When the City of Jersey City officially proclaimed its first Chuseok Festival in October 2025, it was more than a holiday celebration. It was a statement: Korean culture is part of the civic fabric of this city.
Chuseok — Korea's harvest moon festival, often called "Korean Thanksgiving" — is one of the most important holidays in Korean culture. Families gather, share food, honor ancestors, and celebrate the abundance of the season.
The journey from community tradition to official city event took years of groundwork. KCED (Korean Culture & Economic Development), working through the HCCC Korean Chapter, built the relationships with city government that made official recognition possible.
Jersey City's Chuseok is now a model for how immigrant communities can bring their traditions into the American civic calendar — not as a niche ethnic festival, but as a city-wide celebration that belongs to everyone.
The 2026 edition is already in planning, with an expanded program that will include Korean food vendors, traditional performances, and community awards with mayoral signing.