Hungry Ghost Festival Singapore 2026: Dates, Traditions, Do's & Don'ts and Where to Experience it

What You'll Gain From This Blog

• Hungry Ghost Festival 2026 dates and key Ghost Month timeline
• What the Hungry Ghost Festival is and why it’s celebrated in Singapore
• Best things to do during Ghost Month, including Getai and temple visits
• Important dos and don’ts tourists should know during the festival
• Best places and neighbourhoods to experience Hungry Ghost Festival
• Where to stay in Singapore for the most authentic Ghost Month experience

One of the most culturally rich times in Singapore is probably during the Hungry Ghost Festival. Every year, the festival is celebrated during the 7th month of the lunar calendar, and this year the festival will begin in early August till early September. 

Following the centuries-old tradition of honouring the spirits, the Ghost Festival lights up the streets with incense, food offerings and more. Singapore at this time is undeniably unique with stages put up, performances and various gatherings filling the surroundings. 

The Ghost Month festival is one of the rarest experiences for travellers and must not be missed if you are in the city at that time. Singapore becomes a blend of modernity and tradition during the festival, not seen any other time of the year. 

To understand and experience the Hungry Ghost festival, let's go through its importance, things to do, and dos and don’ts, so you are respectful of the traditions. 

What is the Hungry Ghost Festival?    

What is the story behind the Hungry Ghost Festival, you might wonder, and we are here to answer your questions about the ages-old Chinese festival. 

Rooted in Chinese, Taoist and Buddhist traditions, the ghost festival is about remembering, respect, and compassion. During this time, it is believed that the Gates of Hell open and spirits return to the human world and roam the lands. 

According to folk beliefs, the spirits include ancestors as well as wandering souls, who wander in search of comfort, food and recreation.  And to show respect and avoid misfortune, people make the offerings of food, incense and paper items. 

When is the Hungry Ghost Festival 2026?

The Hungry Ghost Festival in 2026 in Singapore, as always, will be observed for the entire 7th month of the lunar calendar, from 13 August to 11 September 2026. This period begins with the opening of the gates of the Underworld and concludes when the gates close and the spirits return. 

While the peak of the festival, the Hungry Ghost Day, will fall on 27 August this year, marking the 15th day of the 7th month. To clarify it further, here are all the key dates you need to know. 

Key Hungry Ghost Festival 2026 Dates

• The start of Ghost Month is on 13 August 2026, when the Gates of the Underworld open. 
• Hungry Ghost Festival main day/Ghost Day falls on 27 August 2026
• The end of Ghost Month is on 11 September 2026, when the Gates of Underworld close and the spirits return.     

What Happens During Ghost Month in Singapore?    

Since the concept of ‘Hungry Ghost’ comes from the belief that the spirits that wander during the festival are restless, hungry and desire attention. And so when the Ghost Festival comes around, you will see Singapore dipped in tradition and rituals. 

The streets are filled with roadside altars that are filled with offerings, from cooked meals, fruits, to incense, candles and one of the most important - joss paper. These offerings honour the spirits who roam the human world during this time. You will find these offerings outside homes, temples and almost everywhere.

An interesting thing to note is that during the ghost month celebration, you will also see some surprisingly elaborate offerings like rice wine, roast meats, rice, tea, water, noodles, buns, and fruits that symbolise prosperity and longevity. 

The atmosphere booms more as evening falls, and large metal bins are used to burn paper money, paper houses, clothes, and gold ingots. 

The Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore also sees temporary stages and tents erected in many places for hosting Getai performances and other entertainment dedicated to spirits. 

Things to Do During Hungry Ghost Festival Singapore

Now that you are clear on what the Hungry Ghost festival is,  let’s do a deep dive into the things to do during the festival in Singapore. 

1. Watch Getai Performances    

One of the experiences that’s distinctive to the festival is Getai performances meant to entertain the wandering spirits and ancestors. You will find that the front row seats are left empty out of respect for the spirits. 

These vibrant live concerts feature vibrant and colourful costumes and performances with high-energy singers, comedians, Chinese opera and live bands. They also have entertaining, quick-witted hosts and songs in the Hokkien dialect. 

You can watch these Getai performances in neighbourhoods, open fields and car parks during the Chinese Ghost Festival (Hungry Ghost) celebrations in Singapore.

2. Visit Chinatown During Hungry Ghost Festival    

Another key activity you can do during the festival is to visit the gorgeous Chinatown to experience it. The atmosphere is heavy with incense smoke, many roadside altars and offerings outside shops and temples. 
You will also find stalls selling joss paper, paper hoses, gold ingots and other symbolic items that are burnt for peace in the afterlife. 

The evening looked especially mesmerising with candles lighting every corner and incense smoke creating a traditional atmosphere. So don’t miss coming to Chinatown during the Hungry Ghost month. 

3. Observe Street Offerings & Rituals    

Even though you might not be able to participate that closely, observe the street offerings and rituals that happen during the month of ghosts in Singapore. Throughout the city, you will see offerings like full meals, tea, rice wine, candles, and paper offerings alongside sidewalks, outside homes, shops and buildings. 

While in the evening, you can witness the ritual of burning joss paper and other paper offerings in huge metal bins. These offerings are believed to provide comfort to the spirits in the afterlife. 

Observing these street offerings and rituals lets you be part of the everyday traditions practised during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore. 

4. Visit a temple    

Visiting a temple during the Hungry Ghost month is a great way to get insight into the festival’s spiritual significance. Many Buddhist and Taoist temples hold special ceremonies, community events and prayers throughout the entire month. 

You can go to the Seng Wong Beo Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Thian Hock Keng, and Yueh Hai Ching Temple, which are some of the popular temples during this period. 

5. Light Lanterns

Last but not least, lighting lanterns is another meaningful tradition of Hungry Ghost Festival, as they are meant to guide the wandering spirits and ancestors back to the Underworld. You can also release lotus-shaped paper lanterns on water to guide the spirits. 

Red lanterns can be seen hanging outside homes, temples, shops, or placed alongside altars and offerings throughout the month of ghost. 

Hungry Ghost Festival Do's and Don'ts    

We have told you things to do while visiting Singapore or living there during the Hungry Ghost Festival. But, since it is a centuries-old tradition and a special festival, understanding the do’s and don’ts during this period will help you be more respectful. These rules and superstitions are also believed to help in keeping the ghosts at bay.

Do’s 

• We have already gone through some do’s, but here are more. 
• Observe respectfully from a distance, especially during rituals and offerings. 
• Be mindful while walking around offerings, food, and incense. Always walk around them, never over. 
• Visit neighbourhoods in the evening and see them lit with lanterns and offerings, and see the performance put up.
• Be very mindful of taking photos, as it is generally acceptable, but try not to go up close to offerings and rituals, as it might interfere with the ceremonies. 

Don’ts 

• Avoid wearing red or black during the Ghost Month as they are believed to attract spirits. 
• Don’t step on or kick food offerings, incense or joss paper. 
• Do not sit in the front seats at the Getai performances, even though they are left empty, as these seats are reserved for the spirits. 
• Avoid swimming at night as water is believed to attract spirits. 
• Do not hang your clothes outside at night, as ghosts can borrow the clothes and leave bad luck behind.
• No late nights, as it is believed that is when ghosts are the most active.
• Don’t touch, move or disturb altars in the public spaces. 
• No whistling at night, as it can attract spirits. 
• Do not pick up coins, money or anything found on the ground. 
• Don’t turn around if someone calls your name from the back at night. 
• Try not to drink, as it is believed that intoxicated people can be easily possessed.
• Do not kill any months, as the Chinese believe they are the spirits trying to find their way back.
• Don’t mock or speak negatively about the rituals and spiritual beliefs.
• Avoid wearing any clothes with your name printed as spirits are believed to take notice. 
• Avoid taking pictures at night, as that's when hungry ghosts can be caught in action.
• Don’t get bangs. According to Chinese beliefs, life force flows from the forehead, and covering it is not good in the Hungry Ghost month.
• Stay away from walls, according to Chinese beliefs, walls give off cold yin energy and so attract ghosts. 
• Do not open any umbrellas indoors, as ghosts tend to take shelter under them, and it is also said to bring bad luck.
• Avoid any major life events, like starting a business, getting married, moving houses, buying new vehicles, and rearranging furniture.

Best Places to Experience Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore

So now that you know everything about the Hungry Ghost Festival and how to experience it while being respectful to beliefs and traditions. Let’s take a look at the best places you can visit in Singapore during the festival. 

• Chinatown: Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the top Chinatowns in Asia, and during the Ghost Month festival, it becomes especially worth a visit. The atmosphere changes to give way to tradition and rituals. A great place for tourists to experience the festival, mainly at night.
• Residential Estates: You will find areas like Toa Payoh, Hougang, Bedok, and Ang Mo Kio hosting Getai performances and community dinners, offering one of the most authentic Ghost Month celebrations. 
• Chinese Temples: The Chinese temples across Singapore take on a new personality by holding special events, prayers, and rituals throughout the month of ghosts. Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, Yueh Hai Ching Temple, and Seng Wong Beo Temple to be part of these. 
• Joss Paper and Festival Markets: Found in many neighbourhoods, near temples, and many other spots in Singapore, Joss Paper and Festival Markets let you have a peek into the traditional customs that take over the city.

Why Visit Singapore During Ghost Month?    

Choosing to visit Singapore during the Ghost Month can let you take a glimpse into the deeply meaningful beliefs and traditions, unlikely to be seen any other time of the year.

• Witness the traditional side: Travellers can witness the temple rituals, offerings, and Getai performances, which are hardly seen any other time. 
• Unique Travel Experience: Singapore during this month offers a unique and seasonal travel experience that only happens once a year. Like, exploring residential estates, temples, temporary festival spots, altars, heritage districts and incense-filled streets.
• Less Rush: A quieter environment is guaranteed during this time at major spots, while neighbourhoods become culturally rich. 

Where to Stay During Hungry Ghost Festival Singapore?

Choosing the right area to stay can make or break your trip. Being in the right neighbourhood gives you the most authentic experience. So, here are the best areas to stay in Singapore during the Hungry Ghost Festival. 

• Chinatown: First and foremost, Chinatown will obviously be the focus. During the Ghost Month, the entire neighbourhood transforms into a heritage-rich area.
• Tiong Bahru: A quieter area in Singapore, filled with temples, traditional businesses and local offerings. During the ghost month, Tiong Bahru offers a relaxed yet immersive experience. 
• Geylang: Geylang becomes one of the most popular spots, being the host to the largest Getai performances during the Hungry Ghost month. Filled with stages, community dinners and elaborate altars, it is a great neighbourhood to stay in.
• Toa Payoh: Choosing to stay in Toa Payoh in Singapore can be great, as it becomes one of the most lively areas. Expect large crowds, altars, events and rituals throughout the month.

Final Thoughts     

The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the most distinctive traditional experiences in Singapore. The Festival is rooted in Chinese traditions and beliefs, and lets us glimpse the amalgamation of Singapore’s ultra-modern side with its hardly seen traditional side.

Do not miss out on this rare opportunity to experience Singapore beyond its modern skyline. For culture-seeking travellers, the Ghost Month celebration is one of the richest times to visit this city. 

FAQs

1. When is the Hungry Ghost Festival 2026? When does it start and end?

The Hungry Ghost Festival in 2026, the peak day, will fall on 27 August 2026. The Ghost Month, however, will last the entire 7th month of the lunar Calendar, beginning on 13 August 2026 and concluding on 11 September 2026. 

2. What should you not do during Ghost Month in Singapore?

Do not swim, do not get married or move houses or do anything big in your life, don’t sit in the front rows at Getai shows, or leave your clothes hanging out at night. Much like these, many superstitions and rules should be followed during the Ghost Month in Singapore.

3. What does the Hungry Ghost Festival celebrate?

The Hungry Ghost Festival, according to Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, honours the ancestors and wandering spirits who return to the earth during the 7th lunar month. People make offerings to pay respect and provide comfort to them.

4. Is It Safe to travel during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore?

Yes, it is completely safe to travel during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore. The festival offers a unique chance for visitors to observe the local customs and traditions at this time. 

5. When Does the 7th Month End?

The 7th month of the lunar Calendar ends on 11 September 2026 this year and will mark the conclusion of the Ghost Month. It is believed ghosts and spirits travel back to the Underworld at this time. 

6. What do people do during the Hungry Ghost Festival?

During the Ghost Festival, people make food offerings, burn joss paper and other paper offerings, hold rituals, and visit temples. These traditions are meant to honour the ancestors and wandering spirits. 

7. Can tourists and non-Chinese residents attend Getai performances?

Yes, of course, tourists and non-Chinese residents attend Getai performances. Though it is advised to be respectful to the rituals and traditions.