Deepavali in Singapore: What It Really Looks Like (Photo Tour)

Every year, as Deepavali approaches, Singapore’s Little India transforms completely. Streets that are already bursting with life find a way to shine even brighter. The smell of incense and spices mixes with the sweetness of freshly made jalebi and laddoo. Music drifts from shopfronts while strings of colorful lights turn every corner into a glowing masterpiece.

This is the time when Serangoon Road transforms into the heartbeat of celebration. From the glowing arches near Tekka Centre to the lively Deepavali Festival Village, everything feels alive and full of energy.

I spent an evening wandering through it all with my camera, hoping to capture the true spirit of Deepavali in Singapore. The laughter, the colors, the sense of togetherness. All these are things you have to experience in person to truly understand.

This photo story is my way of taking you along that walk. It is a glimpse into Deepavali, known to many as Diwali, as I saw and felt it in Singapore, moment by moment, light by light.

Where Deepavali Comes Alive

I started my walk near Serangoon Road, the neighborhood’s main artery. From a distance, you can already see the glow. Arches of light stretch across the street, each one crafted with peacocks, lotus flowers, and diyas. The traffic barely moves, but no one seems to mind. The air hums with Tamil music and the occasional honk of a passing bus.

The first thing that caught my eye was a massive mural. It wasn’t just paint, it was a story. Bright blues, yellows, and reds covered the wall beside a narrow lane filled with people and the aroma of masala. It felt like an open invitation into Little India’s soul.

A few steps further, I reached Serangoon Road’s evening traffic. Headlights, street lights, and Deepavali lanterns blended into one long stream of motion. Hawkers shouted, families took selfies, and buses passed under glowing arches. Everything and everyone moved to the same rhythm.

Outside Nalan Restaurant, a cheerful “Happy Deepavali” banner stretched across the façade, fluttering slightly in the warm night air. Even restaurants joined in the celebration, decorating, greeting, and sharing sweets with customers who stopped by for a meal.

By the time I reached the main intersection, the crowd under the Deepavali lights had grown. People of all ages, tourists, locals, and families, gathered shoulder to shoulder, eyes turned upward. The light from the arches bathed everything in gold and violet.

And then came the Deepavali street lights over Serangoon Road, grand, intricate, and alive. Visitors paused mid-step just to take it all in, cameras flashing, laughter echoing. This was the gateway to the celebration, where the night began to truly shimmer.

People and Atmosphere

What makes Deepavali in Singapore so special isn’t just the lights or the decorations. To me, it is all about the people. Everywhere I turned, there was a sense of joy and togetherness that made the entire neighborhood feel like one big celebration.

Along Serangoon Road, I saw tourists stopping under the light arches to take photos, laughing as the traffic rolled by behind them. The glow of the festival lights reflected on their faces, creating a perfect blend of motion, color, and emotion. It didn’t matter where anyone came from, everyone wanted to be part of this moment.

A few steps away, Little India Arcade was buzzing. The air was filled with the scent of jasmine, incense, and sweet milk desserts. Crowds squeezed through the small entrance, eager to shop for decorations, jewelry, and boxes of sweets to share with family.

Inside Moghul Sweet Shop, customers stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting to buy their favorite treats. Laddoos, barfi, and gulab jamun were stacked high behind the glass. The owners smiled nonstop, moving from one order to another, handing over brightly packed boxes that seemed to represent happiness itself.

Outside, the queue stretched along the pavement. Children held balloons, families chatted, and the scent of cardamom and fried snacks drifted through the air. Even in the crowd, there was calmness and joy, as if everyone understood that waiting was just part of the celebration.

Back on the street, a green SG bus rolled under rows of lights, its windows reflecting the colors above. The mix of old and new, tradition and modern life, is what makes Deepavali feel so alive. People smiled through bus windows, waved to friends on the sidewalk, and took in the beauty all around them.

At one crossing, I noticed a man walking slowly under the arches, his eyes fixed on the lights above. It was a quiet, personal moment amid all the noise and movement. Deepavali in Singapore has that rare balance. It’s a festival for thousands, but it still manages to touch you in small, intimate ways.

Markets and Decorations

If Serangoon Road is the face of the festival, then the markets are its heart. Every alley and corner of Little India turns into a glowing maze of colors, sounds, and smells. This is where Deepavali truly comes alive.

The Deepavali market stalls were overflowing with color. Strings of LED diyas blinked beside flower garlands, and the air was heavy with the scent of incense and jasmine. Every table looked like a work of art, and every seller had a story to tell.

I followed the crowd through a narrow lane packed with shoppers moving shoulder to shoulder. The energy was contagious. Laughter mixed with the sound of vendors calling out deals, and every turn revealed another explosion of light and color.

One stall displayed handcrafted decorations, while another sold bright plastic diyas and shimmering tapestries. Shoppers paused to admire the details, and stall owners proudly adjusted their displays. It felt like walking through a living art gallery made by the community.

Further down, the aroma of clay filled the air. Rows of handmade oil lamps were lined up neatly beside baskets of flowers. A woman explained how each diya represents the victory of light over darkness, and suddenly these tiny objects felt deeply symbolic.

Among all the noise, one hanging ornament caught my eye. It sparkled softly under the market lights, surrounded by motion and chatter. Sometimes the smallest things tell the biggest stories.

At one stall, vendors sat cross-legged, threading flowers into long garlands. Marigold, jasmine, and rose petals were everywhere. The fragrance was so strong it felt like walking through a garden.

Just beside them, bright yellow and purple garlands hung like ribbons of sunlight. Each one was handcrafted with care. You could see the pride on the vendors’ faces as they worked through the night to meet the demand.

The marigolds stood out the most. Their rich orange tones glowed under the streetlights, adding a natural warmth that no artificial light could match. Every garland seemed to carry the essence of Deepavali itself.

At the end of the lane, tables were filled with colorful rangoli patterns and shimmering diyas. Families browsed, pointing and smiling, deciding which ones to bring home. These little details, made with love, are what transform homes into sanctuaries of light during Deepavali.

Landmarks and Food

After exploring the markets, I made my way toward some of Little India’s most famous landmarks, where the spirit of Deepavali blends beautifully with everyday life. Even the places that people visit year-round seemed to shine brighter during the festival season.

The Little India Arcade looked timeless under its soft lights. The colonial-style façade glowed gently as crowds streamed in and out. Inside, every shop was alive with music, chatter, and the scent of incense and sweets. It felt like stepping back in time while still being in the middle of modern Singapore.

When the aroma of spices became impossible to resist, I stopped for a meal. A simple dosa with curry and a glass of lassi tasted better than ever. Around me, families and friends shared food, laughter, and conversation. During Deepavali, every meal feels like a celebration.

Next, I headed to the legendary Mustafa Centre, a place that never sleeps. Even late at night, the aisles were full of shoppers looking for jewelry, fabrics, and gifts. The energy was constant, and every display seemed to sparkle just a little brighter in the festive season.

At the entrance stood a giant peacock display made of lights and shimmering fabric. It was impossible to miss. The peacock, a sacred symbol of beauty and renewal in Indian culture, felt like the perfect emblem for the Festival of Lights.

Before leaving, I stopped at Bacos Café, tucked inside Mustafa Centre. The tables were filled with people from everywhere, sharing stories over cups of tea and plates of Indian snacks.

Festival Village and Final Impressions

As night deepened, the rhythm of Little India reached its peak. The Deepavali Festival Village had turned into a sea of color and motion, with people moving between stalls, lights, and music. It was impossible not to feel swept up in the excitement.

The Festival Village stretched for blocks, packed with families, tourists, and vendors. Every few meters, there was something new ranging from music to the sound of people calling out greetings of “Happy Deepavali.” It felt like the entire city had come together in one neighborhood.

Rows of colorful lights hung overhead, leading visitors deeper into the heart of the celebration. The streets shimmered as people stopped to admire decorations or shop for last-minute gifts. It was part market, part open-air carnival, and entirely joyous.

At the entrance, crowds gathered under arches of light, waiting to step inside. You could hear music from traditional drums mixing with the hum of conversation and laughter.

Inside the market lanes, families browsed stalls filled with toys, jewelry, and lamps. Children tugged at their parents’ hands, pointing excitedly at glowing decorations. The energy was warm and welcoming, a reflection of what Deepavali is all about.

Vendors displayed brightly colored sarees and kurtas, each piece glowing under the lights. It was a superb visual celebration of culture and craft.

One of the last stops on my walk was the Jothi shop, where golden garlands and shimmering ornaments filled every inch of space. The smell of fresh flowers and incense lingered in the air. Even after hours of exploring, I didn’t want to leave.

By the end of the night, my camera was full, my feet were tired, and my heart was full too. Deepavali in Singapore isn’t something you just see because you actually also feel it. It’s in the laughter that fills Serangoon Road, the warm greetings exchanged between strangers, and the endless glow of lights that seem to stretch beyond the street and into the soul of the city.