Redmond Senator's Diwali Bill Passes as Holi Season Brings Color to the Seattle Area
Washington state's South Asian community is marking two celebrations this season. Senator Manka Dhingra, who represents Redmond in the 45th Legislative District, successfully shepherded Senate Bill 6044 through the Washington State Senate, formally recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as non-legal state holidays. At the same time, as spring arrives, Holi color festivals are planned across western Washington, drawing South Asian families and their neighbors together in celebration across the greater Seattle area that includes Redmond and the surrounding Eastside communities.
🗳️ Washington Senate Passes Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas Recognition Bill
The Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 6044 in February 2026, formally recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as non-legal state holidays. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Manka Dhingra, a Democrat who represents the 45th Legislative District, which includes Redmond. Speaking after the vote, Dhingra said that recognizing these important holidays is about belonging, and that the bill is meant to acknowledge the state's religious and cultural diversity while ensuring the Indian American community feels seen, respected, and celebrated. Diwali, known around the world as the Festival of Lights, is observed by more than a billion people globally, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. The holiday marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, symbolized by the lighting of lamps and the renewal of faith and prosperity. For Sikhs, the same day is observed as Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating liberation and reflecting shared values of courage, justice, and selfless leadership. Senator Vandana Slatter from Bellevue co-sponsored the bill, noting that growing up she never saw Diwali recognized on school calendars, not because it was not meaningful, but because institutions had not yet reflected the Indian Americans who call Washington home. The bill places Diwali alongside other cultural observances the state formally recognizes, including Lunar New Year and the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. For Redmond's large Indian American community, this recognition marks a meaningful shift in how the state publicly acknowledges their traditions. [1]
🎉 Holi Color Festivals Return to Seattle and the Eastside
South Asian communities across western Washington are gearing up for Holi celebrations, with multiple color festivals planned across the Seattle metro region in spring 2026. Northwest Asian Weekly reports that Holi is widely known as the Hindu festival of colors, a joyful annual celebration at the advent of spring with deep cultural and religious significance. The festival is typically observed in March in India, Nepal, and other South Asian countries as well as throughout the global diaspora, and it celebrates love while marking a time of rebirth, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. The most iconic tradition involves participants dressed in white coming together outdoors to throw vibrant colored powders at one another, leaving a kaleidoscope of pigments across the crowd. Music, dancing, and shared food are central features of the festivities, creating an atmosphere that blends devotion with community celebration. Communities across the Seattle area, including Eastside cities such as Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland, regularly host public Holi events that draw together both long-time South Asian residents and their neighbors from the broader community. These gatherings have grown substantially in recent years, reflecting the expansion of the region's South Asian diaspora and its deepening presence in Pacific Northwest civic and cultural life. For families in Redmond, the spring Holi festivals are among the most anticipated events on the community calendar, a chance to celebrate heritage and welcome the new season alongside thousands of fellow residents. [2]
Sources: [1] Washington Senate Democrats (.gov) · [2] Northwest Asian Weekly