Join the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) for the 2026 Chuseok Family Festival on Saturday, September 19 to celebrate Korea’s most important traditional holidays together!   Now in its fourth year since 2023, the festival has become a signature program for the KCCDC and the NMAA, drawing thousands of visitors for a full day of cultural experiences. This year is guided by the festival theme of Celebrate · Connect · Share, emphasizing the generous communal spirit of the traditional harvest.   Visitors can experience Chuseok with all their senses through live traditional and K-Pop performances, hands-on minhwa (민화) folk art and hanji (한지) traditional paper activities, food vendors, unique cultural heritage displays including a life-size charye (차례) ancestral rites table, and a special focus on traditional Korean Tal (탈) masks and the Talchum (탈춤) mask dance.   Celebrating Chuseok through Living Traditions: Discover Korea’s Traditional Masks and Talchum will spotlight the craftsmanship, symbolism, and storytelling behind Korean traditional masks and mask dance traditions. A special exhibition and hands-on experience area, presented with support from Korea’s Bongsan Mask Dance Drama Preservation Society in the museum’s East Building, Sackler Gallery 27 (S1), will introduce the distinctive characteristics and cultural significance of Talchum traditions passed down in different regions of Korea. Please note: due to limited space, access to Gallery 27 may be limited.   Visitors can explore authentic Korean masks representing major characters from this traditional storytelling performance art, try on masks for themselves, and take photos in a recreation of a Talchum performance space. Combining dance, music, and theatrical elements, Talchum was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022.   In addition, NMAA will present special family activities, gallery tours and talks, performances, and a food and art market. For more information on activities and programs, see below or view the NMAA website announcement.   Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위) or more casually as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of Korea's most important and beloved holidays. For many Koreans it is a time to journey home, reconnect with family and loved ones, and to give thanks for life’s blessings. Chuseok traditionally falls on the day of the largest full moon according to the lunar calendar, signaling the end of the harvest season and a time to relax while thanking one’s ancestors for the season’s abundance. For more on Chuseok and its rich traditions, scroll down below.   Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the exciting and heartwarming traditions of Korea’s beloved autumn holiday that’s all about family, fun, and connection: Chuseok!   This event is co-presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. and the National Museum of Asian Art with support from the Bongsan Mask Dance-Drama Preservation Society. Generous support is provided by the National Museum of Korea. 2026 Chuseok Family Festival  Saturday, September 19, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art 1050 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C.  MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION ON THE NMAA WEBSITE! HIGHLIGHTS Displays presented by the KCCDC 11 a.m.–4 p.m. ●Life-Size Charye Ancestral Rites Table West Building, North Corridor ●Traditional Mask Display, Try-On, and Photo Booth with support from the Bongsan Mask Dance-Drama Preservation Society East Building, Gallery 27 Crafts and Activities presented by the KCCDC 11 a.m.–4 p.m. ●Hanji Mask Decorating West Building, South Corridor ●Minhwa Fan-Making and Coloring West Building, South Corridor Music and Performances copresented by the KCCDC ●K-pop DJ Set by DJ EPX 11 a.m.–2 p.m. West Building, Plaza ●Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago (KPAC) Traditional Korean Percussion Performance (Samulnori, Daegeum Solo, and Pangut) 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. West Building, Plaza ●Gumwoo Washington Gayageum Ensemble Traditional Korean String Performance (Arirang, Humoresque, Sounds of Night, Darha Nopigom, and more) 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. West Building, Plaza ●Insun Park & Generals Korean Folk Rock Meets Mask Dance (Creative performance combining Gangnyeong Talchum with fusion rock) 3 p.m. West Building, Plaza Family Fun presented by the NMAA 11 a.m.–1 p.m. ●Korean Folk & Fairy Tales Story Time West Building, Courtyard ●Scavenger Hunt West Building, Galleries 12 (The Peacock Room) and 14 ●Peacock Room Pattern Puzzles West Building, Gallery 12 ●Fun with Objects from Our Hands-On Collection West Building, outside Galleries 14–16 Tours and Talks presented by the NMAA ●Conservation Cart Talk | Early Printing in Korea 1–2 p.m. West Building, North Corridor ●Spotlight Talks 2–3 p.m. and 3–4 p.m. West Building, Gallery 12 (The Peacock Room) and Gallery 14 (Rediscovering Korea's Past)   Food and Art Market presented by the NMAA 11 a.m.–4 p.m. West Building, Plaza SAMASAMA Art and Vendor Market featuring: ●AJM Kimchi (Kimchi) ●Brian Oh (Photo Prints) ●Chaotic Neutral (Jewelry & Accessories) ●yoojiflows (Tarot/Korean Oracle Readings & Art) Food available for purchase from: ●AmLux Cafe ●bit bakery ●Noonchi by Bun’d Up Additional programs presented by the NMAA can be found on their website! ABOUT CHUSEOK   Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi (한가위) or simply referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of Korea's most important and beloved holidays. For many Koreans it is a time to journey home, reconnect with family and loved ones, and to give thanks for life’s blessings. Traditionally it is on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which in 2024 falls on September 17. Chuseok literally means “autumn evening” and originates with agricultural society as a celebration of the harvest coinciding with a full moon. The holiday’s other name, Hangawi, also means “great ideas of autumn.” According to the lunar calendar, the largest full moon of the year appears on this day, signaling the end of the harvest season and a time to relax while thanking one’s ancestors for the season’s abundance.   Today, many families still gather to share food, games, and fond memories during Chuseok, wherever they live. Many families also maintain the tradition of holding a ritual of thanks with newly harvested crops, expressing their appreciation to their ancestors and to nature itself. Just like Thanksgiving and other harvest festivals worldwide, Chuseok is a blissful time to reconnect and be grateful for all of life’s blessings. As the Korean saying goes, “No more, no less—may it always be perfect like Chuseok” (더도 말고 덜도 말고 한가위만 같아라).   In Korea, the day before and after are also typically part of the public holiday, allowing people to travel to their ancestral hometowns and be with family. A traditional Chuseok feast includes an array of treats and delicacies, including half-moon shaped rice cakes known as Songpyeon (송편), deep-fried, honey-soaked wheat confections known as Yakgwa (약과), savory pancakes of meat, fish, or vegetables known as Jeon (전), and herb-infused rice wine known as Baekju (백주) or newly-made rice liquor known as Shindoju (신도주).   Chuseok is also often marked by other important cultural traditions. During Charye (차례), the family visits their ancestral gravesite for Seongmyo (성묘), to bow and present a symbolic offering of favorite foods or drink, usually accompanied by Beolcho (벌초), the act of tidying up the gravesites by removing weeds to maintain a cared-for appearance, perhaps while wearing traditional Hanbok (한복) clothing.     ABOUT CHARYE (차례)   What is Charye? Fundamentally, Charye is a way to remember, thank, and honor one’s ancestors, as well as to invite their continued blessings. Akin to an intimate memorial service or rite, it is often performed in the home during Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), and other traditional holidays. The Charye tradition centers around the Charye table; an array of foods are lovingly prepared by family members and displayed on the table, which also serves as a place to pay one’s respects with a formal bow. Traditional holidays in Korea often include merrymaking and family fun, but the presence of the Charye table is a quiet reminder that today’s blessings are made possible thanks to one’s ancestors.   Who performs Charye? Charye is a tradition that brings together all members of the family and extended family, each of whom has a chance to briefly offer their respects with a formal bow. Traditionally and when possible, the family's eldest son and his eldest son host the Charye table itself.   Where is Charye held? If a family has a dedicated ancestral shrine site, Charye would likely take place there. Otherwise, the Charye table would be set up in the main room of the home. Different families and regions in Korea may have their own Charye traditions.   How is Charye held? The constraints and pace of modern life can often impede time-honored traditions, but Koreans will generally make a good faith effort to meet the requirements of a proper Charye as best they can. After all, Charye is as much or more about one’s pure sentiment and good intentions as it is about adhering to protocol. While not an explicitly religious tradition in the Western sense of the word, Charye nonetheless has an important spiritual aspect.   Traditionally, one prepares prior to Charye by keeping the mind and body clean for three days. On the morning of, the room housing the Charye table is purified with a brief ritual. Then, under the supervision of the lady of the house, particular foods are prepared for display, including soups, tteok (rice cakes), and jeon (savory pancakes). Meanwhile, male members of the household prepare a written invocation, memorial tablets, ritual vessels, and meat and fruits, all to be included on the table. When it is time to hold the Charye ceremony, the table is carefully set according to tradition with a folding screen behind it. The table also includes a small cup for sul (traditional liquor).     Elements of the Chuseok Charye Table Charye tables can vary depending on region and family. However, an important foundational principle is Jinseol, or the proper directional arrangement of dishes according to their essential nature: for example, fish in the east and meat in the west, sweet sikhye drink in the east, and jujubes, chestnuts, pears, and persimmons arrayed from west to east. Some foods will appear in arrangements that contradict traditional Korean dining etiquette, indicating the table’s otherworldly significance. The table often features five rows of food items in total, all of which can take significant time to prepare by hand. The table itself also faces south, so that those taking part can face north.   The names of deceased family members are written on traditional Hanji paper and placed at the head of the table just in front of the screen to represent those ancestors’ spirits. Essentials like rice, soup, rice cakes, utensils, and liquor cups are placed in the first row just beyond the inscriptions; while Koreans universally eat with their rice bowls to the left of their soup bowls, here the rice is placed to the right of the soup—the proper position for those in the spirit world. During Chusoek, rice and soup will be replaced with Songpyeon, a traditional filled rice cake that resembles a half-moon.   The next row usually features beef and fish dishes, while the third row typically has three soups, each with a different base: beef, seafood, and tofu. The fourth row has dried fish on the left, sikhye at the opposite end, and vegetable side dishes in between. The last row is for sweets like fruit, nuts, and traditional confections; dates, chestnuts, pears, and persimmons are placed in this order from the left. Yakgwa (deep-fried, wheat-based cookies) and hangwa (airy and crunchy rice cookies) are on the right. Interestingly, peaches and red beans are never offered during these ceremonies as they are symbolically used to ward off spirits in other contexts—the opposite of the intention of the Charye table.   To learn more about Charye at Korean traditions, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, the Korean Culture and Information Service, and  Korea’s main information website, Korea.net.  

  Want to share your unforgettable Korea travel experience with the world? Enter the KCCDC's brand-new My Korea Story: Share Your Journey Instagram reel contest!   Whether you've explored Korea's vibrant cities, discovered hidden cultural gems, savored unique K-food, attended a wild K-pop concert, or experienced Korea's rich traditions firsthand, we would love to see and hear your story!   Contest Period: July 6–20, 2026 Eligibility: Open to U.S. residents who have traveled to Korea. Prizes: Five winners will each receive a $100 gift card! How to Enter: 1. Create a 30–60 second Instagram reel about your Korea travel experience 2. Post your reel on your public Instagram account. Include both official hashtags: #MyKoreaStoryWithKCCDC, #KoreanCulturalCenterDC 3. Submit your reel URL and the required information through our Application Form here.    Important Notes: 1. All video footage must be originally captured by the participant. 2. AI tools may be used only for editing or post-production. 3. If AI tools are used, please disclose their use in your submission. 4. Your Instagram account and reel view count must remain public until the winners are announced. 5. Use only copyright-free music, images, and video materials. 6. Selected entries may be featured on the KCCDC's official website and social media channels; winners may be required to provide the original video file upon request. 7. The organizer reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates the contest rules.   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) looks forward to seeing your unforgettable Korea story and sharing your journey with the world!

Get ready for D.C.’s diplomatic party of the year—and everyone’s invited!   The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) and embassies across the city will open their doors for Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The KCCDC will be open with a full day of cultural experiences and performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (other embassies’ hours may vary). See below for the complete schedule of events. No RSVP required—simply drop in throughout the day!   About the Event Passport DC is a month-long signature cultural event in Washington, D.C., organized by Events DC and local partner embassies. During the Around the World Embassy Tour, embassies welcome the public and showcase their unique cultures through performances, activities, workshops, demonstrations, tastings, and more. Passport DC is free and open to the public—no RSVP or tickets are required. Lines can become long later in the day, so we recommend arriving early for the best experience!   For more on Passport DC 2026 events throughout May and the Around the World Embassy Tour (May 2) in particular, visit Events DC.     Passport DC: Around the World Embassy Tour at the KCCDC Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. 2370 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 NO RSVP NEEDED -- FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY!    Main Stage Performances ●10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, & 2:30 PM – Korean Traditional Music and Dance Performances by the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago ●11:00 AM & 1:00 PM – K-Pop Dance and Workshops by Konnect DMV (featuring songs from KPop Demon Hunters, including Golden!)   Indoor Activities (10 AM – 4 PM)  ●KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Room ●KPop Exhibition and Folk Culture Box Experiences ●Exhibition: Connecting Lines (2nd Floor Galleries)   Outdoor Activities (10 AM – 4 PM)  ●KPop Demon Hunters Photobooth – Dress up like the Saja Boys and pose with characters from KPop Demon Hunters ●Korean DIY Crafts – Minhwa Folk Art Coloring & Stamps, Make Your Own Gat (Traditional Korean Hat) Keychain ●Face Stickers inspired by KPop idols and Korean cartoons ●Free Gifts – K-Pop albums, Korean culture magazines, Korean-themed pins, and more!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Red Horse at the Smithsonian's Lunar New Year Festival, featuring KCCDC cultural displays, activities, giveaways, and more that celebrate Seollal!  Find KCCDC table in the pop-up market inside the Arts + Industries Building, right next door to more festivities and performances at the National Museum of Asian Art. And don't miss Korean dance and drumming group Di Dim Sae Korean Traditional Art Institute the same day!  Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration: Korean Seollal  Saturday, February 21, 12:00 - 6:00 PM  Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building For details and to RSVP, visit the NMAA website. Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) 2026: Celebrating the Year of the Red Horse To celebrate Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, and welcome the Year of the Red Horse (2026), the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. will present an exhibition of traditional Seollal seasonal customs (sesipungsok) and display authentic ceremonial items associated with the holiday. Visitors will receive a limited number of traditional Korean craft souvenirs inspired by Seollal traditions. KCCDC Giveaway Items & Cultural Insights Please note: gifts are limited in quantity, one gift per person, and items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis! Thank you for your understanding.  ●Bokjumeoni (복주머니) – Korean Fortune Pouch A traditional silk pouch symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The bokjumeoni is believed to bring luck and abundance for the coming year. ●Year of the Red Horse 2026 Pin Button (2026년 병오년 붉은 말의 해 핀버튼) A commemorative pin celebrating the Year of the Red Horse, symbolizing energy, progress, and success. ●Bokjori (복조리) – Fortune Strainer A traditional bamboo strainer originally used to wash rice. During Seollal, bokjori is hung at the door to “scoop up” good luck and prosperity throughout the year. ●Mape (마패) – Joseon Dynasty Horse Pass A replica of an official horse credential used during the Joseon Dynasty, allowing government officials safe and unhindered travel. The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. bestows this symbolic horse pass as a token of authority, protection, and rising fortune. ●Aekmagi Myeongtae (액막이 명태) – Good Luck Fish A traditional dried pollock charm symbolizing protection and good fortune. Often hung at the entrance of homes during Seollal to ward off bad luck and welcome blessings. ●Minhwa Coloring Set (민화 컬러링 4종 세트) A Korean traditional folk painting coloring set featuring four symbolic themes: ○Tiger & Magpie – Protection and good fortune ○Peony & Butterfly – Prosperity, happiness, love, and longevity ○Deer & Crane – Peace, nobility, and good fortune ○Chaekgeori – Books and scholars’ objects symbolizing knowledge, learning, and aspiration ●K-Pop Random Album A limited number of K-Pop albums will also be given away as a special surprise gift.  

Join the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC), the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), and chef Ellen Lee of AJM Kimchi for Kimjang DC 2025, a hands-on celebration of Korea’s most beloved culinary tradition—kimjang, the communal making and sharing of kimchi! Community members of all backgrounds are invited to experience the taste, culture, and community spirit that define the kimjang tradition and Korea’s most iconic food, kimchi. Enjoy a live kimchi demonstration with chef Lee, then try your hand at making your own kimchi to take home in a free communal workshop that brings people together. Learn about the history, health benefits, and creativity behind this centuries-old culinary tradition, and celebrate the official Kimchi Day in Korea and the United States by connecting with others through the shared joy of food and culture! 📍 Event Details When: Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001) Admission: Free with an RSVP! RSVP FOP THIS EVENT! Opens Nov. 3 at 9:00 AM About Kimjang A centuries-old tradition, kimjang (김장) often happens once or twice a year in Korea as a way for communities to stock up on essential preserved foods like kimchi (김치), especially before winter. This labor-intensive process is rooted in the tight-knit rural communities of the past, yet the culinary and social bonding benefits of kimjang remain a treasured aspect of Korean culture today. This third annual kimjang partnership between the KCCDC and MOAPIA marks 12 years since the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Kimjang on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Viriginia, and several other states also already recognize Kimchi Day on November 22, as does Korea, and the U.S. Congress is considering a similar national designation. About Chef Ellen Lee Ellen Lee is a Washington, DC–based culinary creator and founder of AJM Kimchi, a small-batch kimchi and fermentation brand dedicated to sharing the richness of Korean food culture. Drawing from years of hands-on experience in professional kitchens and community food projects, Ellen focuses on preserving traditional techniques while presenting them in approachable, creative ways.   Founded in 2021, AJM Kimchi embodies the spirit of Korean hospitality and craftsmanship through education, collaboration, and sustainability. The name AJM playfully nods to the Korean word “ahjumma”—a term of respect for strong, nurturing women—blended with Ellen’s feline-inspired persona, “Ahjummeow.” The brand’s motto, “Made with Purrpose,” reflects its mission to bring people together through the joy of fermentation, community, and cultural appreciation. For more, follow AJM Kimchi on Instagram.  ℹ️ Important Event Information ●Space and supplies are limited. Up to two tickets can be reserved when you RSVP. ●If you follow a vegan diet, please select that specific option when you RSVP. ●RSVP tickets are required for all attendees, and each person must have their own reservation. Complete information for each person must be included for each person for a valid reservation ("guest of" is not sufficient). ●RSVP tickets do not guarantee a seat, and much of the event activity will be while standing. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue. ●Please note that entry may close early once all seats are occupied. Early arrival is recommended. ●Parking is not provided. Guests are kindly asked to use street parking at their convenience, or nearby public lots. A reminder with additional details will be sent before the events date.