Hungry Ghost Festival
Also called: Zhongyuan Festival, Ghost Festival, Yulan Festival
What is Hungry Ghost Festival?
The seventh lunar month is "Ghost Month", when the gates of the underworld are said to open and spirits wander among the living. The Hungry Ghost Festival on the 15th is the day people make offerings to their ancestors and to wandering spirits.
Hungry Ghost Festival dates 2026–2030
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| 2029 | |
| 2030 |
Where it comes from
It joins a Taoist festival (中元) with the Buddhist Ullambana festival (盂兰盆节), which tells of a monk who saved his mother from suffering in the afterlife.
How people celebrate
- Burn joss paper (烧纸钱) and incense
- Leave food offerings outside the home
- In Singapore and Malaysia, enjoy getai (歌台) — live stage shows with the front row left empty for the spirits
- Avoid swimming, moving house or going out late, according to tradition
Words and greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 中元节 | PinyinZhōngyuánjié | EnglishHungry Ghost Festival |
| 鬼节 | PinyinGuǐjié | EnglishGhost Festival (informal name) |
| 盂兰盆节 | PinyinYúlánpénjié | EnglishUllambana (the Buddhist name) |
| 烧纸钱 | Pinyinshāo zhǐqián | Englishto burn joss paper |
| 歌台 | Pinyingētái | Englishgetai, live Ghost Month stage shows |
There is no "happy" greeting for this festival.
Is it a public holiday?
Not a public holiday. It is especially visible in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Hungry Ghost Festival in 2027?
Monday 16 August 2027, the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Ghost Month runs for the whole 7th lunar month.
What should you not do in Ghost Month?
By tradition: do not swim, whistle at night, hang clothes out after dark or move house, and, in Singapore and Malaysia, do not sit in the empty front row at a getai show.
Is there a greeting for the Hungry Ghost Festival?
No. It is a day of offerings, not a celebration, so people do not say "happy".