The second annual Hungry Ghost Festival will take over San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown this weekend. The festival is celebrated in East and Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, and more.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, covering several blocks in Chinatown. The SF festival debuted in 2023, drawing crowds to enjoy the lively event. The Hungry Ghost Festival falls on the fifth day of the seventh month, called Ghost Day, which marks when the line between the spiritual realm is blurred, and ghosts and spirits can cross into the living world. Buddhists and Taoists typically observe the Hungry Ghost Festival, and it is often celebrated in various ways depending on the region.
This year’s theme for the San Francisco Celebration is “Downpour, Uproar!” to embrace “chasing the emotions and catharsis of rage and sorrow,” according to the Chinese Cultural Center of San Francisco.
Schedule and activities for the SF Hungry Ghost Festival
The celebration will include a packed schedule, beginning with a parade followed by performances, an art pop-up, a marketplace, and even a kid-friendly area. The Ghost King Parade will start at 4:00 pm at Rose Park Station and end at Portsmouth Square. You’ll find art pop-ups on Grant Ave, a marketplace on Waverly Pl, and a stage for performances in Portsmouth Square.
The main stage will host over a dozen performances, including the Portsmouth Square Dancing Club, Stanford Taiko, the San Francisco Opera, and many more. Yau Kung Moon, a Lion Dance and Kung Foo group, is scheduled to perform, and the Marigold Project will contribute poetry to the festivities. You can expect several art activations at the event, including some from the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and Art Together (Hong Kong).
The festival will also present various community booths from organizations, including the Asian Women’s Shelter, Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, Southeast Asian Community Center (SEACC), and more.
The festival is scheduled for August 17, starting at 4:00 pm in Chinatown, between Rose Pak station and Portsmouth Square.