The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of Singapore’s most fascinating cultural traditions, observed during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Discover Ghost Month traditions, Getai performances, cultural taboos and practical etiquette to better understand this unique annual festival.
At a glance
📅 Dates
13 August – 10 September 2026
🎭 Highlights
Getai performances, Chinese opera, temple ceremonies and roadside offerings.
🙏 Good to Know
Respect offerings, avoid sitting in the front row at Getai and observe ceremonies from a respectful distance.
📍 Where
Neighbourhoods, temples and community spaces across Singapore.
When is the Hungry Ghost Festival in 2026?
This year, the Hungry Ghost Festival falls between 13 August and 10 September 2026. The festival begins on the first day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and concludes on the last day of the month. The 15th day is traditionally regarded as the peak of the celebrations.
Unlike holidays that follow the Gregorian calendar, the dates for the Hungry Ghost Festival change every year because they are based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Since the lunar calendar follows the cycles of the moon rather than the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the festival usually falls between August and September.
What happens during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore?
Temporary altars and food offerings
Throughout the Hungry Ghost Festival, neighbourhoods across Singapore take on a distinctive atmosphere as families and communities observe traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Temporary altars appear outside homes, shops and temples, while food, fruits, incense and joss paper are prepared as offerings in remembrance of ancestors and, according to traditional beliefs, wandering spirits during the seventh lunar month.
Getai and Chinese opera
One of the festival’s most recognisable sights is Getai — lively outdoor stage performances featuring singing, comedy and variety entertainment.
In some neighbourhoods, traditional Chinese opera performances continue to be staged as part of the festival, preserving an art form with deep cultural roots.
Burning joss paper and community prayers
As evening falls, you’ll often notice designated burning bins placed around HDB estates where families burn joss paper and symbolic paper offerings.
Community prayers and temple ceremonies are also held throughout Ghost Month, reflecting values of remembrance, gratitude and respect that remain central to the festival today.
Things to avoid during the Hungry Ghost Festival
1. Avoid stepping on food offerings
Throughout the Hungry Ghost Festival, you’ll notice food, fruits, incense and joss paper placed along pavements, under trees and near buildings as offerings.
Many people believe these are presented to honour ancestors or wandering spirits during the seventh lunar month.
Even if you do not share these beliefs, it’s considered respectful to avoid stepping over or disturbing the offerings. If you encounter them while walking, simply give them a wide berth and continue on your way.
2. Do not sit in the front row at Getai performances
If you’re attending a Getai performance, you may notice that the front row of seats is left unoccupied. According to long-held tradition, these seats are reserved for visiting spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
While not everyone observes this custom, many locals choose not to sit there out of respect. If you’re unfamiliar with the practice, it’s best to follow the lead of those around you and choose another available seat instead.
3. Avoid whistling late at night
One of the best-known Hungry Ghost Festival traditions is avoiding whistling after dark. According to popular folklore, whistling at night may attract wandering spirits during Ghost Month.
While many people today view this as a cultural belief rather than a literal warning, the custom continues to be shared across generations.
Whether you believe it or not, understanding the tradition offers an interesting glimpse into local folklore and customs.
4. Avoid swimming during Ghost Month
A commonly shared belief during the Hungry Ghost Festival is that people should avoid swimming, particularly at night. Traditional folklore suggests that bodies of water may be associated with wandering spirits during Ghost Month.
While there is no scientific basis for this belief, many families continue to observe the custom as part of their cultural traditions. Visitors should understand it as one of the many beliefs that have been passed down through generations.
5. Avoid scheduling major life events
In some households, important milestones such as weddings, moving house, starting renovations or opening a new business are postponed until after Ghost Month. These decisions are based on family traditions and personal beliefs rather than universal practice.
Many Singaporeans do not follow this custom, while others continue to observe it out of respect for their elders. Practices often vary depending on family, religious tradition and personal preference.
Experiencing Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore
The Hungry Ghost Festival is more than a series of customs and performances — it’s a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural identity and the traditions that continue to shape everyday life across the island.
Whether you’ve grown up seeing roadside offerings every year or are encountering Ghost Month for the first time, taking a moment to understand the festival offers a deeper appreciation of the communities that observe it.
Rather than seeing the festival simply as a spectacle, take the opportunity to appreciate the traditions and stories behind it. A Getai performance isn’t simply an evening concert, and a temple ceremony isn’t a tourist attraction.
For many families, these traditions are meaningful acts of remembrance, gratitude and filial piety that have been passed down through generations.
Experiencing the Hungry Ghost Festival doesn’t require participating in religious rituals. Sometimes, simply observing respectfully, learning the stories behind the customs and recognising their significance is enough to gain a richer understanding of Singapore’s cultural landscape.
Hungry Ghost Festival FAQs
According to traditional Chinese beliefs, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is when the Gates of Hell open, allowing spirits to return temporarily to the human world. During this period, many families make offerings, burn joss paper and perform rituals to honour their ancestors and show respect to wandering spirits.
One of the most well-known Hungry Ghost Festival traditions is leaving the front row of Getai performances empty. According to traditional beliefs, these seats are reserved for spirits visiting the performance. While the practice is symbolic, many organisers and attendees continue the tradition as a mark of respect.
Not exactly. Ghost Month refers to the entire seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, while the Hungry Ghost Festival usually refers to the main festival observed on the fifteenth day of that month. In Singapore, however, many people use both terms interchangeably because the customs and observances continue throughout the month.
No. While the Hungry Ghost Festival is widely observed in many Chinese communities, participation varies between families, regions and religious traditions. Some actively take part in prayers and offerings, while others may observe only certain customs or not celebrate the festival at all.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is rooted in a blend of Chinese folk beliefs, Taoist traditions and Buddhist influences. Today, many people observe it as both a cultural and religious tradition, with customs differing according to family practices and personal beliefs.
Getai performances are held across Singapore during Ghost Month, particularly in HDB estates, neighbourhood open spaces and areas near temples. Performance schedules vary each year, so local community notices, temple announcements and grassroots organisations are often the best sources for information.
One of the most well-known Hungry Ghost Festival traditions is leaving the front row of Getai performances empty. According to traditional beliefs, these seats are reserved for spirits visiting the performance. While the practice is symbolic, many organisers and attendees continue the tradition as a mark of respect.
Not exactly. Ghost Month refers to the entire seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, while the Hungry Ghost Festival usually refers to the main festival observed on the fifteenth day of that month. In Singapore, however, many people use both terms interchangeably because the customs and observances continue throughout the month.
No. While the Hungry Ghost Festival is widely observed in many Chinese communities, participation varies between families, regions and religious traditions. Some actively take part in prayers and offerings, while others may observe only certain customs or not celebrate the festival at all.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is rooted in a blend of Chinese folk beliefs, Taoist traditions and Buddhist influences. Today, many people observe it as both a cultural and religious tradition, with customs differing according to family practices and personal beliefs.
Getai performances are held across Singapore during Ghost Month, particularly in HDB estates, neighbourhood open spaces and areas near temples. Performance schedules vary each year, so local community notices, temple announcements and grassroots organisations are often the best sources for information.
Burning bins provide designated areas where families can safely burn joss paper and symbolic paper offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Using these bins helps reduce fire risks while allowing traditional practices to continue respectfully within residential neighbourhoods.
Yes. Getai performances are generally open to everyone, regardless of background. If you’re attending for the first time, simply be respectful of the traditions associated with the festival, including the customary practice of leaving the front row of seats unoccupied.
No. Many taboos associated with Ghost Month are traditional beliefs passed down through generations rather than strict religious rules. Whether or not people observe them often depends on family customs, personal beliefs and cultural practices.
Ghost Month concludes with prayers and offerings marking the symbolic return of spirits to the spiritual realm. While customs differ between communities, the end of the month is generally seen as the close of the annual observance until the following lunar year.
Understanding the Hungry Ghost Festival isn’t about whether you personally observe its traditions. It’s an opportunity to learn about the beliefs, customs and values that continue to shape everyday life for many people in Singapore. Taking time to understand one another’s traditions is one of the strengths of living in a multicultural society.
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Image Credits
- Feature image: Photo by Galen Crout on Unsplash.
- Additional photographs: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons photographers, used in accordance with their respective licences.
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