Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok or Hangawi, is just around the corner. This three-day holiday taking place from Friday, October 2nd till Sunday, October 4th this week signals the time to visit hometowns and to gather with families. However, more and more people decide to stay in Seoul instead of taking part in one of the worst annual nation-wide traffic jams. For those people, along with foreign residents, there are various events and festivals taking place this weekend as well as free entrances to royal palaces and tombs. Staying in Seoul during Chuseok does not have to take away the holiday spirit. It’s a long weekend for once, so why not go out to see Seoul as empty as it would ever get!



Free Entrance to Royal Palaces and Tombs
When: October 3rd
Where: Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Royal Tombs
Programs: Folk games, Performances at Gyongbokgung and Deoksugung
* During the holiday weekend (2nd and 4th), visitors wearing hanbok get free entrance.
(http://english.cha.go.kr/)

2009 International Folklore Festival
When: October 1st ~ 4th
Where: Nam-San Park, Neungdong Park
Programs: Traditional folk games, Traditional food festival, street parades, International folk performances, traditional ancestral worship rituals, Ganggangsullae Dance
(http://www.koreawave.org)

TIC’s Cultural Activity Programs 
When: October 1st ~ 4th
Where: Korea Tourism Organization Headquarters Tourist Information Center
40, Cheongyechonno, Jung-gu, Seoul ☎ 02-7299-497 ~499
Programs: Hanbok experience, traditional craft-making, traditional folk games
* Free of charge, no prior reservation required.
(http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/)

Namsangol Hanok Villiage Hangawi Festival
When: October 2nd ~ 4th
Where: Namsangol Hanok Villiage (Chungmuro Station Exit #3)
Programs: Chuseok Food Festival, ancestral worship rituals, making songpyeon, folk games, performances

Lotteworld’s Hangawi Festival
When: October 3rd ~ 4th
Where: Lotteworld in Jamsil
Programs: Korean traditional performances, folk games, food, mascots in Hanbok
(http://www.lotteworld.com/Global_eng/Main.asp)

September 30, 2009
Written by KIM Mooni, SNU English Editor
SNU PR Office