Deepavali 2026 is just around the corner, and Little India is already glowing. If you've ever walked through Serangoon Road when the festive lights flicker on at dusk, you know the feel 😌

The festive season kicks off as early as October, with light-ups, bazaars, and events running for weeks. We've rounded up the top events, food spots, and things to do for Deepavali 2026 in Singapore.

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Wait, when is Deepavali 2026?

This year, Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, with Monday, 9 November observed as the public holiday. That's a long weekend to work with. And the celebrations go well beyond that weekend: the festive season starts as early as October, with light-ups, bazaars, and events running right through.

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Top Deepavali 2026 events in Singapore

01 · Little India Deepavali street light-up

The annual Deepavali street light-up, organised by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), turns Little India and the surrounding streets into a corridor of colour and light. The switch-on ceremony took place on 3 October 2026 at Birch Road, with traditional music and dance performances marking the occasion.

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📍 Location: Serangoon Road and surrounding streets, Little India
⏰ Light-up hours: 7pm – midnight daily, until 29 November 2026

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02 · Deepavali Festival Village

If you want your Deepavali to be a bit more action-packed, Campbell Lane’s Festival Village is the place to be. From 10 October to 8 November, the streets will be packed stalls selling traditional clothing, handcrafted jewellery, festive decorations, and every Deepavali snack you can imagine.

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📍 Location: Campbell Lane, Little India
⏰ Opening hours: 7pm onwards daily, 10 October to 8 November 2026 

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03 · Istana Open House

The Istana opens its gates for Deepavali on 1 November 2026, and it's a rare chance to step inside the presidential grounds. Previous years have featured guided heritage tours, Bharatanatyam dance performances, Tamil music, craft workshops like toranam-making (flower garland crafting) and deepam-decorating (oil lamp painting), and food stalls serving Indian fare.

Admission is free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents. For other visitors, it's $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 4 to 12. Tickets are sold at the gate only, so arrive early if you want to beat the queue.

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📍 Location: The Istana, Orchard Road (nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut)
⏰ Opening hours: 9.30am – 8pm, 1 Novmber 2026

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04 · Sangeetham Under the Stars

Never felt the Deepavali magic before? Let this free open-air concert rock (or perhaps boogie?) your world. The lineup features a mix of Carnatic classical music, fusion sets, Bollywood hits, and performances by emerging local artists.

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📍 Location: Indian Heritage Centre Open Stage
⏰ Show times: 17 and 31 October 2026, 8pm – 10pm
🌐 Website: lisha.ticketnow.sg/event/sangeetham-under-the-stars- 

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06 · Deepavali Big Bus Tour

If walking isn't your thing, the Deepavali Big Bus Tour takes you through the lit-up streets of Little India with live commentary on the history and traditions of Deepavali. Tours depart from Orchard Hotel at 7pm and 8pm on select dates throughout October and November, dropping off at Race Course Road so you can explore on foot afterwards. Each ticket includes a $5 F&B voucher.

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📍 Pick-up: Orchard Hotel | Drop-off: Race Course Road, Little India
⏰ Tour times: 7pm and 8pm on 10, 17, 24, 31 October and 7, 13, 21, 28 November 2026
🌐 Website: lisha.ticketnow.sg/event/big-bus-tour-%2810-oct-2025%29/122 

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07 · Hands-on workshops at Tekka Place

A series of workshops are running throughout October at Tekka Place and Campbell Lane this Deepavali season:

Brass lamp engraving. You'll learn to create a traditional kuthuvilakku lamp using pattern hammering and decorative etching. It's hands-on, meditative, and you walk away with a piece you made yourself. $10 per person, with 20 spaces per session.

Clay diya painting. Decorate your own terracotta oil lamps with paints and embellishments, and learn about the symbolism behind traditional motifs. Plus, it’s free!

Spice blending masterclass. A chef-led class where you'll learn to make your own garam masala and sambar powder from scratch. Session includes a tasting and take-home samples.

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📍 Locations: Tekka Place and Campbell Lane, Little India

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Where to feast during Deepavali

01 · Muthu's Curry

A household name in Singapore, Muthu’s Curry is famed for their Fish Head Curry. Tantalising, spicy, and hits all the right notes: it’s no wonder why it’s the go-to curry spot even after 52 years! Other than their signature dish, they also offer a wide selection of Southern and Northern Indian fare such as chicken masala, butter chicken, chicken manchurian and freshly made breads from the tandoor. 

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📍 Address: 138 Race Course Road, Singapore 218591
⏰ Opening hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm daily
📞 Contact: 6392 1722
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: muthuscurry.com 

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02 · Firangi Superstar

Touted as a whimsical love letter to India, stepping into Firangi Superstar will feel almost like you’ve stepped into a Wes Anderson movie. There are four themed rooms in this space — Officer’s Club, Old Railway Room, Elephant Palace and Jungle Lodge — and if the lavish decor here isn’t enough to impress you, be prepared to be blown away by the food. The menu here gets rotated on a regular basis, but when I pulled up, I got to gorge myself on Chat Masala Foie Gras and Masala Crab with Caviar. A meal worthy of a sultan!

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📍 Address: 20 Craig Road, #01-03, Singapore 089692
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 12am | Closed on Sundays
📞 Contact: 3129 7552
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: firangisuperstar.com 

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03 · Jaggi's Northern Indian Cuisine

Just like its name suggests, Jaggi’s offers an exceptional North Indian culinary adventure. With humble surroundings, it specialises in an exquisite array of dishes that are anything but ordinary. 

One of the must-try dishes is the creamy and rich Kadhai Paneer, combining tender chunks of paneer with aromatic spices, creating a comforting and flavorful experience. Aloo Gobhi, another favourite, offers a delightful blend of potatoes and cauliflower in a flavorful gravy, representing North Indian comfort food at its finest. But the star of the show is the butter chicken, aromatic and creamy, epitomising the essence of North Indian cuisine. Enjoy it with garlic, cheese, or butter naan to elevate your dining experience.

Jaggi's proves that remarkable culinary journeys often begin in the most unassuming places. With a focus on best-selling dishes, this brief description highlights the restaurant's unique and flavourful offerings.

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📍 Address: 72 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218573
⏰ Opening hours: 11am to 10.30pm daily
📞 Contact: 6296 6141
 🍴 Halal status: Not halal
🌐 Website: jaggis.com.sg

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04 · Bismillah Biryani

Michelin Bib Gourmand winners are a dime a dozen these days, but what about a 9-times awardee? Slow-steamed to lock in layers of flavour, with tender mutton and perfectly spiced, fragrant rice, the dum biryani here is the reason why people keep coming back. And to sweeten the deal, portions are generous and prices are wallet-friendly, so be sure to come in early during the Deepavali season. 

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📍 Address: 50 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209379
⏰ Opening hours: 11.30am – 8.30pm daily
🍴 Halal status: Halal
🌐 Website: bismillahbiryani.com  

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Planning what else to do this month? Check out our roundup of October events you won't wanna miss for more ideas.

See you on the road, Amanda 💙

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(Featured photo from: K8)

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