Chuseok is almost here, and if you’ve just moved to Korea it’s the first big holiday you’ll experience — and the first time a lot of things around you close for a few days. This is a practical guide to what changes during Chuseok, what stays open, and how to prepare so the long weekend goes smoothly.
When Is Chuseok in 2026?
In 2026, Chuseok falls on Friday, September 25, with the official holiday running Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26. Because the Saturday leads into Sunday, many people effectively get four days off, from the 24th through the 27th. There’s no substitute holiday this year, since the dates don’t overlap a Sunday.
What Is Chuseok, Briefly?
Chuseok is one of Korea’s two biggest holidays, alongside Seollal (Lunar New Year). It’s often described as Korean Thanksgiving: a harvest celebration when families travel to their hometowns, hold ancestral memorial rites (charye, 차례), visit family graves, and share traditional food — most famously songpyeon (송편), the half-moon-shaped rice cakes eaten at this time of year. For you as a resident, the practical takeaway is simple: expect a few quieter days with many places closed as the country spends time with family.
What Closes and What Stays Open
The biggest adjustment is knowing where you can and can’t go during the holiday.
- Usually closed: banks, government and immigration offices, many clinics and pharmacies, lots of small shops and traditional markets, and many large marts and department stores on the holiday itself.
- Usually open: convenience stores (24/7), hospital emergency rooms, on-duty pharmacies, and most subways and buses. Many chain cafes and some restaurants stay open too.
Hours can be reduced even where places are open, so it’s worth checking ahead for anything you rely on.
Groceries and Delivery
Stock up a day or two before the holiday. Many grocery and delivery apps pause or run a reduced service during the core days, and restaurant delivery thins out as well. If you do run short, convenience stores are the reliable backup for essentials.
Getting Around Seoul
City subways and buses keep running during Chuseok, but often on a holiday timetable, so check departure times rather than assuming the usual frequency. Intercity travel is the opposite story: KTX trains and express buses are packed and sell out well in advance, so book early if you’re leaving the city. Within Seoul itself, streets and transit are actually calmer than usual as many residents travel out.
Waste Collection
Waste collection days often shift or pause during the holiday. Hold on to your recyclables and food waste until normal service resumes, and check your building’s notice for the holiday schedule. Our guide to waste separation covers the everyday rules.
Banking and Cash
Banks are closed for the holiday, but ATMs and mobile or online banking work as normal. It’s worth keeping some cash on hand, since a few small shops and markets may be cash-only.
Making the Most of a Quiet Seoul
With much of the city away, Seoul turns calm and easy to enjoy. The main royal palaces are often opened free of charge during Chuseok (check the year’s announcement), and there are usually seasonal events around the city. If you’re staying in town, it’s a pleasant few days to explore without the crowds.
Settling In for the Holiday
A little preparation — groceries in, some cash on hand, transit times checked — is all it takes for your first Chuseok to go smoothly. For more on getting set up in your new place, see our move-in setup guide. And if you’re still looking for a home, tell us what you need through our inquiry form and we can help you find one that fits.
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