ℹ️ This guide is based on official information from Cultural Heritage Administration and Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and is updated regularly.
📌 Key Summary
• 2026 Chuseok: Sep 24 (Thu)~Sep 26 (Sat) + Sunday = 4 days
• 4 Major Palaces + Royal Tombs Free Admission (Sep 24~27)
• Traditional games & nature programs at 9 Seoul parks (free, some require reservation)
• Free events at Gwanghwamun Square, Namsangol Hanok Village, Hanseong Baekje Museum & more
• Note for tourists: Some shops & restaurants closed during Chuseok
📅 Last updated: Sep 11, 2026 | Updated as events are confirmed
Chuseok Holiday Schedule (Sep 24~27)
Chuseok 2026 falls on Friday, September 25. The official holiday runs from Sep 24 (Thu) to Sep 26 (Sat), and including the following Sunday you get 4 consecutive days off. There is no substitute holiday.
Taking one vacation day on Sep 23 (Wed) gives you a 5-day break from Wed to Sun.
🏯 Free Admission to the 4 Major Palaces + Joseon Royal Tombs
During Chuseok (Sep 24~27), Seoul’s 4 major palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Joseon Royal Tombs nationwide are open for free.
| Palace | Hours | Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | 09:00~18:00 | Tuesday | Gyeonghoeru & Hyangwonjeong special tours suspended |
| Changdeokgung | 09:00~18:00 | Monday | Secret Garden requires separate reservation |
| Deoksugung | 09:00~21:00 | Monday | Night tours available |
| Changgyeonggung | 09:00~18:00 | Monday | Quietest palace in central Seoul |
👶 Kids Tip: The palaces are quiet on Chuseok day (Sep 25). Entry is free any time if you wear hanbok, but over the holiday the photo spots are less crowded. Strollers are allowed, but the gravel paths at Gyeongbokgung are a bit hard on the wheels.
🎋 Namsangol Hanok Village Chuseok Festival (Sep 25~27)
Namsangol Hanok Village hosts a Chuseok Festival from Sep 25 to 27 with traditional games, folk performances, and holiday food sharing — all activities kids love.
📍 5-minute walk from Chungmuro Station Exit 3. Free admission.
👶 Kids Tip: The hanok village is compact enough for kids under 5 to walk around. Lines for traditional games (yutnori, jegichagi, tuho) can get long, so mornings are best.
✨ Gwanghwamun Bitmolak Autumn Festival
The Bitmolak Autumn Festival at Gwanghwamun Square is free with no reservation needed. It features performances, children’s book & humanities programs, postcard making, drawing, and traditional game experiences.
👶 Kids Tip: Gwanghwamun Square is wide and flat, perfect for strollers. The restrooms in the Sejong Center basement are clean. The square lighting is beautiful around sunset.
🌳 Chuseok Programs at 9 Seoul Parks (Sep 24~27)
The Seoul Metropolitan Government runs special Chuseok programs at 9 parks plus Seoul Botanic Park. They are family programs: traditional games, full moon viewing, forest activities, and ecology, craft and gardening sessions.
| Park | Programs | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup Park | Traditional games yard (yutnori, jegichagi, tuho) | No reservation needed |
| Namsan Park | Beeswax candle making, gardening, forest walk | Opens 9/9, 14:00 |
| Naksan Park | Seunggyeongdo (Joseon-era board game) | Opens 9/9, 14:00 |
| Yongsan Family Park | Autumn forest fruit & seed observation guide | Opens 9/9, 14:00 |
| Seonyudo Park | Ecology guide, craft workshop | Opens 9/10, 10:00 |
| Gyeongui Line Forest Park | Traditional games, forest guide | Opens 9/10, 10:00 |
| Boramae Park | Traditional games, nature experience | Opens 9/10, 10:00 |
| Seoul Botanic Park | Special exhibition + children’s programs | Check details |
⚡ Reservations via Seoul Public Service Reservation (yeyak.seoul.go.kr).
👶 Kids Tip: The traditional games yard at World Cup Park is the easiest option because no reservation is needed. Kids can run around on the big lawn, and if you walk up to Haneul Park you can see the silver grass fields.
🏛️ Free Museum Events
Hanseong Baekje Museum Chuseok Festival — Sep 26 (Sat) 10:00~17:00. Free traditional games, performances and hands-on programs in the museum plaza and lobby and at the Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum.
Seoul Museum of History Chuseok Event — Sep 26 (Sat). Traditional games, performances and hands-on programs.
👶 Kids Tip: The Seoul Baekje Children’s Museum inside Hanseong Baekje Museum is especially popular with preschoolers — it’s an interactive exhibit where kids can touch and play.
🌾 Yeouisaetgang Traditional Games
At Yeouisaetgang Ecology Center, families can try ganggangsullae (circle dance), stone tossing, nature jegichagi, family tug-of-war, and acorn spinning tops. Children must be accompanied by a guardian. Free — pre-register via Seoul Public Service Reservation to secure a spot.
🛍️ Chuseok Shopping Tips
If you plan to shop at Olive Young or Daiso during Chuseok, check store hours in advance. Major stores (Myeongdong, Gangnam) mostly stay open, but local branches often close on Chuseok day (Sep 25).
📌 Olive Young October 2026 Sale & New Arrivals Guide · Daiso October 2026: New Arrivals & Picks for Kids
🌏 Chuseok Guide for International Visitors
Chuseok is Korea’s biggest holiday. Here’s what international visitors should know:
- Free Palace Admission — Palaces that normally charge ₩3,000 are free for 4 days. Hanbok experience + palace visit is the best Chuseok activity
- Some shops closed — Many small shops & restaurants close on Chuseok day (Sep 25). Major malls & department stores stay open
- Public Transport — Subway & buses run normally (weekend schedule). Taxis are easier to catch than usual
- Traditional Experiences — You can try Korean traditional culture for free at the events in Namsangol Hanok Village and Gwanghwamun Square
💡 Tip: Seoul is quieter than usual during Chuseok as many residents travel to their hometowns. Tourist spots are actually less crowded — a great time for photos.
🏛️ Palace Admission Fees (Cultural Heritage Administration)
| Palace | Adult | Under 18 | Hanbok |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | ₩3,000 | Free | Free |
| Changdeokgung | ₩3,000 | Free | Free |
| Deoksugung | ₩1,000 | Free | Free |
| Changgyeonggung | ₩1,000 | Free | Free |
※ Night openings require separate reservation via royalpalace.go.kr.
📋 Sources
- Cultural Heritage Administration — Palace hours, admission, and night opening schedules
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center — Palace reservations and events
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🏛️ Palace, Traditional & Family Events Around Chuseok
A collection of traditional culture, palace, and family events in Seoul around the Chuseok holiday.
Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival
📍 Namsangol Hanok Village | 📅 Sep 12~13 | 💰 Free
Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour (별빛야행)
📍 Gyeongbokgung | 📅 From September (advance booking) | 💰 Paid
Deoksugung Seokjojeon at Night (밤의 석조전)
📍 Deoksugung (City Hall Station) | 📅 From September | 💰 Paid
Other Family & Traditional Events
- Bitmolak Autumn Festival — 📍 Gwanghwamun Square | 📅 9/24~27 | Free
- Jongno Family Performance Festival — 📍 Children’s Theater (Jongno) | 📅 10/2~11/1 | Paid
- Cheonho Park Autumn Festival — 📍 Cheonho Park (Gangdong-gu) | 📅 9/12~13 | Free
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