Holi 2026 Liquor Status: Delhi Shops to Stay Open While Mumbai & Hyderabad Observe Dry Days

Advertisment

The festival of colours is being celebrated on 4 March 2026, but millions of residents across India’s major metros are facing a confusing patchwork of alcohol regulations. While Delhi has made a surprise move to keep liquor shops open this year, other hubs like Mumbai and Hyderabad are enforcing strict ‘dry day’ restrictions to ensure public safety. This guide breaks down the latest excise department orders and reveals the hidden costs for event organizers that many outlets have overlooked.

The 2026 City List: Where to Find Liquor Shops Open on Holi


Delhi has changed its policy for 2026 by removing Holi from its official list of dry days. A senior official confirmed that liquor shops across the capital will remain open this Holi as the date was left off the restricted calendar. This change aims to modernize the city’s shopping experience, though police will still watch for public trouble.

In contrast, the state of Maharashtra is keeping its traditional rules. The state excise department recently clarified that Holi will continue to be observed as a dry day across the state. This means all retail shops in Mumbai will be closed on 4 March. In Hyderabad, the police have ordered all shops to shut from the evening of 2 March until the morning of March 4 to ensure peace.

Advertisment

New Rules for Holi 2026 Party Organizers


In areas like Noida, you cannot serve alcohol at a hotel or club without a special one-day permit. District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar said that the license is compulsory wherever liquor is served at these venues. He warned that there will be no leniency for violations this year.

Organizers must now apply for an ‘Occasional Bar License’ (FL-11) well in advance. Many people do not realize that serving alcohol from open pouches or unlabelled bottles is strictly banned in several states to stop the distribution of fake liquor. This means that hosting a professional party will be more expensive this year. Venues must now pay extra for permits and prepare for surprise inspections by local authorities.

The different rules for 2026 Holi show that India is moving toward two different paths. Some cities like Delhi want more sales and tax money, while others like Mumbai prefer strict safety. For the party industry, this means that ‘bring-your-own’ alcohol at public venues is likely a thing of the past. 

Advertisment