Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Singapore lights up Little India and treats Deepavali as a public holiday; Mauritius lists Divali as a public holiday on the same Sunday; London’s free Diwali on the Square is earlier, on Sunday 25 October; and Dubai’s season centres on temples and the Global Village, which opens on 14 October. Indians need a visa for Singapore and the UK.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you would rather spend Diwali abroad this year, these four cities have large Indian communities and a festival season you can plan around. We list only dates we could confirm, and say plainly where a programme has not been announced.
What is Diwali like in Singapore?
Deepavali in Singapore falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. The Ministry of Manpower notes that Monday 9 November 2026 is a public holiday if your rest day falls on 8 November, so many people get a long weekend.
Little India is the centre of the season. The street light-up ceremony was held on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Birch Road, and the lights stay on through the festival period. A Festival Village runs on Campbell Lane from 10 October to 8 November 2026 from 7 pm, and closes on Deepavali itself. The lights switch on in the evening, so plan your visit for after dark.
Visa basics: Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Singapore. Singapore’s immigration authority says applications are made through an authorised visa agent or a Singapore Overseas Mission, not at the immigration counter, so start well before you fly.
Where can you celebrate Diwali in Dubai?
Dubai follows the same festival dates as India, so Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday 8 November. Temples and community groups hold prayers and gatherings around the festival. We could not find an official 2026 Diwali programme from Dubai’s tourism authority, so check its channels closer to the date rather than trusting third-party event lists.
One thing that is confirmed: Global Village opens its 31st season on Wednesday 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027, and India is among its country pavilions. Our Global Village guide has the season details, and the Dubai Shopping Festival guide covers the next big sale season.
Visa basics: A visa-on-arrival style entry is available for some Indian passport holders who hold a valid US, UK or EU visa or residence permit and meet the passport-validity rule, and others need a tourist visa arranged through an airline or the UAE’s official channels. Conditions change, so check the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) or the airline before booking.
What is Diwali on the Square in London?
London’s free Diwali on the Square festival is organised by the Mayor of London with the Diwali in London committee. The Mayor’s official page lists it for Sunday 25 October 2026 at Trafalgar Square, from 1 pm to 7 pm, with no ticket needed. That is two weeks before Diwali itself, so you can plan one trip to see the festival and another for the festival day, or just choose the weekend that suits you.
The programme is described as including music and dance from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and family activities. Programmes can change, so check the Mayor’s page nearer the date.
Visa basics: Indian travellers need a visa for UK visits. The UK government’s Standard Visitor visa usually allows a stay of up to six months, and the fee for the six-month visa is £135. Apply through the UK government’s official site and allow time for biometrics.
How does Mauritius celebrate Divali?
Mauritius lists Divali as a public holiday on Sunday 8 November 2026 in the Government’s public holidays notices for 2026. Because the holiday falls on a Sunday, check whether any local arrangement gives you a Monday off, since we could not confirm one.
Flights: IndiGo’s own website lists non-stop flights to Mauritius from Bengaluru, and other airlines serve India and Mauritius directly or with a connection. Frequencies are modest and connecting flights are common, so confirm the current timetable with the airline.
Visa basics: Entry rules for Indian passport holders are set by Mauritius’s Passport and Immigration Office. We could not confirm the permitted length of stay from an official page, so check it with the Passport and Immigration Office or the Mauritius mission before you book.
How should you plan and book Diwali flights?
Diwali is a peak period for Indians both leaving India and returning to family, so fares on popular routes tend to be higher the closer you get. Book early, compare a few departure days either side of the festival, and keep your passport validity (many countries want six months) in view. Check the visa step first, because it can take longer than the flight search.
Common Questions
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November.
Is Deepavali a public holiday in Singapore in 2026?
Yes. It falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, and the Ministry of Manpower says Monday 9 November is a public holiday if your rest day falls on the Sunday.
When is Diwali on the Square 2026 in London?
Sunday 25 October 2026, from 1 pm to 7 pm at Trafalgar Square. It is free.
Does Dubai have an official Diwali festival?
We could not confirm an official 2026 citywide programme. Temples and community groups hold events, and Global Village opens on 14 October.
Do Indians need a visa for Mauritius?
Check the Passport and Immigration Office or the Mauritius mission for the rule that applies to your passport before you book. We did not find an official page we could cite for the length of stay.
Which is the cheapest city to fly to for Diwali?
It depends on your dates and departure city, and fares change daily. Search a few dates and set a price alert.
Searching for a Diwali trip abroad? Compare flights on HappyFares, set a price alert for your dates, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to find options. Travel insurance is available when you book.
Festival programmes, visa rules and airline schedules change. Verify current details with the official event organiser, the destination’s immigration authority and your airline before you travel.
