A Special Time in the Autumn- Colored Palace: The 2026 K- Royal Culture Festival
- Held Oct 7–11 at the four Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, with expanded opportunities for international visitors to participate
- New programs make their debut, including the "Gyujanggak Chogye Munsin Workshop" and "Tracing Joseon Space"
SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hosted by the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Korea Heritage Service (Director General Jo Gyu-hyeong) and organized by the Korea Heritage Agency (President Lee Gui-young), an affiliated organization of the Korea Heritage Service, K-Royal Culture Festival Fall 2026 will take place over five days from Oct 7 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Sun), at the four palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung Palaces), as well as Jongmyo Shrine.
The K-Royal Culture Festival is Korea's flagship national heritage festival, presenting a wide range of programs across Seoul's royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine, including performances, exhibitions, hands-on experiences and historical reenactments. The spring editions of the festival in 2026 attracted about 725,000 visitors, setting a new record. This fall's festival will offer a distinctive experience from the spring edition, with an expanded lineup of nighttime viewing, guided tour and hands-on programs designed to make the most of autumn of the royal palaces. During the day, visitors can enjoy exhibitions, tours and experience programs that invite them to explore the spaces and history of the palaces in greater depth. At night, the focus shifts to performances and immersive experiences set against the palaces standing in harmony with natural scenery.
On Oct 6 (Tue), the eve of K-Royal Culture Festival Fall 2026, a K-Royal Culture Festival Special Performance: "KBS2 Immortal Songs" performance will take place at Heungnyemun Square of Gyeongbokgung Palace to celebrate the opening of the festival. Under the theme "Palaces Awaken the Arts", the performance will bring together music ranging from traditional Korean music to K-POP, offering something for audiences of all generations. Admission is free, and applications to attend the performance will be available later through the official KBS "Immortal Songs" website.
First, at Gyeongbokgung Palace, "Hanbok Royal Banquet (Yeonhyang)" (Oct 9–10 19:00~21:00) will offer an immersive program spanning the entire area open for nighttime viewing. Highlights include "A Royal Stroll"(Oct 9–10 19:00~20:30), a reenactment of a royal procession featuring the king and queen; "A Guide to Royal Court Attire from Sunhwagung Palace"(Oct 9–10 19:00~21:00), an exhibition spotlighting 「Sajeol Boksaek Jajang Yoram」, a record by Royal Consort Gyeongbin Kim (consort of Heonjong, the 24th king of Joseon) detailing the seasonal attire of women at the royal court; and "Joseon Royal OOTD"(Oct 9–10 19:20~19:40), a fashion talk show exploring the functions and symbolism of royal court attire. A variety of other programs will also be presented, including "The Sounds of Making Hanbok"(Oct 9–10 19:00~21:00), featuring live demonstrations by holders of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
At Changdeokgung Palace, the craft exhibition "Tracing Joseon Space : The Rhythm of Stillness" (Oct 7–11, 10:00~17:00) will be held at Huijeongdang Hall. The exhibition is directed by Baek Jong-hwan, CEO of WGNB. Drawing on the rhythm of traditional wooden architecture and the use of empty space, the exhibition interprets "white" as an aesthetic order defined by emptiness, restraint and harmony. Also, "Awakening the Morning Palace", a popular program at the festival that invites visitors to experience the palace at daybreak while walking through its halls and the Secret Garden, will be offered twice daily throughout the five-day period.
And the first to be presented the "Gyujanggak Chogye Munsin Workshop" (Oct 9–11, 14:30) at Changdeokgung Palace is an interactive history lecture program inspired by the "Chogye Munsin", young civil officials who received special training at Gyujanggak, the royal library and scholarly institution of the late Joseon Dynasty. Virtual history-themed creator "Hyangachi" will host the program, joined by experts from various fields as panelists. Held once a day, each session will explore different topics. After each session, visitors can also take part in "Find Hyangachi," an activity where they search for Hyangachi around Changdeokgung Palace and solve quizzes along the way.
At Deoksugung Palace, "From Gwangmu(光武) to Yunghui(隆熙)" (Oct 7–11, 10:00~17:00) will be held at Deokhongjeon Hall to mark the 100th anniversary of the passing of Emperor Sunjong and reflect on the history of the Korean imperial family. The program will feature a chronological exhibition on Emperor Sunjong, an AI-powered conversation session, and a historical tour of Deoksugung Palace accompanied by a Jeongisu (traditional storyteller). An academic seminar under the theme "K-Royal Culture Festival as a K-Content Platform" will also be held at Jeonggwanheon Hall.
At Junmyeongdang Hall of Deoksugung Palace, the "JunMyeongDang Hall Children's School" (Oct 9–11, 10:00, 13:00, 16:00) will offer a program for children. The program gives children the opportunity to experience royal court etiquette and learn about nature within the palace grounds. All participating children are required to wear hanbok, while a child actor portraying Princess Deokhye will engage them in role-play scenarios designed to create a more immersive experience. The program will be held three times a day and is open to children aged 7 to 10.
At Changgyeonggung Palace, "A Time Travel, Changgyeonggung Palace" (Oct 9–10, 12:00, 15:30) will recreate scenes from daily life at the royal court across Myeongjeongmun Gate, Tongmyeongjeon Hall, Haminjeong Pavilion and Munjeongjeon Hall. "Donggowol Jangwonseo" (Oct 7–11 10:00, 14:00, 16:00) , a hands-on traditional horticulture program inspired by Jangwonseo, the government office responsible for landscaping the royal palaces, will also be offered.
At Jongmyo Shrine, "Jongmyo Shrine Architectural Expedition" (Oct 10–11, 09:30, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00) will offer a mission-based guided tour for teenager visitors. Participants will explore Hyangdaecheong Hall, Jaegung, Jeongjeon Hall and Yeongnyeongjeon Hall while completing missions such as "Uncover the Secrets of Jeongjeon, the World's longest Wooden Shrine Building" and "Spot the Differences: Jeongjeon vs. Yeongnyeongjeon". Through these activities, participants will discover the stories embedded in Jongmyo Shrine's architecture and spaces.
K-Royal Culture Festival Fall 2026 will expand opportunities for international visitors to experience Korea's national heritage by offering dedicated sessions and reserving a set number of places specifically for them. "Hanbok Royal Banquet (Yeonhyang)" will reserve a total of 800 places for international visitors over two days (400 per day), while the second daily session of "Awakening the Morning Palace" will be conducted in English exclusively for international visitors. A total of 300 seats will also be reserved for international visitors at the special eve performance at Heungnyemun Square of Gyeongbokgung Palace, which will mark the commencement of the festival.
During the Festival period, partner program "Moonlight Lotus Show at Changgyeonggung Palace" (Oct 7 – Nov 1) will welcome visitors to the Chundangji Pond area. This nighttime media art program combines light and visual projections with the natural scenery around Chundangji Pond, offering visitors a unique way to experience the history and beauty of Changgyeonggung Palace. This fall, a pilot advance reservation system will be introduced to ensure safe operation and reduce crowding. "Moonlight Lotus Show", a media art presentation at Scene 2, Daechundangji Pond, will be open exclusively to visitors with advance reservations. It will run for a total of 20 days, from Wednesday through Sunday each week, with three sessions per day at 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00.
Tickets for individual festival programs will go on sale sequentially from the noon of Sep 4 (Fri) and can be booked through Ticketlink (www.ticketlink.co.kr). Programs for international visitors can be booked through the Korean travel platform Creatrip (www.creatrip.com).
Tickets for individual festival programs will go on sale sequentially from the noon of Sep 4 (Fri) and can be booked through Ticketlink (www.ticketlink.co.kr). Programs for international visitors can be booked through the Korean travel platform Creatrip (www.creatrip.com).Tickets for the partner programs "Moonlight Lotus Show at Changgyeonggung Palace" and "Palace Concert - Ballet × Sujecheon" will be available from Sep 11 (Fri).
For more information, visit the official K-Royal Culture Festival website (kh.or.kr/fest) or Instagram (@royalculturefestival_official). Inquiries can also be made through the Royal Palaces and Tombs Program Call Center (+82 1522-2295), the Ticketlink Call Center (+82 1588-7890), or by email to Creatrip (help@creatrip.com).
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency will continue to offer diverse programs that capture the unique characteristics of each palace and the beauty of each season, providing visitors with distinctive experiences found only at the K- Royal Culture Festival. Through these efforts, they will further enhance the festival's standing as a leading cultural heritage festival representing the Republic of Korea.
Attachment
Owner | Royal Palaces and Tombs | Senior | Deputy | An Young- | (02-6450- |
[General Management] | Royal Palaces Services | Manager | Assistant | Choi | (02-6450- |
Manager | Curator | Song Jin- | (02-6450- | ||
Owner | Gyeongbokgung Palace | Senior | Deputy | Park Ji-ha | (02-3700- |
Manager | Assistant | Lee | (02-3700- | ||
Changdeokgung Palace | Senior | Deputy | Park Ji- | (02-3668- | |
Manager | Assistant | Lee Sang- | (02-3668- | ||
Deoksugung Palace | Senior | Director | Lee Seung- | (02-751-0700) | |
Manager | Administrative | Son Joon-il | (02-751-0735) | ||
Changgyeonggung Palace | Senior | Director | Kim Dae- | (02-2172- | |
Manager | Assistant | Kim Jin- | (02-2172- | ||
Jongmyo Shrine | Senior | Director | Kim Yeong- | (02-2174- | |
Manager | Assistant | Kang Soo- | (02-2174- | ||
Owner | Royal Palaces Division, | Senior | Team Leader | Jim Mi- | (02-3011- |
K-Royal Culture Festival | Manager | Senior | Lee Joon- | (02-3011- | |
Manager | Assistant | Kim Tae- | (02-3011- |
(Appendix 1)
Festival Overview
Festival Overview
Festival Poster
(Appendix 2)
List of Programs
Original Programs by K-Royal Culture Festival
Category | Program | Dates (tentative) | Participation | ||
Original Programs (18 in total) | Gyeongbok
(2) | Complex | Hanbok Royal Banquet (YeonhyCang) | Oct 9 (Fri) - | Advance Reservation |
Performance | New K-Royal Culture Festival | Oct 6 (Tue) | Advance Reservation | ||
Changdeok (4) | Experience | New Tracing Joseon Space : | Oct 7 (Wed) | On-site Admission | |
Experience | Awakening the Morning | Oct 7 (Wed) | Advance Reservation | ||
Experience | New Gyujanggak Chogye Workshop | Oct 9 (Fri) - | Advance Reservation | ||
Experience | Royal Court Games | Oct 7 (Wed) | On-site Admission | ||
Deoksu (4) | Experience | JunMyeongDang Hall | Oct 9 (Fri) - | Advance Reservation | |
Experience | New K-Royal Culture Festival | Oct 11 (Sun) | Advance Reservation | ||
Performance | Gilnori: Traditional | Oct 11 (Sun) | On-site Admission | ||
Complex | Commemorating the | Oct 7 (Wed) | On-site Admission | ||
Changgyeong (4) | Reconstruction | A Time Travel, | Oct 9 (Fri) - | On-site Admission | |
Experience | Donggowol Jangwonseo | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance Reservation | ||
Experience | New You in Hanbok, Walking | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance Reservation | ||
Performance | Gilnori: Traditional | Oct 10 (Sat) | On-site Admission | ||
Jongmyo (1) | Experience | Jongmyo Shrine | Oct 10 (Sat) - | Advance Reservation | |
Others (2) | Experience | K-Royal Culture Festival | Oct 7 (Wed) - | On-site Admission | |
Experience | Palace Pass: Hyangnang | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance Reservation | ||
Online (1) | Experience | Genre Painting For All | Sep 18 (Fri) - Nov | Online | |
Partner Programs
Category | Program | Dates (tentative) | Participation | ||
Partner | Gyeongbokgung | Reconstruction | Gyeongbokgung Palace | Oct 7 (Wed) - | On-site |
Performance | Palace Concert: Ballet X | Oct 2 (Fri) - Oct | Advance | ||
Experience | Gyeongbokgung Palace, | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance | ||
Experience | Starlight Tour At | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance | ||
Changdeokgung | Experience | Changdeokgung Palace, | Oct 8 (Thu) - | Advance | |
Exhibition | Seongjeonggak: A | Oct 6 (Tue) - Oct | On-site | ||
Deoksugung (1) | Experience | Deoksugung Palace, | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance | |
Changgyeonggung (1) | Experience | Changgyeonggung | Oct 7 (Wed) - | Advance | |
Jongmyo (1) | Reconstruction | Gate Guard Patrol | Oct 9 (Fri) - Oct | On-site | |
(Appendix 3)
Original Programs
[Gyeongbokgung Palace] K-Royal Culture Festival Special Performance: "KBS Immortal Songs"
Performance | Advance Reservation | New
[Gyeongbokgung Palace] Hanbok Royal Banquet (Yeonhyang)
Official | Complex | Advance Reservation
[Gyeongbokgung Palace – Partner Program) Palace Concert: Ballet × Sujecheon
Performance | Advance Reservation
[Changdeokgung Palace] Tracing Joseon Space : The Rhythm of Stillness
Guided | Exhibition | On-site Admission | New
[Changdeokgung Palace] Awakening the Morning Palace
Experience | Advance Reservation
[Changdeokgung Palace] Gyujanggak Chogye Munsin Workshop
Experience | Advance Reservation | New
Category | Details | |
Oct 9 (Day 1) | Theme | Hunminjeongeum and Songs of Joy, Anger, Sorrow and Pleasure |
Moderator | VTuber Hyangachi | |
Panelist | Shin Seong-hwan (Professor, Department of Korean Language and Literature, | |
Content | A contemporary and accessible exploration of the purpose behind the | |
Oct 10 (Day 2) | Theme | First Steps for New Officials: Preparing a Royal Palace Banquet |
Moderator | VTuber Hyangachi | |
Panelist | Hong Hyeon-do (Curator, Seoul Museum of History) | |
Content | An introduction to royal banquets (jinyeon) held at the Joseon court, with | |
Oct 11 (Day 3) | Theme | Joseon Had Its Own Photo Ops |
Moderator | VTuber Hyangachi | |
Panelist | Kim Min-gyu (Expert Advisor, Cultural Heritage Committee) | |
Content | An accessible introduction to Joseon painting through storytelling, focusing | |
[Changdeokgung Palace] Royal Court Games Playroom
Experience | On-site Admission
[Deoksugung Palace] JunMyeongDang Hall Children's School
Experience | Advance Reservation + On-site Admission | Children
[Deoksugung Palace] K-Royal Culture Festival Academic Seminar
Experience | Advance Reservation | New
Category | Content | Presenter |
Opening | Opening Remarks and Introduction of Participants | Lee Han-ho (Moderator) CEO, Juice Company |
Project Presentation | Key Findings and Future Directions from the "2026 | Hwang Tae-hee Senior Research Manager, Juice |
Featured Talks | [1] "Reimagining the Royal Palaces through AI and K- | Lee Lee-nam Media Artist |
[2] "Royal Palaces Created Together with the World: The | Oh Hee-young CEO, Just Peace Foundation | |
[3] "Royal Palaces Embrace K-Dramas and Films" | Yoo Dong-hwan Professor, Department of | |
Discussion | General Discussion and Q&A | |
Closing | Closing Remarks |
[Deoksugung Palace] Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Passing of Emperor Sunjong: From Gwangmu(光武) to Yunghui(隆熙)
Complex | On-site Admission
[Deoksugung Palace] Gilnori: Traditional Performance Parade
Performance | On-site Admission
[Changgyeonggung Palace] A Time Travel, Changgyeonggung Palace: Royal Palace Daily Life
Guided | Reconstruction | On-site Admission
Venue | Highlights | Schedule | Running | |
Session 1 | Session 2 | |||
Myeongjeongmun | [Compassion] Immun Hyulminui (臨門恤民儀): King Yeongjo personally composes the "Immun | 13:00 | 15:30 | 20 min |
Tongmyeongjeon | [Remembrance] A Royal Conception Dream: The At the Queen Dowager's quarters, the story looks | 13:30 | 16:00 | 25 min |
Haminjeong | [Talent] The King Welcomes New Talent Ahead of their audience with the king, officials of | 14:00 | 16:30 | 25 min |
Munjeongjeon | [Artists] The Birth of a New Royal Court Art Officials of Jangwonseo and female court | 14:30 | 17:00 | 25 min |
[Changgyeonggung Palace] Donggowol Jangwonseo
Experience | Advance Reservation + On-site Admission | Seniors
Category | Main Program | Related Activities |
Program | Cultivating My Own Little Garden | Flowers of Jangwonseo |
Participants | Advance reservation holders | On-site participants |
Time | 10:00 – 17:00 (3 scheduled | 10:00 – 17:00 (Ongoing) |
Venue | Education Hall inside the Grand | Side Garden of the Grand Greenhouse |
Program Details | A hands-on flower and plant | Making paper flower bouquets inspired by flowers and |
[Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace] You in Hanbok, Walking Through a Painting
Experience | Advance Reservation | New
[1] Change into | ≫ | [2] Experience at | ≫ | [3] Events for | ≫ | [4] Change back |
․Traditional hanbok | ․Self-guided visit * Recommended | ․Digital painting ․Royal (Royal Infirmary, | ․Change back into (Yanghwadang Hall |
[Changgyeonggung Palace] Gilnori: Traditional Performance Parade
Performance | On-site Admission
[Changgyeonggung Palace – Partner Program) Moonlight Lotus Show at Changgyeonggung Palace
Experience | Advance Reservation
Category | Theme | Details | |
Scene 1 | Flow of | Presentation | The journey back in time begins |
Meaning | Hwa (話), meaning | ||
Scene 2 | Moonlight (Daechundangji *Media Art | Presentation | A panoramic screen formed by |
Meaning | Hwa (花), meaning "flower": | ||
Featured Works | From Honghwa to Chundang Moonlight Lotus Show at | ||
Scene 3 | Light of the (White Pine | Presentation | Light created through tree |
Meaning | Hwa (畵), meaning "painting": | ||
Scene 4 | Light of (Grand | Presentation | Lighting using illuminated trees |
Meaning | Hwa (華), meaning "splendor": | ||
Scene 5 | Breath of (Sochundangji *Media Art | Presentation | A panoramic screen formed by |
Meaning | Hwa (婲), meaning "beauty": | ||
Featured Works | Breath of Water (2023, 3 min 37 | ||
Scene 6 | Light of Peace (Walking Path) | Presentation | A tunnel of light created using |
Meaning | Hwa (訸), meaning "peace": | ||
Scene 7 | Honghwa in (Pathway 1) | Presentation | Rippling waves of light flowing |
Meaning | Hwa (和), meaning "harmony": | ||
Scene 8 | The Eternal (Pathway 2) | Presentation | Rippling waves of light flowing |
Meaning | Hwa (化), meaning | ||
[Jongmyo] Jongmyo Shrine Architectural Expedition
Experience | Advance Reservation | Teenagers
Category | Venue | Details |
Introduction | [1] In front of | ⦁Introduction to Jongmyo Shrine and traditional Korean |
Main | [2] Hyangdaecheong | ⦁Learn about Mangmyoru Pavilion and the Shrine to King |
[3] Jaegung | ⦁Explore the functions and role of Jaegung, a secluded space | |
[4] Jeongjeon | ⦁Mission: Uncover the secret of the world's longest wooden shrine | |
[5] Yeongnyeongjeon | ⦁Mission: Spot the Differences: Jeongjeon vs. Yeongnyeongjeon | |
Wrap-up | [6] Akgongcheong | ⦁Review the activities and share reflections on the experience |
[General] K-Royal Culture Festival Stamp Tour
Experience | On-site Admission
[General] Palace Pass: Hyangnang
Experience | Advance Reservation
[Online] Genre Painting For All 2026
Hanbok | Online | Experience
(Appendix 4)
Reservation-Required Programs
Overview of Advance Reservation
Advance Reservation Schedule
No. | Program | Booking Opens | Venues | Dates | Price (per | Age |
1 | Hanbok Royal | Sep 4 (Fri) 12:00 | Throughout (nighttime viewing | Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 10 | Free | Ages 7+ |
2 | Palace Pass: | Sep 4 (Fri) 12:00 | Four Royal Palaces | Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct | KRW | All ages |
3 | Awakening the | Sep 4 (Fri) 14:00 | Changdeokgung | Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct | KRW | Ages 7+ |
4 | Gyujanggak Workshop | Sep 4 (Fri) 14:00 | Gyujanggak and | Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 | Free | Ages 13+ |
5 | JunMyeongDang | Sep 4 (Fri) 14:00 | Jungmyeongjeon | Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 11 | KRW | Ages 7-10 |
6 | Donggowol | Sep 4 (Fri) 15:00 | Education Hall, | Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct | KRW | Ages 60+ |
7 | You in Hanbok, | Sep 4 (Fri) 15:00 | Throughout | Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct | KRW | Ages 19+ |
8 | Jongmyo Shrine | Sep 4 (Fri) 16:00 | Throughout | Oct 10 (Sat) – Oct | KRW | Ages 11-18 |
9 | K-Royal Culture | Sep 4 (Fri) 16:00 | Jeonggwanheon | Oct 11 (Sun) | Free | Ages 13+ |
10 | (Partner Program) Moonlight Lotus | Sep 11 (Fri) 11:00 | Chundangji Pond | Oct 7 (Wed) – Nov | KRW (Up to 4 | Ages 7+ |
11 | (Partner Program) Palace Concert: | Sep 11 (Fri) 17:00 | Jibokjae Hall, | Oct 2 (Fri) – Oct 5 | KRW | Ages 7+ |
Advance Reservation Schedule for International Visitor Programs
No. | Program | Booking Opens | Venues | Dates | Price | Age |
1 | Hanbok Royal | Sep 4 (Fri) 12:00 | Changdeokgung | Oct 9 (Fri) – Oct 10 | Free | Ages 7+ |
2 | Awakening the | Sep 4 (Fri) 14:00 | Changdeokgung | Oct 7 (Wed) – Oct 11 | KRW | Ages 7+ |
3 | (Partner Palace Concert: | Sep 11 (Fri) 17:00 | Jibokjae Hall, | Oct 2 (Fri) – Oct 5 | KRW | Ages 7+ |
CONTACT:
Ahn Young-min
Tel. 822-6450-3836
Choe Jeong-yun
Tel. 822-6450-3834
Cha Ji-eun
Tel. 822-6450-3838
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SOURCE Korea Heritage Service