"Ghost Trains & Night Parade of Spirits" – Spooky & Creative Ghost Month Fun

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

As Lunar July, commonly known as "Ghost Month," approaches, various regions are launching "spooky-themed" events to make the month less frightening. Activities such as the Keelung Ghost Festival and the Taiwan Railways Administration's "Ghost Train," along with Hualien's Night Parade of Spirits, bring fun and creativity to Ghost Month.


▲How would you react if you were a passenger on this train? (Photo / File photo, taken by reporter You...)

The "Keelung Ghost Festival" organized by the Keelung City Cultural Affairs Bureau has once again partnered with Taiwan Railways this year to launch the "Ghost Train." Ghosts from Xitou Monster Village, both local and international, will board the electric trains running between Taipei and Keelung to spend time with passengers in the carriages. There will also be live performances by ghost-themed bands. Travelers eager to get up close with ghostly figures can experience the "ride with the ghosts" feeling by taking TRA trains on August 9. On July 27, the day of Ghost Gate Opening, there will be a flash mob dance event at Taipei Railway Station.


▲Last year’s Ghost Train featured zombies, ghost brides, and the Mountain King Baozi from Monster Village. (Photo / File photo, taken by reporter You...)

The annual Night Parade of Spirits is back with more mischief this year. The "Smokehouse Lost Trail Night Parade of Spirits Festival" kicks off on August 2. On that day, after “meeting the ghosts” at the train station, a street parade will begin in Fenglin Township. Ghosts and ghouls will perform along the streets of Beilin’s three villages, alongside a limited-time haunted house experience, ghost photography contests, and a special exhibition on ghost talismans. The ghost photography contest offers a total prize pool of NT$75,000.


▲The annual Fenglin Night Parade of Spirits is also a creative ghost-themed showcase. (Photo / FromNight Parade of Spirits at Smokehouse Lost TrailFacebook fan page)