Lohri is a much-loved Punjabi winter festival, celebrated with a bonfire, songs, dancing and sweets shared among family and friends. For a family welcoming a new baby or a newly married couple, the first Lohri is often one of the biggest parties of the year.
In Calgary, January means most Lohri parties happen indoors: at home, in a basement or in a hall. Deep's Delights is a family-run Indian-fusion kitchen in NE Calgary.
Lohri in Calgary: Why the First Lohri Is a Big Party
Lohri is celebrated mainly in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan and in parts of northern India, and by Punjabi families wherever they live. It falls on the night before Maghi, traditionally marks the passing of the winter solstice and the end of winter, and is also celebrated as a harvest festival. Families gather around a bonfire, sing traditional songs, including those about Dulla Bhatti, and share sweets.
In homes that have welcomed a new baby or a wedding during the year, the celebration is bigger. A baby's first Lohri, or a couple's first Lohri after their Punjabi wedding, often means a long guest list of relatives and family friends, gifts, music and a full meal. We cater both ends of that year: a Godh Bharai before the baby arrives, and the first Lohri after.
When Is Lohri in 2027?
In 2027, Lohri falls on the evening of Wednesday, January 13. Because it lands midweek, many families will hold their party on the weekend before or after: January 9 and 10, or January 16 and 17.
Feeding a First Lohri Crowd
For a full dinner, a mains package is the simplest way to feed a crowd. Our Grand package and our Luxe package both include mithai:
- Grand: $40 per person vegetarian or $43 non-vegetarian, with 4 appetizers, 3 mains, mithai and 2 desserts. Our most popular package.
- Luxe: $56 or $61, with 5 appetizers, 4 mains, mithai and 4 desserts.
For a smaller spread without mithai, Signature is $32 or $35, with 3 appetizers, 2 mains and 2 desserts. Every package includes rice, roti, raita and salad, starts at 24 guests and goes up in steps of 12. Mains include Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer, Daal Makhani and Channa Masala, with Butter Chicken, Goat Curry and Lamb Curry for non-vegetarian menus.
Hosting an open house where guests come and go? Appetizers and desserts by the item may suit better. Build Your Own appetizers start from $18 per 24 pieces and desserts from $76 per 24. Popular choices include Katori Chaat Cups, Aloo Tikki Sliders, Mini Samosas and Tandoori Chicken Sliders.
Traditional Lohri Treats and What We Bring
Rewri, gajak, peanuts and popcorn are part of the tradition: they are shared around the fire, and some are tossed into it as an offering. For Lohri treat boxes, see our custom gift boxes and ask us for a quote. Sarson da saag with makki di roti is the traditional Lohri meal. Our mains menu includes Saag and Saag Paneer; makki di roti isn't on our menu, so plan that separately.
What we bring is the rest of the sweet table. Grand and Luxe each include one mithai, chosen from Gulab Jamun, Besan or Barfi. Our fusion desserts include Gulab Jamun Mousse, Rasmalai Cheesecake, Mango Lassi Cheesecake, Gajrela Cups and Kheer Cups, each portioned individually and easy to pass around a busy room. For a bigger sweet spread, see our dessert table guide.
Hosting at Home, in a Basement or in a Hall
Whether you are hosting a party at home, opening up the basement or booking a hall, the food gets there one of three ways:
- Pickup from our licensed kitchen at Kaladi Kitchens, Unit 10, 1420 40 Ave NE, which is always free.
- Delivery, a timed drop-off with no setup or service, from $50 within Calgary. Fees for every area are in the FAQ below.
- A styled setup, which includes delivery, setup and takedown.
For a setup, plan the surface: our risers and display cubes sit on your tables, so tell us how many tables you have, their size and the room. Plates, cutlery and napkins can come from you, or you can add them to your order. Premium linens come with Diamond.
Mocktails for the Whole Family
Our drinks menu has 13 flavours, all alcohol-free, including Badam Milk, Mango Lassi and Pink Rose Milk (Rooh Afza), alongside mocktails such as Jaljeera Mojito, Amrud Panna (Guava Punch), Lychee Lemonade and Lal-Ishq (Red Love).
Each is $6, garnish included, and is added to your catering order. With pickup or delivery they come in sealed 12 oz cans, so ask us which flavours are available in cans; our canned mocktails guide explains how they travel. With a styled setup, they are poured and styled on site.
Pink Rose Milk, Mango Lassi, Mango Shake and Badam Milk contain dairy, and Badam Milk contains almonds. Please list any allergies when you order and check our Allergen Information Sheet for each item. While we do our best to prevent cross-contamination, we are not an allergen-free kitchen and cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will not occur.
A Styled First Lohri
A first Lohri is a night for family photos, and a styled setup gives the food table a finished look. Setups are added to a food order and include delivery:
- Silver, from $750: setup and takedown, risers and display cubes, polished serveware, a printed menu and printed labels for each item.
- Gold, from $1,000: adds custom florals. Our most popular setup.
- Platinum, from $1,250: adds custom decor tailored to your theme and premium display elements.
- Diamond, from $1,500: adds custom branding, premium linens, candles and accent pieces, with full creative direction.
Platinum suits a first Lohri with a colour scheme or theme in mind, and Diamond suits families who want the whole look designed. Risers, display cubes and printed labels come only with a setup.
Planning Around January 13
- Choose your food. Pick a Grand or Luxe package on the Catering Order Form, or choose appetizers and desserts on Build Your Own. Add pickup, delivery or a setup, drinks and any allergies on the same form.
- Confirm. We confirm within 48 hours with a Square invoice, and a 50% deposit locks your date.
- Adjust. Changes can be made up to two weeks before your event, which is December 30 for a party on January 13. The balance is due one day before, and all prices are before GST.
Holding your party on a weekend instead? Count back two weeks from that date. If you would like help choosing a package, book a call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lohri Catering in Calgary
Which packages include mithai?
Grand, at $40 per person vegetarian or $43 non-vegetarian, includes 4 appetizers, 3 mains, mithai and 2 desserts. Luxe, at $56 or $61, includes 5 appetizers, 4 mains, mithai and 4 desserts. Both include rice, roti, raita and salad, and prices are before GST.
What is the minimum order for a Lohri party?
Mains packages start at 24 guests and go up in steps of 12. Appetizers and desserts are ordered by the item. Most items have a 24-piece minimum and go up in steps of 12; a few, such as Fruit Skewers and Veggie Spring Rolls, come in batches of 50.
Do you deliver to homes and halls?
Yes. Delivery is $50 within Calgary, Airdrie, Balzac and Conrich; $60 to Chestermere; $75 to Bearspaw, Springbank and Harmony; $100 to Cochrane, Okotoks and Priddis; and $400 to Banff, Canmore and Red Deer. Pickup from our licensed kitchen in NE Calgary is free.
Can we change our order after booking?
Yes. Changes can be made up to two weeks before your event. A 50% deposit locks your date, and the balance is due one day before.
Can we add drinks?
Yes. Mocktails are $6 each, garnish included, and are added to your catering order. With pickup or delivery they come in sealed 12 oz cans; with a styled setup they are poured and styled on site.
Celebrate Lohri With Deep's Delights
From a baby's first Lohri to a family open house, we can bring the food, the sweets and the drinks. Choose a package on the Catering Order Form or build your own spread on Build Your Own.