Hi, Jade here 🙋♀️. You know Chuseok Holiday is coming up this week, right? My family usually gets together for a quick meal on Chuseok and then everyone goes off to do their own thing. I’m actually planning a trip to Hong Kong this time ❤️🔥 What are you guys doing for the holiday?
Wait, you finally planned a trip to visit Korea… and realized it’s happening during Korea’s holiday called ‘Chuseok’..? Are you freaking out that everything is going to be locked up tight, leaving you trapped in your accommodation until you fly back home?? If you’re stressing, keep reading.
🤔 Q1. What Even Is Chuseok Holiday?
Chuseok is Korea’s harvest festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, carrying the pretty native name Hangawi. The word gawi is an old term meaning “middle,” and since it falls right in the middle of the lunar autumn and marks the harvest season after wrapping up farming for the year, it established itself as the most abundant holiday.
- Historical Background:
According to records, the most famous origin story comes from Silla’s autumn singing and dancing competition called Gabae. The king split people into two teams for a contest, and the losing team had to treat the winning team to a massive spread of food and drinks while everyone enjoyed music and dancing. - Differences from Mid-Autumn Festival & Thanksgiving:
China’s Mid-Autumn Festival is a family-centric holiday centered around moon-gazing and sharing mooncakes, whereas Korea’s Chuseok combines ancestral memorial rites called Charye with grave-visiting customs.
While it’s often translated as the US Thanksgiving, unlike Thanksgiving which has religious roots, Chuseok is an indigenous holiday combining the natural cycle of an agricultural society with ancestor worship. That’s why Western countries are increasingly using the native noun “Chuseok” instead of a translation. - It’s most intuitive to understand it as a “Korean Fall Festival where everyone gathers to thank ancestors, celebrate the year’s harvest, and spend time with family.”
🍚 Q2. The Core of Korean Chuseok: What Is Charye?
You can’t talk about Chuseok culture without mentioning Charye. While Jesa is a memorial rite held on the exact date someone passed away, Charye is a simplified ritual on holidays like Chuseok and Lunar New Year where people offer tea, fresh fruit, and food to their ancestors to show gratitude. The name originated from rites offering tea, but today the table is packed with abundant food like songpyeon made from the year’s newly harvested rice, fresh fruit, various savory pancakes (jeon), and grilled skewers.
🌝 Q3. What Do Modern Koreans Actually Do on Chuseok?
Back in the day, the hallmark of Korean Chuseok was days of family gathering to flip mountains of savory pancakes and women stressing out over setting the ritual table. But over the last few years, lifestyle shifts in Korean society have completely flipped the holiday vibe.
- ‘Chukangseu’ (Chuseok + Vacance) Trend:
A huge number of people use the long break to head overseas for travel or enjoy staycations at top local hotels. Escaping holiday labor and grabbing pure rest is the modern generation’s trend. - Dual Commercial Districts:
On the actual holiday, small neighborhood mom-and-pop shops and supermarkets close down, but massive shopping complexes (like Starfield, The Hyundai, etc.), movie theaters, and franchise cafes operate normally or get even more packed with crowds.
Q4. “Is Seoul Travel Dead During the Chuseok Holiday?” — Myths and Realities
The biggest misconception is that “if you go to Seoul during Chuseok, every shop and tourist spot is shut down with nothing to do.” The reality is completely different!
- Palaces and Cultural Facilities Open:
In fact, the government and local offices often throw open the 4 major palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung) and royal tombs for free during the holiday for tourists visiting Seoul. It’s the ultimate chance to enjoy normally ticketed spots without spending a dime. - Subway and City Bus Late-Night Extensions:
During the final two days when travelers head back to Seoul, major lines (Subway Lines 1–9, Sillim Line, Ui-Sinseol Line, and city buses) extend their final departures until 1 AM the next day. They add over 100 extra runs to help late-night transit.
📌 Real Tip: On the actual holiday and early in the break, city buses and subways run on weekend/holiday schedules with slightly wider intervals, but late in the break, even if you arrive late at Seoul Station or terminals, the extended final times mean you can easily grab public transit home. Plus, Seoul’s late-night buses (N buses) keep running normally throughout the holiday.
🧚♂️ Q5. “What Should Seoul Tourists Actually Do During Chuseok Trip?” — Recommended Courses & Events
This year’s (2026) Chuseok break runs for 4 days straight from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27. Here are the top cultural events tourists and locals can enjoy in Seoul during this window:
- Namsangol Hanok Village ‘Namsan Moonlight Yard’ (Sept 25 – Sept 27):
Visitors can enjoy traditional performances like tightrope walking and Arirang, along with 7 different traditional hands-on experiences, quilting craft workshops with master artisans, and trying on hanbok and traditional braided hair (daenggimeori). Basically, the festival yard, traditional play zones, and performance viewings are totally free to enjoy freely on-site without prior reservations. The event runs from 10:00 to 20:00 daily, and some activities are paid. On September 27, there will be a free hanbok styling experience including traditional hair styling and K-beauty makeup too!! (onsite registration required).
- Check the Official Link 👉 [🧷Link]
- 4 Major Palaces Night Openings & Special Events:
Strolling through palace nights against the cool autumn breeze is the absolute highlight of a Seoul trip. Traditional gugak performances or royal night gathering events hosted at each palace give you visuals you will never forget. Night openings for spots like Gyeongbokgung or Changgyeonggung open online ticketing in advance, so make sure to check ticket drop dates once your schedule locks in. Also, if you show up dressed in a nice hanbok, you often get counted for free night entry (available for walk-ins without prior booking).
- National Museum of Korea(NMK) Chuseok Cultural Event:
During the Chuseok holiday from September 24 to 27 (excluding Chuseok Day on the 25th), the National Museum of Korea presents “The Art Spot Series” performances, where you can experience the charm of Korea’s intangible heritage. Performances will be held twice daily at 13:00 and 15:00 at the Open Plaza of the National Museum of Korea.
- However, note that the museum is closed on Chuseok Day (the 25th)!
Permanent exhibition halls, special exhibition galleries, and outdoor exhibition grounds are open as usual.
📌 Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun: 09:30 – 17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)
📌 Wed, Sat (Night Openings): 09:30 – 21:00 (Last entry at 20:30)
- However, note that the museum is closed on Chuseok Day (the 25th)!
🙌 Check out the official Seoul Metropolitan Government blog for more events 👉 [🧷Link]
❤️🔥 Conclusion: “Practical Survival Guide for Chuseok Trip to Seoul”
Lastly, keep these 3 practical tips in mind to max out your Chuseok holiday:
- Target Major Commercial Districts & Franchises for Meals:
Since mom-and-pop alley restaurants are likely to close on the actual holiday (September 25), targeting department store food basements, mega-mall restaurants, or global franchises is the safe play. - Check Social Media / Map Apps Before Visiting:
If you have your eye on a local hot place or indie cafe, check their Instagram announcements or Naver Map for holiday closing status before heading out. - Designate Subways as Your Core Route:
Plan your Seoul city movement primarily around subways since they avoid traffic jams, and extended operating hours even let you stay out late.