Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, marking Kartik Amavasya, the new-moon night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. In Singapore, because the holiday lands on a Sunday, Monday, November 9, 2026 is observed as the public holiday in lieu, giving most workers a three-day weekend.
Deepavali 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | 2026 Date |
|---|---|
| Deepavali / Diwali (main day) | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Singapore public holiday (in lieu) | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| Tamil reckoning: Naraka Chaturdashi | Saturday, 7 November 2026 |
| Dhanteras (festival start) | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday, 9 November 2026 |
| Bhai Dooj (festival close) | Tuesday, 10 or Wednesday, 11 November 2026 |
This is confirmed on the Ministry of Manpower’s official 2026 public holidays release, which gazettes Deepavali on 8 November 2026 with Monday, 9 November 2026 as the substitute holiday.
The Five-Day Diwali Calendar for 2026
While Singapore gazettes only one public holiday, the broader festival — especially as celebrated in India — spans five days, each with its own ritual significance:
| Day | 2026 Date | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, 6 November | Dhanteras — buying gold, silver, or new utensils for prosperity |
| Day 2 | Saturday, 7 November | Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali — early morning oil bath, minor lamp-lighting |
| Day 3 | Sunday, 8 November | Main Diwali / Lakshmi Puja — worship of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity |
| Day 4 | Monday, 9 November | Govardhan Puja / Annakut — thanksgiving rituals in North India |
| Day 5 | Tuesday/Wednesday, 10–11 November | Bhai Dooj — celebrating the sibling bond |
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat (auspicious worship window) on the main night typically falls in the early evening, during Pradosh Kaal after sunset; exact timings vary by city, so check a local panchang if you’re observing this ritual.
How Deepavali Is Celebrated in Singapore
Singapore’s celebrations center on Little India, which transforms into a corridor of lights weeks before the holiday. Here’s what to expect on the day itself:
- Oil bath before dawn — a ritual cleansing many Tamil Hindu families observe before sunrise on the main day.
- Temple visits — Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple are the two most visited sites during the festival period.
- Kolam (rangoli) designs — intricate floor patterns made from colored rice powder, laid at doorsteps to welcome prosperity.
- Diya lighting — oil lamps lit at home and in temples, giving the festival its literal name (“row of lamps”).
- Little India light-up — Serangoon Road is decorated with festive lights and stalls selling sweets, gold, and new clothes in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
What’s Open and Closed in Singapore on Deepavali
Most businesses, schools, and government offices close on the gazetted public holiday. Shopping malls and Little India’s commercial strip typically stay open, since the run-up to Deepavali is one of the busiest retail periods of the year for festive shopping. If you’re planning to visit Little India, expect heavy crowds in the evenings in the days immediately before the festival — going on the MRT to Little India or Farrer Park station is generally easier than driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact date of Deepavali 2026?
Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on Kartik Amavasya (the new moon of the Hindu month of Kartik).
Is Deepavali a public holiday in Singapore in 2026?
Yes. It’s a gazetted public holiday. Because November 8, 2026 is a Sunday, Monday, November 9, 2026 becomes the observed public holiday.
Do I get paid extra if I work on Deepavali in Singapore?
Yes. Employees covered under Singapore’s Employment Act who work on a gazetted public holiday are entitled to an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay, on top of their usual pay for that day, unless a substitute day off is mutually agreed.
Also see: