Chuseok is around the corner, and preparations are beginning across Korea for one of the nation’s most important holidays. This year, Chuseok falls on September 25th. The official holiday period begins on September 24th, and with the weekend included, people will enjoy a four-day break. As the holiday nears, highways, train stations, and airports are expected to grow crowded with families traveling home.

Behind this holiday travel is a celebration with deep cultural meaning. Often compared to Thanksgiving, Chuseok is closely connected to the autumn harvest. Yet it carries a broader meaning than simply giving thanks for food. It is also a time to honor ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and reflect on family heritage. In many households, families hold charye, a traditional memorial ritual, and prepare a table of food as an expression of respect.

These family rituals are closely tied to food, which remains at the heart of Chuseok traditions. The best-known holiday food is songpyeon, a half-moon-shaped rice cake filled with sesame seeds, beans, or chestnuts. Families may also prepare jeon, japchae, galbi, and seasonal fruit. These dishes are shared during family meals and may also be placed on the charye table.

Along with food and rituals, traditional games and performances help create a festive atmosphere. Families may play yut nori, a board game using four wooden sticks, while others watch ssireum, Korean wrestling. Folk songs, performances, and ganggangsullae, a circle dance under the full moon, reflect Korea’s agricultural heritage and community spirit.

Although many customs remain important, Chuseok continues to evolve. Some families preserve traditions, while others travel, rest at home, or attend cultural events. Still, the holiday remains a celebration of gratitude, family, and connections across generations.