Chuseok: South Korea’s Harvest Festival is September 28-30, 2023

Chuseok is South Korea’s autumn harvest festival, similar to the Mid-Autumn Festival in China and Taiwan, Tsukimi in Japan, and Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam.

During Chuseok, many Koreans travel to their hometown to be with family and show gratitude towards their ancestors. Families hold a memorial service honoring their ancestors which includes a table of special food offerings such as freshly harvested rice, rice cakes (songpyeon), seasonal fruit, and vegetables. During Chuseok it is common for families to visit ancestral graves to clean the area and bow to their ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude. Community games and competitions take place, such as archery, tug-of-war, martial arts, traditional dance, and wrestling. A more modern Chuseok custom includes exchanging gifts.

You can celebrate Chuseok in the Bay Area on September 30 at Chuseok Festival 2023.

To learn more about this holiday:

• Read the Moon Rabbit tale, the Korean version of the Mid-Autumn harvest folklore tale common throughout Asian cultures
• Watch a YouTube video about Chuseok holiday cuisine
• Visit the San Jose location for Korean American Community Services

 

 

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