Staying in Seoul while many residents travel to see family? Chuseok weekend still has plenty to do. For 2026, the official holiday is September 24–26, with Sunday, September 27, extending the break. Seoul has published a specific program of festivals and cultural venues that are open over the holiday. The suggestions below concentrate on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, so they remain useful after Chuseok Day itself.
For a festive first stop: Namsangol Hanok Village
The 2026 Namsangol Chuseok Festival, Namsan Moonlight Yard runs September 25–27, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. at Namsangol Hanok Village. Seoul lists traditional music, seven traditional experiences, hanbok and daenggi hair styling, and a Chuseok food market. Some experiences require a fee. The village itself is scheduled to open over the holiday; confirm specific sessions and any participation limits on the venue website before you go.
The same site hosts the World Pansori Festival on September 25–26, 1–6:30 p.m. If Korean traditional music interests you, Saturday the 26th is a chance to combine both programs. Seoul lists the pansori event as free; the two festivals have different schedules and participation rules.
For games and crafts: Unhyeongung Palace
Good Fortune Hangawi at Unhyeongung runs September 24–27, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. It offers traditional games, crafts and performances, with fees for some experiences. This is a manageable way to try a holiday activity without an intercity trip. The grounds have separate opening hours, so use the 11 a.m.–5 p.m. event window for the program, rather than assuming every activity continues into the evening. See the venue.
Free events on Saturday, September 26
If you can go out on Saturday, Seoul lists several free museum events:
Seoul Baekje Museum Chuseok Celebration, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Traditional performances and opportunities to try crafts and games. The announced samulnori and Bukcheong Saja Noreum performance times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Check the museum site for the latest program.
Seoul Museum of History Hangawi Celebration: Traditional music busking, farming experiences, crafts and games in the lobby and courtyard. See the museum’s notices.
Seoul Urban Life Museum, 1–5 p.m.: Fusion traditional music, games and crafts. Visit the museum’s site for details.
These are the city’s published schedules, not a guarantee that every activity has space available at any arrival time.
Want an activity with English commentary?
Seoul lists Namsan Satsat, a free tour of Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater with English commentary, at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. through Sunday, September 27. The city says on-site registration is available. Check the theater’s current tour information and arrive early enough to ask about remaining places. This is one of the few Chuseok programs in the city schedule that explicitly promises English commentary, making it a particularly useful choice if you are new to Korean traditional performing arts.
Another option is the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music, which Seoul lists as open over the holiday. Its moon-themed displays, photo area and traditional games run September 24–27 and are free. The special calligraphy, live music and Ganggangsullae programs were scheduled for September 24 only; do not expect them on the weekend. Check the museum before visiting.
A flexible walk: royal palaces and museums
The Korea Heritage Service’s palace office confirms free admission September 24–27 to Seoul’s four major royal palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung—as well as Jongmyo Shrine. Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden is excluded from the free-entry offer. Check opening hours and any special-access areas before setting out.
For an indoor option, Seoul says the Seoul Museum of History, Seoul Baekje Museum and Seoul Museum of Craft Art are open through the holiday, though their daily hours vary. Do not assume every national museum follows the same rule: the Korea Tourism Organization notes that many national museums close on Chuseok Day, September 25, and reopen for the remainder of the holiday.
If you prefer to make something rather than browse an exhibit, Seoul’s Welcome Week announcement also highlights Seoul Culture Lounge at Seoul Tourism Plaza. Its holiday-season program includes traditional dance and songpyeon-making between September 19 and October 10. This is a period for the overall program, not a promise that each class runs on September 26 or 27: check the English schedule for a session and booking requirements.
Sunday on the river: a festival with an international twist
For Sunday, September 27, Seoul has announced the Moonlight Chuseok Festival at the Riverside Stage, upstream side of Banpo Hangang Park, 3–6 p.m. The program brings traditional performances from Korea, Argentina, Bulgaria, Russia, Panama and Kazakhstan together with Korean games such as yut nori. The city says visitors can attend and participate on the day. It is part of the larger Car-Free Jamsugyo Bridge Festival, whose Sunday hours are 2–10 p.m. The international performance has a narrower 3–6 p.m. window. Read Seoul’s festival announcement.
Vehicle access to Jamsugyo Bridge is restricted on festival Sundays, and nearby parking may be busy. Use public transport if you can; check the organizer’s latest notice and the weather before traveling.
An easy evening: outdoor reading in central Seoul
Seoul’s Outdoor Library is scheduled at Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream from 4–10 p.m., September 25–27, with reading spaces and cultural activities. Seoul notes that the detailed program can change. It is a pleasant, low-pressure option after a daytime museum or hanok visit. Check the Outdoor Library schedule and the weather before leaving.
Two simple ways to plan a day
Saturday, September 26 — culture and music: Visit a palace or a museum in the morning, then choose the Namsan English theater tour at 2 or 3 p.m. or the World Pansori Festival in the afternoon. Stay for the Namsangol Hanok Village festival if you want an evening program. Check the separate schedules and allow time between venues.
Sunday, September 27 — games and the river: Try Unhyeongung’s holiday activities earlier in the day, then head to Banpo Hangang Park for the 3–6 p.m. international performance. If you prefer a quieter outing, visit a free-entry palace and finish at an Outdoor Library after 4 p.m.
These are suggested combinations, not organized tours. Choose fewer stops if you want time to enjoy each one.
Practical checks before you go
Pick the right date: Saturday has the extra museum celebrations and pansori; Namsangol, Unhyeongung and the Jamsugyo performance also provide Sunday options.
Check the organizer page: Hours, fees, reservations and session capacity can change. An English-language city announcement does not mean every on-site activity has English guidance.
Plan your meal: Many restaurants and shops close for part of Chuseok. Check current hours in Naver Map or KakaoMap and keep a backup nearby.
Travel within Seoul by public transport: City buses and subways operate during the holiday. Seoul says late-night services are extended on September 26–27 on specified lines and stops; consult the city holiday notice for the details.
Need travel help? Call the multilingual 1330 Korea Travel Helpline.
For the cultural meaning of the holiday and the realities of intercity travel, see our companion guide, What Is Chuseok? Korea’s 2026 Harvest Holiday, from Family Feasts to Travel Jams.
