From October 29 to November 9, 2025, South Korea will celebrate the Korea Grand Festival, a nationwide shopping and cultural event that combines massive discounts, cultural experiences, and tourism promotions.
During this period, visitors can enjoy free admission to Seoul’s four major royal palaces and royal tombs, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, as part of a special initiative by the Cultural Heritage Administration.
If you’re planning an autumn trip to Seoul, this is the perfect time to explore Korean royal heritage for free!
📜 Table of Contents
- What Is the Korea Grand Festival?
- Free Admission: Palaces and Royal Tombs You Can Visit
- Important Notes and Closed Dates
- Major Discount & Shopping Events Nationwide
- Culture, Travel, and Tourism Benefits
- Why This Festival Matters
- Final Tips for Enjoying Autumn in Seoul
1. What Is the Korea Grand Festival?
The Korea Grand Festival is a national-scale consumption and cultural promotion campaign led by the Korean government.
Ten ministries and over 30,000 companies are participating, offering unprecedented discounts across retail, food, travel, and entertainment sectors.
Under the slogan “Hopeful Consumption, Growing Together,” the festival aims not just to boost spending but also to revitalize the economy and enhance citizens’ cultural experiences.
아름다운 서울에서 한복과 함께 하는 고품격 한복스냅 사진
아름다운 서울에서 한복과 함께 하는 고품격 한복스냅 사진 촬영 [서울스냅]의 후기, 가격을 확인하고, 지금 바로 마이리얼트립에서 예약하세요. 대한민국여행 서울여행
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2. Free Admission: Palaces and Royal Tombs You Can Visit
During the festival, the Korean Heritage Agency (CHA) will open Seoul’s royal palaces and tombs to the public free of charge.
Here’s the full list of free-access sites:
🏯 Four Major Palaces
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Deoksugung Palace
- Changgyeonggung Palace
🕍 Other Heritage Sites
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
- King Sejong’s Royal Tomb
📅 Free Admission Period:
October 29 – November 9, 2025
Note: The Changdeokgung Secret Garden (Huwon) remains paid and requires a reservation.
3. Important Notes and Closed Dates
Before visiting, keep in mind the following closure days:
- Gyeongbokgung & Jongmyo Shrine: Closed on November 4 (Tuesday)
- Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Royal Tombs, and King Sejong’s Tomb: Closed on November 3 (Monday)
✔️ Jongmyo Shrine will switch from reservation-only to open public access during this period — a rare opportunity to explore freely!
If you wish to avoid crowds, plan your visit early in the morning or on weekdays.
4. Major Discount & Shopping Events Nationwide
The Korea Grand Festival isn’t just about culture — it’s also one of the largest shopping festivals in Asia.
Here are some highlights:
🛍️ Regional Gift Certificates
- Seoul Metropolitan Area: 15% off
- Non-metropolitan regions: 18% off
- Population-declining areas: up to 20% off
💳 Digital Onnuri Gift Cards
- Basic 10% top-up bonus + extra regional discounts (up to 15%)
🎟️ Lucky Draw (Consumer Lottery)
- ₩2 billion prize pool for 5,000 winners
🥬 Kimchi-Making Season Discounts (up to 40%)
- Oct 30 – Dec 3
🥩 Korean Beef Day (Nov 1)
- Up to 50% discount nationwide
🚗 Car, Electronics, and eCommerce Discounts
- Major retailers like Coupang, Naver, and Gmarket will host exclusive sales
5. Culture, Travel, and Tourism Benefits
This year’s festival also integrates travel and culture to attract both domestic and international visitors.
- 🏨 Accommodation Coupons: ₩20,000–₩50,000 off per stay
- 🏛️ National Museums, Palaces, and Royal Tombs: Free admission
- 🎭 Special Performances at the National Theater of Korea
- 🛫 Up to 40% discounts at 26 duty-free stores
- 🌐 “Korea Special Zone” Global Online Sale (for international shoppers)
Tourists can also enjoy multilingual interpretation services and QR-based payment systems for a more convenient travel experience.
[서울/종로구] 경복궁 궁투어 서울 도보 관광 시티 투어 가이드
[서울/종로구] 경복궁 궁투어 서울 도보 관광 시티 투어 가이드의 후기, 가격을 확인하고, 지금 바로 마이리얼트립에서 예약하세요. 대한민국여행 서울여행 최소 인원 4명
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6. Why This Festival Matters
The Korea Grand Festival represents more than just a sale period — it’s a cultural and economic revival event.
By combining consumer benefits, tourism, and national heritage, the festival aims to:
- Boost local economies
- Attract more foreign tourists
- Strengthen Korea’s global cultural brand
During the recent Chuseok holidays, over 1.4 million visitors toured Seoul’s palaces and tombs — a number expected to grow even further during this festival.
7. Final Tips for Enjoying Autumn in Seoul
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to explore Seoul.
With free palace admissions, nationwide discounts, and special cultural programs, the Korea Grand Festival offers the perfect mix of tradition and modernity.
🌸 Travel Tip: Visit Gyeongbokgung early in the morning for serene palace photos and golden ginkgo scenery.
Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler visiting Korea, don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy history, shopping, and culture all at once.
[영어 투어] 영어 전문 가이드와 함께하는 서울 투어:
[영어 투어] 영어 전문 가이드와 함께하는 서울 투어: 광화문·조계사·경복궁·국립민속박물관의 후기, 가격을 확인하고, 지금 바로 마이리얼트립에서 예약하세요.
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