Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) in China
Thursday, August 27, 2026 ยท Asia/Shanghai
When is Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) in China in 2026?
Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) in China is on Thursday, August 27, 2026 (Asia/Shanghai). Thatโs 30 days ยท about 4 weeks. It falls on a Thursday.
Is Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) a public holiday in China?
Hungry Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) is widely observed in China, but it is not a nationwide public holiday. Some regions may still observe it locally.
How China celebrates
In mainland China, families honour ancestors with home altars and grave visits, burn joss paper at street corners after dusk, and in riverside cities release lotus-shaped water lanterns. Hong Kong's Chiu Chow community stages the celebrated Yu Lan festival with opera performances and communal rice distribution, recognised on China's national intangible cultural heritage list.
What people eat
Whole poached chicken, roast pork and steamed rice offered to ancestors and then shared at the family meal, with tea, pomelo and seasonal fruit.