As Deepavali 2025 approaches on 20 October, the familiar buzz of celebration fills both Singapore and Malaysia. Lights shimmer, kolams bloom, and the scent of festive sweets floats through markets and malls.
Across borders, the Festival of Lights shines as a reminder of shared heritage and joy.
Singapore: Lights, Culture, and Colour in Little India
Little India has once again transformed into a spectacle of light and festivity. The annual Deepavali Street Light-Up stretches from Tekka Centre down Serangoon Road, dazzling with peacock motifs, bright archways, and intricate displays.
This year’s light-up runs from 6 September to 9 November, illuminating the district from 7pm till midnight on weekdays and up to 1am on weekends — perfect for late-night wanderers soaking in the atmosphere.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has joined in the celebrations, partnering with the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) and the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC).
Commuters can spot Deepavali-themed trains, buses, and MRT stations across the city.
The Little India MRT station features a striking mural co-created by artist Jayesh Sachdev and 60 seniors from the Sunlove Active Ageing Centre, blending tradition with community spirit.
Events to Catch in Singapore
Festivities in Little India go far beyond the lights. Sassy Mama SG shares, the Deepavali Festival Village at Campbell Lane and Hastings Road brims with stalls selling traditional attire, festive snacks, jewellery, and home decor.
From 20 September to 19 October, the bazaar stays open until midnight daily, drawing crowds of locals and tourists hunting for Deepavali must-haves.
On 6 September, the Utsavam Street Parade kicked off the season with cultural performances, music, and dance along Serangoon Road.
Families can also head to the Indian Heritage Centre’s Carnival Open House (27 September–19 October) for craft workshops, live performances, and cultural storytelling sessions, open until 8pm on weekends.
For a hands-on experience, visitors can join a free flower-tying workshop at Tekka Place on 11 October, or learn traditional attire styling in saree and dhoti draping classes.
Those looking for something unique can hop aboard the Deepavali Big Bus Tour, which cruises through Little India’s glittering streets — a perfect way to take in the view without the crowd.
Malaysia: Festive Displays Brighten Malls
Across the Causeway, Malaysia’s malls have embraced Deepavali with grandeur. Shopping centres across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are competing in creativity, transforming their spaces into photo-worthy showcases of Indian artistry.
At Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the Diya Deepavali theme celebrates the diya — the symbolic flame representing hope and unity.
Its centrepiece, a Mughal Princess–inspired kolam at the main entrance, draws shoppers into a space that fuses heritage and elegance.
In Putrajaya, IOI City Mall’s Luminous Legacy features a majestic elephant centrepiece surrounded by florals and kolams — a dreamy backdrop that feels like stepping into a royal courtyard.
Flash mobs were also observed at Berjaya Tmes Square in Kuala Lumpur.
Further north, Penang’s Queensbay mall illuminates in Deepavali cheer.
One TikTok user thanked the place for taking part in the festivities, showing that every celebration belongs in the multinational cities.
Festive Bazaars and Cultural Buzz Across Malaysia
Deepavali spirit spills beyond the malls into Malaysia’s bustling markets and bazaars. In Kuala Lumpur, Brickfields’ Riverside Little India Carnival (5–19 October) remains a cultural highlight, complete with stage performances and rows of stalls selling sweets, sarees, and jewellery.
Nearby, Jalan Masjid India’s Deepavali Bazaar (29 September–19 October) draws massive crowds each year, famous for its gold jewellery shops and festive snacks. DBKL has announced temporary road closures in the area to make way for visitors and ensure safety.
Beyond the capital, the celebrations stretch nationwide. The Agenda Suria carnival in Bukit Jalil hosts live performances by local artistes, while the ECR Carnival in Shah Alam features premium Deepavali fashion.
Down south, Johor’s Southern International Deepavali Expo and Galleria@Kotaraya’s festive market showcase everything from jewellery to masala tea, bringing Deepavali’s charm to every corner of the country.
A Shared Glow Across Borders
From Singapore’s MRT stations to Malaysia’s fragrant bazaars, Deepavali 2025 unites both nations in celebration.
Whether you are wandering beneath the peacocks of Serangoon or posing beside a kolam in Pavilion KL, the message is the same — light will always find a way to shine through.
Watch videos here:
@vaneshbiloo Thank you Queensbay Mall for the beautiful Deepavali decoration #deepavali #queensbaymall #penang #fypage #CapCut
@sky2mountain Today:Pavillion Bukitbintange😍🇲🇾 #malaysia #foryourpage #trending #travelling #explorer
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
‘You can use the money to celebrate Deepavali’: A Singaporean’s Kindness to a Foreign Worker
Blending Traditions: Chinese Lion Dance Joins Hindu Kavadi in Singapore’s Thaipusam Festivities!
Authorities step in to resolve Deepavali Stalls Shutdown in Brickfields, KL
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