Chuseok

Chuseok, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most significant traditional holidays in South Korea. Its origins trace back over a thousand years to the ancient harvest festival known as Gabae, celebrated during the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE – 935 CE). The name 'Chuseok' translates to 'autumn eve' and is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, typically falling in late September or early October on the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, Chuseok will begin on the evening of September 27 and continue through September 29. The holiday is deeply rooted in agrarian culture, serving as a time to thank ancestors for a bountiful harvest and to give thanks for the year’s blessings. Over centuries, Chuseok has evolved into a major cultural event that emphasizes family unity, ancestral veneration, and communal celebration.

Central to Chuseok celebrations are the ancestral rites called 'charye,' which involve families setting up elaborate tables of freshly harvested rice, fruits, and specially prepared foods such as songpyeon (half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with sesame seeds, beans, or sweet red bean paste). Families visit their ancestral graves to perform 'beolcho' (weeding and cleaning) and pay respects. Common activities include traditional folk games like 'ganggangsullae' (a women’s circle dance done under the full moon), 'ssireum' (Korean wrestling), and 'tuho' (arrow tossing). The holiday is also a time for wearing 'hanbok' (traditional Korean attire) and sharing festive meals. The standard greeting during Chuseok is 'Chuseok jal bodeuse yo' (즐거운 추석 보내세요), meaning 'Have a happy Chuseok.' In modern times, despite urbanization, millions travel to their hometowns, leading to a mass migration known as 'gwi-hyang' as families gather to honor traditions and strengthen familial bonds.