Chuseok, one of Korea’s three major traditional holidays, is approaching—a special time to celebrate the abundance of autumn and experience Korea’s traditional culture. During the holiday, major cultural attractions such as royal palaces and museums offer free admission, while traditional performances and hands-on programs are held across the country. From holiday foods to traditional games, this guide shows travelers how to make the most of Chuseok in Korea in 2026.
■ Chuseok in Korea
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Chuseok is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays, along with Seollal (Lunar New Year). In 2026, Chuseok falls on Friday, September 25, and the holiday runs from Thursday, September 24, to Saturday, September 26. It is a time to celebrate the year’s harvest and to gather with family and share the bounty of the season.
Songpyeon is a signature Chuseok food traditionally made to celebrate the harvest. Shaped like a half-moon—the waxing moon is believed to symbolize prosperity and growth—these rice cakes are filled with soybeans, sesame seeds, red beans, or other fillings, then steamed over a bed of pine needles, which gives them a rich, nutty taste and subtle fragrance. Other Chuseok favorites include jeon (meat, vegetables, or seafood coated in egg and pan-fried), japchae (glass noodles stir-fried with assorted vegetables), and yakgwa (traditional cookie flavored with honey and ginger). These holiday foods can be found at traditional markets, rice cake shops, and Korean restaurants.
▶ Recommended Places
[HANSIK Space E:eum, Seoul]
- A Korean cooking center offering hands-on classes in making jeon and songpyeon during the Chuseok season (Book Now)
- - Address: 3F, 18 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 북촌로 18)
[Mapo Jeon Alley]
- A great place to sample a wide variety of jeon, including kimchijeon (kimchi pancake), donggeurangttaeng (meat fritters), and bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes)
- - Address: 23 Mallijae-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 마포구 만리재로 23)
[Heotjesabap Kkachi Gumeongjip, Andong]
- A restaurant serving complete meals of dishes traditionally prepared for ancestral rites, including seasoned vegetables, soup, jeon, and grilled fish
- - Address: 203 Seokju-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 안동시 석주로 203)
Chuseok has long been a time for families and neighbors to gather and enjoy traditional games and dances. One of the best known is ganggangsullae, in which people join hands to sing and dance in a circle under the full moon, expressing hopes for a bountiful harvest and peace in the community. Other Korean traditions inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity include ssireum, traditional Korean wrestling that combines strength and technique, and talchum, a masked dance drama. Today, visitors can take part in hands-on programs at royal palaces, museums, and local festivals, making Chuseok an ideal time to experience these traditions for themselves.
▶ Recommended Places
- A recreated village showcasing everyday life and traditional culture from the Joseon period (late 14th–early 20th century), with a variety of folk games to try
- - Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90)
- Korea’s largest hanok village, with some 700 traditional houses, offering traditional games as well as modern board games inspired by them
- - Address: 99 Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do (경기도 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90)
[Andong Mask Dance Park]
- The main venue for the 2026 Andong Maskdance Festival (September 24–October 4), where visitors can enjoy traditional mask dance performances
- - Address: 239 Yuksa-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 안동시 육사로 239)
During the Chuseok holiday, visitors can enjoy free admission to Seoul’s four major royal palaces—Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace—as well as Jongmyo Shrine, the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty, and all 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty. These sites offer a glimpse into Joseon-era architecture and royal culture, making them ideal for travelers interested in Korean history and tradition. Major national museums and art museums, including the National Museum of Korea and the four branches of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA Seoul, MMCA Deoksugung, MMCA Gwacheon, and MMCA Cheongju), are generally closed on Chuseok Day but open for the rest of the holiday. As indoor venues, they are a good choice whatever the weather.
Around 40 national recreational forests across Korea offer free admission during the holiday. Some also host traditional games and hands-on activities, offering a fun way to get into the festive spirit. Note that fees still apply to accommodations and camping platforms.
🔗 Explore More National Recreational Forests in Korea (Korean Only)
# Celebrate Chuseok with Special Events
Cultural festivals, hands-on programs, and other special events take place across Korea throughout the holiday. Here is a quick guide to some of the best events travelers can join over Chuseok 2026.
▶ Recommended Events
Nationwide | Cultural Events at National Museums
- National museums across Korea offer a range of traditional cultural programs.
- - Venues: Cheongju National Museum , Jeonju National Museum , Iksan National Museum , Daegu National Museum, National Maritime Museum and others
- - Dates: September 24-27, 2026 (Varies by venue; most museums are closed on Chuseok Day, September 25, so check before visiting.)
Seoul | Chuseok Seoro Market
- Traditional games and crafts, along with booths selling regional produce and seafood
- - Venue: Seoul Plaza
- - Dates: September 15-17, 2026
Seoul | Namsan Moonlight Madang
- Traditional performances, a hanbok experience, traditional games, K-food market and more
- - Venue: Namsangol Hanok Village
- - Dates: September 25-27, 2026
Seoul | Korean Confucian Culture EXPO
- experience programs including traditional rituals, folk games, K-Seonbi culture, and Korean medicine culture
- - Venue: Seonggyungwan National Academy Myeongnyungwang
- - Dates: September 25-27, 2026
Gyeonggi-do | Namhansanseong Autumn Festa
- Cultural activities, fortress trail tours, and special Chuseok programs, including traditional Korean music performances and evening walks
- - Venue: Namhansanseong Fortress
- - Dates: September – October, 2026 (Special Chuseok programs: September 24-27, 2026)
- Q. Do I need to book transportation in advance for the holiday?
- A. Yes. Train and express bus tickets sell out quickly as travel demand surges during major holidays. If you plan to travel between cities, be sure to check when advance bookings open for each service. It is also worth having a backup plan, such as renting a car, in case you cannot get the tickets you want.
- Q. Can I visit Yeosu’s islands on a day trip?
- A. Yes. Islands close to the mainland, such as Geumodo, Gaedo, and Sado, as well as Odongdo and Nangdo, which are accessible by road, can generally be visited on a day trip. For more remote islands such as Geomundo, located over 50 km from Yeosu Port, it is best to plan to stay at least one night to allow for ferry schedules.
- Q. Do subways and buses run during the holiday?
- A. Yes. Subways and city buses operate as usual throughout the holiday. On Chuseok Day and the following day, some services may run later than usual for travelers returning from holiday trips. Public transportation is the best way to get around within cities during the holiday.
- Q. Do tourist attractions, restaurants, and shops close during the holiday?
- A. Holiday hours vary, so it is best to check each venue’s official website before visiting. Many department stores, shopping malls, and restaurants close on Chuseok Day or for part of the holiday, while convenience stores and shops near tourist attractions often remain open. You can also check current hours on Korean map apps such as Naver Map and KakaoMap.
- - Original article by Jung Won Park / Translated by KTO
- - Photos by Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization, Busan Metropolitan City, ClipartKorea
