The Deepavali Open House 2026 at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) runs from 17 October to 8 November 2026, with free admission and extended Saturday hours until 8pm. This year the Centre becomes a House of Memories, recreating the settings, traditions and experiences that many Singaporeans associate with Deepavali.
Deepavali Open House 2026: what to see
The Level 1 lobby features a Yesteryear Images installation alongside an Heirloom Saree Display. A photo exhibition and digital showcase present archival Deepavali images from across generations, while three sarees contributed by the community spotlight personal family stories and how these garments are kept, worn and passed down.
Nostalgic activities for all ages
Drop-in activities include a Vintage Photo Booth and Dress Up station inspired by retro Deepavali portraits, DIY Mini Mithai box decorating, Clay Brooch Painting with peacock motifs and a vintage Deepavali Card Station for writing and mailing postcards. A short quiz lets participants redeem limited-edition Deepavali money packets.
Extended Saturday hours and live performances
IHC stays open until 8pm on Saturday evenings throughout the Open House period. The facade and Campbell Lane host live music and dance performances, with special Saturday night showcases by precinct partners Gayathri Dance Academy and AKT, set against the precinct light-up.
Mini Deepavali Expo and workshops
On Level 2, the Mini Deepavali Expo brings the traditional street market indoors, with curated stalls offering sarees, handcrafted items and beauty products for festive shopping.
IHC has also lined up ticketed workshops, including hands-on Indian miniature painting and Biryani Stories culinary masterclasses featuring North and South Indian biryani styles. The festive identity extends across Little India through a custom mural at Little India MRT station, weekend craft pop-ups and a bus wrap collaboration with the Land Transport Authority.
Plan your visit
Dates: 17 October to 8 November 2026 (Saturdays and Sundays, various timings). Venue: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924, with activations across Little India. Admission: free, with selected ticketed masterclasses. Full programme details are at indianheritage.gov.sg.
Making a day of it? See our guides to the Deepavali Festival Village bazaar on Campbell Lane, Deepavali set menus and mithai boxes and our weekend things to do. Release details and images courtesy of the Indian Heritage Centre and the National Heritage Board.
