Could we attend a Holi celebration if not Hindu?

[KittyPup]

My son recently saw a video about the Holi festival and keeps asking if we can go and throw the coloured powder. After a quick google, I can see that the local
Hindu society organise an event in our local park. Would we be okay to buy tickets and attend? I wouldn’t want to offend anyone if they’re celebrating a religious event. I wouldn’t say we like in a massively diverse area so don’t want to encroach if we wouldn’t be welcome. Sorry if it’s a silly question - I’m just maybe overthinking it.

It is religious

I find it strange that you’d go if you’re not part of that but I’m not religious

wouldn’t there be a religious ceremony as well? They’re not just going to throw powder. Is your son just being silly? It’s not till next year now is it? Is he old enough to understand it’s a religious festival?

I would join in. Why not?

If he wants to throw coloured powder around he can do that in his own back garden.

I've seen a few fun runs advertised where they throw coloured paint at the runners. They were called 'colour run'. I'd do that rather than risk intruding on a religious event.

I’m presuming the previous posters that have answered are all Hindu. However I am not but am married to a Hindu man and in my experience hindu people have always been welcoming of anyone into their festivals and would probably love it if you explained why your son wanted to go and would welcome you both. But that is just my experience.

I don’t see the problem, most people would be curious about why you are there and then probably be quite nice to you about it. I’m not hindu but if someone turned up at one of my religious events someone would most likely take you under their wing and then offer you food, they absolutely would not be mean or offended. I assume hindus would do exactly the same. It’s always nice when someone takes an interest.

I find it strange that you’d go if you’re not part of that but I’m not religious

You ignore Christmas then?

Yeah I don’t know a single hindu who would be miffed at that, it’s a festival of love as well.

Yes, thinking about it. Happy to do work cover etc for those who want the time off. but tbh I don’t think most people see it as religious. So if I got invited to a drink I don’t think there’d be anything Jesus related there?

Holi is still a religious festival though isn’t it?

I am sure lots of people welcome non believers at many festivals but what stuck out here was the way the OP phrased it, as if it’s a child just wanting to throw coloured powder around. If the plan is to go and participate in the whole thing, learn etc that’s different.

@EmeraldRoulette I am a Hindu and would say the majority of Hindus do just go and throw coloured powder and have fun! No religious event attached to it for us and a lot of others (prob a bit like some Christian's?) op - I'm sure you would be very welcome.

He’s 6. He just found it interesting as it’s so different to anything in our religion as we are Catholic. He’s covered different religions at school also. I explained it would have different music and foods and he seemed keen to see it.

I wouldn’t say my post read as just going to throw about some coloured powder as I am saying that I understand it is a religious celebration and, therefore, questioning if it is something we could attend to see.

I just wouldn’t want to offend anyone by attending - this is the reason for my post.