Guide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea

Students enjoy Yut Nori (traditional Korean board game) at the Hangawi Hanmadang Event with Exchange Students held at Yeungnam University International Exchange Center, Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Pyo Kyung-min

Korea's harvest festival Chuseok is just around the corner, set to enliven the autumn season with a rich variety of events. From the bustling streets of Seoul to quiet rural areas, the festivities are sure to provide memorable experiences for families and tourists alike.

Seoul metropolitan area

The poster for "Hip Chuseok" / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has unveiled an array of cultural events, dubbed "Hip Chuseok," for both citizens and tourists to enjoy throughout the extended six-day break. These offerings include a wide range of hands-on experience programs, captivating performances and enlightening exhibitions.

Highlighting the festivities is the "2023 Korean Thanksgiving Day Festival," slated from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. This celebration boasts a lineup of traditional performances, including tightrope walking and "pansori" (traditional Korean vocal music) performances. Additionally, attendees can partake in experience programs such as crafting "songpyeon," half-moon-shaped rice cakes consumed during Chuseok.

The "Hip Chuseok" events extend to the Jangseung Yard of the World Cup Park in Mapo District, featuring four traditional games for participants to enjoy, alongside crafting programs for creating traditional wish lamps from Sept. 29-30.

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art joins the Chuseok festivities with the "SeMoCA Chuseok Program," running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 to offer a range of hands-on activities, including hanji wish lamp crafting. On Oct. 3, visitors can enjoy performances featuring fusion Korean classical music.

Performers of "Soeul Soripan" present "pansori," traditional Korean musical storytelling, at Theatre Yong of the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul. Courtesy of National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is set to host a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Performances series "The Great Legacy Meets Today," from Sept. 28 to Oct. 22. This annual event, now in its sixth year, provides a unique opportunity to enjoy both intangible and tangible Korean cultural heritage. The program features 13 diverse performances, including the Namsadang Nori folk performance.

During the Chuseok holiday from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, the museum will showcase Namsadang Nori, Cheoyongmu Dance and traditional Korean mask dance, promising enriching cultural experiences as part of the performance series.

Kwon won-tae, a master tightrope walker, performs his tightrope skills. Courtesy of National Museum of Korea

Chuseok celebrations also extend to the Seoul Baekje Museum and the Seoul Museum of History, where traditional game-playing and captivating performances are on the agenda.

Furthermore, the "Hangawi" festivals, an alternative term for Chuseok, will grace two iconic locations ― Namsan Hanok Village and Unhyeon Palace from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1.

Regional events

Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is poised to host the Gyeongpo Lantern Festival from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 around the Gyeongpodae Pavilion within Gyeongpo Provincial Park. This festival presents a rich lineup of 20 programs, including performances, exhibitions, parades, tea ceremonies, forums, folk experiences and flea markets.

The local markets of the banks of Namdae stream, Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is crowded with citizens who visited to prepare for the Chuseok holiday, Sunday. Yonhap

"Moonnori," a special Chuseok holiday performance, will take place at the Busan National Gugak Center's Yeonakdang Sept. 29. This traditional art performance will encapsulate the spirit of a traditional village feast, featuring instrumental, vocal and dance troupes from the National Busan Gugak Center's Korean traditional music ensemble.

The Gimhae National Museum will also host traditional cultural events on Sept. 28 and Sept. 30, offering full moon-shaped soaps as gifts to visitors wearing hanbok (traditional Korean attire). Sharing participation in the Chuseok event on social media accounts will result in in receiving random gifts, adding excitement to the festivities.

Gwangju is gearing up to host family-friendly Chuseok events, featuring activities at the Traditional Culture Center of the Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Sept. 30. These include traditional activities like Yut Nori (traditional Korean board game) and songpyeon sharing.

Children dressed in hanbok make songpyeon (half moon-shaped rice cake) at a workplace daycare center of Buk District Office, Gwangju, Monday. Yonhap

For those seeking more dynamic experiences, the Gwangju National Museum will offer a range of events, including traditional games like "tuho" (pitch-pot).

The Daegu National Museum is also set to host a unique blend of exhibitions and hands-on experience programs, welcoming visitors as they explore the intersection of tradition and modernity during this cherished holiday season. The programs are set to include an eco-friendly initiative, as participants will have the opportunity to decorate cultural heritage eco bags and craft jewelry boxes from hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper).