Archive photo, 2017—not the 2026 event. Wonjun1324 / CC BY-SA 4.0. Hero displayed with cropping and a dark overlay.
SEOUL • AUTUMN 2026 • INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
The Hanbok Royal Banquet is free, but it is not a walk-in event. Reserve first, then book a traditional hanbok you can keep until after the 9 p.m. finish.
The festival runs October 7–11, 2026, according to the Korea Heritage Service. This page focuses on the evening banquet: how to reserve, what to bring, where to enter and how to avoid returning a rented hanbok too early. A separate Changdeokgung morning program appears near the end.
Last checked September 17, 2026 · All times are Korea Standard Time (KST)
Entry is free, but you’ll need to book ahead and arrive in traditional hanbok. There’s no clothing rental at the venue, so arrange your outfit before you go. The event is scheduled for October 9 and 10, from 7–9 p.m.
Sources: organizer’s schedule and Creatrip’s reservation instructions.
Start with your banquet reservation
There is no registration at the door. The festival organizer sends international visitors to Creatrip, so reserve there before building the rest of your evening around the banquet.
Check Dates & Book on Creatrip ↗Open your preferred date on Creatrip to see live availability.
Admission is free; the rest of the evening is not
The banquet ticket costs nothing. Budget separately for hanbok rental and transportation, and remember that the ticket does not include a daytime palace visit.
Who can use the international ticket allocation?
This is the international-visitor ticket allocation. Creatrip lists foreign nationality or qualifying overseas permanent residency conditions for the person booking and their guests. It also specifies age 7 or older (born in 2019 or earlier). Guests born in 2008–2019 need an accompanying guardian, and each person needs a ticket.
You can reserve up to four tickets per person; tickets cannot be transferred. If you hold Korean nationality with foreign citizenship or overseas permanent residency, read the eligibility notes before booking: the listing asks for a passport and supporting proof, and the Korea Heritage Agency makes the final eligibility decision.
Bring these three things to check-in
Have your booking QR code and passport ready for check-in, along with residency documentation if that is the basis of your eligibility. Arrive already wearing traditional hanbok: the listing says visitors without it cannot enter, even with a reservation.
Collect your outfit before heading to the palace; there is no rental or sales counter inside. Before booking one, compare it with the palace’s official hanbok guidelines.
Photo: IssamBarhoumi / Wikimedia Commons; light adjustment by Yann. CC BY-SA 4.0. No additional edits.
Use the event entrance, not Gwanghwamun
The listed check-in window is 6:30–7 p.m., with the program running 7–9 p.m. Entry is through Yongseongmun or Hyeopsaengmun. Gwanghwamun is closed for this event, so don’t make the main gate your meeting point.
Aim to arrive around 6:30 p.m. That gives you time to find the entrance before the program starts. Save your confirmation on your phone so the gate details and QR code are easy to pull up.
Cancellation, late arrival and weather
Creatrip’s cancellation section allows cancellation up to three days before the visit. Its event notes say arrivals more than 15 minutes after the program begins cannot take part. Weather can also affect the event; the provider says cancellation notices will be sent by email.
Booking terms checked on: Creatrip — Reservation Info, Cancellation & Refund Policy, and Things To Keep In Mind, checked September 17, 2026. Read the full terms on that page for exceptions and any updates before reserving.
Want a quieter morning program instead?
Awakening the Morning Palace is a separate program at Changdeokgung, scheduled for October 7–11 on the organizer’s program page.
If an early start suits your itinerary better, open the organizer-linked booking page below. This is a separate program with its own ticket conditions; its price and booking requirements are not covered in this guide.
Explore the morning program ↗Official information and booking provider
The Korea Heritage Service’s September 3 announcement names kh.or.kr/fest as the festival website and Creatrip as the international reservation provider. The organizer’s program pages lead to the same Creatrip listings.
Checked September 17, 2026 against the organizer and booking provider. Links are direct and non-affiliate; availability is shown on Creatrip when you choose a date.
