Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026 in Singapore, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and Monday, 9 November is a public holiday for workers whose rest day is 8 November. Little India is the focus of the festivities, though the exact light-up dates are not yet confirmed by an official source we could open.

TL;DR

  • MOM lists Deepavali as Sunday, 8 November 2026, with a Monday, 9 November holiday for those whose rest day is 8 November.
  • A public event listing gives the Little India light-up as 10 October to 8 November 2026, from 6pm, free to enter, but we could not confirm this with organisers.
  • The Singapore Tourism Board's Visit Singapore page shows a different date, 7 November, so check the official site before you plan around one day.

When is Deepavali 2026 in Singapore, and is Monday a holiday?

MOM's public holiday page states that Deepavali in 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November. It adds that Monday, 9 November 2026 will be a public holiday if your rest day falls on 8 November. MOM's page also notes that when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a holiday for workers whose regular rest day is Sunday. Workers with other rest days should check their contract or MOM's guidance.

What is on in Little India during Deepavali?

Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. Little India is the Singapore district built around Serangoon Road and its temples, shops and eateries. The Visit Singapore page, run by the Singapore Tourism Board, lists four things to look for: the street light-up, a Deepavali Food Bazaar, a Deepavali Street Show, and a Deepavali Festival Village along Campbell Lane with stalls for clothing, snacks, handicrafts and decorations. It also mentions the Silver Chariot procession and the Theemithi ritual. The page was last updated on 20 August 2026 and does not give programme times.

When does the Little India light-up start, and is it free?

A ParentLah events listing, which links its details to Visit Singapore, gives the light-up as 10 October to 8 November 2026, from 6pm, at Campbell Lane and Serangoon Road, with free admission. The Visit Singapore page itself gives no light-up dates, and it lists Deepavali as 7 November, a day earlier than MOM's 8 November. We could not open the organisers' own site, so treat the 10 October start as unconfirmed. One local guide also said some detailed 2026 programme information was still being confirmed.

Why it matters: how to plan a Deepavali visit

If the 10 October date holds, the light-up would begin during Grand Prix Season Singapore, which the Singapore Tourism Board says runs 2 to 11 October, so central Singapore may be busy that weekend. Our guide to what is on without a race ticket is at https://hotinsg.com/grand-prix-season-singapore-2026-the-city-wide-guide-to-whats-on-you-dont-need-a-race-ticket/ . If you want lights elsewhere, see https://hotinsg.com/no-street-lanterns-in-chinatown-this-mid-autumn-where-to-see-singapores-lights-instead/ . One local guide suggests going in the late afternoon and that the area gets busier as the festival nears. Check the official Little India and Visit Singapore pages closer to the date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What date is Deepavali in Singapore in 2026?

Sunday, 8 November 2026, per MOM. The Visit Singapore page lists 7 November, so confirm before booking anything for a specific day.

Is 9 November 2026 a public holiday in Singapore?

Yes for workers whose rest day is 8 November, according to MOM. It is not automatic for everyone, so check your employment terms.

Is the Little India Deepavali light-up free?

A ParentLah listing shows free admission. Individual bazaar stalls, food and shows may have their own costs, which no source we opened specifies.

Sources and Method

Checked on 29 September 2026. MOM public holidays: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/public-holidays . Visit Singapore, Deepavali: https://www.visitsingapore.com/whats-happening/all-happenings/festivals/deepavali/ . ParentLah listing: https://parentlah.com/events/deepavali-light-up-2026-at-little-india-2026-10-10/ . Singapore In A Day guide (7 September 2026): https://singaporeinaday.com/2026/09/07/deepavali-in-singapore-2026-little-india-lights-food-what-to-expect/ . STB Grand Prix Season release (2 September 2026): https://www.stb.gov.sg/about-stb/media-publications/media-centre/ . This article is not official guidance.