Deepavali falls on Monday, 26 October 2026 — a public holiday in both Singapore and Malaysia. That means a full three-day long weekend (Sat–Mon) with heavy cross-border demand in both directions. Here's what to expect and when to go.
Deepavali 2026 is one of the busier public holiday weekends at the causeway. Because it is a bilateral holiday — observed in both Singapore and Malaysia — both sides of the border have a long weekend simultaneously. This creates strong outbound demand from Singapore on Friday evening and Saturday, and strong inbound return traffic on Monday afternoon and evening.
Compared to Hari Raya or Chinese New Year, Deepavali generates moderate-to-heavy congestion rather than extreme gridlock — but it is still significantly busier than a regular weekend. Plan your crossing times carefully, especially if you are driving.
Deepavali — also written Diwali — is the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The name comes from the Sanskrit dīpāvali, meaning "row of lamps." It is observed by Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and some Buddhist communities across South and Southeast Asia.
In Singapore, Deepavali is centred on Little India in Serangoon Road, which hosts elaborate light installations, street bazaars, and cultural performances in the weeks leading up to the festival. In Malaysia, the holiday is known as Hari Deepavali and is celebrated by the country's significant Indian community, particularly in Tamil Nadu-origin communities across Johor, Selangor, and other states. Shopping centres, temples, and open houses mark the occasion.
| Period | Direction | Expected conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 23 Oct evening (5pm–10pm) | SG → JB | Heavy — long-weekend exodus begins; Singaporeans heading to JB for the three-day weekend |
| Saturday 24 Oct morning (7am–11am) | SG → JB | Heavy — second outbound surge from overnight travellers and day-trippers |
| Saturday 24 Oct afternoon | SG → JB | Moderate — eases after the morning peak |
| Sunday 25 Oct | Both | Moderate — mid-weekend; some movement in both directions |
| Monday 26 Oct morning (Deepavali) | JB → SG | Light to moderate — many choose to remain in JB for the day |
| Monday 26 Oct afternoon (2pm–7pm) | JB → SG | Heavy — main return surge as the long weekend ends |
| Monday 26 Oct evening (7pm–10pm) | JB → SG | Moderate to heavy — tail of the return surge; easing after 9pm |
| Tuesday 27 Oct onwards | Both | Returns to normal weekday patterns |
Not all long weekends are equal at the causeway. Deepavali sits in the moderate-to-heavy range — worse than a mid-week holiday but calmer than Hari Raya or Chinese New Year, which generate extreme gridlock.
| Holiday | 2026 date | Day | Long weekend? | Traffic severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 20–21 March | Fri–Sat | Yes (bilateral) | Very heavy |
| Singapore National Day | 9 Aug | Sun | Yes (Mon PH in SG) | Heavy |
| Malaysia National Day (Merdeka) | 31 Aug | Mon | Yes (MY only) | Moderate–heavy |
| Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) | 16 Sept | Wed | No | Moderate |
| Deepavali | 26 Oct | Mon | Yes (bilateral) | Moderate–heavy |
| Christmas | 25 Dec | Fri | Yes (bilateral) | Heavy |
Most shopping malls, restaurants, and popular destinations in Johor Bahru remain open on Deepavali. AEON Tebrau City, KSL City Mall, Paradigm Mall JB, and Premium Outlets are typically open with normal or extended hours during public holidays. Expect larger-than-usual crowds at popular dining spots, particularly in the evenings.
Government offices, banks, and many smaller businesses will be closed on Monday 26 October. Petrol stations remain open. If you plan to top up Malaysian fuel (RON97/RON100 — remember the Singapore 3/4 tank rule), the pumps will be available but queues at petrol stations near the checkpoint may be longer.
Check live clearance times now →Deepavali 2026 falls on Monday, 26 October. It is a public holiday in Singapore and Malaysia, creating a long weekend from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October.
Yes. Deepavali (Hari Deepavali) is a gazetted public holiday in Malaysia, observed nationally. This bilateral status means both countries have the same Monday off, making it one of the stronger long-weekend traffic events compared to one-sided holidays like Malaysia Day.
Yes, particularly on Friday evening (23 Oct) outbound and Monday afternoon (26 Oct) inbound. Saturday morning also sees a strong outbound surge. Mid-day Sunday is the calmest window across the whole weekend.
It depends on your destination. For JB city centre (City Square, KSL, Komtar JBCC), Woodlands is generally closer. For Iskandar Puteri, Bukit Indah, Legoland, or Premium Outlets, Tuas adds minimal extra distance and often has shorter queues during peak holiday periods. Check live times on CausewayRadar on the day — conditions change rapidly during long weekends.