What To Do If You’re Staying in Seoul for Chuseok 2026

Last Updated on July 28, 2026

(UPDATED for 2026) Chuseok is one of the two biggest holidays in Korea, and in my opinion one of the best times to stay in Seoul. What most tourists and visitors don’t realize is that Seoul really empties out over the holiday as many Korean families will head to their hometowns to be thankful for the good harvest by eating lots of food and playing traditional games. The KTX train will book up within hours and highways can become one long parking lot.

Deciding to stay in Seoul for the holiday is a really good idea. While the city empties out, there are still plenty of things to do and see and places that will be open. Here are some ideas for what to do this year for Chuseok in Seoul which technically spans September 24 to September 26 but since September 27 is a Sunday, this year it will be considered a four day holiday by most of Korea.

We’ve spent roughly half of our Chuseok holidays in Busan with my husband’s family and half in Seoul, and I look forward to both for very difference reasons. Staying in Seoul for Chuseok? There’s no need to regret that decision.

Speaking of families, here are some things you can do with kids for Chuseok like crafts and cooking. It’s a great time to spend time with family. The roads can be bumper to bumper and KTX train tickets book up in mere hours to get out of the city. If you’re staying in Seoul for Chuseok though, it means you can see the city in a quieter calmer mood than you’re likely to find the rest of the year.

Skip around to get all of the details. Special events for this year are under each category where pertinent. Here’s what you can find in this post:

• When Is Chuseok?
• What Do Koreans Do During Chuseok?
• What To Do During Chuseok Holiday In Seoul?
  1. Visit A Traditional Site
  2. Have Fun At An Amusement Park
  3. Visit A Hot Spot
  4. Visit A Museum
  5. Enjoy Nature
  6. Have A Wellness Experience
  7. Take In A Performance
  8. Enjoy A Staycation
  9. Plan A Group Outing

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When Is Chuseok?

Chuseok (추석) is a holiday that moves each year and is based on the lunar calendar, falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. For 2026, Chuseok falls on Friday, September 25. The Chuseok holiday is traditional a three day holiday so it’s from September 24 until September 26, but since September 27 is a Sunday, it will likely be treated as a four day holiday which is important to know when considering travel plans in Korea.

These days families may spend the morning with one side of the family and then head to the other side of the family for a dinner so traffic starts up again in the afternoon of Chuseok Day. This is all on highways though so in Seoul, get out, get about and enjoy the desolate streets.

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What Do Koreans Do During Chuseok?

Traditionally, Koreans would head back to their family homes in the villages or towns that they came from, dress in traditional Hanboks and wake very early to hold an ancestral rite to pay respects to the ancestors that came before them. An altar table is set with all kinds of food including meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, the candles are lit and then the bowing begins.

My Korean family partakes in this very tradition and we wake very early in the morning to do it after we’ve bathed and dressed in our beautifully colorful Hanboks. To learn more about these traditions, check out my post on the Jesa ritual and how to set the table for Jesa too.

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What To Do During The Chuseok Holiday In Seoul

For our family, we’ve spent about half of the Chuseok holidays down in Busan where my husband’s family is from and half in Seoul. My (Korean) mother-in-law is a pretty logical person and understands flights can be packed and so are the roads so she usually invites us down a couple weeks prior to Chuseok so we don’t have to travel over the Korean Thanksgiving period. This means we’ve had the pleasure of quite a few calmer holidays here in Seoul and look forward to it whenever we can stay up here.

1. Visit a Traditional Site

If you’re not a tourist, you may have postponed visiting some of the more traditional sites but this might just be the IDEAL time to go. Often, the traditional sites also host quite a few experiences for people to partake in to get in the holiday spirit. Unhyeongung Royal Residence hosts experiences and performances, for example.

Most years many historical sites host various special experiential activities and performances, and some are even FREE over the holiday period and/or if you’re wearing a Hanbok when you visit.

Sites that are open over the holiday weekend include:

• Namsangol Hanok Village
• Korean Folk Village
• Gyeongbukgung Palace
• Changdeokgung Palace
• Changgyeonggung Palace
• Deoksugung Palace
• Jongmyo Shrine

If you wear a Hanbok to these places, you can also expect to get in for free. If you don’t though, no worries, the prices are far from expensive. Speaking of Hanboks, this is literally the BEST holiday to rent one if you haven’t. Head to Bukchon Oneday Hanbok and dress up. Not only is it the ideal holiday, but it’s the ideal weather to wear a Hanbok as well.

Even Bukchon Hanok Village is a nice place to walk and will likely be very quiet without tourists in the country this year so you can meander the alleys in a Hanbok instead.

2. Have Fun at an Amusement Park

Seoul Land, Everland, and Lotte World will all be open to visitors this weekend. What better way to spend the holiday than having fun with friends or family? Take advantage of the day off and run wild.. well not too wild.

Lotte World Adventure hosts a ganggangsullae, or folk performances, perfect for holiday fun.

• Seoul Land: Save over $20 through Klook. Book Your Tickets Now
• Lotte World: Save a whopping W25,000 when you book through Klook. Get This Deal Now
• Everland: Get discounted tickets on Klook and they provide transportation too as Everland is technically just outside of Seoul.

3. Visit A Hot Spot

You might be surprised to learn what is and isn’t open during Chuseok. Spots that may be touristy the rest of the year, aren’t. Here are some of the hot spots and must-see things here in Seoul that you could take advantage of this holiday weekend.

Seoul Sky Tower: The tower is open 365 days a year and offers some of the most amazing views out over the city. Also known as the Lotte World Tower, it is 123 floors high and features both indoor and outdoor vantage points.

You can see all of the details in my full post about Lotte World Tower here. I just went a couple weeks ago and there were all of 10 people there. It’s definitely a must see. Book Your Tickets With Klook to save on admission.

N Seoul Tower: Want to hit up Myeongdong for some shopping and then get some views too? Then go to N Seoul Tower. Autumn is an amazing time to visit this quintessential Seoul hot spot. Book Through Klook to get discounts on the different ticket combo options.

4. Visit a Museum

Museums including the National Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and the Seodaemun Prison History Museum are usually open over the holiday though may have one day off during the holiday period. Check their websites to know which days they’re open or closed.

5. Enjoy Nature

The numerous mountains and parks across the city will be basking in some gloriously good weather and with the leaves changing colors and the autumn blossoms blooming, it’s the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy the weather.

Go for a hike along the Seoul Fortress Wall. I always recommend this as it’s easy to follow which means you won’t get lost and you’ll always end up near the center of Seoul because that’s exactly what it circles around. Take a bike ride along the Han River or go to a nearby park for a picnic. Want to know which of the eleven Hangang Parks is closest to you? Find out and plan your time outside this holiday weekend.

6. Have A Wellness Experience

Sometimes a holiday is just made even better with some rest, relaxation, and a little pampering. Check out some of the best spas in Seoul see if you can grab a reservation ASAP!

Spa 1899: Spa 1899 is known for signature Red Ginseng treatments. There are numerous packages to choose from that include facials, slow-aging facials and upper body massages, or go big or go home and get the full body treatment. Book a treatment through Klook and you can grab a discount at Spa 1899.

Sulwhasoo Balance Spa: Sulwhasoo is one of the most premier skincare brands in Korea and their spa is gorgeous. After you enjoy a spa treatment, make sure you go to the rooftop to see the beautiful architecture. It’s a calming space with amazing products. A must-try really. Book your vitality , calming, or bloomstay treatment on Klook.com.

7. Take in a Performance

• Nanta: The longest running theater performance in the country. You don’t need to speak Korean to enjoy the show. Grab a seat and see it this weekend!
• PAINTERS: A show that combines arts and culture, it’s also non-verbal. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn. It’s a great family-friendly show. Get your PAINTERS tickets here.

The Seoul Arts Center and the Sejong Art Center usually host different events and performances as well. Take the time to peruse their websites and see what might fit into your schedule. There is bound to be something you’re interested in seeing and over the holiday weekend.

8. Enjoy A Staycation

It’s actually becoming more popular with families to head out of Seoul to resorts or places that they can rest and relax these days. They plan to have one day with family and then enjoy a staycation at a luxury hotel. Maybe you would like to do the same. Why not partake in the same activity but stick around Seoul to do it?

Some of our favorites have been Paradise City Resort, Signiel Hotel in Lotte Tower, Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, and Novotel Ambassador in Yongsan. Where do you want to stay?

9. Plan A Group Outing

Celebrating holidays when you’re away from family can be lonely sometimes. When all of your Korean friends are going to see their loved ones, it is a great time to get a small group of friends together and do something a little special. There are some cool things to do in Seoul with a group of friends that’s a bit special. Here are some good options:

Ride On A Yacht: Go during the day and see Seoul from the water like you haven’t seen it before, or go in the evening and enjoy the views. This is a great activity to do with friends and this is a great season to do it before it gets too cold.

Book the yacht experience on the Han River here

Korean Traditional Rice Cake Making Class: You may have eaten the beautiful little rice cakes, but have you ever made your own? I signed up for a class with my daughter years ago and it was so fun… and tasty. They make for a beautiful gift too.

Sign up to make your own beautiful rice cakes on Klook.

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FAQ

When is Chuseok in 2026?

Chuseok falls on September 25, 2026. The official holiday runs September 24-26; since September 27 is a Sunday, most of Korea treats it as a four-day holiday from September 24-27.

Is Seoul worth visiting during Chuseok?

Yes, particularly if you’re already there. The city empties out significantly as families travel to hometowns, which means quieter streets, shorter queues at major attractions, and a more peaceful version of the city than you’ll find on any regular weekend.

What is open in Seoul during Chuseok?

Major historical palaces, most national museums, amusement parks, tourist towers (Lotte World Tower, N Seoul Tower), and restaurants remain open. Some smaller businesses and local restaurants close for the holiday. Confirm specific venues on their websites as the holiday approaches.

Can I get into palaces and historical sites free during Chuseok?

Many historical sites offer free entry for visitors wearing Hanbok during the holiday period. Some sites may also have specific free admission days, check each venue’s website for current policy.

What is Chuseok in Korea?

Chuseok (추석) is Korea’s harvest thanksgiving holiday, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Families travel to their hometowns, perform ancestral rites (jesa), eat together, and play traditional games. It is one of the two most important holidays in Korea alongside Seollal (Lunar New Year).

Why is Seoul so quiet during Chuseok?

Seoul is a relatively young city, and most Korean families still trace their roots to towns and villages outside the capital. Chuseok is the major annual occasion for returning home, which means millions of Seoul residents leave the city simultaneously, leaving unusually quiet streets for those who stay.

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Chuseok in Seoul is genuinely one of my favorite times to be here. The city becomes a different version of itself, a bit slower, more spacious, and more generous with the things that are usually crowded. It’s the holiday I’d recommend to any visitor if the timing works.

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