During Korea’s major holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), Seoul’s main royal palaces and several national heritage sites are opened to the public free of charge. For international travelers visiting Korea during these periods, this can actually be a valuable opportunity.
In this guide, I will outline which palaces and cultural sites are typically free during Seollal and Chuseok, what may vary from year to year, and what you should check before visiting.
(For a broader overview of how Seollal and Chuseok affect transportation, business hours, and travel planning, see my main guide: Korea Holidays Travel Guide: Seollal & Chuseok Explained.)
Royal Palaces and Cultural Heritage Sites: Usually Free Throughout the Holiday Period
During the Seollal and Chuseok holiday periods, Seoul’s major royal palaces and royal tombs nationwide are almost always opened free of charge. As of February 15, 2026, when the Seollal holiday began that year, all four main palaces were open for free admission, with the exception of Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden.
Changdeokgung is divided into two primary visitor areas: the main palace buildings and the Secret Garden (Huwon). The Secret Garden limits visitor numbers to protect the ecosystem and maintain order, so it remains ticketed and reservation-based even during holiday free-admission periods.
Typical sites offering free entry include:
- Four main palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung
(Note: Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden remains paid and reservation-only) - Jongmyo Shrine: shifts from a reservation system to free self-guided entry
- Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty: including Donggureung in Guri and Seooreung in Goyang, among 22 sites nationwide
- Sejong-related heritage sites: including Yeongneung in Yeoju
These sites fall under the Cultural Heritage Administration (now the Korea Heritage Service), and holiday free admission has been repeatedly implemented each year. Unless otherwise announced, entry fees are waived throughout the Seollal and Chuseok holiday period.
Royal palaces and heritage sites are considered essential stops for many travelers to Korea. Being able to visit them free of charge during the holiday period is a clear advantage.
Museums and Art Galleries
During the winter Seollal period in particular, indoor attractions such as museums and galleries are especially practical. They pair well with palace visits when planning a full itinerary.
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA): Seoul, Deoksugung, Gwacheon, and Cheongju branches offer free admission
(Note: the Seoul branch may close on Seollal day itself, so confirmation is necessary) - National Museum of Korea: free admission at the main Yongsan location in Seoul and 13 regional national museums, often accompanied by traditional holiday events
- National Science Museums: selected science museums in Busan, Daegu, and Gangwon offer free exhibitions or hands-on programs
These institutions are overseen by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and holiday free admission is generally implemented consistently. However, each branch may have different closing schedules, so checking official websites in advance is essential.
Arboretums and Natural Attractions
Some national arboretums also open free of charge during major holidays.
- National Sejong Arboretum
- Baekdudaegan National Arboretum
- Korea Native Botanical Garden
These are operated under the Korea Forest Service and have repeatedly offered free admission during Seollal and Chuseok.
In addition, certain regional attractions may provide temporary free entry.
For example:
- Damyang: free admission on Seollal day at Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, Meta Land, Soswaewon Garden, and Gamagol Ecological Park (in certain years)
- Suwon: free entry to Hwaseong Haenggung on Seollal day
(Parts of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress are open year-round) - Busan: public access maintained at Taejongdae Park and Yongdusan Park walking areas
However, local government-operated attractions are not guaranteed to follow the same policy every year. A site that was free this year may not be free next year, so checking official municipal announcements is important.
Sites That Are Consistently Free vs. Sites That May Change
Holiday free admission generally falls into two categories.
Sites that are almost always free during Seollal and Chuseok
- The four main royal palaces
- Jongmyo Shrine
- The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
- National Museum of Korea
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Certain national arboretums
These are effectively standardized under national guidelines and long-standing administrative practice.
Sites that may vary each year
- Local government-operated tourist attractions
- National park parking lots
- Certain special programs or experience-based activities
For example, free parking at national parks depends on annual government policy announcements. Highway toll fee waivers are also determined each year through Cabinet decisions. With the exception of 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 period, highway tolls have frequently been waived during Seollal and Chuseok in recent years.
The Most Important Variable: Substitute Closure Days
The most critical factor to understand is adjusted closing days.
Royal palaces and national museums are typically closed on Mondays. However, when a Monday falls within the Seollal holiday period, these sites remain open throughout the holiday and instead close on the first weekday after the holiday ends. Even Korean visitors sometimes misunderstand this and arrive on what turns out to be the substitute closing day.
For example, if Seollal day falls on a Tuesday, sites may operate through Wednesday (a substitute public holiday) and then close on Thursday. In one recent Seollal period, the National Museum of Korea remained open throughout the holiday window and applied its closure immediately afterward.
As a result, while the official holiday period may show full operation, visiting immediately after the holiday can mean encountering closed gates.
This is the detail that requires the most attention.
What to Check Before Visiting
- Confirm the official free-admission period
- Verify substitute closure days after the holiday
- Check whether special areas such as Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden require separate tickets
- Review any holiday cultural programs or events
- Confirm hanbok-related benefits
Under normal circumstances, wearing hanbok grants free entry to royal palaces. During the Seollal and Chuseok holiday period, however, admission is free regardless of clothing. Travelers who do not plan to wear hanbok can still enter without restriction.
Seollal and Chuseok are among the most traditional periods in Korea. At the same time, they offer rare opportunities to explore nationally operated heritage sites with fewer financial barriers.
Free admission alone should not determine your schedule. Confirming operating hours and substitute closure days is far more important. With those details checked in advance, visiting Seoul’s royal palaces during the holiday period can be a worthwhile choice.