The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as the 7th Month (中元节), falls on 23 August to 21 September in 2025. Here's everything you need to know — including what to do, what to avoid, when to burn offerings, and where to buy them.
23 August 2025 (1st Day)- Start of the 7th Lunar Month. Gates of the underworld open.
6 September 2025 (15th Day) - Ghost Day (中元节). Spirits are believed to be most active.
21 September 2025 (30th Day) - Final day. Offerings made to send spirits off peacefully.
Ghost Month is observed throughout the entire 7th lunar month. While the 15th day (Ghost Day) is the most important, many families make offerings on the 1st, 15th, and 30th day.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a Chinese tradition rooted in both Taoist and Buddhist beliefs. It’s said that during the 7th month, the Gates of Hell open, allowing spirits — both ancestors and wandering ghosts — to roam the earth.
In Singapore, this month is observed with:
The goal? To honour ancestors, appease hungry ghosts, and ensure good fortune and protection for the living.
Offerings are burned to send material comforts to the spirit world. Here’s what’s commonly offered and what they mean:
🕯️ When to burn:
Offerings are usually burned at dusk on the 1st, 15th, and 30th day of the 7th month. Some families burn offerings every week, or on their ancestors’ death anniversaries during this month.
🔥 Where to burn:
Use designated burners provided by town councils in HDB estates, or the metal bins outside temples. Avoid burning directly on the ground or grass patches. We’ve compiled a full guide on where to burn joss paper across Singapore, including etiquette and NEA guidelines.
🛍️ Where to buy offerings:
You can find Hungry Ghost Festival sets at:
Ready-made packets range from $5 to $38+, with larger sets including paper houses, servants, or even iPhones.
The 7th month is considered spiritually sensitive, and many locals still observe these taboos:
Some families wear protective talismans or red threads during this month, especially for children.
Here’s our full list of what not to do during Hungry Ghost Festival — including the modern dos and don’ts people still follow today.
Getai (歌台) are live stage performances held outdoors in heartland neighbourhoods — think pop music, comedy, skits, and LED lights. Here’s our beginner-friendly guide to what getai is, how it works, and what to expect if you’re attending one.
Look out for posters around your neighbourhood or check online listings during Ghost Month.
Want to know how getai evolved from street-side opera to LED-lit concerts with K-pop covers? Check out our article on the surprising history of getai in Singapore.
While deeply spiritual, the Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore is also a cultural experience. You'll see:
The government encourages safe and respectful practices, including:
This balance of tradition and modern urban life is what makes the Singapore version of the festival unique.
23 August – 21 September 2025 (7th Lunar Month)
Designated burners in HDB estates or outside temples
Chinatown, Waterloo Street, wet markets, and major supermarkets
To honour ancestors, appease hungry ghosts, and maintain peace between the spiritual and human realms