Whether you’re celebrating Deepavali or not, here is a list of festive activities you can enjoy with your family!
*Updated Oct 2023: updated for 2023
Well-known as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is the celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. During the festival, families perform prayers light up lamps around their house and share feasts with their loved ones.
Let's take a look at the events happening around Singapore celebrating the festival that you can check out with your little ones!
1. Indian Heritage Centre Deepavali Open House
Photo Credits: https://www.instagram.com/stanley_chee/
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
Dates: 14 Oct - 12 Nov 2023
Admission: Free with paid programmes
Did you know that “Deepavali” means “a row of lights” in Tamil? This reflects the tradition of lighting lamps during the festival to signify the victory of light over darkness and is why it is often referred to as the “Festival of Lights”.
This Deepavali, experience the exuberance of the festival at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) Deepavali Open House 2023! Come immerse in the festive atmosphere and rich traditions of Deepavali across four themes, featuring a diverse range of cultural programmes, performances, workshops and more.
Registration and fees are required for selected programmes.
2. Deepavali Light-up at Little India
Photo Credits: Indian Heritage Centre
Venue: Little India
Dates: 30 Sep - 3 Dec 2023
Admission: Free
The annual Deepavali Light Up is a vibrant and culturally significant ceremony that heralds the arrival of the Deepavali season. It is renowned for embellishing prominent buildings and streets with resplendent lights and intricate decorations, crafting a mesmerizing spectacle.
Not only will families get to see the spectacular light-up, there will also be various activities happening at Little India to welcome the festival too. Find out more about the various activities here!
3. Deepavali Festival Village
Venue: Campbell Lane
Dates: 30 Sep - 9 Nov (10 am - 10 pm), 10 - 11 Nov (10 am - 1 am)
Admission: Free
Nestled along Campbell Lane during the Deepavali season, the Deepavali Festival Village boasts a kaleidoscope of stalls offering traditional clothing, delectable snacks, intricate handicrafts, and festive decorations that embody the heart of this joyous occasion.
Watch the streets come to life with cultural enchantment, featuring a captivating lineup of performances, including traditional music, dance, and captivating artistic displays that pay tribute to the rich Indian heritage.
Create enduring memories with family, friends, and your community during this festive season! The Deepavali Festival Village truly captures the essence of this celebration, fostering a spirit of togetherness and unity among attendees, regardless of their backgrounds.
4. Deepavali Food Bazaar
Venue: Poli@Clive Street
Dates: 25 Sep - 11 Nov, 2 pm - 10 pm
Admission: Free
Embark on a culinary journey at the vibrant Deepavali Food Bazaar where your taste buds will be treated to a symphony of flavors while you immerse yourself in the cultural celebrations of Deepavali.
This is not just a feast for the senses but also a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts of Indian cuisine, coming together to relish the food and soak in the joyful ambiance of the festival!
5. Big Bus Tour - Deepavali Light Up
Dates: 20 & 27 Oct, 3 & 10 Nov, 7 pm - 8 pm & 8 pm - 9 pm
Admission: $8
Join one of the spectacular Big Bus Tours in Singapore, specially tailored to include a special detour through Little India during this festive Deepavali season. Marvel at the beautifully adorned streetlights, a tribute to this joyous occasion.
This guided tour will take you on a captivating ride through the key highlights of Little India, wrapping up at Race Course Road, just outside Gayathri Restaurant. To add to your experience, each participant will receive a $5 voucher from the restaurant!
6. Deepavali Street Show
Venue: Outside Indian Heritage Centre
Dates: 27 Oct, 6.30 pm - 8 pm
Admission: Free
Step into a world of cultural splendor curated by Vasantham for Deepavali. The captivating song and dance performances that pay tribute to the magic of this festive season will keep you entertained.
Come and celebrate this cultural extravaganza with us through these show-stopping performances! Immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere and embrace the vibrant cultural energy that fills the streets of Little India!
7. Thrilling Deepavali Treasure Hunt Adventure
Venue: Campbell Lane
Dates: 14 & 28 Oct 2023, 10 am - 12 pm
Admission: Free
Embark on an engaging cultural treasure hunt across the vibrant streets of Little India. In this thrilling team-building activity, you and your partner will decode clues and unravel puzzles while exploring the rich tapestry of Little India’s heritage.
Compete against fellow puzzle enthusiasts to discover culturally significant clues and interesting facts about Indian culture, all while vying for exciting prizes!
8. Performance: Four Friends and the Hunter
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Dates: 18 & 19 Nov 2023, 11 am & 2 pm
Admission: $25
Four Friends and the Hunter is an Esplanade Production as part of Kalaa Utsavam, the annual Indian Festival of Arts at the Esplanade.
A long time ago in a faraway forest in India, lived four good friends: a deer, a parrot, a turtle and a rat. One day, a hunter shows up looking for his next target. They try their best to stay out of his sight but one of them gets caught! How will they save their friend? What will they do?
Find out how these friends work together to save their friend from the hunter. Inspired by the Panchatantra, a collection of ancient Indian animal fables, this heartwarming story about strength in unity brings you on a journey filled with music, movement and merrymaking.
9. Bollywood Dance Parent-Child Workshop
Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Dates: 19 Nov 2023, 11 am
Admission: from $15 per pax
Come shake and groove to the beats of Bollywood in this basic parent-child Bollywood dance workshop by Royalusion. Bond with your little ones by learning the basics of Bollywood dance and add your own flair to your final routine with the guidance of experienced instructors.
The workshop is part of Kalaa Utsavam, the annual Indian Festival of Arts at the Esplanade.
10. Multi-Sensory Deepavali Experience At Singapore Sports Hub
Venue: OCBC Square
Date: 10 & 11 Nov 2023
This Deepavali, embark on a multi-sensory journey at Singapore Sports Hub with its Rangoli & Rhythm celebration. Join in the celebrations at the OCBC Square on 10 to 11 November 2023, it will be a weekend of captivating activities that will evoke your five senses and offer experiences to remember!
11. FairPrice Block Parties with Festive Activities to Celebrate Deepavali
Venue and Dates:
- Kaki Bukit Community Centre, 4 Nov 2023, 10 am - 12 pm
-
722A Woodlands Ave 6 Multi-purpose Hall, 4 Nov 2023, 3 pm - 5 pm
Admission: Free
FairPrice Group (FPG) is organising FairPrice Block Parties at Kaki Bukit and Woodlands this November, in celebration of Deepavali. The block parties, which are open to the public and residents in the area, will feature games such as the trendy claw machine, carrom and many more family-friendly activities.
Renowned rangoli artist and Guinness World Record holder for the largest Rangoli in the World Vijaya Mohan, will be creating a unique communal rangoli with residents. In addition, residents can look forward to meeting Singapore’s favourite kacang puteh uncle from Peace Centre, Mr Amirthaalangaram Moorthy, who will also be distributing free FairPrice nuts and muruku to residents at the block parties.
Besides the fun and games, residents can do their grocery shopping conveniently at the FairPrice On Wheels Truck that will be at the Block Parties. Residents can shop from a wide selection of over 200 items, including FairPrice’s best value essentials and housebrand products.
12. Explore and Play at Little India
Use the festival as an excuse to explore our own Little India with the kids! With the KiddoTrip: Explore and Play, you will get to visit Little India with your children while having fun and discover the history and culture of Indians in Singapore.
Following your audio guide, you will be strolling through the colorful and fragrant streets of Little India as well as receive an activity book for each child with lots of games as they go on the exploration!
13. Celebrate Deepavali in Your Neighbourhood
Sometimes, the best activities are not that far away! Check out OnePA for the latest and nearest Deepavali activities planned in different neighbourhoods, and head down to join the celebrations! The best part, many of these events are free!
