Chuseok and Seollal Travel: What's Closed and What to Do
Chuseok and Seollal are each a three- to four-day holiday. Press reports put Seollal 2027 on February 6-9 and Chuseok 2027 on September 14-16. Convenience stores, chain cafes, cinemas and palaces mostly stay open, but banks, many small restaurants and markets close, and intercity trains and roads fill up.
- Seollal 2027
- Feb 7 (Sunday); holiday reported as Feb 6-9
- Chuseok 2027
- Sept 15 (Wednesday); holiday reported as Sept 14-16
- Usually open
- Convenience stores, chain cafes, cinemas, theme parks, palaces
- Usually closed
- Banks, government offices, many small restaurants, traditional markets
- Official links
- VisitKorea · Korail · Seoul Metro
What should I know before I travel during Chuseok or Seollal?
Sources checked November 4, 2026
These two holidays turn Korea into a travel-heavy, shop-light country for a few days, so book transport early and keep a backup plan for meals. Locals travel to family homes, which fills trains and expressways, while many small businesses close. Tourist districts and chain brands cope better. The facts below come from the news reports and guides linked in each paragraph, read on the date above; holiday dates and closures are confirmed each year.
- Worth knowing: Chuseok is the autumn harvest holiday and Seollal is Lunar New Year. Both follow the lunar calendar, so the Gregorian dates move each year.
- A common mistake: Arriving on the main day expecting a normal restaurant street. Seoul Start holiday closures guide says most neighborhood restaurants, especially in residential and office areas, close, while tourist districts fare better.
- Local tip: Stock up on water and snacks the day before, and save a few convenience stores near your hotel on your map app. See our essential apps list for map tools.
When are Chuseok and Seollal?
Seollal 2027 falls on February 7 and Chuseok 2027 on September 15, each with a surrounding holiday of about three to four days. A Seoul Economic Daily report on the 2027 calendar gives the Seollal holiday as February 6-9 and the Chuseok holiday as September 14-16. For comparison, the Seoul Start holiday closures guide lists the 2026 holidays as Seollal on February 16-18 and Chuseok on September 24-26, which has already passed.
| Holiday | Main day | Holiday period |
|---|---|---|
| Chuseok 2026 | September 25 | September 24-26 |
| Seollal 2027 | February 7 (Sunday) | February 6-9 |
| Chuseok 2027 | September 15 (Wednesday) | September 14-16 |
Extra days off, bridge days or substitute holidays can change how long businesses stay shut, so read the government's final notice nearer the date. Our Korea festival calendar by month shows other dates worth planning around.
What is closed and what stays open?
Expect banks, government offices, many small restaurants, traditional markets and some department stores to close, while convenience stores, cinemas and chain cafes stay open. The Seoul Start holiday closures guide lists banks, government offices, post offices and most small clinics among the closures, and notes that major department stores close for about two of the three days, with dates that change yearly.
| Type of place | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Convenience stores | Open 24 hours on public holidays, per Seoul Start |
| Chain cafes and fast food | Mostly open, sometimes with reduced hours |
| Small local restaurants | Often closed for two to three days, per HaniSeoul |
| Traditional markets | Often closed on the holiday itself; some reopen the day before or after |
| Department stores | Usually closed for one to two days; check the store |
| Banks and government offices | Closed |
| Pharmacies | Most closed; duty pharmacies rotate (e-gen.or.kr or phone 129, per Seoul Start) |
The HaniSeoul Lunar New Year guide adds that chain restaurants and large stores in Myeong-dong, Hongdae and Gangnam generally stay open. Markets can still be worth a visit on the days around the holiday; our Gwangjang Market guide and Myeongdong street food guide explain how to order. Payment is rarely a problem, but see cash or card in Korea for backups.
Are palaces and attractions open?
Palaces usually stay open and have often been free during these holidays, but check the year's announcement because exclusions and next-day closures apply. The Korea Times report on the 2026 Chuseok palace programme says the Korea Heritage Service made Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs free from Thursday to Sunday of the 2026 Chuseok holiday, with the Changdeokgung rear garden excluded and Jongmyo open without its usual reservation.
- Seollal pattern: The Asia Economy report on the 2025 Seollal palace programme says the same group of palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs were free for six days over the 2025 Seollal period, with the Secret Garden excluded and all sites closed on the day after the holiday.
- Guard ceremonies: The Korea Times report lists Gyeongbokgung changing-of-the-guard times of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the 2026 programme. Times can change, so confirm on the day.
- Theme parks: The Pelago Chuseok guide says Everland and Lotte World run through the holiday, with folk games on the main day.
For hanbok entry and palace choices, read our hanbok rental guide, palaces compared and the Gyeongbokgung guide. Entry fees are normally charged, so a free holiday can mean larger crowds.
How do I get around and book trains?
City subways and buses keep running on a holiday timetable, but intercity trains sell out and expressways can take two to three times longer, so book early or stay in one city. The Seoul Start holiday closures guide says Seoul subway and major buses run reduced holiday schedules, with extended service on the eve and the day after. The Pelago Chuseok guide says KTX tickets open one month in advance and sell out quickly. Check Seoul Metro for exact holiday timetables.
- Decide your base. Staying in Seoul or Busan avoids the heaviest travel days.
- Book trains on day one of sales. Use the Korail site; see our KTX booking guide and Korail Pass comparison.
- Travel against the flow. HaniSeoul notes that seats in the opposite direction to the crowds are easier to get.
- Use taxis sensibly. Roads in Seoul are quieter, but late-night waits can be longer; see how to use Kakao T.
Expressway buses are easier to book than trains but get stuck in traffic; our intercity bus guide explains booking.
What can I do during the holiday?
Visit palaces and museums, join folk-game and rice-cake events, and enjoy quieter Seoul streets while avoiding long intercity trips. HaniSeoul reports tteokguk tastings at venues such as Namsangol Hanok Village and the National Folk Museum of Korea, and says some hotels serve tteokguk in holiday breakfast buffets; events vary by year.
- Plan indoors and outdoors: Cinemas, large museums and hotel restaurants usually cope, and national parks and trails stay open per Seoul Start. For rainy-day ideas see indoor things to do in Seoul.
- Join a walk: Try the Cheonggyecheon to Gwanghwamun walk, which needs no tickets.
- Eat smart: Pre-book hotel or tourist-district meals, and keep convenience-store food as backup.
Practical example: if you land the evening before the main day, buy breakfast supplies at a convenience store, confirm palace hours for your date, and keep one dinner booking in a tourist district.
FAQ
When are Chuseok and Seollal in 2027?
Press reports on the 2027 calendar give Seollal on February 7 with a holiday of February 6-9, and Chuseok on September 15 with a holiday of September 14-16. Confirm the final dates on an official Korean holiday notice before booking.
Are palaces open during Chuseok and Seollal?
Usually yes, and often free. The Korea Heritage Service has made the four grand palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs free over recent holidays, but the Changdeokgung rear garden was excluded and sites closed the day after the Seollal holiday in 2025. Check the year's announcement.
Will restaurants and shops be open?
Convenience stores, chain cafes, cinemas and tourist-district restaurants mostly stay open. Many small local restaurants, traditional markets and department stores close for one to three days, so check each place on Naver Map or with your hotel.
Should I book trains and buses early for the holidays?
Yes. KTX seats on popular routes can sell out soon after sales open, reportedly about a month ahead, and expressways are heavy. Book on the Korail site or app as early as you can, and consider staying in one city.
Is it a good time to visit Korea?
It can be, if you plan for closures. Roads in Seoul are quieter, and palaces and theme parks run holiday events, but intercity travel is crowded and many small businesses close.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Holiday rules change each year; verify on official pages.
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) official tourism information, events and holiday notices in English
- Korail (letskorail) official KTX booking and holiday ticket information
- Seoul Metro subway notices and holiday timetables
- Korea Times: 2026 Chuseok palace free entry news report on the Korea Heritage Service programme
- Asia Economy: 2025 Seollal palace free entry news report with free period and next-day closure
- Seoul Economic Daily: 2027 holidays report giving 2027 Seollal and Chuseok dates
- Seoul Start: holiday closures guide secondary guide on what closes and what stays open
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