Deepavali 2027 falls on Thursday, October 28, 2027, and it’s gazetted as Singapore’s official public holiday for the festival. Since the date lands on a weekday rather than a Sunday, there’s no in-lieu day this year, but taking a single day of leave on Friday, October 29 stretches it into a four-day weekend.
Deepavali 2027 at a Glance
| Detail | 2027 Date |
|---|---|
| Deepavali — Singapore’s gazetted holiday (Naraka Chaturdashi) | Thursday, 28 October 2027 |
| India’s main Diwali night (Lakshmi Puja) | Friday, 29 October 2027 |
| Dhanteras (festival start) | Wednesday, 27 October 2027 |
| Govardhan Puja | Saturday, 30 October 2027 |
| Bhai Dooj (festival close) | Sunday, 31 October 2027 |
This is confirmed on the Ministry of Manpower’s official 2027 public holidays release, which gazettes Deepavali on Thursday, 28 October 2027 as one of Singapore’s 11 public holidays for the year.
Is Deepavali a Public Holiday in Singapore in 2027?
Yes. Deepavali is one of Singapore’s 11 gazetted public holidays under the Employment Act, and it remains the most significant festival of the year for the country’s Indian-Hindu community. Because October 28, 2027 falls on a Thursday — not a weekend — there’s no substitute Monday this year, unlike in 2026 when the Sunday date triggered an in-lieu holiday.
Employees required to work on the holiday are entitled to an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay, per MOM’s public holiday pay guidelines. Since Deepavali falls on a Thursday, taking one day of annual leave on Friday, October 29 turns it into a four-day break from Thursday through Sunday.
How Deepavali is Celebrated in Singapore
Little India begins its transformation into a corridor of lights weeks ahead of the holiday. On the day itself, families typically observe:
- Oil bath before dawn — a ritual cleansing many Tamil Hindu households practice on the morning of the festival.
- Temple visits — Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple see the heaviest footfall during the festival period.
- Kolam (rangoli) designs — floor patterns made from colored rice powder, laid at entrances to welcome prosperity.
- Diya lighting — oil lamps lit at home and in temples, the ritual that gives the festival its name.
- Little India light-up — Serangoon Road stays decorated with festive lights, and stalls sell sweets, gold, and new clothes throughout the run-up to the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact date of Deepavali 2027?
Deepavali 2027 falls on Thursday, October 28, 2027, and is Singapore’s official gazetted public holiday for the festival.
Is Deepavali a public holiday in Singapore in 2027?
Yes. It’s one of Singapore’s 11 gazetted public holidays. Because it falls on a Thursday rather than a Sunday, there’s no substitute in-lieu day this year.
Why is Singapore’s Deepavali a day before India’s main Diwali in 2027?
Singapore follows the Tamil tradition, which observes Deepavali on Naraka Chaturdashi (October 28, 2027). North India’s main Lakshmi Puja night falls the following day, Friday, October 29, 2027.
How can I get a long weekend around Deepavali 2027?
Since Deepavali falls on Thursday, October 28, taking a single day of annual leave on Friday, October 29 creates a four-day weekend running through Sunday, October 31.
Also see: Sikh Holidays 2027: Complete Calendar