A traditional performing arts troupe on June 5 puts on a show at the Arirang Grand Festival at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Korea.net DB)

By Margareth Theresia

Downtown Seoul will present a variety of programs over the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holiday.

Traditional performing arts and holiday customs are scheduled in Hanok (traditional architecture) villages, while public plazas and parks will host a range of hands-on activities.

For those in Seoul from Sept. 24-27, take a stroll through the capital and experience the sights and sounds of Chuseok, one of Korea's two biggest holidays.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government through Oct. 11 is hosting the fall edition of Seoul Welcome Week. Tourist information centers at Incheon and Gimpo international airports will offer foreign visitors on a first-come, first-served basis the heritage edition of the Discover Seoul Pass.

The card provides free admission to 12 national heritage sites spanning the four main royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty as well as discounts at over 110 participating facilities.

Through Oct. 10, the Seoul Culture Lounge on the 11th floor of the Seoul Tourism Plaza is hosting interactive events like traditional dance and making songpyeon, or traditional rice cakes shaped like a half moon.

A senior citizen on Sept. 30, 2025, shows a visitor to make traditional holiday dishes together at an international class on Chuseok cooking at the Yongsan Senior Welfare Center in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Korea.net DB)

Namsangol Hanok Village from Sept. 25-27 will host the Namsangol Chuseok Festival under the theme "Namsan Moonlight Yard." The World Pansori Festival featuring pansori (traditional lyrical opera) is slated from Sept. 25-26.

On Sept. 25, a moonlight ritual event will convey the meaning of the traditional table setting for Chuseok ancestral rites and holiday etiquette and customs. On Sept. 27, a "moonlight makeover" will allow visitors to try on Hanbok (traditional clothing) as well as traditional makeup and hairstyling.

From Sept. 24-27, Gwanghwamun Square will host this year's Gwanghwamun Square Bitmorak Autumn Festival featuring performing arts and music and cinematic concerts, along with author Q&As, calligraphy workshops, sentimental postcard writing, and traditional games and crafts.

On Sept. 26, the main building of the Seoul Museum of History will host the Chuseok Festival under the theme "Five-Colored Chuseok" with traditional weaving and other games, fusion gugak (traditional music) performances, and crafts such as folk paintings and wish ornaments.

Seoul Urban Life Museum the same day will present performances and traditional games. From Sept. 24-27, the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music will host traditional games and a photo zone.

People use telescopes to see a full moon reflected on Nanji Pond at World Cup Park in Seoul's Mapo-gu District. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

During the holiday, the city will offer interactive programs at nine parks and Seoul Botanical Garden covering traditional games, full moon viewing, and forest, ecology and crafts. World Cup Park from Sept. 24-25 will have traditional games, full moon viewing, and interactive ecological and craft activities.

Namsan Park -- the city's largest -- Naksan Park and Yongsan Family Park will offer programs such as making beeswax candles, walks in forests, the Joseon Dynasty board game seonggyeongdo, and observing fruits and seeds.

From Sept. 24-26, Dream Forest will offer in English a forest experience for foreign visitors and multicultural families. Reservations are required for select programs.

margareth@korea.kr