Every seventh month of the Lunar calendar, Chinese people believe that the Gates of Hell opens, letting the spirits of their ancestors roam around the living realm. They call this the “Ghost Month,” and pay respect to the ancestral spirits in a festival called the “Hungry Ghost Festival.” During this, they prepare food offerings, perform rituals, and follow traditions, among other activities.

In Singapore, the festival will kick off on Aug. 16 this year, also referred to as the first day of the seventh lunar month, and end on Sept. 14. While the festival is celebrated solemnly, you can still expect lively activities and traditions to be carried out throughout the occasion. Here are some of the things you can expect at this year’s event.

Live Performances

In Singapore, among the most prominent traditions during the festival are the live performances, also known as “Getai.” These are believed to be for the ancestral spirits’ entertainment, and can range from Chinese dramas, song or dance performances to puppet shows and comedic skits.

One unique thing about these concerts is that the front row seats should be left empty, as they are reserved for special guests: the spirits. If you’re visiting Singapore during this period, you can see large tents set up around the city with temporary stages, where these performances are held. However, always remember to never sit at the front! According to beliefs, taking these special seats can cause sickness.

For those who don’t prefer to watch physically, these performances are also livestreamed online.

Incense, Joss Papers, and Lanterns

Just like any other festival, people celebrating the Ghost Month also follow various traditions to keep good fortune coming. On the 15th lunar day of the month, or “Ghost Day,” which is on Aug. 30, it is a tradition to burn joss papers (also known as ghost money) and incense to feed the deceased. Another practice is to float paper lanterns down a river, which is believed to help lead the ghosts to their homes or to reincarnation.

Food Offerings

To appease the “hungry ghosts,” one of the most effective ways is through delighting them with food offerings, most especially those that are associated with good fortune. This includes oranges, sticky rice dumplings (usually in pink colour), and peanuts.

Singaporeans usually put these in a makeshift altar, where they perform appeasement ceremonies for the ghosts. Of course, this wouldn’t be complete without celebratory staple foods, such as rice and meat, as well as wines and teas. They even put bags of salt and sugar on their altars.

Superstitions and Beliefs

The Hungry Ghost Festival can be quite ominous, so you can expect numerous dos and don’ts that you need to follow. One thing is to avoid “encountering” the spirits so as not to attract bad luck. A few ways you can do this are to avoid staying out late at night, avoid wearing red and black clothes, and staying away from bodies of water.

During the festival, people are also advised to avoid making big life decisions, such as moving to a new home, holding a wedding, or putting up a business. Doing these is believed to lead to unpleasant outcomes, such as inviting unwanted spirits in your new home, having uninvited guests to your wedding, or your business failing.

Here are some other things you should steer clear of:

• Walking near walls or standing against them
• Watching scary movies
• Hanging your clothes outside during the night
• Whistling, talking, or singing at night
• Picking up things on the street