How a handful of friends missing proper Holi and Navratri gatherings turned into a 600-strong Lucknow tradition.
Lucknow Friends Club started in 2016 as a handful of friends who missed proper Holi and Navratri gatherings after moving between hostels, jobs and neighbourhoods. What began as one terrace party has grown into a standing tradition — two festivals, one community, every single year.
We're not an events company. There's no calendar full of things to sell you — just two evenings we plan for months, because they're the ones our members actually look forward to. Everyone who's ever danced at a Dandiya Night or been ambushed with gulal at the Holi Party is part of the club, whether they joined in 2016 or last October.
Both events are organised entirely by volunteers from within the club — the venue, the DJ, the food stalls, even the gulal supplier, are all picked by people who'll be on the dance floor themselves.
"Every March and every October, Lucknow shows up as itself."
A dozen friends, a rooftop, a bucket of colour and a bluetooth speaker. Word got around fast.
Moved off the terrace and onto a rented lawn, with a live dhol player and enough sticks to go around.
What started among old friends became a club people asked to join — a mailing list turned into a community.
Holi Party and Dandiya Nights became fixed, ticketed, professionally-run evenings — without losing the mehfil feel.
A decade in, the club is bigger than ever, and both nights are still planned by the same kind of people who show up to dance.
We'd rather do Holi and Dandiya properly than run a dozen forgettable meetups in between.
Every decision — venue, pricing, guest list — is made with our members in mind, not outside sponsors.
Organic colours, a managed entry list and a strict no-tolerance policy for bad behaviour, every single year.
Reserve your spot for the next event, or just say hello — we're always happy to welcome new friends to the club.