"It's Free Only This Time—Don't Miss Out!"... Enjoy Chuseok Outings at No Cost [Smart Benefits]

87 "Seoul-Kids Cafes" Open to the Public

Free Admission to All Four National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Locations

Free Entry to National Forest Recreation Areas and Arboreta

Editor's Note'The more you know, the more you see, and the more you can save.' We live in an age overflowing with information, but there are still many useful things most people overlook. [Smart Benefits] delivers news on practical tips that can help you save money in everyday life, or cost you more if missed.

This year's Chuseok holiday is shorter than usual, so many people are expected to visit their hometowns or spend time relaxing at home with their families rather than traveling. According to a survey by the Consumer Public Interest Network, when asked about their plans for the holiday (multiple answers allowed), 44.7% said they would "relax at home with family," making it the most popular choice. "Visiting hometown" followed at 44.2%, while "domestic travel" amounted to 17.9%.

The financial burden of holiday spending is significant. This year's expected Chuseok expenses have increased slightly compared to last year, and as many as 60.8% of respondents said they felt "very burdened" by their holiday spending.

If staying home for the precious holiday feels like a missed opportunity and traveling is too costly, a short outing could be a great alternative. There are various special benefits and events during Chuseok that allow families to spend time together while easing financial pressure.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo is not directly related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Seoul to Operate 87 'Seoul-Style Kids Cafes'... 20% Discount on Kids Cafe Money

On September 26–27, 87 certified "Seoul-Style Kids Cafes" will be in operation across the city. The "Seoul-Style Kids Cafe Money," which can be used to access the certified private kids cafes, will be available at a 20% discount.

Not only Seoul citizens but also relatives visiting from other regions for Chuseok can use these facilities if accompanied by Seoul-resident families. Those who work or own businesses in Seoul are also eligible.

Nine large-scale city-run kids cafes, including the first municipal kids cafe and the Ttukseom Jabulle location, will remain open on weekends. You can check the operating days, hours, and reservation status for each facility on the Urideongne Kids Portal website.

The "Seoul-Style Kids Cafe Money" can be used at 61 certified kids cafe locations. You can purchase up to 200,000 won per person each month at a 20% discount via the Seoul Pay+ app, with a holding limit of 500,000 won and two-year validity from the purchase date.

Usage locations can be checked on the Smart Seoul Map, the Seoul Pay+ app, and the Urideongne Kids Portal website.

Kids Cafe Money Usage Locations. Seoul Metropolitan Government

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Opens All Four Branches for Free... Do Ho Suh Merchandise Giveaway Event

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will offer free admission to all branches during the Chuseok holiday period. Special children’s programs and visitor certification events will also be available.

From September 24 to 27, admission will be free at the four locations—Seoul, Gwacheon, Deoksugung, and Cheongju. However, the Seoul branch will be closed on the Chuseok day, September 25.

At the Seoul branch, visitors can view "Do Ho Suh" and "Artist of the Year 2026"; at the Deoksugung branch, "Lee Daewon: There Is Nothing That Makes You Sad" is on exhibit. The Gwacheon branch features "MMCA Gwacheon 40th Anniversary: Imaginations of Light" and "Road Movie: Korean and Japanese Art After 1945." The Cheongju branch is holding the retrospective "Bang Hyeja – Scattering the Light of the Mind to Heaven and Earth."

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and Do Ho Suh Solo Exhibition. Yonhap News

There are also programs for families. On the second floor of the Seoul Education Building, in the MMCA Kids Room, visitors can experience artist Yang Jeongwook’s "The Days We Tried Anyway," which includes stacking wooden blocks, crafting with natural materials, and walnut tossing. Advance reservations are required via the museum website.

A visitor certification event will run from September 23 to 27. To participate, post a photo of your visit on your own Instagram account with the hashtag #2026ChuseokMMCA and submit the link. Twenty winners will be drawn to receive "Do Ho Suh City Soap, Seoul House" merchandise. Winners will be individually contacted on October 6.

Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Royal Tombs Open Wide... Traditional Games and Cultural Experiences

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced that, from September 24 to 27, it will provide free admission to Seoul's four Grand Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo Shrine, and the Joseon royal tombs.

Jongmyo Shrine, which usually requires a reservation, will be open for free visits during the holiday. However, paid admission still applies to Changdeokgung Palace's Secret Garden.

Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul. Not directly related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Moon Honam

The National Intangible Heritage Center, under the Cultural Heritage Administration, will host the "2026 Chuseok Folk Playground" at 1:00 p.m. on September 19 at the National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do.

The event will feature a yutnori tournament with 32 teams, open to families and adults. The tournament will be held in a tournament format, and prizes will be awarded to the top four teams.

Other intangible heritage programs include rice cake pounding, performances of farmers’ music, and more. You can also enjoy traditional toy-making such as mini-sacred object crafts and dancheong keyrings, as well as folk games like gonu, ssangnyuk, and tuho.

48 National Forest Recreation Areas Free to Enter... Check Individual Operating Days

If you want to spend time in the forest away from the city, national forest recreation areas are also an option. From September 24 to 26, entrance fees will be waived at 48 national forest recreation areas nationwide.

Four national arboretums will also waive entrance fees during Chuseok, but their operating days vary by facility. National Sejong Arboretum, National Baekdudaegan Arboretum, and National Korean Indigenous Species Arboretum will be open on September 24 and 26–27 but closed on Chuseok, September 25. The National Arboretum in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, will be closed from September 24 to 26 and reopen on September 27.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.