It’s the time of the year again, when the gates of the underworld are open and the spirits of the dead roam the earth! Too early for Halloween, you say? Ah, but it’s just the right time for the Hungry Ghost Festival, observed during the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The festival itself is celebrated on the 15th night of the 7th month, although some groups celebrate it on the 14th night. The entire month is considered the ghost month, however, and superstition holds that one should be extra careful when walking the streets during this time, so as to not offend any wandering spirits. You can find out more about the Ghost Festival here.

Chinatownboy has a post up about the festivities in Chinatown. He writes:

14th evening of the 7th month is said to be the day when Cantonese would make their offerings to the “Good Brothers”, a polite term used for the wandering souls. For the Hokkien, it would be 15th as well as the 1st and last day of the 7th month, when they would be receiving them with offerings and sending off with offerings as well. The 7th month is a reminder to the Chinese about their ancestors. Many would make offerings at home to their ancestors. For many who these days have the ancestor tablets in clan associations or temples, families would make a trip there. On the 15th day, Taoists would pay respect to the “Earth Official” known as Di Guan 地官.

You can check out his full post here.