Hungry Ghost Festival

When the seventh month rolls around, Chinatown transforms into a world of smoke, colour, and ritual. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a time when the living honour the departed with offerings, joss paper, and elaborate street performances — think getai concerts and Chinese opera stages rising out of the public streets. It's a cultural spectacle that's equal parts solemn and festive, and you don't need a ticket to soak it in.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, 27 August 2026, and runs through the evening (and yes, midnight start means the offerings begin on the dot). Head to Chinatown — the heart of the action — where you'll find stalls selling incense, paper houses, and snacks, and where the streets buzz with devotees and curious visitors alike. No price tag on this one, so it's a budget-friendly cultural deep-dive for anyone keen on seeing a side of Singapore that's thick with tradition.