1. Palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs during the free-entry period

    1. Palaces, Jongmyo and the royal tombs

    궁궐 · 종묘 · 조선왕릉

    The Korea Heritage Service's 21 September notice offered free admission from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Jongmyo and 22 Joseon royal-tomb sites. The sites remained open during the holiday, and Jongmyo switched to general admission. Changdeokgung's Secret Garden special tour was excluded. Deoksugung's separate notice also listed palace hall talks and Seokjojeon museum visits by reservation. Source: Korea Heritage Service: 2026 Chuseok free opening of four palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs

    An illustrated grassy royal tomb mound and stone railing beyond a wooded path.
    A royal-tomb landscape.

    The Seoul sites included central palaces and Jongmyo, as well as Seonjeongneung in Gangnam.

    Seonjeongneung royal tombs note.

    Source: Korea Heritage Service: '26 추석 연휴 덕수궁 관람 안내.

  2. Museum visits around the Chuseok closure

    2. The National Museum of Korea’s holiday schedule

    국립중앙박물관

    The National Museum of Korea listed Chuseok, Friday 25 September 2026, as a closed day. Its published schedule offered museum visits on Thursday 24, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, with regular hours ending at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and 9 p.m. on Saturday. Source: National Museum of Korea: hours and closed days

    Illustrated quiet museum gallery with a pale ceramic jar and a bench.
    A gallery visit.

    The Friday closure made the other three dates the museum options during the break.

    Permanent galleries and special exhibitions had different admission arrangements.

    National Museum of Korea and the Yongsan area.

  3. Restaurant schedules varied by venue

    3. Meals during the holiday

    추석 연휴 식사

    Visit Seoul's holiday guide noted that many stores and restaurants closed during Chuseok. Hotel restaurants, convenience stores and chain outlets were possible meal options, while individual market stalls followed their own schedules. Source: Visit Seoul: National Holidays

    A compartmented Korean lunchbox with rice, noodles and side dishes beside plain chopsticks.
    A market lunchbox.

    Restaurant-specific holiday service determined meal choices.

    Seoul food market comparison.

  4. A riverside walk and Sunday’s Chuseok event

    4. Hangang parks and neighborhood walks

    한강공원 산책

    Seoul's Hangang park guide, dated October 2025, described 11 parks along the river. The city's 2026 Reading Hangang Park notice scheduled a Chuseok event on Sunday 27 September at Yeouido Hangang Park's Multiplaza, with traditional games and hanji paper crafts. During Chuseok week, this Sunday event replaced the program's usual Saturday session. Source: Seoul Hangang Headquarters: 2026 Reading Hangang Park autumn program

    An illustrated riverside path beside broad water and a distant city skyline.
    A riverside walk.

    The holiday activities took place at Yeouido Hangang Park, separate from the inland Yeouido Park.

    The city listed free entry, with walk-in or advance booking depending on the activity.

    Yeouido parks note.

    Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government: Hangang Parks.

Event record

The public holiday ran from 24 to 26 September; the palace and royal-tomb free-entry period continued through Sunday 27 September.

Sources & checks

Sources checked .