Korean festivals and events in September

September starts in the mountains: Muju's firefly festival takes visitors on guided night walks to see fireflies in a protected habitat in the first half of the month, and Bongpyeong in Pyeongchang holds the Hyoseok Culture Festival among white buckwheat fields for ten days. Hanwha's Seoul International Fireworks Festival over the Han River falls on a Saturday between early September and mid-October. In odd-numbered years the Cheongju Craft Biennale opens in early September (2 September–31 October in 2027), and in even-numbered years Gyeonggi's ceramics biennale opens in Icheon, Gwangju and Yeoju. Namdang Port in Hongseong sells king prawns from late August or early September into October or November. The main autumn season starts late in the month: Andong's mask-dance festival, the Baekje cultural festival in Gongju and Buyeo, Cheonan's world dance festival, Geumsan's ginseng festival, the Jeongseon Arirang Festival and Suwon's Hwaseong fortress festival all open between the third week of September and the first week of October, and several overlap the Chuseok holiday.

Tip. Chuseok (the harvest holiday) moves each year; festivals that overlap it are busier, and intercity transport sells out.

What's on in Korea in September

In September, 36 of the festivals on this site take place in Korea: Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show (4 Apr – 31 Oct 2026), Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade (18 Apr – 31 Oct 2026), Naora Show (25 Apr – 31 Oct 2026), Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening (1 May – 1 Nov 2026), Jeju Biennale (25 Aug – 15 Nov 2026), Semiwon Water Lily Festival (1 Sep – 31 Oct 2026) and 30 more. 26 of them are free to enter, some with paid activities. Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show is on now (4 Apr – 31 Oct 2026).

All checked on or after 16 October 2026. “Expected” dates follow the organizer's usual pattern.

FestivalWhereUsuallyNext datesEntry
Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show Goheung, Jeollanam-do Apr/May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct 4 Apr – 31 Oct 2026 Free entry
Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade Jeonju, Jeonbuk State Apr/May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct 18 Apr – 31 Oct 2026 Free entry
Naora Show Wonju, Gangwon State Apr/May/Jun/Sep/Oct 25 Apr – 31 Oct 2026 Free entry
Hwaseong Haenggung Night Opening Suwon, Gyeonggi-do May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov 1 May – 1 Nov 2026 Paid admission
Jeju Biennale Jeju City, Jeju Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov 25 Aug – 15 Nov 2026 Free + paid activities
Semiwon Water Lily Festival Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct 1 Sep – 31 Oct 2026 Paid admission
Hongseong Namdang Port King Prawn Festival Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do Aug/Sep/Oct/Nov 4 Sep – 8 Nov 2026 Free entry
Bulchwimugwi Night Market Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct 5 Sep – 31 Oct 2026 Free entry
Gwangju Biennale Gwangju Sep/Oct/Nov 5 Sep – 15 Nov 2026 Paid admission
Namdo K-Garden Festival Yeosu, Jeollanam-do Sep/Oct 11 Sep – 31 Oct 2026 Free entry
Pocheon Hantangang Garden Festa Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct/Nov 12 Sep – 1 Nov 2026 Paid admission
Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct/Nov 18 Sep – 1 Nov 2026 Paid admission
Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do Sep/Oct/Nov 22 Sep – 1 Nov 2026 Paid admission
Cheongju Craft Biennale Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Sep/Oct/Nov 2 Sep – 31 Oct 2027 Paid admission
Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour Seoul Apr/May/Sep/Oct Expected Apr/May/Sep/Oct 2027 Paid admission
Muju Firefly Festival Muju, Jeonbuk State Aug/Sep Expected Aug/Sep 2027 Free + paid activities
Yeongdong Grape Festival Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do Aug/Sep Expected Aug/Sep 2027 Free + paid activities
Andong Maskdance Festival Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free + paid activities
Baekje Cultural Festival Buyeo and Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Busan International Film Festival Busan Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free + paid activities
Cheonan World Dance Festival Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Chilgok Transmedia Festival Chilgok, Gyeongsangbuk-do Sep/Oct/Nov Expected Sep/Oct/Nov 2027 Free entry
EX Pumpkin Night Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Paid admission
Geumsan World K-Insam Festival Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free + paid activities
Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour Seoul Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Paid admission
Hyoseok Culture Festival Pyeongchang, Gangwon State Sep Expected Sep 2027 Free entry
Icheon Pet Festival Icheon, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Jeongseon Arirang Festival Jeongseon, Gangwon State Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Namhansanseong Autumn Festa Gwangju (Gyeonggi-do), Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Seogwipo Chilsimni Festival Seogwipo, Jeju Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Seosan Haemieupseong Festival Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Seoul International Fireworks Festival Seoul Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free + paid activities
Seoul Music Festival Seoul Sep/Oct/Nov Expected Sep/Oct/Nov 2027 Free entry
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free + paid activities
Ulsan Whale Festival Ulsan Sep/Oct Expected Sep/Oct 2027 Free entry
Seoul Petlympic Seoul Sep/Oct 2027 dates to be announced · usually Sep/Oct Free + paid activities

On now, coming up and expected

Nokdong Coastal Ferry Terminal at Nokdong Port in Goheung, where the drone show is held Happening now
Apr – Oct2026
4 –31
Sat–Sat
LightsGoheungFreeEnds todayAbout 4 h 40 min from Seoul

Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show

The Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show (고흥 녹동항 드론쇼) is a free drone light show over Nokdong Port in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, with Sorok Bridge behind it, held every Saturday at 21:00 from 4 April to 31 October 2026 (900 drones, busking from 20:00) and on the last Friday of each month in Goheung-eup. As of 19 October 2026 the season's last shows are Saturday 24 October, Friday 30 October (Goheung-eup) and Saturday 31 October; the 2027 season is expected from April.

Jeonju Hanok Village, where the parade runs, in 2022 Happening now
Apr – Oct2026
18 –31
Sat–Sat
TraditionJeonjuFreeEnds todayAbout 1 h 55 min from Seoul

Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade

The Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade (노상놀이야) is a free, one-hour folk parade along Taejo-ro, the main street of Jeonju Hanok Village, led by the giant dragon banners of Jeonju Gijeop-nori and pungmul drummers, with comic street plays on the way and a closing communal play in front of Gyeonggijeon Shrine. The 2026 season runs every Saturday, 15:00–16:00, from 18 April to 31 October, so the last two dates are 24 and 31 October; the 2027 season had not been announced as of 19 October 2026.

Happening now
Apr – Oct2026
25 –31
Sat–Sat
LightsWonjuFreeEnds todayAbout 50 min from Seoul

Naora Show

The Naora Show (나오라쇼, "Night of Light Show") is a free evening show at the Ganhyeon Tourist Area below Sogeumsan Grand Valley in Wonju, Gangwon: a media façade projected onto a river cliff about 250 m wide and 70 m high, with a music fountain that shoots up to 60 m. The 2026 season runs 25 April–31 October on Saturdays and public holidays only (none in July and August), 19:50–21:00, so the last 2026 shows are on Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October; the 2027 season is expected from late April.

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.

Happening now
Aug – Nov2026
25 –15
Tue–Sun
ArtsJeju CityUntil 15 NovBy air from Seoul

Jeju Biennale

The Jeju Biennale (제주비엔날레) is Jeju Island's contemporary art biennale, run by Jeju Museum of Art. The 5th edition, 'Iyahong: The Art of Metamorphosis', runs 25 August–15 November 2026 with 69 artists and teams at Jeju Museum of Art on the 1100 Road, the Obaekjanggun Gallery in Jeju Stone Park and three galleries in Jeju City's old town; in October and November the venues open 10:00–18:00.

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.

Deep-fried king prawns at the 2015 Namdang Port King Prawn Festival in Hongseong Happening now
Sep – Nov2026
4 –8
Fri–Sun
FoodHongseongFreeUntil 8 Nov

Hongseong Namdang Port King Prawn Festival

The Hongseong Namdang Port King Prawn Festival (홍성남당항 대하축제) is a two-month seafood festival at Namdang Port on Cheonsu Bay in Seobu-myeon, Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, where the port's restaurants and stalls sell in-season daeha prawns, usually salt-grilled, with weekend shows and bare-hand prawn catching. The 31st edition runs 4 September–8 November 2026, 09:00–24:00, with free entry; prawns are sold at one festival price of ₩45,000 per kg to take away or ₩60,000 per kg in restaurants.

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).

Inside an exhibition at the 2018 Gwangju Biennale Happening now
Sep – Nov2026
5 –15
Sat–Sun
ArtsGwangjuFreeUntil 15 NovAbout 2 h from Seoul

Gwangju Biennale

The Gwangju Biennale (광주비엔날레) is Korea's oldest contemporary art biennale, held since 1995, with its main exhibition at the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and pavilions in museums and historic houses around the city. The 16th edition, 'You Must Change Your Life', directed by Ho Tzu Nyen, runs 5 September–15 November 2026, 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays.

Happening now
Sep – Oct2026
11 –31
Fri–Sat
NatureYeosuFreeEnds todayAbout 3 h from Seoul

Namdo K-Garden Festival

The Namdo K-Garden Festival is a provincial garden festival that Jeollanam-do started in 2025 and moves between counties; the 2026 edition is a free night garden show of about 40 gardens on Yeomun Culture Street and Yeoseo Mikwan Plaza in central Yeosu. It runs every day from 11 September to 31 October 2026, 15:00–21:00, with the gardens lit after dark.

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.

Life-size dinosaur models in an exhibition hall at Danghangpo, the expo's site, in 2010 Happening now
Sep – Nov2026
22 –1
Tue–Sun
FamilyGoseongEnds tomorrowAbout 3 h 51 min from Seoul

Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo

The Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo is a 41-day dinosaur exhibition and show park at Danghangpo Tourist Site in Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, a county known for its dinosaur footprint fossils. The 10th edition runs 22 September–1 November 2026, 09:00–18:00 (until 22:00 on night-opening days); gate tickets are ₩19,000 for adults and ₩13,000 for children, and parking is free.

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.

Yeongdo Bridge in Busan with its drawbridge span raised Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
30 –1
Fri–Sun
TraditionBusanFreeEnds tomorrowAbout 2 h 30 min from Seoul

Yeongdo Bridge Festival

The Yeongdo Bridge Festival (영도다리축제) is a free three-day district festival in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, celebrating Yeongdo Bridge, which opened in 1934 as Korea's first drawbridge. The 34th edition runs 30 October–1 November 2026, 10:00–20:00, on two sites: the Bongnae-dong wharf beside the bridge (opening ceremony, retro shows) and Amir Park by the National Maritime Museum (song contest, cooking show, closing ceremony).

A view of the 2015 Cheongju International Craft Biennale Upcoming
Sep – Oct2027
2 –31
Thu–Sun
ArtsCheongjuAbout 1 h 52 min from Seoul

Cheongju Craft Biennale

The Cheongju Craft Biennale (청주공예비엔날레) is an international contemporary-craft exhibition held every two years since 1999 and, since 2011, at the Culture Factory, a converted tobacco plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong. The 15th edition is planned for 2 September–31 October 2027, according to the organizer's 2027 competition notice; the 2025 edition ran 60 days, 10:00–19:00 and closed on Mondays, and drew more than 400,000 visitors.

The Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace at night in April 2013 Expected
Expected2027
Apr / May / Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionSeoul

Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour

The Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour (창덕궁 달빛기행) is a ticketed, guided night walk by lantern light through Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden in central Seoul, with a daegeum flute solo, court dance, and tea with traditional sweets. It runs in spring and autumn: the autumn 2026 season ended on 17 October, and no 2027 dates had been announced as of 19 October 2026 (recent spring seasons have started in mid-April).

Aerial view of Uirimji Reservoir in Jecheon, with its small wooded island and the city beyond Expected
Expected2027
Aug / Sep
usual window
ArtsJecheonAbout 1 h 10 min from Seoul

Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

The Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) is Korea's festival of music films and live music, held every year since 2005 in Jecheon, North Chungcheong. The 22nd edition ran 3–8 September 2026 with 189 films from 45 countries in downtown cinemas and two nights of K-pop concerts on the Jecheon Arts Center's Summer Plaza; Asia Kyungje reported that the festival plans to move back to August in 2027, but no dates had been announced as of 19 October 2026.

A tunnel of tiny lights at the 2007 Muju Firefly Festival Expected
Expected2027
Aug / Sep
usual window
NatureMujuAbout 2 h 25 min from Seoul

Muju Firefly Festival

Muju Firefly Festival (무주반딧불축제) is a free nine-day festival in Muju, a mountain county in Jeonbuk with no railway, built around guided night trips to see fireflies in a protected habitat. The 30th edition ran 4–12 September 2026 around Deungnamu Stadium and the Namdaecheon stream; 2027 is expected in early September.

A balloon display of grape bunches spelling out the festival name at the 2009 Yeongdong Grape Festival, with booth tents behind Expected
Expected2027
Aug / Sep
usual window
FoodYeongdongAbout 2 h 20 min from Seoul

Yeongdong Grape Festival

The Yeongdong Grape Festival (영동포도축제) is a four-day harvest festival at the Rainbow Healing Tourist Site in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do, one of Korea's main grape and wine counties. The 21st edition ran 27–30 August 2026; the 2027 edition is expected in late August but has not been announced.

Masked dancers performing the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori at the 2018 Andong Maskdance Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionAndongAbout 2 h from Seoul

Andong Maskdance Festival

Andong Maskdance Festival (안동국제탈춤페스티벌) is a 10- or 11-day celebration of Korean and international mask dance held each late September–early October in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, at the old Andong Station site, Mask Dance Park and the old downtown. The 2026 edition ran 24 September–4 October (opening ceremony 25 September); 2027 is expected in the same window.

Lights along the Geumgang River below Gongsanseong Fortress at night during the 70th Baekje Cultural Festival in Gongju Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionBuyeo and GongjuFreeAbout 2 h 20 min from Seoul

Baekje Cultural Festival

The Baekje Cultural Festival is a nine- or ten-day heritage festival held at the same time in Buyeo and Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, the two former capitals of the Baekje kingdom. The 72nd edition ran 3–11 October 2026 with free admission; Buyeo events ran 10:00–22:00 and Gongju 11:00–22:00.

Busan Cinema Center during the 2020 Busan International Film Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
ArtsBusanAbout 2 h 40 min from Seoul

Busan International Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is a ten-day film festival centred on the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City, Haeundae-gu, with Community BIFF events in Nampo-dong, the old cinema district where it began in 1996. The 31st edition ran 6–15 October 2026 with 247 invited films from 59 countries; 2027 dates had not been announced as of 19 October 2026 (recent editions opened between mid-September and early October).

Dancers in bright costumes in the street parade of the 2014 Cheonan Heungtaryeong Dance Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
ArtsCheonanFreeAbout 40 min from Seoul

Cheonan World Dance Festival

Cheonan World Dance Festival (천안흥타령춤축제) is a free five-day dance festival in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, an hour south of Seoul, built around an international dance competition and an evening street parade. The 2026 edition ran 1–5 October at Cheonan Stadium and Cheonan Samgeori Park and drew 992,000 visitors; 2027 is expected in late September or early October.

The front of Waegwan Station in Chilgok, part of the festival area, in January 2019 Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct / Nov
usual window
ArtsChilgokFreeAbout 3 h 20 min from Seoul

Chilgok Transmedia Festival

The Chilgok Transmedia Festival is a free art festival in Waegwan, the main town of Chilgok County near Daegu, run by the county's culture and tourism foundation since 2023. The 4th edition, on the friendship between the poet Ku Sang and the painter Lee Jung-seop, sets media art in 11 spaces along a walking route from Waegwan Station to the Gusang Literature Museum, 15 September–25 October 2026, 09:00–18:00, closed on Mondays.

Gyeongju Expo Park and Gyeongju Tower, the festival's venue Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
LightsGyeongjuAbout 2 h 45 min from Seoul

EX Pumpkin Night

EX Pumpkin Night is a Halloween-themed night walk along the 2 km lit trail through Hwarang Forest (Luminight) at Gyeongju Expo Park, at the entrance to Gyeongju's Bomun resort area. The 2026 edition, built around the park mascots Hwani and Wani and Silla's twelve zodiac guardians, runs 24 September–24 October, 18:00–22:00 daily with last entry at 21:00; tickets are ₩10,000, or ₩8,000 booked online.

Visitors filling the festival streets of the 2009 Geumsan Ginseng Festival, seen from above Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
FoodGeumsanAbout 1 h 50 min from Seoul

Geumsan World K-Insam Festival

Geumsan World K-Insam Festival (금산세계인삼축제) is a free ten-day ginseng festival held each autumn at the World K-Insam Expo Square in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do, about 50 minutes by bus from Daejeon. The 2026 edition ran 2–11 October (10:00–21:00) and drew 1.17 million visitors; 2027 is expected in early October.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace lit up at night and reflected in its pond Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionSeoul

Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour

The Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour (경복궁 별빛야행) is a ticketed, guided night tour of the northern part of Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul, with a modern 12-dish royal meal in the palace kitchen, live traditional music and, in 2026, a short changgeuk opera about King Gojong at Jibokjae. The 2026 season runs 2 September–24 October, Wednesday to Sunday, in two sessions (18:20–20:10 and 19:30–21:20), and foreign visitors have their own sessions on 21–24 October, sold through Creatrip.

A buckwheat field in Bongpyeong, the festival's setting Expected
Expected2027
Sep
usual window
NaturePyeongchangFreeAbout 1 h 31 min from Seoul

Hyoseok Culture Festival

The Hyoseok Culture Festival (효석문화제) is a ten-day festival in Bongpyeong, Pyeongchang, Gangwon, held every September since 1999 among white buckwheat fields in the village that is the setting of Lee Hyo-seok's story "When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom". The 2026 edition ran 4–13 September, 10:00–17:00, with free entry (KTO); the 2027 dates are not announced, but ten days in early to mid September are expected.

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.

Aerial view of the Arirang Center in Jeongseon-eup, the town where the festival is held, with mountains behind Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
MusicJeongseonFreeAbout 2 h 46 min from Seoul

Jeongseon Arirang Festival

The Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제) is a free four-day festival of Jeongseon Arirang, the Gangwon county's own form of Arirang, Korea's UNESCO-listed folk song, held around Jeongseon Public Stadium in Jeongseon-eup every year since 1976. The 51st edition ran 1–4 October 2026 with a mass Arirang chorus, drones and fireworks on opening night, a street parade and national singing contests; the 2027 edition is expected in late September or early October, with dates not yet announced.

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.

Cheonjiyeon Falls in Seogwipo, beside the festival's main site Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionSeogwipoFreeBy air from Seoul

Seogwipo Chilsimni Festival

The Seogwipo Chilsimni Festival is Seogwipo's own civic festival, held on the car park beside Cheonjiyeon Falls and in the old town on Jeju's south coast. The 32nd edition runs Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 10:00–22:00 according to KTO, and entry is free.

The main gate of Haemieupseong Fortress in Seosan, the festival's venue Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
TraditionSeosanFreeAbout 1 h 35 min from Seoul

Seosan Haemieupseong Festival

The Seosan Haemieupseong Festival is a free history festival of three or four days inside Haemieupseong, a walled Joseon-era fortress town completed in 1421 in Haemi-myeon, Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, with royal procession re-enactments, martial-arts shows, hands-on Joseon activities and night media art on the walls. The 23rd edition ran 9–11 October 2026; the 2027 dates are not announced, but the festival is usually held in late September or early to mid October.

Fireworks over the Han River beside Yeouido's high-rises during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
LightsSeoul

Seoul International Fireworks Festival

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is a free one-night fireworks show over the Han River at Yeouido Hangang Park, staged by Hanwha with invited teams from abroad. The 22nd edition was on Saturday 5 September 2026, with shows by teams from the UK, the US and Korea from 20:00 to about 21:10; the 2027 date has not been announced.

Nodeul Island on the Han River, the festival's venue, in 2014 Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct / Nov
usual window
MusicSeoulFree

Seoul Music Festival

The Seoul Music Festival (서울뮤직페스티벌) is a free concert festival run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Nodeul Island in the Han River; the 2026 edition is a single day, Saturday 24 October, from 12:00 to 21:00. The main concert, 17:00–21:00, is curated with the Korean Music Awards and features Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Okdal, Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis and the Kim Chang-wan Band.

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.

Overhead view of Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village in Ulsan, with whale sculptures among the paths Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
FamilyUlsanFreeAbout 3 h from Seoul

Ulsan Whale Festival

The Ulsan Whale Festival (울산고래축제) is a free four-day festival at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone in Nam-gu, Ulsan, a former whaling port that is now Korea's only whale-culture district. The 30th edition ran from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026, 10:00–21:00, with a whale parade, fireworks, concerts and children's programmes.

World Cup Park in Seoul, the festival's venue Dates TBA
Dates TBA2027
Sep / Oct
usual window
FamilySeoul

Seoul Petlympic

Seoul Petlympic is a two-day dog-sports festival run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Peace Plaza in World Cup Park, Mapo-gu, where owners and their dogs try beginner events such as a sit-stay, a recall sprint, a cone slalom and a 15 m team sprint, or walk a 4 km Dog Trail through Peace Park. The second edition runs 24–25 October 2026, 10:00–17:00.