This Week in Seoul: 23–29 September 2026

Chuseok (추석) lands mid-week, so Seoul empties out from Thursday as families travel. The weather holds warm and mostly dry — highs 25–29 °C — until Saturday, when a wet front pushes rain to 60%. The single best move this week: the four royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs are free from Thursday 24 through Sunday 27 September. Namsangol Hanok Village runs its Chuseok festival Fri–Sun, and Unhyeongung joins in Thu–Sun. Banks, government offices and immigration close all three holiday days. Plan indoor spots for Saturday and use the dry weekdays for palace walks.

What's the weather in Seoul this week?

Fine dust: PM10 good, PM2.5 good to moderate all week; ozone poor on Wednesday afternoon.

Forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration, read Wed 23 Sep 2026 (KST). Check again before you go.

What should I wear?

Weekday commute (Wed–Fri): short sleeves plus a light layer for the office, since evenings drop to 19 °C.

Weekend outdoors (Sun–Tue): light jacket. Sunday night falls to 15 °C, and by Tuesday morning it is 14 °C.

The wet day (Sat 26 Sep): umbrella, waterproof shoes, a jacket you don't mind getting damp. Rain sits at 60% under overcast skies.

What's different about Chuseok week?

• The four royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs are free Thu 24 – Sun 27 Sep; Changdeokgung's Secret Garden stays ticketed, and Jongmyo drops its usual reservation requirement for the holiday. Gyeongbokgung's guard-changing ceremony runs at 10:00 and 14:00 with no booking. Source.
• National museums are closed on Chuseok day itself, Fri 25 Sep. Source.
• Department stores close for the holiday: Lotte's 29 stores including the main store and Jamsil on Thu 24 and Fri 25; Shinsegae Gangnam and Times Square on 24–25, the Shinsegae main store on 25–26; Hyundai Trade Center, Cheonho, Mia and Mokdong on 24–25, Hyundai Apgujeong main store and Sinchon on 25–26. Big supermarkets mostly stay open except on Chuseok day, with some branches closed. Source.
• Banks, government offices and immigration are closed on all three holiday days. Handle any ARC / 외국인등록증 errands before Thursday or after Monday.
• Subway and buses run on their holiday timetables. Most of the city travels to family homes, so Seoul itself is quiet.

What's free in Seoul this week?

• Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music Chuseok programme (서울우리소리박물관 2026년 추석맞이 문화행사 [보름달 아래, 우리소리 한마당]) — Thu 24 Sep – Sun 27 Sep, 10:00–17:00 — Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music (서울우리소리박물관), Anguk (line 3), exit 3 — Free — Chuseok folk-music programme at the museum. — Details.
• Namsangol Chuseok Festival: Namsan Moonlight Yard (2026 남산골 추석축제 [남산달빛마당]) — Fri 25 Sep – Sun 27 Sep, 10:00–20:00 — around Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을), Chungmuro (lines 3/4), exit 4 — Free (some experiences and food and drink are paid) — Traditional performances, traditional experiences and folk games. — Details.
• 4th World Pansori Festival (제4회 월드판소리페스티벌) — Fri 25 Sep – Sat 26 Sep, 13:00–18:00 — Namsangol Hanok Village and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (남산골한옥마을, 서울남산국악당), Chungmuro (lines 3/4), exit 4 — Free — Pansori showcase across two Namsan venues. — Details.
• Seoul Museum of History Chuseok Day: Five-Colour Hangawi (2026년 서울역사박물관 [한가위 한마당 - 오색 한가위]) — Sat 26 Sep, 12:00–16:00 — Seoul Museum of History, indoor hall and courtyard (서울역사박물관), Gwanghwamun (line 5), exit 7 — Free — Chuseok programme in and around the museum. — Details.
• Seoul Museum of History of Living Chuseok: Culture Flows Through the Museum (서울생활사박물관 한가위 [문화가 흐르는 박물관]) — Sat 26 Sep, 13:00–17:00 — around Seoul Museum of History of Living (서울생활사박물관), indoor and outdoor, Taereung (lines 6/7) — Free — Saturday Chuseok programme at the museum. — Details.
• Seoul Gallery Live: Band Iro (서울갤러리 추향저격 라이브 [밴드 이로]) — Wed 23 Sep, 12:30–13:00 — Seoul Gallery B1 performance hall (서울갤러리 지하 1층 공연장), City Hall (lines 1/2), exit 4 — Free — Lunchtime live set. — Details.
• Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater Yeoyujak Concert (서울돈화문국악당 2026 여유작 콘서트) — Thu 24 Sep – Fri 25 Sep, 15:00 and 17:00 — Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater Gugak yard (서울돈화문국악당 국악마당), Anguk (line 3), exit 3 — Free — Traditional-music concert on the theatre's gugak yard. — Details.
• Seoul Gallery Live: Singer-songwriter Sori (서울갤러리 추향저격 라이브 [싱어송라이터 소리]) — Thu 24 Sep, 14:00–14:30 — Seoul Gallery B1 performance hall (서울갤러리 지하 1층 공연장), City Hall (lines 1/2), exit 4 — Free — Short afternoon set. — Details.

What does a student ID or ARC get me this week?

• Culture Day (문화가 있는 날) — Every Wednesday since 1 April 2026: participating museums, galleries, theatres and sports venues run free or discounted entry, mostly in the evening — Needs: anyone; discounts vary by venue — Details. Cinemas only join on the second and last Wednesday of the month: ₩10,000 tickets 17:00–21:00.
• National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) — Permanent collection free every day; open until 21:00 on Wednesday and Saturday — Needs: anyone — Details. Note the museum is closed on Chuseok day, Fri 25 Sep.
• Seoul free guided walking tours — 40+ routes led by volunteer guides in seven languages, free, booked three days ahead — Needs: anyone; booking required — Details.

Which festivals and concerts are on?

• Unhyeongung Chuseok: Fortune-Filled Hangawi (2026 운현궁 행운가득 한가위) — Thu 24 Sep – Sun 27 Sep, 11:00–17:00 (craft experience booths close 16:00) — Unhyeongung (운현궁), Anguk (line 3), exit 4 — Some experiences paid — Chuseok programme in the palace grounds. — Details.
• 4th Idea Project: Symphony of a Thousand (제4회 이데아 프로젝트 [천인교향곡]) — Thu 24 Sep, 19:30–21:30 — Lotte Concert Hall (롯데콘서트홀), Jamsil (lines 2/8), exit 10 — R ₩30,000, S ₩20,000, A ₩10,000, B ₩5,000 — Lotte Concert Hall 10th-anniversary Symphony of a Thousand. — Details.
• Surim New Wave 2026: Choi Tae-young Haegeum [Bisabijuk] (수림뉴웨이브 2026 - 최태영의 해금 [비사비죽]) — Thu 24 Sep, 19:30 — Surim Cultural Foundation Kim Heesu SPACE1 (수림문화재단 김희수SPACE1) — All seats ₩30,000 (artists / re-viewing 50% off) — Haegeum recital. — Details.
• Seoul Gallery Live: Gugak-in-gayo (서울갤러리 추향저격 라이브 [퓨전국악밴드 국악인가요]) — Sun 27 Sep, 14:00–14:30 — Seoul Gallery B1 performance hall (서울갤러리 지하 1층 공연장), City Hall (lines 1/2), exit 4 — Free — Fusion gugak band set. — Details.
• Yoo Jae-a Flute Recital: Violin Fantasy (유재아 플루트 리사이틀 : Violin Fantasy) — Tue 29 Sep, 19:30–21:00 — Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall (예술의전당리사이틀홀), Nambu Bus Terminal (line 3), exit 5 — All seats ₩30,000 (student discount 50%) — Programme: Fauré Violin Sonata No.1 in A op.13, Sarasate Carmen Fantasy op.25, Franck Sonata for Violin in A — all arranged for flute and piano. — Details.

What's happening at the river, parks and malls?

• Seoul Autumn Festa (서울 가을 페스타) — Fri 18 Sep – Sun 29 Nov — Stages across the city, including the Hangang parks and the Daehakro Center — Varies by performance; many outdoor shows free — The city's umbrella performing-arts season; the programme finder at the Daehakro Center lists what is on each week. — Details.
• 5th Naru Street Dance Festival (제5회 나루 스트릿 댄스 페스티벌) — Sat 26 Sep – Sun 27 Sep, 13:00–20:00 — Naru Art Center outdoor plaza and main hall (나루아트센터 야외광장 및 대공연장), Gunja (lines 5/7) — Free — Two-day street dance festival. — Details.
• Hanseong Baekje Museum Chuseok Feast (2026 한성백제박물관 한가위 큰잔치) — Sat 26 Sep, 10:00–17:00 — Hanseong Baekje Museum plaza and lobby, and Seoul Baekje Children's Museum lobby (한성백제박물관 광장 및 로비, 서울백제어린이박물관 로비), Mongchontoseong (line 8), exit 1 — Free — Chuseok programme at the museum grounds. — Details.
• Uijeongbu-ji Historic Site Plaza Traditional Martial Arts (2026 의정부지 역사유적광장 전통무예행사) — Sat 11 Apr – Sat 31 Oct, opening 11:00–12:00 and 14:00–15:00 — Uijeongbu-ji Historic Site Plaza (의정부지 역사유적광장) — Free — Ongoing traditional martial arts programme. — Details.
• 4th Separated Families Day Citizen Programme (2026년 제4회 이산가족의 날 기념 시민참여 문화행사) — Tue 22 Sep – Wed 23 Sep, 10:00–19:00 — Marronnier Park, Daehakro (대학로 마로니에공원) — Free — Citizen cultural programme marking Separated Families Day. — Details.

This guide comes out every Sunday.