Chuseok 2026 in Seoul: What’s Open, What’s Closed & What Tourists Should Know
If you are visiting Seoul during Chuseok 2026, you may be wondering:
Will Seoul shut down?
Will restaurants and shops be open?
Can I use the subway?
Will tourist attractions be closed?
The short answer is:
No, Seoul does not completely shut down during Chuseok.
In fact, for international visitors, Chuseok can be one of the most interesting times of the year to experience Seoul.
Some small businesses and family-run restaurants may close, especially on Chuseok Day itself, but major tourist areas, palaces, department stores, convenience stores and many attractions usually continue operating. Korea Tourism Organization notes that while government offices and banks close on public holidays, palaces, museums, department stores and amusement facilities generally remain open, although individual businesses may close for several days during Chuseok.
Here is what you should know before traveling to Seoul during Chuseok 2026.
When Is Chuseok 2026?
Chuseok falls on:
Friday, September 25, 2026
The official three-day Chuseok holiday runs from:
Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Because September 27 is a Sunday, many people will effectively enjoy a four-day break.
Chuseok is one of Korea’s two biggest traditional holidays, together with Seollal, or Lunar New Year.
Planning your trip around the holiday? Read our complete guide: [Chuseok 2026 in Korea: Dates, Traditions & What Travelers Should Know].
Families traditionally return to their hometowns, share food, visit family graves and celebrate the harvest.
For travelers, this means one important thing:
Intercity transportation becomes extremely busy.
Seoul itself, however, can feel quieter than usual because many residents leave the city.
Is Seoul a Good Place to Visit During Chuseok?
For many international visitors, yes — as long as you plan around reduced business hours and crowded intercity transportation.
In some ways, Chuseok can actually be a surprisingly good time to stay in Seoul.
Traffic in central Seoul may be lighter than usual during part of the holiday, many cultural attractions offer special programs, and the city has a more relaxed atmosphere.
It can also be an excellent time to experience traditional Korean culture rather than simply visiting the usual shopping districts.
The key is to plan carefully.
You should expect:
- some smaller restaurants and cafés to close
- some stores to operate shorter hours
- banks and government offices to close
- intercity trains and buses to be extremely crowded
- major tourist districts to remain active
- convenience stores and large commercial areas to remain relatively easy to use
So rather than avoiding Seoul during Chuseok, it is better to know which areas and businesses are most reliable.
What Is Usually Closed During Chuseok?
Banks and Government Offices
Banks, public offices and most administrative services close during the official holiday period.
If you need to visit a bank, immigration-related office or government facility, do it before September 24.
ATMs and mobile banking continue to work, but in-person services will generally not be available.
Small Family-Run Restaurants
This is one of the biggest issues for travelers.
Many independent Korean restaurants close for one or more days so owners and employees can spend Chuseok with their families.
This is especially common in residential neighborhoods.
Restaurants in major tourist districts such as:
Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon and around major shopping malls
are generally more likely to remain open.
Still, opening hours can vary considerably.
For an important dinner reservation, check the restaurant’s Naver Map, Instagram or official page shortly before visiting.
Some Independent Shops
Small boutiques, neighborhood businesses and traditional market stalls may also close or operate reduced hours.
This is why Chuseok is not the best time to plan a trip around one specific small shop unless you have confirmed its opening schedule.
What Usually Stays Open?
Convenience Stores
Convenience stores are among the safest options during Korean public holidays.
Major chains such as CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and emart24 generally remain open, although individual store hours can vary.
For travelers, this means you should still be able to buy:
- bottled water
- snacks
- coffee
- basic meals
- toiletries
- transportation-related items
during the holiday.
Department Stores and Shopping Malls
Major department stores and shopping malls usually operate during much of the Chuseok period, although some may close for one designated day or shorten operating hours.
Korea Tourism Organization specifically notes that department stores and amusement facilities generally remain open on public holidays, while individual schedules can vary during Chuseok.
Large malls are therefore safer choices than relying on smaller independent shops.
Areas worth considering include:
COEX in Gangnam
The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido
Lotte World Mall in Jamsil
Times Square in Yeongdeungpo
Always check the latest schedule before visiting.
Does the Seoul Subway Run During Chuseok?
Yes. Seoul’s subway continues operating during Chuseok, although schedules and service intervals may differ from normal weekdays.
Subways, city buses and taxis continue operating.
However, service intervals and late-night schedules may differ from normal weekdays, and Seoul may announce additional transportation measures closer to the holiday.
For most tourists staying within Seoul, public transportation remains the easiest way to move around.
The bigger transportation problem is not the Seoul subway.
It is traveling between Seoul and other Korean cities.
Avoid Intercity Travel If You Can
This is probably the most important travel advice in this guide.
Chuseok creates one of the largest annual movements of people in Korea.
Millions of Koreans travel from Seoul and other major cities to their hometowns.
That means:
KTX tickets sell out quickly.
Express buses become crowded.
Highways can experience severe congestion.
If your itinerary is something like:
Seoul → Busan → Seoul
during the main Chuseok travel period, book your transportation as early as possible.
If you have flexibility, staying in Seoul throughout the holiday can actually make your trip easier.
Are Seoul’s Palaces Open During Chuseok?
Royal palaces are traditionally among the best places to visit during Korea’s major holidays.
Korea Tourism Organization says palaces generally remain open on Korean public holidays.
The main royal sites in Seoul include:
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
Deoksugung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace
Jongmyo Shrine
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center is also running a number of cultural programs during September 2026, including autumn programs at Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.
Because holiday schedules and special admission policies can change, check the official palace website shortly before your visit.
Still, if you want to experience Korean heritage during Chuseok, the palace district is one of the strongest options.
One of the Best Chuseok Events in Seoul: Namsangol Hanok Village
For international visitors, this is one of the easiest Chuseok events to recommend.
The Namsangol Chuseok Festival: Namsan Dalbit Madang will take place from:
September 25 to September 27, 2026
from:
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
at Namsangol Hanok Village.
Admission is free, although some activities and food may require payment.
Namsangol Hanok Village is especially convenient because it is located near central Seoul and gives visitors a chance to experience traditional architecture and Chuseok culture without leaving the city.
For first-time visitors who want an accessible traditional Chuseok experience in central Seoul, this is one of the easiest options to consider.
Looking for more events during your trip? See our guide to [September 2026 in Seoul: Best Festivals, Events & Things to Do].
Another Chuseok Event: Seoul Baekje Museum
The 2026 Seoul Baekje Museum Chuseok Festival is scheduled for:
Saturday, September 26, 2026
from:
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
at the Seoul Baekje Museum Plaza and lobby area.
This is a useful option for families or travelers interested in Korean history beyond the Joseon Dynasty.
A Different Chuseok Experience: Banpo Hangang Park
On Sunday, September 27, the Car-Free Jamsugyo Bridge Festival will hold a special Moonlight Chuseok Festival at Banpo Hangang Park.
The event is scheduled from:
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
and will feature traditional performances from Korea and several other countries, as well as Korean traditional games such as yut nori.
This is a good choice if you want something less formal than a palace visit.
You can combine it with:
Banpo Hangang Park
Jamsugyo Bridge
Sebitseom
and an evening walk along the Han River.
Best Areas to Stay Active During Chuseok
If you want to minimize the risk of finding everything closed, concentrate on Seoul’s larger tourist and commercial districts.
Myeongdong
A safe choice for international visitors.
Major cosmetics stores, chain restaurants, cafés, hotels and tourist-oriented businesses are more likely to operate during the holiday.
It is also convenient for reaching Namsangol Hanok Village and the palace district.
Hongdae
Hongdae usually remains lively because of its younger population, nightlife, cafés and entertainment businesses.
Some independent shops may close, but the district itself is unlikely to feel deserted.
Gangnam and COEX
Large commercial facilities make Gangnam relatively reliable during public holidays.
COEX is particularly useful because shopping, restaurants, cafés and attractions are concentrated in one large indoor complex.
Itaewon
Because of its large international community and tourist base, many restaurants and bars in Itaewon continue operating even during major Korean holidays.
It can be one of the safer areas for finding food when smaller Korean restaurants elsewhere are closed.
What About Museums?
Museums require more caution.
Some museums remain open during major holidays, while others close specifically on Chuseok Day.
The safest approach is:
Do not assume every museum is open just because it is a tourist attraction.
Check the official website one or two days before your visit.
Seoul’s official cultural calendar already confirms several Chuseok-related cultural programs for September 2026, so there will still be plenty to do.
Where Can You Eat During Chuseok?
The easiest strategy is to avoid relying entirely on small neighborhood restaurants.
Better options include:
shopping mall restaurants
hotel restaurants
franchise restaurants
tourist districts
convenience stores
Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon, Jamsil and Gangnam are generally easier places to find food than purely residential neighborhoods.
Google Maps can be useful, but in Korea, Naver Map and KakaoMap often have more current local business information.
Even then, holiday hours can change without much notice.
If you find a restaurant you really want to visit, confirm directly.
Should You Visit Traditional Markets?
Yes, but choose the timing carefully.
Traditional markets can be fascinating before Chuseok because Koreans shop for:
fruit
meat
fish
jeon
songpyeon
and other holiday foods.
However, some vendors may close on Chuseok Day itself.
If visiting a market is important to you, consider going before September 25 or later in the holiday period rather than assuming every stall will be open on the main holiday.
Is Chuseok Good for Shopping in Seoul?
It can be.
Major shopping districts usually remain accessible, but schedules vary by business.
For K-beauty shopping, areas such as:
Myeongdong
Hongdae
Seongsu
Gangnam
are much safer bets than small standalone stores in residential neighborhoods.
If Olive Young is on your shopping list, larger branches in major commercial districts are generally the most convenient choice during holidays.
What Tourists Should Do Before Chuseok
A little preparation makes a big difference.
Before September 24:
Book any intercity train tickets.
If you are traveling to Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju or another city, do not wait until the last minute.
Check your hotel location.
Staying near a major subway line makes holiday travel much easier.
Arriving through Incheon Airport? Compare your options in [Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX vs Bus vs Taxi — Which Is Best?].
Save several restaurant options.
Do not build your dinner plan around one small restaurant.
Check attraction schedules.
Especially museums, special exhibitions and independent attractions.
Download Naver Map or KakaoMap.
These are extremely useful for transportation, restaurants and local business information in Korea.
A Simple Chuseok Day in Seoul
If you are unsure what to do on September 25 itself, a practical itinerary could look like this:
Morning:
Visit Gyeongbokgung or walk through the Jongno palace district.
Lunch:
Eat in Myeongdong or another major tourist area.
Afternoon:
Visit Namsangol Hanok Village and experience the Chuseok festival.
Evening:
Walk around Namsan, Cheonggyecheon or the Han River.
This keeps you in central Seoul and avoids depending on long-distance transportation.
Is Seoul Empty During Chuseok?
Not exactly.
Some residential neighborhoods may feel noticeably quieter because people have left to visit family.
But major tourist districts remain active.
You may actually find central Seoul more pleasant than during a normal busy weekday.
At the same time, culturally significant locations and popular holiday events can attract large crowds.
So Chuseok Seoul is not necessarily “empty.”
It is simply busy in different places.
The Biggest Mistake Tourists Make During Chuseok
The biggest mistake is assuming that either:
everything is closed
or
everything operates normally.
Neither is true.
Seoul continues functioning, but business hours become less predictable.
Major attractions, transit systems and tourist districts remain usable.
Small businesses may take time off.
Intercity transportation becomes difficult.
That is the balance to remember.
Final Advice: Should You Visit Seoul During Chuseok 2026?
If Seoul is already part of your September 24–27 itinerary, Chuseok is not a reason to cancel or rearrange the trip.
Chuseok can actually give you a different view of Korea.
You can experience traditional events, visit cultural sites, see a quieter side of the city and learn about one of Korea’s most important holidays.
The main rule is simple:
Stay flexible and check opening hours before you go.
Avoid unnecessary intercity travel during the busiest period, keep several restaurant options ready, and use major tourist districts as your base.
With a little preparation, visiting Seoul during Chuseok can become one of the most memorable parts of your Korea trip.
Quick Chuseok 2026 Travel Checklist
Chuseok Day: September 25, 2026
Official holiday: September 24–26
Extended weekend: Through Sunday, September 27
Seoul subway: Operating
Banks/government offices: Closed
Major tourist districts: Generally active
Small restaurants/shops: Closures possible
Intercity trains: Extremely high demand
Namsangol Chuseok Festival: September 25–27
Key planning tip: Check individual opening hours before visiting
Related Guides
For more practical Korea travel information, you can also read:
Chuseok 2026 in Korea: Dates, Traditions & What Travelers Should Know
September 2026 in Seoul: Best Festivals, Events & Things to Do
Incheon Airport to Seoul: AREX vs Bus vs Taxi — Which Is Best?