Each autumn, Chuseok (추석) brings families across South Korea together for food, remembrance and a welcome pause from everyday life. Often described as Korean Thanksgiving, the major harvest festival usually falls in September or October and remains one of the country’s most important traditional holidays.
A holiday rooted in the harvest
Chuseok is closely tied to Korea’s agricultural heritage. Historically, it marked the season when crops were gathered, and families could enjoy the results of a year’s work. A plentiful harvest offered a moment to give thanks and share good fortune with relatives and the wider community.
Remembering ancestors through Chuseok traditions
For many households, the holiday begins with traditions centred on family lineage. During charye, relatives prepare a table of food and pay respects to deceased family members. In another custom, seongmyo, families visit ancestral graves to clean and care for them—an act that keeps remembrance at the heart of the celebration.
Songpyeon and the foods that bring families together
No Chuseok celebration is complete without songpyeon, the half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with ingredients such as sesame, beans or chestnuts. Families often make them together, turning the kitchen into a place for conversation and connection. Holiday tables may also feature jeon, or Korean-style savoury pancakes, alongside seasonal fruit and other shared dishes.
Games, dance and a festive spirit
The Korean harvest festival is about more than ceremony and food. Ganggangsullae, a traditional circle dance performed by women, has long been associated with Chuseok. Wrestling, archery and folk games also reflect the holiday’s lively, communal character.
How modern families celebrate Chuseok
As Korean society has changed, so has the way people spend the holiday. Some families continue ancestral rites and long-standing customs, while others travel, cook at home or simply enjoy time with relatives. The result is one of South Korea’s busiest travel periods, with millions heading to their hometowns for family reunions.
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