Jongmyo Jerye (Royal Ancestral Ritual) 종묘대제
Every year in first Sunday of May, and early Nov
2026 edition ended May 3.
Next: usually first Sunday of May, and early Nov.
Source: 2026 rite announcement (Yonhap, via Daum, Mar 19, 2026)
About
A rite for the dead Joseon kings, held at Jongmyo Shrine. It is also called Jongmyo Daeje. It comes with court music (Jerye-ak) and a ritual dance in rows called Ilmu. UNESCO listed the rite and its music in 2001.
The rite is held on the first Sunday of May. A second rite is held on the first Saturday of November. In 2025 a royal procession walked from Gyeongbokgung through Gwanghwamun and Jongno to the outer gate of Jongmyo before the rite. The 2025 rite was the first in six years held at the main hall (Jeongjeon), because repairs there ran from 2020 to April 2025.
The 2026 rite was on May 3. The Korea Heritage Service planned a ritual at Yeongnyeongjeon at 10:00 and one at Jeongjeon at 14:00. It planned 1,350 seats inside and about 500 outside with a big screen. About 700 people attended in 2025.
Good to know
- Entry was by online reservation or on-site registration. In 2025 people who registered on site waited more than an hour in front of the main hall.
- The 2025 rite lasted more than two hours, with commentary in Korean and in foreign languages.
- The 2025 report puts the second rite on the first Saturday of November. We have not found an official 2026 notice for it.
How busy is Changdeokgung Palace & Jongmyo Shrine
Live crowd level for the area, and a normal week. It does not show the festival crowd itself.
Eat here
Pyongyang naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles in a clear beef broth; Seoul's most famous version is nearby.
Sources
Checked Oct 16, 2026. Dates can change, so check the notice before you go.