Korea Chuseok 2026: What to Expect, What's Open & How to Plan
Chuseok (추석) is Korea's Thanksgiving — a three-day harvest festival when the entire country goes home. In 2026, it falls on Tuesday, September 22 to Thursday, September 24. If you're planning a Korea trip in September, Chuseok will completely shape your experience — for better or worse. Some things close. Some things are magical. And if you don't plan ahead, you'll spend the holiday watching shuttered shops.
This guide tells you exactly what to expect, what stays open, and how to turn Chuseok from a trip obstacle into a cultural highlight.
Book Your Chuseok Trip
September is perfect weather in Korea. Book hotels early — Chuseok week gets busy:
2026 Chuseok Dates
| Date | Day | What |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21 (Mon) | Day before Chuseok | Substitute holiday (expected) |
| Sep 22 (Tue) | Chuseok Eve | Public holiday. Families travel home. Major exodus from cities. |
| Sep 23 (Wed) | Chuseok Day | Main holiday. Ancestor rites, family gatherings. Quietest day. |
| Sep 24 (Thu) | Day after Chuseok | Public holiday. Families return to cities. Traffic jams. |
| Sep 25 (Fri) | Bridge day | Many take Friday off → potential 5-day weekend |
Key insight: Most Koreans leave Seoul for their hometowns on Sep 21–22 and return Sep 24–25. This means Seoul is eerily quiet and empty during Chuseok itself — which is actually a fantastic time for tourists if you plan right.
What Is Chuseok?
Chuseok is Korea's most important traditional holiday — a harvest festival that dates back over 2,000 years. Koreans:
- Travel to their hometown to visit family (imagine the entire country moving at once)
- Perform charye (차례) — ancestor memorial rites with elaborate food offerings
- Visit ancestral graves for beolcho (벌초) — clearing weeds and paying respects
- Eat songpyeon (송편) — half-moon shaped rice cakes filled with sesame, chestnut, or red bean
- Play traditional games — yutnori (board game), Korean wrestling, tug-of-war
- Wear hanbok — many Koreans wear traditional clothing during Chuseok
For Koreans, it's about family, food, and tradition. For tourists, it's a window into Korean culture that you can't experience any other time of year.
What's Open & What's Closed
CLOSED (Sep 22–24)
- Banks and government offices
- Most small restaurants and shops — especially family-run places
- Traditional markets — Namdaemun, Gwangjang, Noryangjin may close or have limited hours
- Many cafes and local businesses
- Some museums — check individual websites
OPEN (Sep 22–24)
- Royal palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, etc. are OPEN and often FREE during Chuseok
- Major tourist attractions — N Seoul Tower, Lotte World, Everland
- Department stores — Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai (may have reduced hours)
- Convenience stores — always open (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
- Chain restaurants — most Korean chains stay open
- Hotels and accommodation
- Subway and buses — running on holiday schedule (reduced frequency)
- Temples — open and often holding special ceremonies
Why Chuseok Is Actually Great for Tourists
Most travel advice says "avoid Korea during Chuseok." We disagree. Here's why:
- Seoul is empty. Normally 10-million-person Seoul loses half its population. Famous spots that are normally packed — Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Namsan — are quiet.
- Free palace admission. All four major Seoul palaces offer FREE entry during Chuseok. Normally 3,000 KRW each.
- Cultural programs. Palaces and cultural centres run special Chuseok programs — traditional games, songpyeon making, folk performances.
- Beautiful weather. Late September is Korea's best weather — 20–25°C, clear skies, low humidity. Perfect for walking and photography.
- Early autumn colours. Some trees start turning, especially at higher elevations. A preview of the spectacular autumn foliage season.
Best Things to Do During Chuseok
1. Visit the Royal Palaces (Free!)
Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung all offer free admission during Chuseok. With fewer crowds, this is the best time to explore them. Many also run special cultural programs.
2. Wear Hanbok
Chuseok is the most natural time to wear hanbok. You'll see Koreans in traditional dress everywhere. Rent one near Gyeongbokgung and blend in. Wearing hanbok gets you free palace entry any day of the year.
3. Make Songpyeon (Traditional Rice Cakes)
Several cultural centres and cooking classes offer songpyeon-making workshops during Chuseok week. You knead rice dough, fill it with sesame or chestnut, and steam it on pine needles. A hands-on cultural experience you can't get any other time.
4. Folk Village Chuseok Programs
Korean Folk Village (Yongin, 1h from Seoul) runs special Chuseok performances — traditional wrestling, tightrope walking, farmers' music, and folk games. It's like stepping into 18th-century Korea.
5. Temple Stay
Temples are peaceful during Chuseok — monks stay while most visitors go home. A temple stay over the holiday is an extraordinary experience: meditation, chanting, temple food, and silence.
Chuseok Foods to Try
| Food | What | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Songpyeon (송편) | Half-moon rice cakes with sesame, chestnut, or red bean filling. Steamed on pine needles. | Bakeries, convenience stores, department store food halls |
| Jeon (전) | Korean savoury pancakes — buchimgae, kimchijeon, haemul pajeon. Every family makes these. | Open restaurants, department store food courts |
| Japchae (잡채) | Glass noodles with vegetables and meat — a festive dish served at every Chuseok table. | Korean restaurants, cooking classes |
| Galbi-jjim (갈비찜) | Braised short ribs — the showpiece of Chuseok feasts. | Korean BBQ restaurants that stay open |
| Fresh fruit | Apples, pears, and persimmons are Chuseok gifts. Korean pears (배) are enormous and juicy. | Department stores, convenience stores |
Best Destinations During Chuseok
| Destination | Why During Chuseok | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Empty city, free palaces, cultural programs | Some restaurants closed — eat at hotels or chains |
| Gyeongju | Historic capital, temples open, early autumn feel | Quiet — fewer services |
| Jeonju | Hanok Village has Chuseok programs and traditional food | Popular with domestic tourists |
| Andong | Hahoe Village — UNESCO site, most traditional Chuseok atmosphere | Remote, limited services |
| Jeju | Nature doesn't close. Perfect beach + hiking weather. | Flights in/out may be scarce |
Book Accommodation for Chuseok Week
Late September is peak autumn tourism. Book 6+ weeks ahead.
Transport Warnings
Critical: Transport during Chuseok is a nightmare for Koreans — highways gridlock, trains sell out weeks ahead, domestic flights are fully booked. As a tourist, plan around this.
Avoid
- Sep 21–22: Don't travel between cities. Highways are 6–12 hour gridlocks (Seoul→Busan normally 4h becomes 10h+). Everyone is going home.
- Sep 24–25: Same problem in reverse — everyone returns to the cities.
- KTX trains: Sell out 1 month ahead for Chuseok dates. If you need to travel, book the moment tickets open.
What to Do Instead
- Stay in one city for the Chuseok period (Sep 22–24). Don't try to move between cities.
- Travel before Sep 21 or after Sep 25 for intercity trips.
- Seoul subway runs fine on a holiday schedule. Getting around within Seoul is no problem.
Pre-Book Transport
If you must travel between cities, book KTX tickets the moment they become available (usually 1 month before).
Where to Stay
Hotels in Seoul are actually easier to book during Chuseok — Korean families go to their hometowns, not hotels. Prices may even drop slightly. But international tourist demand stays steady, so still book ahead.
Best Areas in Seoul for Chuseok
- Jongno / Insadong — walking distance to palaces running Chuseok programs
- Myeongdong — department stores and chain restaurants stay open
- Hongdae — younger area, more places stay open over holidays
See Where to Stay in Seoul for detailed neighbourhood guides.
Practical Tips
- Stock up on food the day before. Buy snacks, drinks, and instant meals from convenience stores or department store food halls on Sep 21. Some restaurants will be closed Sep 22–24.
- Hotel restaurants are your friend. Even if neighbourhood restaurants close, hotel dining stays open.
- Download Naver Map. Google Maps doesn't work well in Korea. Naver Map shows you which restaurants are open in real-time.
- Bring cash. ATMs work, but some convenience store ATMs may have reduced hours.
- Enjoy the quiet. Seriously — Chuseok Seoul is a photographer's dream. Empty streets, golden light, palaces without crowds.
- Weather is perfect. Late September: 18–25°C, low humidity, clear skies. Pack layers for morning and evening (it can drop to 12°C at night).
FAQ
Should I avoid Korea during Chuseok?
No! If you stay in one city (especially Seoul), Chuseok is fantastic. Empty streets, free palaces, cultural programs, perfect weather. Just don't try to travel between cities on Sep 21–24.
Are flights affected?
International flights to/from Korea are normal. Domestic flights (e.g., Seoul–Jeju) sell out weeks ahead during Chuseok. Book early or avoid domestic flights Sep 21–25.
Can I find food during Chuseok?
Yes, but with effort. Convenience stores (24/7), hotel restaurants, chain restaurants (McDonald's, etc.), and department store food halls stay open. Small local restaurants may close 1–3 days.
Is the autumn foliage started by Chuseok?
Usually not in full — peak foliage in Seoul is mid-October to early November. But higher elevations (Seoraksan, Hallasan) may show early colours by late September. See our Autumn Foliage 2026 Guide.
What gifts do Koreans give during Chuseok?
Fruit boxes (especially Korean pears and apples), beef gift sets, Spam gift sets (yes, Spam is prestigious in Korea), ginseng products, and songpyeon. Department stores set up elaborate Chuseok gift sections weeks before.
Plan Your Chuseok Korea Trip
Late September is one of the best times to be in Korea. Lock in the essentials:
Last updated: March 2026. Chuseok 2026 dates are confirmed (based on lunar calendar). Substitute holiday arrangements will be announced by the Korean government closer to the date.
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