Chuseok

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays and is often described as Korea’s harvest festival or Korean Thanksgiving. It is observed on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the full harvest moon traditionally symbolized abundance and gratitude. In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25, with the principal South Korean holiday period generally extending from September 24 to September 26.

The holiday developed from ancient autumn harvest ceremonies and seasonal observances that honored agricultural prosperity, family continuity, and ancestors. Over time, Chuseok became a major occasion for family reunions, ancestral memorial rites, and visits to ancestral graves. Although contemporary celebrations include travel, shopping, and modern entertainment, the central values of gratitude, respect for elders, family solidarity, and remembrance remain deeply significant in Korean culture.

A typical Chuseok celebration begins with families preparing an ancestral memorial ceremony called charye. Relatives arrange seasonal foods, fruit, rice, soup, meat, fish, and traditional rice cakes on a ceremonial table before paying respects to family ancestors. Many people also visit family graves for seongmyo, where they clean and maintain the burial site through a practice known as beolcho. Families commonly gather in their hometowns, exchange gifts, wear traditional clothing on special occasions, and share wishes for health and prosperity.

The best-known Chuseok food is songpyeon, a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with ingredients such as sesame and honey, sweetened beans, or chestnuts and traditionally steamed over pine needles. Other popular foods include jeon, Korean savory pancakes; galbijjim, braised beef short ribs; japchae; fresh fruit; and seasonal harvest dishes. Families may also enjoy folk activities such as ganggangsullae, a traditional circle dance historically associated with women and harvest celebrations, as well as wrestling, archery, and performances of traditional music. Common greetings include “즐거운 추석 보내세요” (Jeulgeoun Chuseok bonaeseyo, “Have a joyful Chuseok”) and “풍성한 한가위 되세요” (Pungseonghan Hangawi doeseyo, “Have a bountiful Hangawi”).