10 Deepavali 2024 Celebrations in Singapore to Check Out with your Kids



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Whether you’re celebrating Deepavali or not, here is a list of festive activities you can enjoy with your family!

*Updated for 2024

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
Date: 5 - 27 October 2024
Admission: Free

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 2024! 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: Serangoon Road
Date: now to 17 Nov 2024
Time: 7pm till midnight (Weekdays) | 7pm to 1am (Weekends)

Deepavali is a celebration of light over darkness and literally, it is never complete without the grand light-up of little India. Expect decorative lights to brighten the streets of Little India covering Serangoon Road, from 7pm till midnight on weekdays, and till 1am on weekends.

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.

3. Deepavali Festival Village

Venue: Campbell Lane
Date: now to 30 Oct 2024

Step into the vibrant spirit of Deepavali at the enchanting Festival Village. Nestled along Campbell Lane during the Deepavali season, the 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. Merchants along Campbell Lane would extend the existing shop spaces to display and sell Deepavali Festive items. Watch the streets come to life with cultural enchantment captivating artistic displays that pay tribute to the rich Indian heritage.

4. Big Bus Tour - Deepavali Light Up

Dates: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Oct 2024, 7 pm & 7.45 pm
Admission: $10

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.

Experience the magic of Little India's vibrant Deepavali Street light-up with our exclusive open-top bus tours. Running every Friday and Saturday evening throughout October, this is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the festive glow upclose

5. Live Performances, Activities And More At The Istana Open House for Deepavali

Venue: Istana
Date: 20 Oct 2024, 8.30 am - 6 pm
Admission: Free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

The Istana will be open to public on 20 Oct 2024, in celebration of Deepavali!

At the Istana Open House for Deepavali, families can look forward to family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, balloon sculpting, and colouring activities for children. There will be multi-ethnic dance, music and vocal performances by Pasir Ris Primary School, Tampines Secondary School, St Stephen’s School, Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary), APSN Chaoyang School, Catholic High School and St Andrew’s Junior College.

Entry is free for Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents, other visitors will have to pay a fee from $5. 

6. Folk Dance Parent-Child workshop

VenueEsplanade Rehearsal Studio (Meeting Point: Theatre Studio, Level 4, 15mins before start time)
Dates: 17 Nov 2024 
Admission: $30

A parent-child workshop that offers a fun bonding experience while learning the basics of kolattam (stick dance).

Kolattam is an ancient folk dance form from South India, performed by all ages. It is a community or chorus dance typically done in groups. The name "kolattam" comes from kol meaning "stick", and attam meaning "dance" in Tamil. Dancers use two short wooden sticks, one in each hand, and stand in a circular formation. They cross the sticks to create rhythms while singing folk songs.

Dancers tap the sticks together or pair up with other dancers to create the beats. Multiple circles can be formed, with dancers switching partners and combining with adjacent circles to create the rhythm.

7. Old Man and The Sea

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Dates: 16 & 17 Nov 2024 
Admission: $28

Get ready for a maritime journey in this adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's classic, Old Man and The Sea, brought to life through puppetry and no words!

This story follows an old, seasoned fisherman and the greatest catch of his life. After returning home empty-handed for days, he sails further into the sea and finally hooks a big fish he names Mari. The fish pulls him deeper into the sea, leading to a fierce struggle with Nature as he fights to survive and return home.

Prepare to be enchanted as the story of the ocean comes alive through puppet play and music scores using only human voices!

8. 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! 

9. Celebrate Deepavali at Singapore Sports Hub

Venue: The Lawn, Kallang Wave Mall
Dates: 2 Nov 2024, 11 am - 8 pm
Admission: Free

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable celebration of Indian culture and tradition on 2 November 2024, from 11am to 8pm at The Lawn, Kallang Wave Mall. Enjoy a wonderful day filled with lights, laughter, and love along with free activities for the whole family including:

  • Rangoli Sand Art: A folk art that is an essential part of Deepavali, a Rangoli is drawn on the floor of entrances to bring good luck and prosperity. This Deepavali, families can look forward to expressing their creativity by decorating colourful sand art templates inspired by traditional Deepavali Rangoli. 
  • Deepavali Colouring Fun: Our specially designed colouring session will encourage children to explore the rich traditions of Deepavali with colouring templates featuring traditional Indian food and more. 
  • Experience Bollyrobics and Bollybeats: Get grooving with Singapore Sports Hub’s Experience Sports Session where patrons can enjoy the thrill of dance and staying active. The fitness-focused Bollyrobics and Bollybeats classes combine elements of Bollywood, Bhangra, and other Indian dance styles with aerobic exercises and strength training to provide high-energy, fun workouts for people of all ages! 

Don't miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities. Grab your family and friends and join us at Celebrate Deepavali! More information can be viewed on the Sports Hub website here.

10. 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!

 



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This article is prepared by

Malini Pannirselvam
Dedicated writer by day, avid reader by night, language fanatic all the time, and aunt to nieces and nephews every day

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