Namwon030, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chuseok in South Korea



Chuseok: The Korean Harvest Festival

Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is a major harvest festival and a time for giving thanks for the year's bountiful harvest. It is a widely celebrated holiday in South Korea.

History and Significance

Chuseok has its roots in Gabae, a weaving contest that took place during the Shilla Kingdom. It was a time to celebrate the harvest and share the abundance of crops with family and neighbors.

Today, Chuseok is a time when families come together, pay respects to ancestors, and share traditional Korean dishes. It is a symbol of gratitude, abundance, and harmony.

Celebrations and Traditions

During Chuseok, families gather to perform ancestral rites, visit ancestral graves, and exchange gifts. Traditional Korean foods, such as songpyeon (rice cakes), jeon (pancakes), and bulgogi (marinated beef), are prepared and shared among family members.

Additionally, many people participate in various cultural activities and games, such as ssireum (Korean wrestling) and ganggangsullae (a traditional circle dance). These activities add to the festive atmosphere of Chuseok.

In a nutshell

Chuseok is a cherished Korean holiday that brings families together to celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for the abundance in their lives. It is a time for reflection, family reunions, and sharing love and good wishes with one another.

As a time-honored tradition, Chuseok holds great cultural and historical significance for the people of South Korea, and its celebrations continue to bring joy and unity among families and communities.

2024

Date
Country
Mon 16 Sep
Tue 17 Sep
Wed 18 Sep

2025

Date
Country
Sun 05 Oct
Mon 06 Oct
Tue 07 Oct

2026

Date
Country
Thu 24 Sep
Fri 25 Sep
Sat 26 Sep

2027

Date
Country
Tue 14 Sep
Wed 15 Sep
Thu 16 Sep