There are few things as great as a public holiday—and good news, the next one is already in sight. The festival of lights returns this Nov 6, but don’t be a sloth and spend it in bed. Here are five ways to celebrate and appreciate the best of the culture; heads up, you’ll want to loosen your belt buckle.
Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred Diwali feast
Holidays are meant to be spent in the company of loved ones—stuffing your faces in harmony. Take the feasting up a notch at The Song of India, Singapore’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, with their exclusive seasonal four-course tasting menu. With a focus on returning to roots and countryside homecooking, the multi-regional menu features dishes prepared using clay pots and outdoor wood-fire burning stoves. There’s the Northeastern Indian Nagaland Bamboo Shoot Chicken, and a fragrant Spinach with Pressed Cottage Cheese—your standard palek paneer refined for a sweeter, even creamier finish. Save room for the standout dish on the menu: the Coorg Mangalorean Fish of Southwestern India, cooked in a creamy curry of turmeric, tamarind and chilies, and perfect for mopping up with the restaurant’s freshly toasted traditional Indian flatbreads. $79 per person, available from Nov 3-10.
Sweetshop hop for Indian sweets
Stereotype or fact that Indians are bonafide sweet tooths? All we know is they have the best selection of sweets in town, from crusty, jam-filled pastries to the traditional mithai—a traditional, often homemade, Indian dessert or sweetmeat in a variety of colors and flavors. Giving mithai is a symbolic gesture of goodwill and strengthening friendship, so load up if you aren’t devouring it all yourselves. We’ve curated a list of the best Indian sweetshops to get your sugary fix.
Go on a photowalk in Little India
Photo credit: VisitSingapore Facebook
It wouldn’t be Deepavali without Little India coming alive with beautiful lights. Starting from Birch Road, take a stroll around the neighborhood with your camera; the annual Deepavali Light-up begins at 4pm. Within the area, there’ll also be a festive village and bazaar, the Little India Mural and Heritage Trail, and art installations (think life-sized elephant sculptures) that will make great photo ops. Or do it right and sign up for a professional street photography photowalk with Objectifs on Nov 3 here.
Drink Indian spirits and be merry
In the same vein of embarking on a trail of sweets and slick pics, go on a booze trail instead—and plan your day around visiting these places in Singapore that offer authentic Indian spirits. And on a public holiday, nobody will judge you for starting your drinking from 10am; after all, you’re appreciating culture here.
Nurse your hangover… from the party the night before
Flying Monkey is combining two great holidays for a banging party: Diwal’oween (Nov 5) is exactly what it sounds like—a wild night with scarily good drinks. The bar will be serving up special cocktails, beers, house wines and house spirits at $10 nett, while entertainment for the night includes DJs and Dhol performances. As Diwali is historically a festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, the party too has a similar theme—dress up as either Good or Evil and you’ll get a free drink at the door.
