During the Chuseok holiday, if you're wondering where to take your family after the ritual ceremonies, consider visiting a museum. National museums across the country will transform into playgrounds for the holiday, featuring activities such as wrestling, Ganggangsullae, rice cake pounding, traditional games, and pansori performances. While the museums will be closed on Chuseok day, September 25, events and performances for families will continue from September 26.
On September 25, the National Museum of Korea and 13 other national museums announced that they will host various cultural events, including performances, traditional games, and hands-on experiences, until September 30. The National Folk Museum will also hold a Chuseok seasonal event titled 'All Together for Chuseok' on September 26 and 27.
At the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, the 'The Art Spot' series will take place on September 26 and 27, featuring free performances at 1 PM and 3 PM. On September 26, the traditional music ensemble 'SoriON' will present a stage combining traditional and Western instruments, while 'Yeonhee Company' will showcase creative performances. On September 27, 'Yeonhee Performer Group Cheorat' will perform, followed by singer Kim Jun-soo and the ethnic fusion band Second Moon, who will blend pansori and world music in their finale. No reservations are required to attend these performances.
The National Folk Museum will allow visitors to experience the meaning of Chuseok through activities like harvesting, wrestling, and traditional games. Participants can use traditional threshing tools to separate rice grains or create a 'Wishing Frame' with real rice stalks. There will also be opportunities to make coiled straw cup mats, brooms, and straw balls.
A wrestling ring will be set up for Chuseok wrestling matches, featuring a wrestling experience classroom in collaboration with the Korea Wrestling Association, as well as competitions for children and adults. Families can participate in a 'Traditional Games Relay' that includes activities like jegichagi (kicking a top), horseback riding, tuho (arrow throwing), spinning tops, and rubber shoe tossing. After the games, participants and spectators will join hands for Ganggangsullae. On September 26, the Busan intangible cultural heritage 'Suyoung Nongcheong Nori' and a children's traditional music musical 'Bariya Bariya' will be featured, while on September 27, performances of Cheoyongmu, Ganggangsullae, samulnori, Jindo Bukchum, and Gangwon's intangible heritage 'Wonju Maejin Nongak' will take place.
There are also many programs for children. At the National Folk Museum, kids can make soap shaped like songpyeon (rice cakes) and Chuseok-themed keycap keyrings. The National Folk Museum in Paju will offer a program where visitors can learn about Chuseok rituals and Cheonsin-gut (a shamanistic rite) while making traditional broomsticks and paper yut boards. An unusual experience will allow children to compete in wrestling matches against a 'Dokkaebi' (goblin) dressed as a carpenter or blacksmith.
Regional national museums will also host Chuseok events. The National Cheongju Museum will transform its space into a 'Chuseok Playground' on September 26 and 27, where visitors can enjoy activities like top spinning, archery, tuho, and ddakji (a traditional game). On September 27, a 'Nongak Hanmadang' featuring Nanta, sijo, folk songs, and Cheongju Nongak will be presented, along with a traditional play 'The Farting Daughter-in-Law' based on folktales.
Each museum will offer programs that highlight local characteristics and collections. At the National Chuncheon Museum, visitors can pound rice cakes and taste freshly made injeolmi (rice cake coated with powdered soybean). The National Gwangju Museum will host a special exhibition 'Earthenware, Our Reflection' where participants can make flower pots. The National Gongju Museum will present a traditional outdoor play 'Gugwanmyeonggwan Masterpiece' featuring nine masters on September 26, along with a Lego-making experience for making traditional drums.
At the National Gyeongju Museum, visitors can view the special exhibition 'Hwangnyongsa, Enshrining the Buddha's Relics' and participate in a family-friendly digital exploration activity 'Doran Doran Wolji Hanbawwi.' The National Jinju Museum will offer experiences related to the Imjin War, including armor, archery, and military music. The National Daegu Museum will provide opportunities to create folk art ddakji, bag hangers, character kites, and mother-of-pearl trays. National museums in Naju, Jeju, Gimhae, and Iksan will also host traditional games and Chuseok experience events.
Operating hours and participation methods will vary by museum and program. Some events may require advance reservations or operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and outdoor activities may change depending on the weather, so it is advisable to check the respective museum's website for schedules before visiting.
Yoo Hong-jun, director of the National Museum of Korea, expressed hope that visitors will enjoy a rich holiday filled with cultural heritage and shared memories across generations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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