From music and munchies, to making smooth moves, mark your calendar for exciting Deepavali pleasures you don’t want to miss!
With energetic fringe events, great offers and scrumptious eats, Deepavali is the perfect festival — and excuse — to trot down to Little India and soak up the festive cheer. The best bit ― it’s all happening after sundown, so can cross dealing with the fierce sun off your list of worries!
First up, catch the Deepavali street lights from 7pm to midnight daily, until November 12 —when you arrive at the junction of Serangoon Road and Race Course Road. Get set to snap colourful photos at various photo-taking points at the stretch of Serangoon and Kinta Roads.
Also, check out other cheery Diwali events happening in Little India and beyond:
1. Deepavali Festival Village
WHAT Your kiddos will dig getting matching henna art with you and who knows, you might just spot an appealing kurta or sari at this bustling bazaar for junior’s next Racial Harmony Day in school. By the way, your brood won’t be able to resist the toothsome snacks at the stalls, from murukku to sinfully sweet traditional Indian cookies and desserts. Keep an eye out, too, for stalls selling multi-hued ornaments and intricate wood carvings to dress up your home!
WHERE Campbell Lane and Hastings Road; 11am to 10pm until 28 October.
2. Deepavali Craft & Heritage Exhibition
WHAT Get a parrot astrologer from India to tell your fortunes. After the bird picks out several tarot card, the astrologer will decode them to forecast your future. Also, you can take a good look at how traditional craftsmen sculpt elaborate decorative pieces!
WHERE Campbell Lane and Hastings Road; 11am to 10pm until 28 October.
3. Festival of Lights @ POLI
WHAT Move to the hypnotic beat of customary Indian music at cultural performances taking place at various Project Oasis at Little India (POLI) sites along Clive Street. Get up close with the performers and who knows, junior might even pick up a move or two by the end of the night!
WHERE POLI sites along Clive Street; 7pm to 9pm, every Friday and Saturday until 28 October.
4. The Istana Open House
WHAT For wide open spaces for your kids to run wild in on Deepavali, make a beeline for the Istana as this is one of five dates the grounds is open to the public. Keep your eyes peeled for entertaining shows, or go on a guided tour of selected function rooms in the Istana building, to view a display of gifts presented to the President and Prime Minister. Keen to learn about the different types of flora and fauna adorning the Istana grounds? There’s a guided walk for that, too.
WHERE Istana, Orchard Road; 8.30am to 6pm. October 29.
HOW MUCH Entry to the Istana grounds of is free for all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs); $2 for all other visitors. Entry to the main Istana building costs $2 for adult Singaporeans and PRs; $2 for a child aged 4 to 12. Guided Istana tours or nature walks cost $4 per adult and $2 per child. A package for a family of four is $12. For all other visitors — entry to the main Istana building costs $4 per adult; $2 per child; Guided Istana tours or nature walks cost $10 per adult, $2 per child. A package for a family of four is $30.
5. Deepavali Lunch & Dinner Buffet at StraitsKitchen
WHAT What better way to bond with the family than over a long and scrumptious feast of North and South Indian cuisine? Besides naan and roti to accompany tandoori meat, try the dhum briyani before you attack the dessert spread. If the older folks aren’t keen on Indian food, the Chinese, Malay and Peranakan offerings will surely please.
WHERE StraitsKitchen, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road; Call 6732-1234 to reserve.
HOW MUCH The buffet lunch is served between noon and 2:30pm ― $58++ per adult and $32++ per child; Dinner is served from 6:30pm to 10:30pm ― $68 ++ per adult and $38++ per child. Prices include free-flow juices. A group of six adult diners and more will receive a 20 per cent discount. Offer available from 28 to 30 October.
Continue reading for four other family-friendly activities to should check out!
6. Parent-Child Workshop: Basic Indian Dance
WHAT For a deeper insight into the art of traditional Indian dance, plus learn a simple routine, sign up for this engaging workshop. Every gesture and posture conveys a different meaning, ranging from the nature to animal elements. Then make use of what you’ve learnt to win a game of dance charade that’ll pit you against another pair! Just turn up in comfortable attire and get ready to move to the rhythmic Indian beat.
WHERE Esplanade Rehearsal Studio; 10am, 19 November. For children aged 5 and above. Accompanying participant must be aged 16 and above.
HOW MUCH $24 for each parent-and-child pair.
7. Rangoli Fun with Vijaya Mohan
WHAT Discover the meaning behind the visual masterpieces called rangoli —floor art ― a common sight at the entrance of all Hindu households during the Festival of Lights. Junior and you will try making one to bring home during this interactive workshop, which is also a great way to introduce your child to different shapes and colours!
WHERE PIP’s PLAYbox at the Esplanade; 3.15pm and 4.45pm, 19, 20, 26 and 27 November. For children aged 3 to 6. Limited places allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. Parents are encouraged to attend with their kids.
HOW MUCH Free.
8. Parent-Child Workshop: Basic Yoga
WHAT Increased physical flexibility and muscle strength, weight loss, better tone and a balanced metabolism are just some of the many benefits of doing regular yoga. Learn how to include your little one in the different postures and positions of this workout, which has its roots in India. This is the best time to nurture junior into an expert yogi as he’s young and hence, super-flexible!
WHERE Esplanade Rehearsal Studio; 10am, 20 November. For children aged 5 and above. Accompanying participant must be aged 16 and above. Bring your own yoga mats.
HOW MUCH $24 for each parent and child pair.
9. Utterly, Butter-ly Stories of Krishna
WHAT You’ll embark on an exciting journey with your little one in this musical that showcases young Lord Krishna’s — a Hindu deity — many adventures. This ranges from defeating demonic serpents to gaining divine powers ― enough to lift a mountain with his little finger!
WHERE Esplanade Recital Studio; 11am, 2pm and 5pm, 27 November. For children aged from 4 to 8. Narrated in English.
HOW MUCH $18; Esplanade PIP Club members can purchase four or more tickets at the discounted price of $15 per ticket.
10. The Kyle Ravin Magic Show
WHAT Featuring the mesmerising feats of ancient Indian mystics, the theatrical showmanship of two-time Stage Magic Champion Kyle Ravin is sure to impress the kids and you in this interactive magic show. Junior might even get a bigger kick out of this experience if he volunteers to be Ravin’s sidekick in exploring the limits of the human body!
WHERE Esplanade Concourse; 11am, noon and 1.15pm, 27 November.
HOW MUCH Free.
Photos: iStock
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