Chuseok is one of Korea’s biggest and most meaningful holidays, and if you are new to the country, it can also be one of the most confusing times to make plans. Many Koreans travel to their hometowns, some neighborhood businesses close, and Seoul can suddenly feel much quieter than usual.
But a quieter city does not have to mean a boring one. From free palace visits and folk games to museums, theme parks, and a peaceful temple-culture experience, there are plenty of great things to do during Chuseok in Korea.
In 2026, the official Chuseok holiday runs from Thursday, September 24, to Saturday, September 26, with Chuseok Day falling on Friday, September 25. Since September 27 is a Sunday, many people will enjoy a four-day break.
Before You Make Plans
Chuseok is not a holiday for spontaneous long-distance travel. Major roads, train stations, airports, and bus terminals become extremely busy as people travel to and from their hometowns. If you are planning to leave Seoul, reserve transport and accommodation early.
It is also important to check opening hours directly before you go. Major attractions, palaces, museums, department stores, and theme parks often remain open or offer special programs, but smaller independent cafés, restaurants, markets, and local businesses may close for one or more days. In 2026, many museums are expected to close on Chuseok Day itself—Friday, September 25—so do not assume that a venue will be open just because it is open on a normal Friday.
Here is a list of things to do during Chuseok!
1. Visit a Palace for Free
Chuseok is a fantastic time to explore Seoul’s royal heritage. During the 2026 holiday period, major palaces, including Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung, as well as Jongmyo Shrine and Joseon royal tombs in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, are scheduled to offer free admission from September 24 through 27.
If you have been meaning to rent a hanbok, this is an especially good time to do it. Visitors wearing hanbok can generally enter participating palaces without purchasing a separate admission ticket, and the traditional clothing makes photos around the palace grounds even more memorable.
At Gyeongbokgung, visitors can also watch traditional ceremonial programs, including the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony. It is a simple way to add a little history to your holiday itinerary without spending the whole day indoors.
2. Try Traditional Games at a Hanok Village or Folk Museum
A Chuseok celebration is the perfect excuse to try activities you may have seen in K-dramas but never actually played yourself. Traditional games such as yutnori, ddakji, and tuho are often included in holiday programs around Seoul.
Namsangol Hanok Village is a popular place to start. Located near Namsan in central Seoul, it offers traditional Korean houses, cultural programming, and a setting that feels pleasantly removed from the surrounding city. Holiday schedules change each year, so check the official website or social channels shortly before visiting.
You can also consider the Lotte World Folk Museum, which is scheduled to host a Folk Games Festival during the Chuseok holiday in 2026. The program includes activities such as pitch-pot, yutnori, and ddakji, as well as a traditional stone-mill coffee experience.
If you do not mind traveling beyond Seoul, Korean Folk Village in Yongin is another strong option. The outdoor attraction recreates aspects of life during the Joseon Dynasty and is a fun choice for visitors who want a full-day cultural outing rather than a short stop between cafés.
For more information, check out their website!
3. Go to a Museum or Gallery
Museums are a reliable backup plan when the weather is rainy, humid, or simply too hot for a full day outdoors. However, Chuseok opening hours can be different from normal schedules, so always check the official website before leaving home.
The National Museum of Korea is one of the country’s most important museums and a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Korean history, art, archaeology, and Buddhism. During the 2026 Chuseok holiday, its permanent galleries are expected to be free to visit, along with the special exhibition Our Table, which explores food culture and seasonal customs in Korea’s past. The museum is expected to close on Chuseok Day, September 25.
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) is another good choice for art lovers. Its Seoul branch is expected to close on Chuseok Day but remain open on the other holiday dates, while MMCA branches in Gwacheon, Deoksugung, and Cheongju are expected to operate throughout the four-day period with free admission.
For an itinerary with fewer surprises, choose your museum day for September 24, 26, or 27 rather than Chuseok Day itself.
4. Spend the Day at an Amusement Park
If your idea of a holiday involves rides, seasonal shows, and snacks rather than ancestor memorial rites, Seoul’s major theme parks are an easy choice.
Lotte World, Everland, and Legoland Korea are expected to remain open during the Chuseok holiday period in 2026. Lotte World and Everland usually combine rides with seasonal entertainment, while Legoland is a particularly convenient option for families with younger children.
Keep in mind that theme parks can become busy during the holiday, especially on Friday and Saturday. Buy tickets in advance if possible, arrive near opening time, and use each park’s official app to check wait times and performance schedules.
Lotte World is useful if you want to stay in Seoul, while Everland makes a fuller day trip from the city. If you want the most traditional experience, pair a theme-park visit with a stop at the Lotte World Folk Museum or another cultural attraction.
5. Enjoy a Quiet Temple Experience
If you would rather avoid crowded attractions, a temple visit can be one of the most meaningful things to do during Chuseok in Korea. A Templestay offers a chance to slow down, take part in meditation or tea programs, and experience a calmer side of Korean culture during a holiday that is otherwise centered on family gatherings and travel.
Some temples offer special Chuseok Templestay programs, but availability varies by temple and year. If you are interested, check the official Templestay website early and reserve as soon as you find a program that suits your schedule.
Missed the chance to join a Templestay during Chuseok? Do not worry—there is another excellent opportunity just after the holiday. From October 11 to 13, 2026, Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam will hold its Traditional Culture Fair, inviting international visitors to experience Korean temple culture in the center of Seoul.
The fair is free and includes:
- Tea Meditation
- Traditional mask (tal) crafting
- Dasik making, a traditional Korean tea confection
- Traditional paper-flower crafting
The program runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day at Bongeunsa Temple. Advance reservations are available for Tea Meditation and Traditional Mask Crafting, while on-site registration may be possible if spaces remain.
Bongeunsa is located across from COEX in Gangnam, so it is an easy cultural detour if you are spending time in one of Seoul’s busiest shopping and entertainment districts. Moving from the traffic and skyscrapers outside to the temple grounds inside feels like discovering a small pocket of calm in the middle of the city.
- When: October 11–13, 2026, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Where: Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul
- Cost: Free
- Information: Bongeunsa Traditional Culture Fair
- Reservations: Tea Meditation and Traditional Mask Crafting Reservation
6. Celebrate With a Korean Friend
If you have a Korean friend, colleague, classmate, or neighbor who is staying in Seoul for Chuseok, you can ask whether they have plans to celebrate. You may be invited to share songpyeon, play yutnori, or join a casual meal.
That said, it is best to approach this gently. Chuseok is an important family holiday, and many people travel home specifically to spend private time with relatives. Rather than asking directly to join a family gathering, try something lower-pressure: suggest meeting before or after the holiday, invite your friend for coffee, or ask whether there are any public events they recommend.
Make the Most of Chuseok in Korea!
Chuseok can be peaceful, chaotic, fascinating, and inconvenient—all at once. Shops may be closed, traffic can be intense, and friends may disappear to their hometowns for a few days. But with a little planning, it can also be one of the most rewarding times to experience Korea.
If you enjoyed our article Best things to do during Chuseok in Korea and you are interested in knowing more about Chuseok, check out our article Explaining Chuseok – Korean Thanksgiving Day. You can also read Yutnori: How to Play the Korean Traditional Board Game !
