Changdeokgung 2026 Royal Culture Festival Dates and Tickets

Waking Up the Palace in the Morning is a Changdeokgung walking program at the 2026 Fall Royal Culture Festival. It runs from October 7 to 11 and includes the Secret Garden. Anyone aged 7 or older can participate. The fee is 10,000 won per person, and reservations are available through Ticketlink.

The schedule and basic fee are based on the advance booking notice dated September 4, 2026.

Key information for the Changdeokgung morning walk

This reservation-only program takes participants through Changdeokgung’s palace buildings and Secret Garden with a guide. Choose your date, then check the eligibility requirements. The basic information below follows the Korea Heritage Agency’s advance booking program guide.

Sessions and eligibility

Korean nationals should check the 7:30 a.m. session. The 8 a.m. session is for foreign nationals only. Reservations for the English-language session are handled separately through Creatrip.

Participants must have been born in 2019 or earlier; those born in 2020 or later cannot participate. Those born from 2008 to 2019 must be accompanied by a guardian. These conditions are stated in the Korea Heritage Agency’s individual event details.

Each person may book up to 2 tickets.

The cited document is the Korea Heritage Agency’s “2026 Fall Royal Culture Festival .”

How to book

Start by selecting a date on Ticketlink’s dedicated booking page. According to the event information, reservations are open from September 4 to October 10, 2026 (South Korea). Places are first come, first served, so your preferred session may sell out during that period.

1. Check the participant’s birth year and whether a guardian is required.
2. Select your preferred visit date on the dedicated product page.
3. Check the session and remaining places.
4. Read the booking deadline and cancellation and refund conditions before paying.
5. Check your booking confirmation after payment.

This article does not confirm the current number of places remaining. Check the booking page for availability by date. An event appearing on the schedule does not necessarily mean reservations are available.

What to bring and where to check in

Bring the original ID in the booker’s name and your booking details. Check-in for the session for Korean nationals takes place at the information desk in front of Geumhomun Gate. Check-in is from 07:10~07:30.

• Have your mobile ticket or booking number ready
• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the event starts
• The person who booked must participate; tickets cannot be transferred
• Anyone using a discount must bring the relevant supporting documents

What to look for

This walk focuses on the stories behind the palace’s architecture and spaces. You will move through the palace buildings and Secret Garden while listening to the guide. The guide will also explain juryeon, decorative verses hung on pillars.

• How gates and courtyards connect the palace buildings
• The meaning of the juryeon hung on building pillars
• How the layout changes on the way to the Secret Garden

Admission fees and reentry

The program fee includes admission to Changdeokgung. You do not need to buy a separate admission ticket. If you do not leave when the program ends, you can continue with a regular visit. Reentry is not allowed, so keep this in mind when planning what to do afterward.

Comparison with other reservation programs

Festival programs have different locations and eligibility requirements. Even for events at Changdeokgung, make sure you select the right booking product. The dates and fees below are based on the advance booking notice for fall 2026.

Free programs also require advance reservations. Booking the morning walk does not register you for other programs. To participate in more than one, check each program’s hours and conditions.

Full festival schedule and special performance

This fall’s festival runs from October 7 to 11, 2026. Venues are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo. The festival includes performances, exhibitions, hands-on activities, and historical reenactments.

Daytime events explore palace spaces and history. At night, performances and activities take place against the backdrop of palace buildings and natural scenery. Choose the palace you want to visit, then check the times of individual programs.

A special KBS2 Immortal Songs performance will take place the day before the festival opens. It is scheduled for October 6, 2026 (South Korea), at 5 p.m. The venue is Heungnyemun Gate Plaza at Gyeongbokgung. Instructions for applying to attend for free are provided separately on the KBS program website.

The full festival schedule and performance information are available in the Korea Heritage Agency’s September 3 announcement.