Chuseok 2026: Must-Know Facts About Korean Thanksgiving

Beyond the golden foliage, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the cozy touch of pumpkin spice, there’s one more reason autumn is so special – it’s time for Korean Thanksgiving, known as Chuseok! This year, the Chuseok holiday runs from September 24th to 26th, stretching into a long holiday thanks to the weekend.

▷ Plan Your Trip Around Chuseok Here! ◁

1. What is Chuseok?

Chuseok is a harvest festival that the whole nation celebrates together. Many scholars claim that it originates from the shamanistic worship ritual of giving thanks to the harvest moon and ancestors. Farmers would show their gratitude and pay homage to their ancestors by presenting them with their new harvest, believing they would spend the coming winter with warmth and plenty of food, and have a rich harvest for the year to come. They would then share their food with friends, family, and neighbors.

Nowadays, it’s a time when people take a break from their busy lives to head home and spend time with their family and friends. As a result, airports, trains, and roads are packed as people return to their hometowns. There’s even an expression for such a phenomenon, known as the “mass migration of Chuseok.” So if you plan to travel anywhere during the Chuseok holiday, make sure you book your tickets way ahead of time, or you’ll be headed absolutely nowhere.

About Charye

“Charye” is an ancestor memorial ritual that has been carried out for thousands of years in Korea. On the morning of Chuseok, family members gather in their homes to hold a memorial service for their ancestors, usually up to around four generations above (Chuseok would probably be over if they tried to pay their respects to every single one). During the ceremony, food, fruits, and beverages are offered to them. Each dish has a designated spot on the table, and there are set processes, such as lighting candles before alcohol is poured into three different cups and bowing twice afterward.

On the morning of Chuseok, family members gather in their homes to hold a memorial service for their ancestors, usually up to around four generations above (Chuseok would probably be over if they tried to pay their respects to every single one).

During the ceremony, food, fruits, and beverages are offered to them. Each dish has a designated spot on the table, and there are set processes, such as lighting candles before alcohol is poured into three different cups and bowing twice afterward. After the ceremony, everyone sits together to enjoy the delicious food they prepared and used for the ceremony as they reunite and bond with their family members.

2. Traditional Foods Like Songpyeon & Seasonal Harvest

No food, no party. That’s the universal rule.

Chuseok is no exception. Preparing the delicacies is a lengthy process that involves many hands due to the quantity and variety of foods to be made. The food is meant to serve the ancestors. Therefore, Koreans believe that the more effort you put into making it, the more respect you are showing them.

Songpyeon: The Delicious Chuseok Delicacy 

When it comes to Chuseok specialties, it would be blasphemous to leave “Songpyeon” off the table.

This crescent moon-shaped rice cake is made with rice from the first harvest of the year, filled with beneficial ingredients such as powdered sesame, red beans, brown sugar, and chestnuts. The finishing touch is a fragrant pine scent, achieved by layering the cake with pine needles.

Though Songpyeon used to be made solely by women, nowadays the whole family participates. And ladies, take note! There’s a belief that a person who makes Songpyeon in the prettiest shape will meet a great spouse and have a beautiful baby, so make it count!

Besides Songpyeon, various other foods and fruits are served during the festival. Seasoned vegetables, pork, beef, and fish are common, and the remaining choices vary by region.

For instance, in the northern part of Gyeongsang province, dried shark meat called Dombaegi and octopus are served because their main harvest is seafood.

It’s quite interesting to see the variety of foods in different regions, so do give them a try if you have the chance!

If you want to try making beautiful rice cakes filled with sweet bean filling or sweet rice puffs, book this class in Seoul! You will get to experience a unique artistic experience and take home your work of art as a souvenir.

• Korean Rice Cake with Sweet Bean Filling / Sweet Rice Puffs Making Experience
• Authentic Korean Traditional Dessert Making Class in Gyeongju

3. Family Rituals & Ancestral Ceremonies

So you’ve filled your stomach with delicious food and spent hours chatting with your family members. Now, it’s time to relax… NOT! The real fun now begins.

Many fun traditional activities await you, so get up and prepare to have fun!

1) Ganggangsulae Dance

This nearly impossible-to-pronounce dance is traditionally done by women to pray for a bountiful harvest.

They come together under the brightest full moon, forming a circle as they hold each other’s hands. As the lead singer starts singing, the rest sing the refrain “Ganggangsulae” as they rotate clockwise. The dance gets faster and faster as the tempo speeds up and can last until dawn.

No one knows the exact origin, but many people claim the dance dates back to the 16th century when the Japanese attacked Korea. Naval commander Yi Sun-sin ordered the women to circle the mountains in military uniform to scare the enemy off, to deceive them into thinking the Korean military was greater in number than it actually was.

If you’ve never seen the dance, it’s quite interesting and exciting. Better yet, why not join in!

2) Ssireum

“Ssireum” is a traditional sport in Korea, composed of two opponents who wrestle while holding each other’s belts, called ‘Satba (샅바)’. To win, the player must bring his opponent down to the sandy ground. Unlike Japanese Sumo wrestling, pushing the player out of the circle does not signify victory.

The biggest contest is held during the festival, its popularity scale comparable to American football on Thanksgiving as many families enjoy watching the games on TV. Traditionally, the champion of the contest receives a bull and rice as the victory prize, along with earning the title of being “the world’s strongest man”. He’s definitely not someone you want to mess with.

Can you imagine what an honor it would be for a man to be called the world’s strongest and to bring home a bull in one hand and a bag of rice in the other?

3) Bull Fighting

There is no written record of its origin, but bullfighting has been done traditionally for many centuries. However, Korean bullfights don’t involve much blood or killing at all.

Instead of humans fighting bulls like in Spain, it’s literally just two bulls fighting each other. So if you’re an animal lover, don’t worry, as you won’t be seeing anything gruesome. As a matter of fact, the bulls are treated with lots of love and affection. The trainers take care of them in a respectable way, feeding them gourmet meals after training.

The show isn’t all about competition. Rather, it’s to show how well their livestock has been raised. In a contest, these thick-necked bulls butt heads until one eventually gives in. A duel can last a few minutes or even hours.

Cheongdo is a city well known for its annual bullfight festival, with its own exclusive stadium that holds various events related to bullfighting. The event draws thousands of tourists every year. If you’re interested in this unique, traditional, and exciting event, you should visit Cheongdo this Chuseok.

4. Tips for Travelers During Chuseok

If you have nothing to do during Chuseok because your family is abroad, don’t stay at home moping. Head outside, as there are still many things to do! 

Cultural sites like museums and palaces will be open, hosting a variety of holiday events. Visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to participate in traditional folk games and try your hand at making Songpyeon, or visit the National Museum of Korea and enjoy percussion performances.

Palaces like Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeongbokgung will also hold traditional music and dance performances.

• Korean Palace Tour
• Seoul Walking Tour: Gyeonghuigung & Deoksugung Palace
• Seoul Walking Tour: Gyeongbokgung, Seochon Village & Tongin Market (Lunch & Hanbok Included)
• Changdeokgung/ Gyeongbokgung Palace Walking Tour with Hanbok Rental

In addition, amusement parks such as Lotte World, Seoul Land, Everland, and Daegu E-World will also be open, hosting various special performances.

Everland is South Korea’s largest and most popular theme park, offering a wide range of attractions, from thrilling rides and animal exhibits to seasonal festivals and beautiful gardens, making it a must-visit destination for all ages. You can book an Everland 1-day pass instantly on Trazy and simply show your QR code ticket on your phone when entering!

• Everland One-Day Pass
• Shuttle Bus & Everland Discount Ticket Package
• Everland Discount Ticket & Private Van Transfer
• Everland Round-trip Shuttle Bus

Lotte World in Seoul is a world-class entertainment destination featuring both indoor and outdoor attractions, including thrilling rides, an ice rink, parades, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for visitors of all ages. Book your ticket at the best price and enjoy unlimited access to all the rides and attractions via Trazy!

• Lotte World Discount Ticket
• Lotte World Aquarium (+ Lotte World 1 Day Pass Combo option) Discount Ticket
• Korean School Uniform Rental near Lotte World
• Lotte World (+ Seoul Sky/ Lotte World Aquarium) 1 Day Guided Tour

Check out more theme park options in Korea!

• Daegu E-World & 83 Tower Observatory Discount Ticket
• Gyeongju World Discount Ticket
• Lotte World Adventure Busan Discount Ticket
• LEGOLAND Korea Discount Ticket

5. FAQ

Q. When is Chuseok in 2026?

The Chuseok this year will be celebrated from September 24th to the 26th. During this period, many Koreans travel to their hometowns, so expect heavy traffic on highways and crowded train and bus stations.

Q. What foods are eaten during Chuseok?

The most iconic Chuseok food is songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes), traditionally filled with sesame seeds, red beans, or chestnuts. Families also prepare a Chuseok feast (charyesang) that includes jeon (savory pancakes), galbijjim (braised short ribs), seasonal fruits, and rice wine. These dishes symbolize gratitude for the year’s harvest and are shared among family members.

Q. Do shops and attractions close during Chuseok?

Many small businesses, traditional markets, and family-run shops may close during Chuseok as people return to their hometowns. However, major tourist attractions, department stores, and large shopping malls in cities like Seoul and Busan often remain open, sometimes with special holiday promotions. Public transportation operates, but expect large crowds, especially before and after the holiday.

Q. What are the best travel tips for foreigners during Chuseok?

• Book transportation and accommodation early, as tickets sell out weeks in advance.
• Take advantage of cultural events and performances held at palaces, folk villages, and museums during the holiday.
• Try traditional Chuseok foods at local restaurants or holiday markets.
• Be prepared for heavy traffic if traveling between cities, and consider exploring nearby attractions within Seoul or your base city instead of long-distance trips.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, we hope you have the best time during the Chuseok holiday! And don’t forget to stop by Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, to stay updated on the latest events and fun things to do in South Korea.