, one where licensed liquor shops will stay open, and festivalgoers will have access to alcohol throughout the day. With tradition redefined and dry day rules amended, the city’s Holi atmosphere promises to be vibrant and perhaps a bit more relaxed than in recent years.