By The Diary desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November. Because it lands on a Sunday, the Ministry of Manpower says Monday 9 November 2026 is a public holiday for employees whose rest day falls on 8 November. In Little India, the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) switched on the street light-up at a ceremony on Saturday 3 October, with more than 2km of Serangoon Road lit nightly from 7pm to midnight, as reported. The Deepavali Festival Village bazaar runs on Campbell Lane from 10 October to 8 November, from 7pm, selling clothing, snacks, handicrafts and festive décor, and is free to walk through. Go on a weekday evening to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Deepavali, the festival of lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, and Little India in the weeks before is one of the most joyful places in Singapore to be.
Quick facts
- Deepavali 2026: Sunday 8 November.
- Public holiday: Monday 9 November 2026, if your rest day falls on 8 November.
- Light-up: switched on Saturday 3 October; lit 7pm–midnight along Serangoon Road.
- Festival Village: Campbell Lane, 10 October to 8 November, from 7pm; free entry.
- Organiser: LISHA.
- Getting there: Little India MRT (North East and Downtown lines).
The public holiday: who gets Monday off
Singapore’s rule is simple once you see it laid out. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next day becomes the holiday for anyone whose rest day was that Sunday.
| Your situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Rest day is Sunday (most office workers) | Monday 9 November is your public holiday |
| Rest day is another day | The holiday rules depend on your rest day; check MOM’s guidance or ask HR |
| Asked to work on the public holiday | Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to an extra day’s pay or time off in lieu |
The Little India light-up
The street decorations stretch along Serangoon Road, with the official ceremony held on Birch Road. Lights are on nightly from 7pm to midnight through the festive period. The best views are from the pedestrian crossings and from the five-foot ways on the side of the road away from the traffic.
The bazaar and the events
| Event | Where | When (2026) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepavali Festival Village | Campbell Lane | 10 Oct–8 Nov, from 7pm | Free to walk through |
| Sangeetham Under the Stars | Campbell Lane Open Stage | Sat 17 and Sat 31 Oct, 8pm–10pm | Free |
| Brass lamp engraving workshop | Tekka Place | Sat 10 and Sat 24 Oct, 10am–1pm | $10 per person, 20 places |
| Clay diya painting | Tekka Place | Sat 17 and Sat 31 Oct, 2pm–4pm | Check with the organiser |
Event details are as reported in early October 2026 and can change, so check LISHA’s announcements before you go.
How to enjoy it, step by step
- Arrive by MRT. Driving and parking in Little India are hard in the festive weeks.
- Come at dusk. Arrive around 6.30pm and watch the lights come on at 7pm.
- Walk the bazaar. Campbell Lane is busiest on weekends and in the final week.
- Eat nearby. Tekka Centre and the restaurants along Serangoon Road are minutes away.
- Dress respectfully if you plan to visit a temple, and remove shoes at the entrance.
The WahLiao Verdict
Go on a weekday evening in mid-October, before the last-week rush, take the MRT, and arrive just before 7pm for the switch-on glow. Walk the Campbell Lane bazaar, then eat at Tekka Centre. If your rest day is Sunday, you have Monday 9 November off, so a long weekend at home with sweets and family is the gentlest way to finish the season.
Questions people ask
When is Deepavali 2026 in Singapore?
Sunday 8 November 2026.
Is 9 November 2026 a public holiday?
Yes, for employees whose rest day falls on Sunday 8 November, according to MOM.
What time do the Little India lights switch on?
Nightly from 7pm to midnight during the festive period.
Is the Deepavali bazaar free?
Yes, the Festival Village on Campbell Lane is free to walk through; you pay only for what you buy.
Sources: Ministry of Manpower, public holidays for 2026; Little Big Red Dot, LISHA’s 2026 light-up and events and Festival Village details. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Festive Light-Ups in Singapore: When Orchard, Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India Switch On · Visiting a Singapore Home at Festivals: Gifts, Oranges and Etiquette · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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