The 2026 Hanbok Culture Week runs for seven days, from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, 2026. Its main stage is the Open Plaza (열린마당) at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and programs also take place at more than 410 sites across the country. The week builds up to Hanbok Day on Wednesday, October 21. That day, a commemorative ceremony and hanbok fashion show begin at 17:00 on the museum’s Open Plaza.
What Is Hanbok Culture Week 2026?
Hanbok Culture Week is a nationwide celebration of hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing. It sets out to share hanbok with more people and get them wearing it in daily life. The event takes place every year in the third week of October, built around Hanbok Day (October 21). This year is the ninth edition.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hosts the week, the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (한국공예·디자인문화진흥원) organizes it, and Arts Council Korea (한국문화예술위원회) sponsors it. The lineup includes a commemorative ceremony, a hanbok fashion show, exhibitions, performances, hands-on activities, and academic events, so you can see hanbok, try it on, and enjoy it in many different ways.
2026 Hanbok Culture Week Dates and Venues
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Monday, October 19 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Main venues | National Museum of Korea Open Plaza and 410+ sites nationwide |
| Address | 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가) — 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul |
| Audience | All ages |
| Host / Organizer / Sponsor | Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Korea Craft & Design Foundation / Arts Council Korea |
| Contact | 070-7537-1361, hanbokweek@kcdf.kr |
| Official website | https://www.kcdf.or.kr/hanbokcultureweek/main |
The official website doesn’t list opening hours for the event as a whole. Each program keeps its own schedule, so check the program tables below.
Hanbok Culture Week Commemorative Ceremony: Fashion Show and Performances (October 21)
On Hanbok Day, Wednesday, October 21, from 17:00 to 18:30, the commemorative ceremony takes place on the Open Plaza of the National Museum of Korea.
| Part | Time | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 17:00–17:40 | Opening declaration, welcome speech, awards for contributors to hanbok |
| Part 2 | 17:40–18:30 | Celebration performance, hanbok fashion show, finale performance, closing |
The Part 2 fashion show is titled “HANBOK, EMBRACING RADIANCE” (빛을 품은 한복). It brings the shimmering texture and colors of mother-of-pearl inlay (najeon) to the stage, paired with media art. The performers are Kim Yoon-ah of the band Jaurim, Ieul of Yeonhui Connect, and media artist Kim Ria.
The official page doesn’t mention admission fees or how to reserve. If you plan to attend, call 070-7537-1361 ahead of time to check.
Hanbok Culture Week Program Highlights
Programs During the Week (Around October 19–25)
| Program | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Hanbok Culture Week Commemorative Ceremony | Wed 10/21, 17:00–18:30 | National Museum of Korea Open Plaza |
| Hanbok Bareuge Ipgi (한복 바르게 입기) campaign | Mon 10/19 – Sun 10/25 | Near Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Gyeongbokgung Palace (161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul) |
| Visiting hanbok class “Hi Hanbok School!” | Fri 10/23 | Auditorium, Daedong Semu High School (대동세무고등학교) (84-10 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul) |
| Hanbok Scene Challenge | 9/21 – 10/25 | — |
| October Hanbok Check-in | 10/1 – 10/31 | — |
| Hanbok Pass | 10/19 – 10/31 | Participating venues |
The Hanbok-Wearing Campaign at Gyeongbokgung Palace
From October 19 to 25, the Hanbok Bareuge Ipgi campaign takes over the area near Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The name roughly means “wearing hanbok properly,” and the campaign offers:
- Guide cards and handouts on how to wear hanbok correctly
- An exhibition of royal court hanbok and traditional hanbok from TV dramas
- A hanbok photo parade near Sujeongjeon and Sajeongjeon halls
- A character photo zone
Operating hours are listed as “available on request.” If you rent an eligible hanbok from a rental shop taking part in the campaign, you’ll get Hanbok Pass goods (limited quantities, one per person).
Pre-Events and Hub Programs
Several related programs take place before the main week.
| Program | Dates | Venue | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanbok Life UNESCO Academic Symposium (hub program) | 10/16, 13:00–17:00 | Gangneung Cultural Center (강릉문화원) | Lectures, panel discussion |
| Book Festival X Hanbok Culture Week (pre-event) | 10/16 – 10/18 (3 sessions) | Music Plaza area, Seoul Arts Center | Festival |
| 2026 Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) Hanbok-Wearing Campaign (pre-event) | 9/11 – 9/12 | Central lawn, Yeollin Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장) | Hanbok try-on, traditional games |
The Chuseok hanbok-wearing campaign has already ended.
Hanbok Pass: Discounts for Wearing Hanbok
From October 19 to 31, wear hanbok to a participating venue and you can get a discount or free admission. A few venues run their offers on different dates.
| Participating venue | Offer |
|---|---|
| National Museum of Korea | 10% off MU:DS (뮷즈) museum goods for campaign participants (books excluded, can’t be combined with other discounts); 10% off at A Twosome Place inside the museum |
| National Gugak Center | 50% off the Saturday Masterpiece Performance on Sat 10/24 |
| Seoul Museum of History | Up to 30% off at the museum shop |
| Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum | Free admission |
| Lotte World Adventure Seoul (10/19–31) & Busan | 50% off passes |
| Seoul Sky | 35% off |
| L’Escape Hotel | 30% off afternoon tea at the tea salon (10/1–31, reserve one day ahead) |
| “Hanbok Pass Partner” shops at Annyeong Insadong, Mettuljang Anguk (메뚤장 안국) | 10/19 – 12/31 |
Offers may change, so check with each venue before you go.
How to Get to the National Museum of Korea Open Plaza
The National Museum of Korea, home of the commemorative ceremony, is easy to reach by subway. Parking is limited, so public transport is the better choice.
| Transport | Route |
|---|---|
| Subway | Line 4 / Gyeongui–Jungang Line, Ichon Station Exit 2 → walk about 300 m toward Yongsan Family Park to the museum’s main gate |
| Bus | Trunk buses 400 and 502, get off at “National Museum of Korea · Yongsan Family Park” (the stop is in front of the museum’s south gate) |
Routes from Seoul Station, Busan, Incheon International Airport, and Gimhae International Airport, as well as taxi fares, couldn’t be confirmed in official sources, so they aren’t covered here. If you’re coming from another region, use a map app and set Ichon Station as your destination.
Parking at the National Museum of Korea
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Spaces | 522 visitor spaces on basement level 1 (754 indoor in total), plus 149 outdoor |
| Base rate (cars) | 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) for the first 60 minutes |
| Additional rate | 500 KRW (~$0.37 USD) per extra 10 minutes |
| Daily maximum | 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) (06:00–23:00) |
| Free | Leave within 20 minutes of entry |
| Reductions | Compact cars, eco-friendly vehicles, multi-child families, and others |
| Entrance closes | 23:00 |
Hanbok Culture Week Visitor Tips
- The commemorative ceremony happens on October 21 only. To catch the fashion show and performances, get to the museum’s Open Plaza before 17:00 that day.
- Wearing hanbok gets you more perks. During the Hanbok Pass period (10/19–31), you can get discounts at the museum shop, Lotte World Adventure, Seoul Sky, and more.
- Pair your visit with the Gyeongbokgung campaign. The campaign near Gyeonghoeru Pavilion features a royal court hanbok exhibition and a photo parade. Hours are available on request, so ask before you go.
- Take the subway rather than driving. Parking at the museum is limited, so use Exit 2 at Ichon Station.
- Check admission, payment, and language support in advance. The official website doesn’t cover admission fees, payment methods, luggage storage, or foreign-language guidance. Contact 070-7537-1361 or hanbokweek@kcdf.kr, and keep a translation app handy if you don’t speak Korean.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Hanbok Culture Week?
It runs from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, at more than 410 sites nationwide, including the Open Plaza of the National Museum of Korea. The museum’s address is 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul).
When is the Hanbok Culture Week commemorative ceremony?
It takes place on Wednesday, October 21, from 17:00 to 18:30 on the National Museum of Korea’s Open Plaza. Part 1 covers the opening declaration and awards for contributors to hanbok. Part 2 features celebration performances and the hanbok fashion show “HANBOK, EMBRACING RADIANCE.” The performers are Kim Yoon-ah of Jaurim, Ieul of Yeonhui Connect, and media artist Kim Ria.
Is the ceremony free? Do I need a reservation?
The official page doesn’t say. Admission fees and reservation details aren’t listed, so check with the organizers (070-7537-1361, hanbokweek@kcdf.kr) before you attend.
What perks do I get for wearing hanbok?
From October 19 to 31, the Hanbok Pass gets you discounts or free admission at participating venues. For example, Lotte World Adventure Seoul and Busan offer 50% off passes, Seoul Sky offers 35% off, and Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum offers free admission. Offers may change, so check with each venue before visiting.
How do I get to the National Museum of Korea?
Take the subway to Ichon Station (Line 4 / Gyeongui–Jungang Line), leave by Exit 2, and walk about 300 m toward Yongsan Family Park to reach the main gate. By bus, take trunk bus 400 or 502 and get off at “National Museum of Korea · Yongsan Family Park.”
How much does parking cost at the National Museum of Korea?
For cars, the first 60 minutes cost 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD), then 500 KRW (~$0.37 USD) for every additional 10 minutes, up to 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) per day. Parking is free if you leave within 20 minutes of entering. Since spaces are limited, public transport is recommended.
When and where is the hanbok-wearing campaign at Gyeongbokgung Palace?
It runs from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, near Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace (161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul). You’ll find a royal court hanbok exhibition, a hanbok photo parade, and a character photo zone. Operating hours are available on request.
What are the event’s opening hours?
Overall opening hours aren’t listed on the official website. The commemorative ceremony runs on October 21 from 17:00 to 18:30. Every other program has its own schedule, so check the official website (https://www.kcdf.or.kr/hanbokcultureweek/main) or contact the organizers.
