By Every year in Singapore, the seventh month of the lunar calendar takes on a very different atmosphere. For many Chinese families, this is not just another month but the time of the Hungry Ghost Festival — a period when it’s believed that the gates of the underworld are opened and wandering spirits return to the human realm.
The festival, which usually falls between late July and August, is deeply rooted in Buddhist and Taoist traditions and has evolved into a distinctive cultural moment in Singapore. It’s a time when the living show respect to their ancestors and make offerings to wandering spirits to ensure peace, harmony, and good fortune. You’ll notice roadside altars laden with food and incense, smoky curls of joss sticks spiralling into the night air, and open-air performances that are as much about entertaining the living as they are the unseen visitors.
For those unfamiliar with it, the Hungry Ghost Festival can feel mysterious, even intimidating. Yet at its heart, it’s about remembrance, generosity, and community. Whether you’re a local who wants a reminder of long-held customs, a new resident learning to navigate traditions, or a visitor curious about Singapore’s rich cultural calendar, understanding the do’s and don’ts of this festival will help you engage respectfully and meaningfully.
A Quick Cultural Background
The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节), has its roots in Chinese folk belief, Buddhism, and Taoism. According to tradition, the seventh lunar month is when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam freely on earth. Some spirits return to visit their descendants, while others — those without families or offerings — wander in search of food and comfort.
To appease these spirits and honour ancestors, families prepare offerings such as:
- Food and drinks — ranging from fruits and rice to roasted meats and pastries.
- Incense and candles — used to guide spirits and symbolise respect.
- Joss paper (hell money) — burnt as a way of providing material comfort in the afterlife.
Public rituals often take place in neighbourhoods across Singapore. You’ll see large metal bins set up for paper burning, tables piled with food along HDB void decks or hawker centres, and colourful stage performances of Chinese opera or getai (song stage shows) held in open spaces. These rituals are not only acts of devotion but also serve to strengthen community bonds.
Why Offerings Matter
To someone walking past, offerings might look like just plates of food left out in the open, or bundles of paper being burnt into ashes. But to those observing, these acts carry deep symbolic meaning.
Food is offered to nourish the spirits — both ancestors and wandering ghosts. Incense smoke is thought to act as a bridge between the human world and the spiritual one. Burning joss paper, designed to look like money or even luxury goods, provides spirits with resources in the afterlife.
These gestures stem from values of respect, filial piety, and generosity. By making offerings, people hope to maintain harmony between the realms of the living and the dead, while also showing care for those who have no one else to remember them.
Do’s During the Hungry Ghost Festival
If you’re in Singapore during the festival, here are some respectful and practical things you can do:
✅ Do respect offerings on the ground
It’s common to see food, candles, or incense placed at roadsides, void decks, and outside businesses. These offerings are meant for the spirits, so avoid stepping on them or disturbing them. If you’re walking through crowded areas, especially at night, keep an eye on where you’re going.
✅ Do attend getai or opera performances
These vibrant stage shows, with their neon lights, lively music, and sometimes cheeky humour, are meant to entertain both humans and spirits. If you’re attending, sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, and soak in a slice of Singapore’s cultural life. But remember — the front row of seats is often deliberately left empty for the spirits, so don’t occupy them.
✅ Do show reverence during prayers
If you pass by people performing rituals, keep your noise down and avoid interrupting. Even if you don’t share the same beliefs, a quiet nod or simply giving space is a kind gesture of respect.
✅ Do support community rituals
Neighbourhood groups sometimes pool funds for elaborate offerings or performances. These aren’t just religious acts but also community events that bring people together. Attending them or even making a small donation can help you feel more connected.
✅ Do learn and ask respectfully
If you’re curious, ask friends, colleagues, or neighbours about their practices. Most people are happy to explain, as long as your questions are respectful.
Don’ts During the Hungry Ghost Festival
Just as there are practices to follow, there are also taboos to avoid. Many of these may sound superstitious to outsiders, but they’re deeply embedded in tradition and should be observed out of respect.
❌ Don’t step on or move offerings
Offerings left on the ground are sacred. Accidentally stepping on them is seen as disrespectful, while moving them can upset the ritual’s purpose. If you see food or incense in your way, walk around.
❌ Don’t whistle at night
Whistling after dark is thought to attract wandering spirits, inviting unwanted company. Even if you don’t believe in it, this is a cultural sensitivity worth observing.
❌ Don’t make jokes about spirits
The Hungry Ghost Festival is not a time for ghost pranks or casual jokes about hauntings. What may seem funny to one person could feel offensive or unsettling to someone observing the festival.
❌ Don’t sit in the front row at getai
As mentioned, those seats are reserved for the unseen guests. Sitting there is not just frowned upon but can come across as disrespectful.
❌ Don’t stay out too late in deserted areas
Some believe the night is when spirits are most active, so it’s best to avoid lonely places after dark during this period. Even if you’re not superstitious, it’s a practical safety tip.
Everyday Life During the Festival
During the seventh lunar month, you’ll notice subtle but visible changes across Singapore. Hawker stalls might place small tables of food and incense near entrances. HDB void decks can become lively with prayer gatherings. Large metal barrels for joss paper burning appear in common spaces.
For families, it’s also a time for home rituals. Many will prepare elaborate meals for their ancestors at home altars, light incense daily, and gather for communal prayers.
Businesses may also take part. Some offices or shops set up offering tables at their entrances, believing it helps ensure good fortune and smooth operations. Taxi drivers and lorry owners sometimes light incense in their vehicles for protection on the road.
Public entertainment plays a key role too. Getai performances, with their blend of music, comedy, and spectacle, are a uniquely Singaporean expression of the festival. Even if you don’t fully grasp the cultural or spiritual aspects, you’ll still feel the sense of community that they foster.
Tips for Foreigners and New Residents
If you’re new to Singapore, the Hungry Ghost Festival might initially feel puzzling or even intimidating. Here are some simple guidelines to help you navigate the month with cultural sensitivity:
- Observe before acting. If you see a ritual or offering, watch quietly and respectfully rather than interrupting.
- Ask politely. Curiosity is welcome, but avoid intrusive or dismissive questions. Instead of “Why waste food?”, try “Could you share why this offering is important?”
- Participate if invited. If a friend welcomes you to a family ritual or a community getai, don’t hesitate to join in — it’s a meaningful way to learn.
- Be mindful of superstitions. Even if you don’t share the same beliefs, small gestures like avoiding whistling at night or steering clear of offerings go a long way in showing respect.
- See it as cultural enrichment. Rather than focusing on the ghostly aspect, view the festival as a window into Singapore’s multicultural fabric.
A Festival of Respect and Community
At its core, the Hungry Ghost Festival is not about fear but about connection — to ancestors, to community, and to the unseen world. It’s a reminder that respect and generosity extend beyond what we can see.
In Singapore, the festival weaves seamlessly into everyday life, blending solemn rituals with vibrant performances. It’s a time when void decks become stages, hawker centres double as shrines, and the line between the living and the spirit world feels thinner.
By keeping in mind the simple do’s and don’ts, anyone — whether local or foreigner — can navigate the season with ease. More importantly, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of a tradition that has shaped Singapore’s cultural landscape for generations.
So the next time you spot a roadside altar or hear the upbeat strains of a getai performance echoing through a neighbourhood, pause for a moment. It’s not just a ritual; it’s a reflection of respect, remembrance, and the shared belief that harmony between the living and the dead makes life on this island all the richer.
