Hungry Ghost Festival 2025 in Hong Kong

According to Chinese beliefs, the Ghost Festival occurs on the 15th night of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar. It's a period when hungry, restless ghosts roam the living world, prompting people to make various offerings to appease them. The Hungry Ghost Festival, marking the midpoint of Ghost Month, sees most activities concentrated on this day. Celebrations take place at around 60 locations across Hong Kong.

Offerings

To avoid ghosts doing naughty things that could affect the living, offerings are made during the festival. People burn special origami paper gifts that look like clothing, household items, and electronics, so don’t be surprised if you smell fire on the street or in your apartment block premises. Special sheds are installed all over Hong Kong so that believers can worship the gods and make offerings. Elaborate meals, often vegetarian, are served with a unique tradition: empty seats are set aside for each deceased family member.

Night Shows

At night, operas are performed everywhere on the streets, but the front row of seats is always empty because it is reserved for the ghosts. During the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong, nighttime shows are staged at high volumes to attract and please spirits, including the dragon and lion dances. Performances range from traditional Chinese opera to modern entertainment like concerts and dramas, collectively known as Getai or "Merry-making."

Carnivals

During the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong, several neighborhoods host lively three-day carnivals, with some extending beyond this duration. Despite initial impressions, these festivities are entirely harmless and filled with diverse activities. Typically, day one is dedicated to rituals inviting spirits to join the celebrations, accompanied by opera performances, games, and more. On day 2, another ritual is performed, this time to seek blessings from the spirits. The third day begins with a concluding ritual, followed by a festive feast at night, marking the culmination of the vibrant experience.

Superstitions

During the Hungry Ghost Festival, it's advisable to adhere to various superstitions to ward off wandering spirits. Avoid wearing black or red, as these colors are believed to attract ghosts. Steer clear of the number 4, which sounds like "death" in Cantonese. Additionally, it's best to avoid water and refrain from sleeping facing a mirror, as these actions are thought to draw in evil spirits. Other precautions include avoiding stepping on or kicking roadside offerings, refraining from placing children on temple altars, refraining from whistling or singing at night, avoiding looking under altars, and refraining from picking up coins found on the ground.

History of the Festival

The name relates to the concept of the hungry ghost, the Chinese translation of the term preta in Buddhism. It plays a role in Chinese Buddhism and Taoism as well as in Chinese folk religion. It represents beings who were originally living people, who have died, and who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way. The festival was named part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. Its origin dates back more than 2,000 years. It is widely celebrated by the Chiu Chow community in Hong Kong, which traces its roots to Guangdong province.