Every autumn, South Korea lights up with celebration for Chuseok —the nation’s Mid-Autumn Festival, often described as Korea’s Thanksgiving Day. Rooted in gratitude for the year’s harvest, it’s a time when families reunite, honor ancestors, and share traditional food. Wondering what is Chuseok holiday in Korea or how it differs from Seollal, the Lunar New Year? Let’s dive into the meaning, traditions, and modern ways Koreans celebrate this heartwarming festival.
Meaning of Chuseok
The word “Chuseok” literally translates to “autumn evening” or “harvest moon festival.” Falling on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar (usually late September), it marks the full moon — give thanks for the year’s harvest. While Seollal, the Lunar New Year celebrates the start of a new year, Chuseok also known as Hangawi, focuses on appreciation and togetherness, looking back on blessings rather than forward to new beginnings.
What Food Is Traditionally Eaten During Chuseok?
Like any great celebration, Chuseok revolves around food — and plenty of it! Families prepare a feast of traditional Korean dishes to share and offer during ancestral rituals (charye). Must-try specialties include:
- Songpyeon (송편): Half-moon rice cakes filled with sesame, red bean, or chestnut paste — steamed on pine needles for a fragrant aroma.
- Jeon (전): Savory Korean pancakes made with meat, seafood, or veggies — crisp on the edges and soft inside.
- Galbijjim (갈비찜): Braised short ribs slow-cooked in soy sauce, sugar, and garlic.
- Hangwa (한과): Traditional Korean sweets made from honey, , puffed rice, and sesame.
Chuseok festivals in Korea
Chuseok is one of Korea’s biggest holidays, sees millions travelling home to reunite with family. Beyond ancestral rites and family feasts, Koreans also embrace the cultural side of the holiday — exploring free exhibitions and performances at iconic spots like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Across cities such as Seoul, vibrant folk dances, mask plays, and hanok village festivals are held, allowing locals and travelers alike to celebrate Korean’s Thanksgiving Day in both traditional and modern ways.
What Do You Wear on Chuseok?
Traditional attire called hanbok (한복) is often worn during Chuseok ceremonies and family gatherings. These elegant garments feature flowing lines and vibrant colors symbolizing purity, peace, and celebration. Today, many families mix tradition and modernity — wearing updated, pastel-toned hanboks or opting for contemporary festive outfits inspired by traditional designs.
This vibrant festival warmly welcomes everyone — including foreigners who wish to experience the heart of Korean tradition. Around the world, Korean cultural centers and communities host engaging events giving visitors a true taste of Chuseok’s festive spirit.
At its heart, Chuseok is a celebration of gratitude — a reminder to appreciate life’s blessings, cherish the people who matter most, and honor the generations that came before us.
Happy Chuseok Day!
