When is Deepavali 2026 in Johor Bahru?

Deepavali is Sunday 8 November 2026, with Monday 9 November 2026 as the replacement public holiday, per the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru and Office Holidays. It is not observed as a public holiday in Sarawak and Labuan.

Will the Causeway be jammed on the Deepavali long weekend 2026?

Expect it to be busy. Causewaytraffic.sg, a third-party site, rates the weekend Moderate and suggests returning before Monday evening. The official ICA advisory for 2026 was not yet published as of 30 Sep 2026, so check ICA closer to the date.

Is there a Deepavali celebration in JB's Little India?

JB's Little India around Jalan Trus is the area to look for decorations, kolam and festive sweets. We could not confirm 2026 bazaar dates or locations as of 30 Sep 2026, so check the organisers or local news before you go.

Deepavali 2026 in JB: 8-9 Nov Long Weekend Guide

Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, with Monday 9 November as the replacement holiday in Johor, which gives Johor Bahru a three-day long weekend from 7 to 9 November — a good time for Little India food and festive lights, and a busy one at the Causeway.

The dates come from the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru’s public holiday list and from Office Holidays, and MOM’s Singapore list shows the same Sunday and Monday, so many Singapore families will be free to cross too. Here is how to plan it (as of 30 Sep 2026).

When is Deepavali 2026, and is it a public holiday in Johor?

Date: Sunday 8 November 2026.
Replacement holiday: Monday 9 November 2026, because the day falls on a Sunday.
Status: a federal public holiday in most of Malaysia, except Sarawak and Labuan (Office Holidays).
Shops and offices: government offices and many businesses close, while malls and restaurants usually stay open, but hours can change, so check the specific place on the day.

A street in Little India, Johor Bahru — Little India in Johor Bahru (photo from 2018, not from Deepavali 2026). Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there to do in JB’s Little India at Deepavali?

JB has a Little India district around Jalan Trus with Indian restaurants, sweet shops, flower and garland sellers and the Sri Mariamman Temple nearby. Around Deepavali, local reports describe decorations, kolam floor art and sweets vendors there. We could not confirm the 2026 bazaar dates or locations, so treat any specific event you see online as unconfirmed until the organiser posts it.

Walk it in the morning: before the heat and the lunch crowd.
Look, do not intrude: the temple is a place of worship. Dress modestly, remove shoes where asked and ask before photographing people.
Combine it with heritage: our JB Chinatown and Wong Ah Fook walking guide covers the neighbouring old-town streets.

What should I eat over the Deepavali weekend?

This is the best excuse to do a banana-leaf lunch, fish head curry or a plate of thosai and vadai. Our Indian food near KSL guide has options. Two honest cautions: some Indian restaurants are vegetarian and some serve meat, and halal status varies from place to place, so ask if it matters to you. Popular places also fill up on festival days, so go early or off-peak.

Sweets: festive sweets are sold by weight and make good gifts to bring back.
Payment: keep some cash or Touch ’n Go eWallet for smaller shops.

Shops outside the Sri Mariamman Temple in Johor Bahru — Shops outside the Sri Mariamman Temple, Johor Bahru (file photo). Photo: Terence Ong, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

How bad will the Causeway be on 7–9 November?

Third-party site Causewaytraffic.sg rates this weekend “Moderate” and suggests returning before Monday evening; that is an opinion, not an official forecast. For scale, ICA said more than 550,000 travellers cleared Singapore’s land checkpoints in a single day on 17 October 2025, during that year’s Deepavali long weekend. ICA usually publishes an advisory before big holidays, and we could not find one for this November yet.

Cross early: go before dawn or mid-morning on Saturday, not Friday night.
Return smart: the Monday holiday means Monday evening will be busy, so consider leaving Monday morning or after the rush.
Use the QR: ICA has encouraged MyICA QR codes for clearance in past holiday advisories.
Passport: ICA recommends at least 6 months’ validity.

Is the Deepavali long weekend worth it, and what is the insider tip?

Pros: a festive atmosphere, plenty of good Indian food, and the Monday holiday means you do not have to rush back on Sunday night.
Cons: heavier checkpoint traffic, some family-run shops closed for the day, and more demand for rides and rooms.

Local insider tip: cross on Saturday morning and spend Sunday, the actual festival day, close to your base. If a favourite stall is shuttered for the celebration, have a backup such as a mall food court, and give yourself extra time for Grab in the evening. Then head home on Monday before the afternoon rush rather than in it.

More on crossing in our Singapore to JB weekend guide and best time to visit JB.

Quick facts

Deepavali: Sunday 8 Nov 2026; replacement holiday Monday 9 Nov 2026 (Singapore Consulate-General JB; Office Holidays).
Not observed as a holiday in Sarawak and Labuan (Office Holidays).
Causewaytraffic.sg rates the weekend “Moderate” (third-party opinion).
ICA: 550,000+ travellers in one day on 17 Oct 2025 (2025 precedent).
Little India event dates for 2026 are unconfirmed; check organisers.
Information as of 30 Sep 2026.

Our serviced Studio and 2-Bedroom units at KSL D’Esplanade are a comfortable city-centre base for the long weekend, with KSL City Mall downstairs. Holiday dates fill up early, so get in touch or WhatsApp +60 12-708 8789 to check availability for 7–9 November.