Each spring, from late April into early May, Seoul's old palaces reopen as living stages. Across Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo Shrine, the festival stages royal-rite reenactments, court music and dance, after-dark palace tours and hands-on programs — from donning hanbok to sitting down to a re-created imperial banquet. Hosted by the Korea Heritage Service, it is the country's largest heritage festival and a rare chance to see the palaces by night. A smaller autumn edition returns around October, so check the schedule before you go.
