Gyeonggi-do in October Festivals, dates and what's on

Gyeonggi-do has 16 festivals in October: Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening (1 May – 1 Nov 2026), Semiwon Water Lily Festival (1 Sep – 31 Oct 2026), Bulchwimugwi Night Market (5 Sep – 31 Oct 2026), Pocheon Hantangang Garden Festa (12 Sep – 1 Nov 2026), Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale (18 Sep – 1 Nov 2026), DMZ OPEN Festival (12 Oct – 29 Nov 2026), Jarasum Jazz Festival (9–11 Oct 2027), Icheon Pet Festival (expected Sep/Oct 2027), Namhansanseong Autumn Festa (expected Sep/Oct 2027), Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (expected Sep/Oct 2027), Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival (expected Oct 2027), Icheon Rice Cultural Festival (expected Oct 2027), World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival (expected Oct 2027), Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival (expected Oct/Nov 2027), Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival (expected Oct 2027), and Yeoncheon Job's Tears Festival (expected Oct/Nov 2027). The Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening (화성행궁 야간개장) keeps the royal palace at the heart of Suwon's UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress open after dark, lit with flower installations and hologram and laser media art under the 2026 theme 'Dalbit Hwadam'.

Typical October weather (average high/low): Suwon 20/9 °C (69/49 °F); Icheon 20/7 °C (69/45 °F); Gapyeong 19/5 °C (67/41 °F). Source: KMA normals.

At a glance

Festival	Dates	Admission	Nearest station	Status
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening화성행궁 야간개장	1 May – 1 Nov 2026	From ₩2,000	Suwon Station, Exit 4 (buses 11 and 13); Exit 7 (buses 60 and 7-2)	Happening now
Semiwon Water Lily Festival세미원 수련문화제	1 Sep – 31 Oct 2026	From ₩7,000	Yangsu Station, Exit 1	Happening now
Bulchwimugwi Night Market왕의 야시장 불취무귀	5 Sep – 31 Oct 2026	Free entry	Suwon Station, Exit 4 (Novotel bus stop)	Happening now
Pocheon Hantangang Garden Festa포천 한탄강 가든페스타	12 Sep – 1 Nov 2026	From ₩7,000	See festival page	Happening now
Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale경기도자비엔날레	18 Sep – 1 Nov 2026	From ₩11,000	Icheon Station	Happening now
DMZ OPEN FestivalDMZ OPEN 페스티벌	12 Oct – 29 Nov 2026	Free entry	Imjingang Station (most visitors change at Munsan Station)	Happening now
Jarasum Jazz Festival자라섬재즈페스티벌	9–11 Oct 2027	Free + paid activities	Gapyeong Station	Upcoming
Icheon Pet Festival이천펫축제	Expected Sep/Oct 2027	Free entry	Sindundoyechon Station	Expected
Namhansanseong Autumn Festa숲속의 산성도시 - 남한산성 가을 페스타	Expected Sep/Oct 2027	Free entry	Sanseong Station, Exit 2	Expected
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival수원화성문화제	Expected Sep/Oct 2027	Free + paid activities	Suwon Station, Exits 4, 7 or 9 (bus stops)	Expected
Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival안성맞춤 남사당 바우덕이 축제	Expected Oct 2027	Free entry	Anseong Terminal (no railway in Anseong), then festival shuttle, taxi or bus	Expected
Icheon Rice Cultural Festival이천쌀문화축제	Expected Oct 2027	Free + paid activities	Icheon Station	Expected
World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival세계유산 조선왕릉축전	Expected Oct 2027	Paid admission	Byeongjeom Station, Exit 2	Expected
Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival여주오곡나루축제	Expected Oct/Nov 2027	Free entry	Yeoju Station	Expected
Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival연천 국화축제	Expected Oct 2027	Paid admission	Jeongok Station	Expected
Yeoncheon Job's Tears Festival연천율무축제	Expected Oct/Nov 2027	Free entry	Jeongok Station	Expected

Dates marked “expected” follow the organizer's usual pattern and are replaced when the official announcement comes. Each festival page lists the sources.

Weather in October

Festival town	Average high	Average low	Rain	Measured at
Suwon	20 °C 69 °F	9 °C 49 °F	54 mm	Suwon
Icheon	20 °C 69 °F	7 °C 45 °F	51 mm	Icheon
Gapyeong	19 °C 67 °F	5 °C 41 °F	52 mm	Gapyeong

What to wear. Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.

Monthly averages, not a forecast. Source: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020 (Gapyeong: 1993–2020), via the KMA-sourced climate tables for Suwon, Icheon, Gapyeong. Where a festival town has no station with published normals, the nearest one is used and its distance shown.

The festivals

All festivals in Gyeonggi-do

Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon by day; the night opening takes place here after dark

Happening now

May – Nov2026

1 –1

Fri–Sun

LightsSuwonEnds tomorrowAbout 1 h 15 min from Seoul

Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening

The Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening (화성행궁 야간개장) keeps the royal palace at the heart of Suwon's UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress open after dark, lit with flower installations and hologram and laser media art under the 2026 theme 'Dalbit Hwadam'. The 2026 season runs 1 May–1 November on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 18:00–21:30 (last entry 21:00), so the final nights are 23–25 October and 30 October–1 November.

Lotus flowers at Semiwon, the festival's venue

Happening now

Sep – Oct2026

1 –31

Tue–Sat

NatureYangpyeongEnds today

Semiwon Water Lily Festival

The Semiwon Water Lily Festival (세미원 수련문화제) is a two-month autumn festival at Semiwon, Gyeonggi-do's first designated local garden, on the Han River at Yangsu-ri in Yangpyeong, where Victoria, Australian and tropical water lilies take over from the summer lotuses. The 2026 edition runs 1 September to 31 October, 09:00–18:00 daily, with Saturday janggu-and-guitar performances, lotus-themed exhibitions and craft classes.

Paldalmun Gate of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress at night, next to the market

Happening now

Sep – Oct2026

5 –31

Sat–Sat

FoodSuwonFreeEnds todayAbout 1 h 10 min from Seoul

Bulchwimugwi Night Market

The Bulchwimugwi Night Market (왕의 야시장 불취무귀) is a free Saturday-evening night market in Suwon's Nammun Market district, beside Paldalmun, the south gate of Hwaseong Fortress, with food from market merchants and food trucks, a flea market, busking and a themed programme each night. First held in 2026, its second season runs 17:00–22:00 on four Saturdays, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October 2026; after 19 October the nights left are 24 October (Sundae Day) and 31 October (Joseon Ghost Day).

Basalt columns at Bidulginang Falls on the Hantan River in Pocheon, near the festival site

Happening now

Sep – Nov2026

12 –1

Sat–Sun

FamilyPocheonEnds tomorrow

Pocheon Hantangang Garden Festa

The Pocheon Hantangang Garden Festa is a seasonal garden festival on a lava plateau of about 260,000 m² above the Hantan River gorge in Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon, in northern Gyeonggi-do, beside Korea's longest Y-shaped suspension bridge (410 m). The 2026 autumn season runs 12 September–1 November, 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00).

Ceramics on display at Icheon Cerapia, the biennale's main venue, in 2012

Happening now

Sep – Nov2026

18 –1

Fri–Sun

ArtsIcheonEnds tomorrowAbout 49 min from Seoul

Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale

The Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale (경기도자비엔날레) is Korea's international ceramic art biennale, held in three museums in Icheon, Gwangju and Yeoju, ceramics towns south-east of Seoul. The 13th edition, 'Earth Makes', runs 18 September–1 November 2026, 10:00–18:00 every day (last entry 17:00), with the main exhibition at Icheon Cerapia.

Pinwheels on the hill at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park in Paju, one of the festival's main sites

Happening now

Oct – Nov2026

12 –29

Mon–Sun

ArtsPajuFreeUntil 29 NovAbout 2 h from Seoul

DMZ OPEN Festival

The DMZ OPEN Festival (DMZ OPEN 페스티벌) is Gyeonggi Province's multi-week season of art, music and talks about the Demilitarized Zone, centred on Imjingak Peace Nuri in Paju and the former US Army base Camp Greaves across the Imjin River. The 2026 edition runs 12 October–29 November, with the exhibition "Staging" (26 works by 14 artists), the International Music Festival in Goyang on 23–25 October and a forum on 28 October.

Jarasum island in the Bukhangang River in Gapyeong, the festival grounds, seen from above

Upcoming

Oct2027

9 –11

Sat–Mon

MusicGapyeongAbout 1 h from Seoul

Jarasum Jazz Festival

The Jarasum Jazz Festival is Korea's largest jazz festival, held every October on Jarasum, a river island beside Gapyeong Station about 70 km north-east of Seoul. The 23rd edition ran 9–11 October 2026, and the 24th is set for Saturday 9 to Monday 11 October 2027.

A border collie leaping between agility hurdles at the 2024 Icheon Pet Festival, watched by a crowd

Expected

Expected2027

Sep / Oct

usual window

FamilyIcheonFree

Icheon Pet Festival

The Icheon Pet Festival is a free two-day festival for dogs and their owners at Icheon Ceramic Art Village (Yes Park), a potters' village in Sindun-myeon, Icheon, Gyeonggi-do. The 2026 edition runs 24–25 October, 10:00–17:00, opening at 14:00 on Saturday with a talk concert by veterinarian Kim Myung-cheol, and adds a dog sports day, walking, grooming and massage classes, a dog playground, food trucks and a flea market.

Namhansanseong fortress at night, the festival's venue

Expected

Expected2027

Sep / Oct

usual window

FamilyGwangju (Gyeonggi-do)Free

Namhansanseong Autumn Festa

The Namhansanseong Autumn Festa (숲속의 산성도시 - 남한산성 가을 페스타, "Fortress City in the Forest") is Gyeonggi Province's free autumn programme of hands-on heritage activities, guided tours and traditional performances at Namhansanseong, the UNESCO-listed mountain fortress in Gwangju, just southeast of Seoul. The 2026 run is 5 September–25 October, with walk-in programmes on weekends and public holidays, so the last chance is Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October; the next run is expected in September–October 2027.

Soldiers in red uniforms marching in the King Jeongjo royal procession reenactment held with the 2023 Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

Expected

Expected2027

Sep / Oct

usual window

TraditionSuwonAbout 1 h 15 min from Seoul

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

The Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (수원화성문화제) is Suwon's autumn festival inside the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, south of Seoul on subway Line 1. The 63rd edition ran 4–11 October 2026, opening with the King Jeongjo royal procession reenactment on 4 October.

A namsadang troupe performing acrobatics, music and dance in 2008 (not taken at this festival)

Expected

Expected2027

Oct

usual window

TraditionAnseongFreeAbout 1 h 3 min from Seoul

Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival

The Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival (안성맞춤 남사당 바우덕이 축제) is a free four-day festival of namsadang folk performance (pungmul drumming, tightrope walking, bowl spinning, masks and puppets) with visiting folk troupes from abroad, held every early October since 2001 in Anseong Machum Land and along Anseong Stream in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do. The 2026 edition ran 2–5 October, 10:00–21:00; the 2027 dates are not announced, but early October is expected.

An Icheon rice set meal with many side dishes, the local speciality the festival celebrates

Expected

Expected2027

Oct

usual window

FoodIcheonAbout 50 min from Seoul

Icheon Rice Cultural Festival

The Icheon Rice Cultural Festival is a five-day harvest festival in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, south-east of Seoul, built around the town's rice, once a royal tribute. The 25th edition ran 14–18 October 2026 at a new riverside site, Bokhacheon Waterside Park, with shuttles from Icheon Station.

The red spirit gate and T-shaped shrine at the Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs in Hwaseong in autumn

Expected

Expected2027

Oct

usual window

TraditionHwaseong

World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival

The World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival (세계유산 조선왕릉축전) is an annual autumn programme of performances, guided tours, exhibitions and hands-on activities at the UNESCO-listed Joseon royal tombs in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Yeongwol. The 7th edition runs 17–25 October 2026 at 12 royal tomb sites, after an opening ceremony on Friday 16 October at Yungneung and Geolleung in Hwaseong.

A hall at Silleuksa Temple in Yeoju, next to the festival grounds

Expected

Expected2027

Oct / Nov

usual window

FoodYeojuFreeAbout 1 h 27 min from Seoul

Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival

The Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival (여주오곡나루축제) is a free three-day harvest festival at the Silleuksa temple resort beside the Namhan River in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, built around Yeoju rice and sweet potatoes and the Joseon-era tribute boats that left from the Jopo ferry. The 2026 edition runs 23–25 October, 10:00–21:00, with a tribute parade, cauldron-cooked bibimbap, free roasted sweet potatoes and a different riverside night show each evening, including nakhwa fire-falling on 24 October.

A large carved face at the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site in Yeoncheon, the festival's venue

Expected

Expected2027

Oct

usual window

NatureYeoncheon

Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival

The Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival is a ten-day autumn flower show on the grounds of the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site, a Paleolithic site in Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon, in northern Gyeonggi-do, reached by Seoul Subway Line 1 to Jeongok Station. The 8th edition runs 16–25 October 2026, 09:00–18:00 daily, with chrysanthemum displays on a Goguryeo theme.

The Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site in Yeoncheon, the festival's venue, in February 2025

Expected

Expected2027

Oct / Nov

usual window

FoodYeoncheonFree

Yeoncheon Job's Tears Festival

The Yeoncheon Job's Tears Festival (연천율무축제) is a free three-day farm market built around yulmu, or Job's tears, a grain of which Yeoncheon grows about 60% of Korea's supply. It is held at the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site in Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon, in northern Gyeonggi-do.

Listed · not checkedAlso listed, not checked yet12 more festivals listed by the Korea Tourism Organization

These come straight from the Korea Tourism Organization’s public festival database. We have not checked them against the organizer, so dates and details can be wrong or out of date. Confirm on the official page before you book.

All listed festivals →

October across Korea

All 106 festivals in October

October is the busiest month on the calendar, and the festival to plan a trip around is the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival: sixteen nights of floating lanterns on the Namgang River below Jinju's fortress from the first Saturday of the month. The first half of October also brings the Busan International Film Festival, the Busan International Rock Festival on the first weekend, the Silla Culture Festival in Gyeongju, Anseong's Baudeogi festival of namsadang folk performance, Sejong's Hangeul festival from Hangeul Day (9 October), Yeongju's Punggi ginseng festival and fortress festivals at Seosan's Haemieupseong and Gochang's Moyangseong. Mid-month adds Jarasum Jazz, Icheon's rice festival, pine mushrooms and salmon in Yangyang, and silver grass on Haneul Park in Seoul and on Hwangmaesan. In the second half, the chrysanthemum shows open at Hampyeong and Iksan, Gangneung holds its coffee festival, Wonju fills its old downtown with dumpling stalls, and Busan marks UN Day (24 October) with the UN Peace Festival beside the UN Memorial Cemetery.

Tip. October weekends sell out hotels in Jinju and Busan a month ahead; the weekdays in between are the best time to visit.

Questions travelers ask

Is there a festival in Gyeonggi-do in October?

When is Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening 2026?

1 May – 1 Nov 2026. Happening now. From ₩2,000. Nearest station: Suwon Station, Exit 4 (buses 11 and 13); Exit 7 (buses 60 and 7-2). Dates are taken from the organizer's own notice.

When is Semiwon Water Lily Festival 2026?

1 Sep – 31 Oct 2026. Happening now. From ₩7,000. Nearest station: Yangsu Station, Exit 1. Dates are taken from the organizer's own notice.

When is Bulchwimugwi Night Market 2026?

5 Sep – 31 Oct 2026. Happening now. Free entry. Nearest station: Suwon Station, Exit 4 (Novotel bus stop). Dates are taken from the organizer's own notice.

What is the weather like in Gyeonggi-do in October?

Suwon: Average high 20 °C (69 °F), low 9 °C (49 °F), 54 mm of rain (Suwon station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Icheon: Average high 20 °C (69 °F), low 7 °C (45 °F), 51 mm of rain (Icheon station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Gapyeong: Average high 19 °C (67 °F), low 5 °C (41 °F), 52 mm of rain (Gapyeong station, KMA 1993–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.

How do I get to Gyeonggi-do?

Suwon by Line 1; Gapyeong by ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan; Icheon by the Gyeonggang Line from Pangyo.

What else is on in Korea in October?

106 festivals across Korea fall in October, including Andong Maskdance Festival, Baekje Cultural Festival, Busan Folk Arts Festival. October weekends sell out hotels in Jinju and Busan a month ahead; the weekdays in between are the best time to visit.