More than 40 local governments and 80 farms from across the country will offer holiday staples including Korean beef, apples, pears, dried yellow croaker and mushrooms. Visitors can also enjoy traditional games, hands-on activities and regional tourism showcases alongside their shopping.
Gangnam-gu will host the "2026 Chuseok Direct Farm Market" ahead of the autumn holiday, bringing together agricultural, livestock and seafood products from across the country in one place.
The market will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the district office parking lot, with more than 40 local governments and 80 farming households taking part.
Sixty vendor booths will offer ritual offering staples such as Korean beef, apples and pears, alongside regional specialties including dried yellow croaker and mushrooms, allowing residents to buy directly from producers. Items purchased on-site can be shipped anywhere in the country for 4,000 won per order if submitted by 4 p.m.
This year's market is designed as a full holiday festival for families, not just a shopping venue. Gangnam-gu's KakaoTalk channel followers can enter a "Chuseok lucky pouch" draw, and traditional games including tuho (pitch-pot) will be available. Visitors who fill a container with five grains to an exact target weight — without looking at the scale — in the "Catch the Five Grains!" challenge will win a prize.
The NH Nonghyup booth will offer a coaster-making workshop for the first 100 visitors, and a custom calligraphy station will write personalized messages on request. The Saemaul Women's Association food stall will serve janchi guksu (banquet noodles), fermented skate, savory pancakes and other snacks.
Six of Gangnam-gu's sister cities will also set up promotional booths: Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi Province, Yanggu-gun in Gangwon Province, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province, and Yeongju, Chilgok-gun and Naju in North Gyeongsang and South Jeolla provinces. Each booth will introduce local specialties, signature festivals and key policies including the hometown love donation program, giving residents a chance to explore regional tourism while they shop.
An opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. The district mayor, National Assembly members and city and district council members are expected to attend and mark the start of the market by untying a five-colored ceremonial knot symbolizing harmony and good fortune.
Residents who cannot attend in person can place advance orders from Monday through Friday by browsing the market's product catalog and contacting vendors directly by phone or text. Orders will be shipped between Sept. 14 and Sept. 18.
"We have organized this direct farm market so that residents can prepare for the holiday with quality local products at affordable prices," Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said. "We will make it a rich Chuseok festival where families can enjoy a wonderful time together."
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