K-Royal Culture Festival 궁중문화축전
Every year in late Apr–early May and early Oct
2026 edition ended Oct 11.
Next: usually late Apr–early May and early Oct.
About
A culture festival held at Seoul's royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, with performances, exhibitions and hands-on programs. It first began in 2014. Since 2021 it has run twice a year, in spring and fall.
The spring festival uses five palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung, plus Jongmyo. In 2026 it ran from Apr 25 to May 3. The 2026 fall festival ran from Oct 7 to 11 at four palaces and Jongmyo. Gyeonghuigung was not part of it.
In fall 2026 the programs included the guard-changing ceremony at Gyeongbokgung, a palace play room at Changdeokgung, "Time Travel" at Changgyeonggung and a guard patrol ritual at Jongmyo.
Good to know
- Many programs need a booking in advance. In spring 2026 about 90% of the pre-booked programs sold out within 10 minutes of sales opening. Programs for foreign visitors were sold on a separate booking site.
- In fall 2026 a "Gungpass" pouch gave unlimited entry to the four palaces and Jongmyo during the festival, except for separately booked paid programs. You booked it on Ticketlink and collected it at the festival info center in front of Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung.
- There are two festivals a year with different palaces and dates. Check which season you are visiting.
How busy is Gyeongbokgung Palace
Live crowd level for the area, and a normal week. It does not show the festival crowd itself.
Eat here
Pajeon
Green onion pancake.
Prices: Seoul average, Korea Consumer Agency, Aug 2026, per standard serving.
Sources
Checked Oct 16, 2026. Dates can change, so check the notice before you go.