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| Meta Title | The Hungry Ghost Festival: Origins, Dos & Don'ts, Taboos & More | ||||||||||||||||||
| Meta Description | We dig into the origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival, how it's marked in Hong Kong as well as do's and don'ts you should be wary of. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Boilerpipe Text | Dating back over 2,000 years, weâre digging into the origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the dos and donâts you should be wary ofâŚ
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated in many communities around the world. In Hong Kong, itâs an especially exciting time to take part in one of the cityâs oldest traditions. If youâve been spotting
joss paper burning, opera performances and food offerings
, Hong Kong folks are paying homage to their deceased ancestors. If you and your family want to get involved and do your part for some good luck, make sure to leave some offerings of oranges and tea on your sidewalk for those hungry ghosts and read on for the festivalâs origins, taboos and more.
Read More:
Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival In Hong Kong
In the seventh month of the lunar calendar
(Ghost Month)
, the Chinese
believe hungry ghosts and wandering spirits roam the earth
, particularly on the 15th day
(Ghost Day)
. Linked to ancestor worship, citizens have been known to burn fake money and elaborate paper versions of material goods, such as cellphones and even purses, so the departed can use them in the afterlife. On the eve of Ghost Day, many families will get together and prepare a large feast for the hungry ghosts, in order to be left in peace.
Some may also go to the temple and bring offerings, often their ancestorsâ favourite foods.
Read More:Â
100 Things To Do In Hong Kong With Kids And Families
When Is The Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 & Things To Do In Hong Kong
Ghost Month runs from Saturday, 23 August to Sunday, 21 September this year, with the main Ghost Day on Saturday, 6th September 2025. Worshippers can be seen holding rituals and ceremonies to pay tribute to spirits â be respectful when observing worshippers.
You can also take the kids to see the Yu Lan Cultural Festival 2025 at the Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground from Friday, September 12 to Sunday, 14 September 2025 â previously held across the street at Victoria Park.
Read More:Â
Sassy Mamaâs Guide To Festivities Around The Globe
Hungry Ghost Festival Dos & Donâts
There are a handful of taboos and beliefs about the Hungry Ghost Festival, and to stay on the safe side, below are things to avoid during this ghostly month!
Donât swim in open waters
(the beach day will have to wait!)
If you have an all-black wardrobe, switch things up! Black and red are believed to attract spirits!
Avoid whistling or singing at night â the noise might disturb the spirits or attract roaming spiritis
Donât make major life decisions like starting a new job, moving to a new house or get married during this month, as itâs believed to be an inauspicious time
Donât dry your laundry outside overnight
Steer away from the last bus or train home, the empty seats are believed to be occupied by spirits!
Avoid taking photos at night or in the mirror
(weâve watched enough horror movies for this!)
Donât sleep facing the mirror or anything reflective
Tapping or looking over your shoulder â we all have invisible flames on each shoulder that protect us
Donât let the little ones pick up money off the streets! (
The money may be meant as an offering to underworld guards!
)
In this Ghost Month, why donât you prove to your friends that youâre not one of the
Ghost People (gweilo)
and are now well and truly a Hongkonger at heart?!
Read More:
Â
How To Avoid Bringing Kids Up In An Expat Bubble In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of
Getty
, image 1 courtesy of
frank mckenna
via
Unsplash
, image 2 courtesy of
Getty
, image 3 courtesy of
grungemann
via
Flickr
, image 4 courtesy of
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
via
Pexels
, | ||||||||||||||||||
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# The Hungry Ghost Festival: Origins, Dos & Donâts, Taboos & More
Posted on 03 September, 2025 \| By Sassy Mama
[Post Category - Family LifeFamily Life](https://www.sassymamahk.com/category/mama/)

[Post Category - Family LifeFamily Life](https://www.sassymamahk.com/category/mama/)
## Dating back over 2,000 years, weâre digging into the origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the dos and donâts you should be wary ofâŚ
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated in many communities around the world. In Hong Kong, itâs an especially exciting time to take part in one of the cityâs oldest traditions. If youâve been spotting **joss paper burning, opera performances and food offerings**, Hong Kong folks are paying homage to their deceased ancestors. If you and your family want to get involved and do your part for some good luck, make sure to leave some offerings of oranges and tea on your sidewalk for those hungry ghosts and read on for the festivalâs origins, taboos and more.
***Read More:** [Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival In Hong Kong](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-mid-autumn-festival-celebrate-families/)*
***

## The Origins Of The Hungry Ghost Festival
In the seventh month of the lunar calendar *(Ghost Month)*, the Chinese **believe hungry ghosts and wandering spirits roam the earth**, particularly on the 15th day *(Ghost Day)*. Linked to ancestor worship, citizens have been known to burn fake money and elaborate paper versions of material goods, such as cellphones and even purses, so the departed can use them in the afterlife. On the eve of Ghost Day, many families will get together and prepare a large feast for the hungry ghosts, in order to be left in peace. **Some may also go to the temple and bring offerings, often their ancestorsâ favourite foods.**
***Read More:** [100 Things To Do In Hong Kong With Kids And Families](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-things-to-do-with-kids-hong-kong/)*
***

## When Is The Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 & Things To Do In Hong Kong
Ghost Month runs from Saturday, 23 August to Sunday, 21 September this year, with the main Ghost Day on Saturday, 6th September 2025. Worshippers can be seen holding rituals and ceremonies to pay tribute to spirits â be respectful when observing worshippers.

You can also take the kids to see the Yu Lan Cultural Festival 2025 at the Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground from Friday, September 12 to Sunday, 14 September 2025 â previously held across the street at Victoria Park.
***Read More:** [Sassy Mamaâs Guide To Festivities Around The Globe](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-festive-season-celebration/)*
***
## Hungry Ghost Festival Dos & Donâts
There are a handful of taboos and beliefs about the Hungry Ghost Festival, and to stay on the safe side, below are things to avoid during this ghostly month\!
- Donât swim in open waters *(the beach day will have to wait!)*
- If you have an all-black wardrobe, switch things up! Black and red are believed to attract spirits\!
- Avoid whistling or singing at night â the noise might disturb the spirits or attract roaming spiritis
- Donât make major life decisions like starting a new job, moving to a new house or get married during this month, as itâs believed to be an inauspicious time

- Donât dry your laundry outside overnight
- Steer away from the last bus or train home, the empty seats are believed to be occupied by spirits\!
- Avoid taking photos at night or in the mirror *(weâve watched enough horror movies for this!)*
- Donât sleep facing the mirror or anything reflective
- Tapping or looking over your shoulder â we all have invisible flames on each shoulder that protect us
- Donât let the little ones pick up money off the streets! (*The money may be meant as an offering to underworld guards\!*)
In this Ghost Month, why donât you prove to your friends that youâre not one of the *Ghost People (gweilo)* and are now well and truly a Hongkonger at heart?\!
***Read More:** [How To Avoid Bringing Kids Up In An Expat Bubble In Hong Kong](https://www.sassymamahk.com/avoid-bringing-up-kids-expat-bubble-hong-kong-parenting/)*
***
*Main image courtesy of [Getty](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/chinese-traditions-religious-customs-zhongyuan-royalty-free-image/1361573212?phrase=hungry+ghost+festival), image 1 courtesy of [frank mckenna](https://unsplash.com/@frankiefoto) via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/incense-on-brown-vases-P-XX-PHSgyw), image 2 courtesy of [Getty](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/asian-chinese-tourist-praying-in-chinese-temple-royalty-free-image/2154401971?phrase=chinese+offerings), image 3 courtesy of [grungemann](https://www.flickr.com/photos/29753049@N04/ "Go to grungemannâs photostream") via [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/29753049@N04/9575468851/), image 4 courtesy of [Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto](https://www.pexels.com/@suju/) via [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bottoms-on-clothes-line-3215941/),*
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| Readable Markdown | ## Dating back over 2,000 years, weâre digging into the origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the dos and donâts you should be wary ofâŚ
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated in many communities around the world. In Hong Kong, itâs an especially exciting time to take part in one of the cityâs oldest traditions. If youâve been spotting **joss paper burning, opera performances and food offerings**, Hong Kong folks are paying homage to their deceased ancestors. If you and your family want to get involved and do your part for some good luck, make sure to leave some offerings of oranges and tea on your sidewalk for those hungry ghosts and read on for the festivalâs origins, taboos and more.
***Read More:** [Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival In Hong Kong](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-mid-autumn-festival-celebrate-families/)*
***

In the seventh month of the lunar calendar *(Ghost Month)*, the Chinese **believe hungry ghosts and wandering spirits roam the earth**, particularly on the 15th day *(Ghost Day)*. Linked to ancestor worship, citizens have been known to burn fake money and elaborate paper versions of material goods, such as cellphones and even purses, so the departed can use them in the afterlife. On the eve of Ghost Day, many families will get together and prepare a large feast for the hungry ghosts, in order to be left in peace. **Some may also go to the temple and bring offerings, often their ancestorsâ favourite foods.**
***Read More:** [100 Things To Do In Hong Kong With Kids And Families](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-things-to-do-with-kids-hong-kong/)*
***

## When Is The Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 & Things To Do In Hong Kong
Ghost Month runs from Saturday, 23 August to Sunday, 21 September this year, with the main Ghost Day on Saturday, 6th September 2025. Worshippers can be seen holding rituals and ceremonies to pay tribute to spirits â be respectful when observing worshippers.

You can also take the kids to see the Yu Lan Cultural Festival 2025 at the Moreton Terrace Temporary Playground from Friday, September 12 to Sunday, 14 September 2025 â previously held across the street at Victoria Park.
***Read More:** [Sassy Mamaâs Guide To Festivities Around The Globe](https://www.sassymamahk.com/whats-on-festive-season-celebration/)*
***
## Hungry Ghost Festival Dos & Donâts
There are a handful of taboos and beliefs about the Hungry Ghost Festival, and to stay on the safe side, below are things to avoid during this ghostly month\!
- Donât swim in open waters *(the beach day will have to wait!)*
- If you have an all-black wardrobe, switch things up! Black and red are believed to attract spirits\!
- Avoid whistling or singing at night â the noise might disturb the spirits or attract roaming spiritis
- Donât make major life decisions like starting a new job, moving to a new house or get married during this month, as itâs believed to be an inauspicious time

- Donât dry your laundry outside overnight
- Steer away from the last bus or train home, the empty seats are believed to be occupied by spirits\!
- Avoid taking photos at night or in the mirror *(weâve watched enough horror movies for this!)*
- Donât sleep facing the mirror or anything reflective
- Tapping or looking over your shoulder â we all have invisible flames on each shoulder that protect us
- Donât let the little ones pick up money off the streets! (*The money may be meant as an offering to underworld guards\!*)
In this Ghost Month, why donât you prove to your friends that youâre not one of the *Ghost People (gweilo)* and are now well and truly a Hongkonger at heart?\!
***Read More:** [How To Avoid Bringing Kids Up In An Expat Bubble In Hong Kong](https://www.sassymamahk.com/avoid-bringing-up-kids-expat-bubble-hong-kong-parenting/)*
***
*Main image courtesy of [Getty](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/chinese-traditions-religious-customs-zhongyuan-royalty-free-image/1361573212?phrase=hungry+ghost+festival), image 1 courtesy of [frank mckenna](https://unsplash.com/@frankiefoto) via [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/incense-on-brown-vases-P-XX-PHSgyw), image 2 courtesy of [Getty](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/asian-chinese-tourist-praying-in-chinese-temple-royalty-free-image/2154401971?phrase=chinese+offerings), image 3 courtesy of [grungemann](https://www.flickr.com/photos/29753049@N04/ "Go to grungemannâs photostream") via [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/29753049@N04/9575468851/), image 4 courtesy of [Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto](https://www.pexels.com/@suju/) via [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-bottoms-on-clothes-line-3215941/),* | ||||||||||||||||||
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