Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur has always been one of the top destinations in the country for a Deepavali getaway.
Decked in colourful decorations and bright lights, the Little India of KL is a great place to put everyone in the mood for the festival of lights.
For starters, you can visit the Sri Kandaswamy Temple, savour some tasty traditional Indian meals and browse the shops for festive treats in Brickfields.
According to international booking platform Agoda, KL shows a 294% year-on-year increase in accommodation searches during the Deepavali travel period, proving its popularity among tourists. Following close behind is Ipoh, Perak with a 272% year-on-year increase.
This city has become a favourite among those looking for a slower-paced getaway during Deepavali, which falls on Nov 8 this year. You can visit its Little India, located on Jalan Lahat. Other than enjoying Indian dishes, you can browse the quaint neighbourhood shops too.
Also a must-visit in Ipoh is the Old Town, where you can hunt for street art, check out the colonial-era buildings and enjoy the city’s famous white coffee in one of the traditional coffee shops.
Melaka is also a popular destination, no matter the festive season. It records a 257% increase in accommodation searches, showing tourists’ interest in visiting the state during Deepavali.
Here, the city’s Little India is set along Jalan Bendahara. You can shop at the traditional stores, have your meals at the Indian eateries and visit historic places of worship.
Meanwhile, Penang shows a 243% booking increase. You can find the Little India here right in the heart of the capital city, George Town.
Wander around Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Queen to shop for spices, textiles and traditional goods. To fuel your shopping spree, make sure to fill up on local favourites including thosai, biryani and Indian sweets.
Take the time to visit the Sri Mahamariamman Temple as well for a glimpse into the storied heritage of the historical neighbourhood.
For Klang Valley residents, other than KL, there is another great spot nearby for a Deepavali staycation.
Klang, which shows a 234% increase in accommodation searches, has one of Selangor’s long-standing Indian communities, making it a great place for not only a festive getaway but also a cultural escape.
You can head to Jalan Tengku Kelana to visit the Little India precinct here. You will have no shortage of shops to wander into, including textile stores, jewellery stores and traditional goods shops.
Best of all, there are plenty of restaurants serving some of the best Indian cuisines in the Klang Valley here.
Spooky fun
If you’re looking for something to do before the Deepavali weekend, why not head to the hills in Pahang?
For the spooky season aka Halloween, Resorts World Genting has introduced a new immersive experience called “Spookadilly x Kisah Bawah Tanah” as part of its The Haunted Highlands 2026, which is set to run until Nov 20.
It combines the playful world of Spookadilly with Kisah Bawah Tanah, a very popular animated series currently showing on Netflix. The experience draws inspiration from South-East Asian folklore to create a family-friendly adventure.
You can have fun exploring its five quirky zones: RnR, Cahaya Apartments, Spookadilly Graveyard, Spookadilly Mansion and The Mart.
Another highlight of The Haunted Highlands is “The Echo Asylum”, where you can enjoy an immersive horror experience set within an abandoned 1950s mental asylum.
Visiting Genting during the Halloween month also means that you will get to see plenty of spooky fun across the resort. These include parades, live performances, character meet-and-greets, themed food and drinks, and other surprises.
On Oct 31, make sure to catch the Halloween Live Experience Concert 2026. To be held at the Arena of Stars, you can spend your Halloween dancing away to performances by Nick Chou, DJ Blink, Jackson Wang and Zen Ng.
