What Is Chuseok?

Chuseok (추석), sometimes called Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the two most significant holidays in South Korea — the other being Seollal (Lunar New Year). Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it typically falls in September or October. At its heart, Chuseok is a harvest festival: a time to give thanks for the year's crops, honour ancestors, and gather with family.

Historical Roots

The origins of Chuseok are believed to date back over two thousand years to the Silla Kingdom period. Some historians trace it to ancient harvest celebrations that marked the end of the farming season. The word itself can be loosely translated as "autumn eve." Over the centuries, Confucian values shaped the holiday into the ancestor-honouring occasion it is today.

Key Traditions

Charye (차례) — Ancestral Rites

On the morning of Chuseok, families perform charye, a ceremonial offering to their ancestors. A table is carefully laid with food — rice, soup, meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and rice wine — arranged according to traditional protocols. The family bows together before the table as a mark of respect and gratitude.

Seongmyo (성묘) — Visiting Ancestral Graves

Families travel to their ancestral hometowns to visit and tend to the graves of their relatives. The area around the grave is cleared of weeds and debris, and offerings are made. This practice reflects the deep respect Korean culture places on honouring those who came before.

Hanbok

Many Koreans wear hanbok (traditional Korean dress) during Chuseok, particularly during the morning rites. The sight of colourful hanbok in autumn settings is one of the most visually striking aspects of the holiday.

Ssireum (씨름) — Traditional Wrestling

Historically, communities celebrated Chuseok with ssireum, a form of traditional Korean wrestling. While the practice has declined as a widespread celebration, it is still televised and practised in cultural settings.

Traditional Chuseok Foods

  • Songpyeon (송편): Half-moon shaped rice cakes steamed over pine needles, filled with sesame, chestnuts, or red bean paste. Families make these together the evening before Chuseok.
  • Japchae: Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat — a festive staple.
  • Galbijjim: Braised short ribs, slow-cooked until tender and deeply flavourful.
  • Hangwa: Traditional Korean confections made from rice flour, honey, and natural flavourings.
  • Makgeolli: Traditional rice wine, often enjoyed during the family meal.

Chuseok in Modern Korea

Today, Chuseok is a three-day national holiday, and it triggers one of the largest mass migrations in the world as city dwellers return to their hometowns. Roads and train lines are heavily congested, and tickets must be booked weeks in advance.

Modern Korea has brought some changes to the holiday. Gift-giving has become a prominent feature — premium food hampers, health products, and cosmetics sets are popular choices. Many families balance ancestral traditions with more relaxed gatherings, and younger generations are increasingly finding their own ways to mark the occasion.

Tips for Visitors During Chuseok

  • Many shops, restaurants, and attractions close during Chuseok — plan ahead.
  • Travel within Korea is extremely busy; book transport well in advance.
  • Some tourist sites in Seoul (especially palaces) offer free entry and cultural performances during the holiday period.
  • Markets and department stores are excellent places to find seasonal Chuseok gift sets as souvenirs.

A Holiday Worth Understanding

For visitors and those interested in Korean culture, Chuseok offers a profound window into Korean values — family, gratitude, remembrance, and community. Even if you're not in Korea for the holiday, understanding its significance enriches your appreciation of Korean life.