Check out the lights at Little India on an open-top bus tour, sign up for cooking demos and trishaw rides plus a ton of other Deepavali events in Singapore to experience the Festival of Lights with your fam!

One of the biggest festivals in the Hindu calendar, Deepavali (or Diwali) is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Want to experience this colourful festival for yourself? There’s plenty happening in the Little India district in October 2022! Check out our list of Deepavali activities and events in Singapore to get into the spirit.

         Read more: Kid-friendly Guide to Celebrating Deepavali

↓ Read on for some great 2022 Deepavali events in Singapore to celebrate the Festival of Light!

Little India 2022 Deepavali Light-Up

This year’s vibrant Deepavali light-up in Little India is a music-themed one, and you’ll see various Indian classical instruments such as the veena, tabla and more. The multi-coloured lights will be visible all along Serangoon Road and Race Course Road.

When: 16 September – 13 November 2022, 7pm – midnight daily
Where: Serangoon Road and Race Course Road
How much: FREE

Deepavali Open House at Indian Heritage Centre (IHC)

This popular Deepavali event in Singapore is back and better than before! The IHC Deepavali Open House will feature a month of festive programmes for the whole family – each Deepavali activity is designed to showcase various elements of the Festival of Lights, and almost all are kid-friendly. Sign up for craft workshops and cooking demos, heritage tails and performances and evening trishaw guides.

When: 1 – 2, 8 – 9, 15 – 16 & 22 – 23 October 2022; 10am – 6pm
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: Admission is free for all during Open House days, but some programmes are chargeable. Click here for more information.

Deepavali Festive Decorations

Snap a pic with a miniature replica of the Little India Deepavali street light-up arch at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC). The replica was a hit last year, and the 2022 Deepavali edition will feature oil lamps and peacock designs. Pssst! From 1 – 31 October, take a photo at IHC, upload it onto your social media with the hashtag #IHCDeepavali, and redeem limited-edition money packets from IHC!

When: 16 September – 31 October 2022
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: Free!

Little India Trishaw Trails

Get into the spirit of Deepavali with the Indian Heritage Centre’s Trishaw Trails! Happening on Friday evenings, you can sit back and enjoy a 15-minute trishaw ride through Little India, where you’ll get to take in the festival sights, sounds and festivities. Tickets are released on a weekly basis and sell out very quickly, so check the registration page often for new dates.

When: 30 September, 7, 14 & 21 October 2022; 6pm – 8pm
Where: Little India. Meetup instructions will be given upon registration.
How much: $10. Click here to register.

Deepavali Big Bus Tour

Love a hop-on, hop-off bus tour when you travel? There’s a Deepavali activity similar to it this Deepavali! This open-top bus tour will introduce you to the Little India precinct and give you a fab vantage point of all the vibrant lights and decorations. How’s that for a smashing photo opportunity?

When: 1, 8, 15 & 22 October 2022; 6pm – 8pm
Where: Little India. Further instructions will be given upon registration.
How much: $10. Click here to register.

LiSHA’s Family Game Challenge cum Carnival

Bond as a family at this Deepavali activity, where you’ll play games, solve puzzles and have a whole load of fun. Open to kids aged 12 and above, you’ll need to register as a family of 4 people by 25 September 2022 to secure a slot. Participants must reside in Singapore and the top three winners will receive awesome prizes.

When: 1 October 2022, 10am – 8pm
Where: Poli @ Clive Street
How much: Free! Click here for more details.

Drop-in Activities @ IHC

The Indian Heritage Centre is going above and beyond to fill your days with exciting drop-in Deepavali activities. Swing by to let the kids participate in oil lamp decorating workshops, watch the making of Ramayana shadow puppets that tell the story of Deepavali and much more!

When: 1 – 23 October 2022
Where: Indian Heritage Centre Lobby, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: Free! Click here for details.

Little India Heritage Trail Guided Tour

Little India is chockfull of history, but how much do you know about the businesses and the culture that keep the district buzzing? Learn all that and more on this guided heritage trail, which will feature Street Corner Heritage Galleries – Little India, a collection of heritage businesses highlighted by the National Heritage Board. You’ll hear anecdotes from first- and second-generation business owners and trace the entire district’s cultural evolution.

When: 1, 8, 15 & 22 October 2022; 10:30am – 12pm
Where: Little India. Meetup instructions will be given upon registration.
How much: $10. Click here to purchase tickets.

Community LEGO Mural

Want to create a rangoli design with the kids? Do it the modern way with LEGO bricks! Head down to the Indian Heritage Centre for this community-based Deepavali event in Singapore, where you’ll get to fill coloured LEGO bricks into a white rangoli outline, which has been designed in collaboration with LEGO artist Jeffrey Kong.

When: 1 – 23 October 2022
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: Free! Click here for details.

LiSHA Deepavali Live Cooking Demo

Learn how to make all sorts of holiday goodies and traditional dishes at this Deepavali event in Singapore. This cooking demo will be streamed live on the LiSHA Facebook page.

When: 1 October 2022, 4pm – 6:30pm
Where: Online
How much: Free! Click here for more details.

Dhandiya Night

Come dressed in your best Indian outfit and get ready for a night of dancing at this Deepavali event in Singapore! Expect dhol players to entertain throughout the gathering and enjoy a wide range of performances. There are prizes to be won for the best-dressed participants and the best dancers too. A vegetarian bento dinner will be provided for attendees.

When: 8 October 2022, 7pm – 10pm
Where: Pasir Ris Elias Community Club, Multi-Purpose Hall, 93 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Level 2, Singapore 519498
How much: $15 per pax (free for kids under age 3). Tickets can be purchased at the Community Club Counter.

South Asians Abroad: A Diwali Meetup

This Deepavali event in Singapore is for adults who want to make new friends and experience South Asian culture! Not only will you get to savour regional Indian food and snacks, but you’ll also get to participate in Deepavali activities at the Rangoli station, get henna art and enjoy various performances.

When: 15 October 2022, 6:30pm – 10pm
Where: Crane Robertson Quay, The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Road #01-06/07, Singapore 239351
How much:$15 for members; $20 for non-members. Click here to purchase tickets.

Clay Oil Lamp Mandala Painting Workshop

This Deepavali event in Singapore will see participants decorating their own clay oil lamps with mandala dot paintings. Take home these clay lamps afterwards and light them for a touch of colour and brightness in your home.

When: 15 & 16 October 2022; 2pm – 3:30pm & 4pm – 5:30pm
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: $10. Click here to purchase tickets.

Festive Deepavali Cooking Demos

Join celebrity chefs Devagi Sanmugam and Vasunthara Ramasamy (Masterchef Singapore Season 2 contestant) as they teach you how to make festive Deepavali meals for breakfast and lunch. You’ll get to sample the dishes afterwards, so bring your appetite!

When: 15, 16 & 23 October 2022; 10:30am – 12pm
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: $10. Click here for tickets to chef Devagi’s masterclass & click here for tickets to Vasunthara Ramasamy’s cooking demo.

Deepavali in Animal Land

Sign your little ones up for this Deepavali activity in Singapore, where they’ll be immersed in the Festival of Light’s traditions and values in an interactive storytelling session by AKT Creations. The musical performance will be complemented by fun craft sessions to keep kids engaged.

When: 22 October 2022; 11:30am, 2pm & 3:30pm
Where: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
How much: $10. Click here to purchase tickets.