Korea Fall Foliage: Chuseok Festivals and Autumn Travel in 2025

Autumn in Korea is famous for its vibrant fall colors. In 2025, Chuseok—the country’s biggest harvest festival—falls in early October, slightly ahead of peak foliage season.

October in Korea offers the best of both worlds—early in the month, you can experience Chuseok celebrations, cultural performances, and vibrant local festivals, while the second half of the month is perfect for enjoying Korea’s famous autumn foliage at destinations like Nami Island, Seoraksan, or Gyeongju. Korea’s autumn festivals and stunning fall foliage together offer the perfect way to experience both culture and nature.

Korea Fall Foliage: The Traditions and Meaning of Chuseok

Chuseok in Korea: Meaning, Traditions, and How It’s Celebrated

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays. During this holiday, Koreans give thanks for the year’s harvest and pay respect to their ancestors. Often called the “Korean Thanksgiving", it usually lasts three days—the day before, the holiday itself, and the day after.

Chuseok does not fall on the same date each year because it follows the Korean lunar calendar, occurring on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This means its dates on the Gregorian calendar shift, usually between mid-September and early October. In 2025, Chuseok will be celebrated from October 5 to October 8.

This year, it coincides with National Foundation Day on October 3 and Hangul Day on October 9, creating a rare opportunity for an extended holiday period.

Chuseok is not only a time for family gatherings but also a festive occasion filled with traditional games and performances. Activities such as yutnori (board game), neolttwigi (seesaw jumping), Korean wrestling (ssireum), mask dances, tug-of-war, and farmer’s music (nongak) are enjoyed. The iconic holiday food is songpyeon, half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with sesame, red beans, chestnuts, or honey, steamed on a bed of pine needles for a distinctive aroma.

Today, many families experience these traditions not only at home but also by visiting cultural events and festivals that recreate Chuseok customs for locals and travelers alike.

Korea Fall Foliage: Festivals to Enjoy During Chuseok 2025

Namsangol Chuseok Festival “Chuseok Playground” (Seoul) Held at Namsangol Hanok Village in central Seoul, this is one of the most accessible and lively Chuseok events. Visitors can try traditional games like rice-bag breaking and tug-of-war, watch cultural performances, and join craft workshops that recreate Korea’s holiday spirit.

🗓️ Dates: October 5–7, 2025

📍 Location: Namsangol Hanok Village, Jung-gu, Seoul

🚈 Directions: Take Subway Line 3 or 4 to Chungmuro Station, then follow the signs to Namsangol Hanok Village.

Gunsan Time Travel Festival (Jeollabuk-do)

This unique festival in the historic port city of Gunsan brings the 1930s and 40s back to life. The program includes live performances, parades, dance challenges, and interactive games, offering both fun and cultural insight.

🗓️ Dates: October 9–12, 2025

📍 Location: Gunsan Modern History District

🚈 Directions: From Gunsan Intercity Bus Terminal, take the free shuttle bus (runs every 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) to the festival grounds.

Korea Fall Foliage: Autumn Destinations After Chuseok

Top 3 Korea Fall Foliage Destinations

After Chuseok, Korea’s peak foliage season begins. Warmer temperatures this year may delay the color change slightly, but in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province, autumn leaves are expected to start turning in mid-October and reach their peak by the end of the month. Here are three must-visit destinations to enjoy the best fall foliage in Korea. 1. Nami Island Famous as a filming location for K-dramas and movies, Nami Island transforms into a wonderland of golden and crimson leaves in autumn. The Metasequoia Lane and Ginkgo Tree Path create picture-perfect tunnels of color, ideal for walking, cycling, or photography.

📍Address: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

🚈 How to get there: From Seoul (Cheongnyangni or Yongsan Station), take the ITX train to Gapyeong Station (60–80 minutes). From Gapyeong, take a 10-minute taxi or bus ride to Namiseom Wharf, then a 5-minute ferry ride to the island.

💡Travel tip: Many visitors combine Nami Island with nearby attractions like the Garden of Morning Calm or the Rail Bike for a convenient day tour.

2. Seoraksan National Park Known as the highlight of Korea’s autumn scenery, Seoraksan offers breathtaking mountain views painted with red, orange, and yellow leaves. Take the cable car to Gwongeumseong Fortress for a panoramic view of the entire range in full color.

📍 Address: 833 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

🚈 How to get there: From Seoul’s Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Express Bus Terminal, take a bus to Sokcho (about 2.5 hours). From Sokcho Bus Terminal, take city bus No. 7 or 7-1 for 30 minutes to reach the park entrance.

💡 Travel tip: Arrive early on weekends or holidays to avoid crowds. Check the Seoraksan Cable Car website the day before your visit for updated operation schedules.

3. Bukchon Hanok Village For those staying in Seoul, Bukchon Hanok Village offers a unique combination of fall foliage and traditional Korean architecture. Autumn leaves frame tiled roofs and narrow alleyways, creating postcard-perfect scenes. With Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Insadong nearby, it’s an easy and rewarding day trip.

📍 Address: 37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

🚈 How to get there: Walk about 10 minutes from Anguk Station (Subway Line 3, Exit 2) or 15 minutes from Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 5).

💡 Travel tip: Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area, so visitors should be quiet and respectful. Always be mindful when taking photos near private homes to avoid disturbing residents.

Chuseok 2025 falls just before peak foliage season, but this timing allows travelers to enjoy the best of both worlds: traditional festivals during the holiday and stunning foliage trips afterward.

Join in the cultural celebrations in Seoul or Gunsan during the Chuseok holiday, and then head to Nami Island, Seoraksan, or Bukchon Hanok Village later in the month to witness Korea fall foliage at its finest.