The Festival of Lights has begun, and Little India is once again glowing with the colours, sounds and spirit of Deepavali.
Organised annually by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), Singapore’s Deepavali festivities came alive on Saturday, 3 October, with the annual Deepavali Light-Up Ceremony at Birch Road, ushering in nearly two months of celebrations across the historic Little India precinct.
Guest of Honour Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development, inaugurated the light-up by lighting the traditional lamp. She was joined by Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State Alvin Tan and MP and Mayor of Central Singapore.
The evening featured colourful cultural performances, including traditional Tamil music, dance and Parai drumming by The ‘Damaru’ troupe, before Little India burst into light. This year’s spectacular illumination stretches for more than two kilometres along Serangoon Road, transforming one of Singapore’s most historic cultural precincts into a dazzling festive destination. One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of a $83,500 cheque to the President’s Challenge, jointly contributed by the Hindu Endowments Board and Hindu temples.
This year’s light-up theme draws inspiration from one of the themes namely Lord Rama’s victory and rescue of Sita from Lanka, reflecting the broader Deepavali message of hope and the triumph of light over darkness. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Indranee also highlighted the importance of keeping cultural traditions vibrant and passing them to future generations, while sharing them with Singaporeans of different backgrounds.
More Than a Festival of Lights
The word Deepavali comes from Tamil or Sanskrit and means a “row of lights”. For generations, the lighting of oil lamps has symbolised the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.
Yet in multicultural Singapore, Deepavali has grown beyond a religious festival celebrated by Hindu families. It has become part of our shared cultural calendar, an opportunity for Singaporeans of every background to experience Indian traditions, food, fashion, music and hospitality.
And there is perhaps no better place to experience that atmosphere than Little India.
Come Down, Shop, Eat and Celebrate!
From 10 October to 8 November 2026, Campbell Lane will host the Deepavali Festival Village, with stalls offering traditional clothing, festive decorations, handicrafts, snacks and other Deepavali favourites.
Make an evening of it. Walk beneath the illuminated arches along Serangoon Road, take your Insta clicks, shop for a new saree, kurta or festive accessories, pick up sweets and decorations, browse the traditional shops and then sit down for dinner at one of the many restaurants, cafés and eateries around the precinct. The streetlights will illuminate Little India nightly from 7 pm to midnight, with the wider Deepavali Thiruvizha festivities continuing until 29 November 2026.
There is plenty more to discover this year, including Sangeetham Under the Stars, an AR/VR heritage experience, Big Bus Deepavali tours, craft workshops, a Deepavali Photo Trail Challenge and SINDA’s Project Give activities.
Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. But there is no reason to wait until then.
Head down to Little India, enjoy the lights, support our local merchants, discover something new, enjoy a good Indian meal, and celebrate the Festival of Lights together.
After all, Deepavali’s message is universal: even a small light can make the darkness disappear.
For more information on the full programme of Deepavali festivities and events, visit the official Deepavali website at deepavali.sg
SG:Indian wishes everyone a joyous and meaningful Deepavali season!
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