Free crafting workshops, big bus tours, performances and a whole heap of lights – here are all the family-friendly Deepavali events in Singapore!
Singapore is at its most colourful this time of year with celebrations happening all over the island in anticipation of Deepavali on 8 November 2026! We’re so excited for the long weekend and making dazzling plans to keep the family entertained! So if you haven’t made a checklist of things to do with the kids just yet, then we’ve come to the rescue with fun Deepavali events and things to do around Little India and beyond that the whole family will want to check out.
Deepavali 2026 Singapore: Events & activities with kids
1. Lights up at Little India
It’s not Deepavali without the lights in Little India – so if you only do one thing this Deepavali, make sure it’s this. The kids are sure to love the dazzling display (even if you have to keep them up after bedtime for it). Once you’ve finished, head to one of the along Race Course Road for a truly fabulous curry or grab a takeaway for all the family!
When: 3 October 2026 onwards
Where: Along Serangoon Road
Cost: Free!
2. Festival Village at Little India
Deepavali is not just about the lights; it’s also shopping time! And the Deepavali Festive Village night market in Little India is where the shopping action is at. Picture this: a Deepavali-themed pasar malam featuring a kaleidoscope of stalls offering traditional clothing, yummy snacks, beautiful handicrafts, and all the festive decorations you can imagine. It’s basically a shopper’s paradise. But here’s the bonus – there’s also a ton of traditional music, dance, and cool artistic displays that celebrate Indian heritage. So, shop till you drop, and then enjoy the cultural vibes!
When: 10 October – 8 November 2026, 7pm
Where: Campbell Lane
Cost: Free!
3. Big Bus Tour through Little India
Looking for a bird’s eye view of the precinct in all its dazzling glory? The Deepavali Big Bus Tour will be a winner with the fam as it offers an open-top bus tour with excellent photo opportunities from the top deck. So click away all you want as you catch the vibe of this bustling town while you enjoy the breeze on the top deck, all at the same time.
When: Every Saturday from 10 October till 28 November 2026, 7pm and 8pm
Where: Pick-up at Orchard Hotel Singapore, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879
Cost: $12 per pax
4. Deepavali workshops in Little India
Time to get the creative juices flowing and try your hand in brass lamp engraving, spice blending, and clay diya painting. These culturally rich workshops will not only give you the chance to learn something new, you’ll be able to create something beautiful to take home with you.
When: Brass lamp engraving on 10 and 24 October; spice blending and clay diya painting on 17 and 31 October.
Where: Tekka Place, 2 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218227
Cost: $10 for brass lamp engraving; $8 for spice blending; free for clay diya painting
5. Live music and concert in Little India
Sangeetham Under the Stars is the theme of this year’s Deepavali concert at Little India, featuring Carnatic classical music, Bollywood beats, and performances by local artistes. There are two concerts this year, and they’re both free to attend!
When: 17 and 31 October 2026, 8-10pm
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
Cost: Free
6. Heritage walk around Little India
Step back in time to take a glimpse of what Little India looked like in the 1880s. This AR and VR heritage tour will take you through the famous Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, as well as its vicinity such as Tekka Market and Little India Arcade.
When: Every Saturday from 10 October till 7 November 2026
Where: Little India
Cost: $15 per pax ($10 for students and seniors), ticket purchase page TBC
7. Deepavali event: Discover Little India by foot
There are loads of things happening over the island to celebrate Deepavali, but Little India is definitely where you’ll catch most of the action. As well as checking out the events and lights, take time to explore Little India on foot with the family. From Tekka Market to Little India Arcade, there’s lots to explore. It’s also IG heaven, with its brightly coloured buildings and beautiful temples. And of course, if you head over at this time of year, you’ll get the bonus of the Deepavali lights for your pics!
Check out our family guide for how to ace Little India with the kids!
8. Deepavali events and celebrations closer to your hood
If you and your fam aren’t up for going too far and want some Deepavali fun nearby, OnePA has a bunch of cool stuff planned for neighbourhood celebrations. You can expect things like Deepavali parties, briyani fiestas, shopping tours, and more. Our tip? Keep an eye on this page to see what’s happening for Deepavali in your area and beyond.
9. Deepavali shopping for traditional Indian clothes
The spirit of Deepavali is best-experienced in the preps that lead up to the big day. And there are lots of boxes to check off before the celebrations commence. So kit out the fam to explore the streets of Little India- to check out the gorgeous Diwali decks like diyas and rangoli, and flavourful ingredients to keep those pantry cubbies well stashed. Check out the latest traditional Indian clothes to plan the ‘fam-Deepavali-look’ for the year. In short, there are lots to check out and so much to do!
10. Make Deepavali sweets at home
You know what’s a must for a festive Deepavali? That mouthwatering mithai platter! Seriously, it’s dessert heaven. And guess what? You don’t need to go on a sweets hunt because we’ve got you covered. We’ve lined up some easy mithai recipes you can whip up at home with your fam. Just grab a few ingredients, and you’re all set. Plus, you can enjoy these Indian goodies all year round. Yay for homemade treats!
11. Get crafting for Deepavali at home!
If you don’t fancy heading out, there’s still fun to be had at home to celebrate Deepavali. Check out these Deepavali craft activities to keep the kids busy. From making your paper diyas to upcycling projects with glass jars and even henna hands – there’s something to keep all ages entertained!
12. Get creative with a Deepavali crafting kit!
Calling all you crafty folks! If you’re looking to add a creative twist to your Deepavali celebrations, we’ve got something special for you. Check out the awesome craft kits from Inakhi and MandalaSandArtKits. These crafts are not only a whole lot of fun but also super easy, perfect for some quality family time during the festivities. Get your craft on and make this Deepavali extra special!
13. Make a difference this Deepavali with Its Raining Raincoats
Deepavali is the perfect time to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. But this year, let’s take it up a notch and spread some cheer to the hardworking immigrants in Singapore. Good news – Its Raining Raincoats has a Deepavali Drive where you can sponsor some food, prepare care packages, or volunteer to help out on the food distribution day.
When: Now till 13 November 2026
Where: Donate from wherever you are
Past Deepavali events
Illam Aglow at Singapore Discovery Centre
There’s plenty of exciting Deepavali events for the whole fam to enjoy at the Singapore Discovery Centre’s Illam Aglow! Over the Deepavali weekend, there are dance and music performances, a henna station, a garland workshop, and even a Pulli Kolam art drawing station where the little ones can try out this intricate Indian art form created with dots and lines.
Deepavali Pop-Up 2025 at Lyf @ Farrer Park
Hosted by Indian Inks, this Deepavali event features over 20 local brands that have come together for a fun-tastic weekend of vibrant shopping, culture, and celebration. Like other pop-ups and markets, this pop-up will have some yummy treats, local fashion brands, and cute handmade goods – you might just discover your new favourite brand here! The main highlight has to be the return of Indian Inks’ iconic Henna and Jagua Ink booth, where you can experience the look of a tattoo using henna!
Istana Open House: Deepavali
Explore the grounds of the Istana this weekend during the Deepavali Istana Open House! Soak up the Istana’s rich heritage and check out the Japanese Garden, Villa, Ceremonial Plaza, Inclusive Garden, and more – you can even go on a guided tour that’ll let you fully appreciate the sights. In last year’s edition, there were fun activities for the fam like the scavenger hunt, balloon sculpting, colouring activities, henna booth, and performances by students from various schools. Singapore residents and Permanent Residents get to go in for free, just make sure to get there early to avoid the long queue.
Deepavali Open House at The Indian Heritage Centre
The Indian Heritage Centre is throwing its Deepavali Open House 2025 bash, and it’s going to be a blast in Little India! Get ready for awesome festive outdoor performances, free henna art, awesome booths, and free lobby activities on weekends! It’s all about celebrating Deepavali in style at IHC. Don’t miss out on the fun – see you there!
Live cooking demonstration Deepavali event – 60 Briyani in 60 minutes
Gear up the whole family and dive into a culinary adventure that’ll make cooking come alive in a fun and interactive way. Get ready for a live cooking demonstration led by the amazing celebrity chef, Chef Arifin, and watch the magic unfold as attempts to set a Singapore Book of Records milestone! He’ll be attempting to whip up 60 different types of briyani in just 60 minutes, so make sure to pay attention if you want to pick up a skill or two for yourself. And yes, you’ll get to taste the delicious briyani too!
Deepavali treasure hunt
This treasure hunt is a fun way to learn about Indian tradition as well as the Deepavali, and even stand a chance to win some shopping vouchers! Work in pairs to solve clues and perform tasks as you go from station to station. Take this chance and compete amongst the fam or against other pairs while also soaking up the beauty and festive spirit at Tekka Place!
Happy Deepavali, everyone!
