Travel
Activities to do in Busan during Chuseok
Haps Magazine Korea
September 23, 2026
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Korea’s biggest traditional holiday runs from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27 this year, with Chuseok Day itself falling on Friday, September 25.
Here’s everything happening in Busan across the long weekend.
Most commercial venues and smaller restaurants close on Chuseok Day itself. Many of Busan’s major museums and cultural facilities remain open across the surrounding days, though hours vary. Check individual venue websites before visiting.
Busan Museum offers three days of free traditional games and family activities from September 25 to 27, inspired by 2026 being the Year of the Horse. The headline activity allows visitors to wear an inflatable horse costume along with traditional Korean clothing — a dopo robe and gat hat — while touring the museum. This experience runs six times daily in 15-minute sessions, with on-site registration available shortly before each session.
Outside, visitors can take part in traditional games including yutnori, tuho, jegichagi, spinning tops, ttakji and hopscotch — no advance registration required. Activities run from 10 am to 5 pm daily with a break from noon to 1 pm. Visitors who complete a satisfaction survey receive a souvenir inspired by the Busan Museum building, with up to 200 distributed each day on a first-come, first-served basis.
The following venues are open throughout the Chuseok holiday period with traditional folk games available at several locations:
Busan Museum, Dongsam-dong Shell Midden Museum, Bokcheon Museum, and Jeonggwan Museum — Open September 24–27, 9 am–6 pm. Closed September 28. Traditional folk games available.
Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, and Busan Citizens Park Museum — Open September 24–27, 9 am–6 pm. Closed September 28.
Busan Marine Natural History Museum — Open September 24–27, 9 am–6 pm (last admission 5 pm). Closed September 28.
Busan Museum of Contemporary Art — Open September 24–27. Closed September 28.
Busan Museum of Art / Space Lee Ufan — Open September 24–27. Closed September 28.
National Maritime Museum of Korea — Open September 24–27, 9 am–7 pm. Closed September 28. Feeding shows operate on Chuseok Day.
Busan National Science Museum — Open September 24, 26, and 27. Closed September 25 and 28. Traditional folk games available.
Busan Museum of Movies — Open September 24, 26, and 27. Closed September 25.
UN Memorial Cemetery — Open 365 days. May–September: 9 am–6 pm.
Haeundae Arboretum — Open September 24, 26, and 27. Closed September 25.
Hwamyeong Arboretum — Open September 24, 26, and 27. Closed September 25. Traditional folk games available.
ASEAN Culture House — Closed September 24–28.
Nakdong Estuary Eco Center & Amisan Observatory — Open September 24–27, 9 am–6 pm (last admission 5 pm). Closed September 28.
Busan City Tour — Operating September 23 and 26–27. Closed September 21–22 and 24–25. Night Tour closed Wednesday September 23.
Domoheon opens its doors September 26 and 27 during the Chuseok holiday with a variety of cultural and interactive events. Hours are 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday, September 26, and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday, September 27. The facility is closed on September 24 and 25.
From 5 pm to 6 pm on September 26, an outdoor jazz concert takes place at the Sosopung Garden — free admission on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to 300 people. Folk games and hands-on booths are also available at the main building and garden throughout both days. A garden programme on September 27 requires advance online reservation at busan.go.kr/domoheon. The children’s library is closed on September 26 and operates normally on September 27.
Free parking is available during the extended period, and a shuttle service connects Namcheon Station on Metro Line 2 to Domoheon, departing every 30 minutes from Exit 1. Public transport is encouraged as congestion is expected.
A spectacular performance featuring 3,000 drones and a laser show will illuminate the night sky over Gwangalli Beach on Saturday, September 26 at 8 pm. One performance only. Free admission.
Traffic control will be in effect from 7 pm to 9 pm along the route from the Gwangalli SUP Zone intersection to Millak Hoe Town. Temporary Wi-Fi suspension from 5 pm to 9 pm. The show will be livestreamed on the Suyeong-gu TV YouTube channel.
The show may be canceled or delayed due to weather. Check gwangallimdrone.co.kr before heading out.
A new autumn night market opens at the Lotus Flower Garden in Hwamyeong Ecological Park from Thursday, September 26, just in time for the Chuseok weekend. Open Thursday through Saturday, 5 pm to 10 pm, and Sundays 4 pm to 9 pm, running through October 18.
All three Busan Biennale 2026 exhibition venues operate normally across the Chuseok holiday period from September 24 to 27: the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Space Wonji, and the former Busan Nam High School Exhibition Hall. Special Chuseok visitor benefits include up to 25% off on-site tickets when visiting with family, friends, or a partner, a buy-one-get-one-free art merchandise promotion, free guided tours, and shuttle buses between venues.
Opening and closing schedules vary by store and brand during Chuseok. Key confirmed information for the Busan area:
Lotte Department Store Busan Centum City — Closed September 25–26
Shinsegae Department Store Centum City — Closed September 24–25. Open from September 26.
Hyundai Department Store / Connect Hyundai Busan — Closed September 25 only.
Most major department stores close for two days during the holiday, though the specific days differ between brands and locations. Large supermarkets and discount stores that remain open during the holiday typically operate on reduced hours. Convenience stores remain open as normal throughout. Always confirm with the individual store before visiting.
The Busan International Music Festival (BIMF) concludes its three-week run during the Chuseok holiday period. Check the BIMF website for the full closing week programme.
Full schedules and individual venue details are subject to change. Always check official sources before visiting.