Sunday 8 November 2026, with Monday 9 November off in Penang. Little India’s festive bazaar, temple mornings, oil lamps and open houses.
Deepavali is in 24 days
Sunday 8 November 2026. The Little India bazaar starts building in the weeks before.
Where to goDeepavali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Because it falls on a Sunday, Penang takes Monday 9 November off as the replacement holiday.
Deepavali (Diwali) is the Hindu festival of lights. In Penang it centres on Little India in George Town, where the streets turn into a bazaar of saris, brass lamps, flowers and sweets in the weeks before. On the morning itself, families take an oil bath before dawn, put on new clothes, pray at the temple and then open their homes to friends.
For a visitor, the evenings before Deepavali are the best time to go: the bazaar is at its fullest and the lights are on. The day itself is quieter on the streets and busy at the temples.
Deepavali 2026 jatuh pada hari Ahad, 8 November 2026. Cuti ganti di Pulau Pinang ialah hari Isnin, 9 November 2026. Bazar Deepavali di Little India, George Town paling meriah pada malam-malam sebelum Deepavali.
தீபாவளி 2026: நவம்பர் 8. பினாங்கில் நவம்பர் 9 மாற்று பொது விடுமுறை. ஜார்ஜ் டவுன் லிட்டில் இந்தியாவில் தீபாவளி சந்தை.
Deepavali is one day, but the best of it in Penang happens before.
Little India’s bazaar. Stalls go up along Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh King. Evenings are best; the final weekend is packed.
The last-minute rush: flowers, sweets and new clothes. Lamps and kolam patterns go out at homes and shops.
Pre-dawn oil bath, new clothes, then temple prayers in the morning. Afternoon and evening are for open houses and family.
Little India for the bazaar, two temple areas for the morning.
Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Pasar (Market Street), Lebuh King and Lebuh Penang
In the weeks before Deepavali these streets fill with stalls selling saris, bangles, brass lamps, flowers, kolam powder and festive snacks. The busiest nights are the last few before the day. Go after dark for the lights and the music.
Directions in Google Maps
Lebuh Queen, Little India, George Town
Penang’s oldest Hindu temple, in the middle of Little India. On Deepavali morning families come to pray after the traditional oil bath. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times: shoes off, shoulders and knees covered.
Directions in Google MapsJalan Kebun Bunga, Waterfall area, George Town
The hilltop temple best known for Thaipusam, reached by a long flight of steps with views over the city. Quieter than Little India and worth the climb on Deepavali morning.
Directions in Google MapsJalan Air Terjun (Waterfall Road), George Town
On Waterfall Road, a short walk from the hilltop temple steps. Known for its ornate interior. Combine the two in one morning.
Directions in Google MapsLittle India is a flat 10-minute walk from most George Town heritage hotels; driving in is slow in the last week and parking is scarce. The Waterfall temples are about 15 minutes from Little India by Grab. See getting around Penang.
Oil lamps (vilakku) are lit at doorways and altars for the victory of light over darkness.
Kolam are patterns drawn at the entrance in coloured rice powder to welcome guests and good fortune. Shopping malls across Malaysia often put up giant ones.
The oil bath before dawn and new clothes after it mark a fresh start. Bright colours are the norm: wear something cheerful if you are visiting.
Little India’s snack stalls are the bazaar’s main event.
Crunchy rice-flour spirals. Every household and every Little India stall has tins of it.
Sweet gram-flour balls and fried jaggery rice cakes, made for prayers and for guests.
Little India’s restaurants are open in the run-up and serve their fullest spreads.
If you are invited to a Deepavali open house, expect biryani, mutton curry and plates of sweets. Say yes.
Stay in George Town’s heritage zone and you can walk to Little India every evening. The long weekend fills rooms early.
Compare Penang hotelsEvery Penang festival for the year, with dates you can add to your calendar. Thaipusam is next.
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Deepavali 2026 is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Because it falls on a Sunday, Penang takes Monday 9 November off as the replacement holiday. In 2027 it falls on Thursday 28 October.
Yes. Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November, so Monday 9 November is the replacement public holiday in Penang. Schools, banks and government offices are closed on both days.
Yes. Deepavali is the Tamil name, used in Malaysia because most Malaysian Hindus are of Tamil heritage. Diwali is the North Indian name. Same festival of lights.
Little India in George Town: Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh King fill with festive stalls in the weeks before. On Deepavali morning, visit Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Lebuh Queen or the Waterfall Hilltop Temple off Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Most are. Many Indian-owned shops and some Little India restaurants close on the day itself, but malls, hawker centres, Chinese and Malay restaurants and tourist sights stay open. Little India is busiest in the days before, not on the day.
Yes. Cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the entrance, keep quiet during prayers, and ask before photographing people.
Families open their homes to friends and neighbours of every background on Deepavali, with food and sweets. It is a Malaysian tradition shared across festivals. If someone invites you, it is a genuine welcome.
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