.jpg?width=960)
At a glance
| Dates | Expected Sep/Oct/Nov 2027Late September to early November 2027 if the pattern since 2022 holds; nothing announced as of 18 October 2026. The length (one to four days) and the venue have changed most years. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Late September to early November 2027 if the pattern since 2022 holds; nothing announced as of 18 October 2026. The length (one to four days) and the venue have changed most years. |
| Weather | September average 26/18 °C (79/64 °F), 142 mm of rain October average 20/11 °C (68/51 °F), 52 mm of rain November average 12/4 °C (53/38 °F), 51 mm of rainMild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Seoul station. |
| Admission | Free. Concert seats must be booked in advance; the side programmes and the food zone are on the open island (food is paid).Entry and concert seats: Free (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Nodeul Island (Grass Plaza)서울특별시 용산구 양녕로 445 |
| Nearest station | Nodeul Station (노들역), Seoul Subway Line 9, Exit 2About 8 minutes (about 740 m) north along Hangang Bridge to the island |
| From Seoul | In Seoul · SubwayFull route |
| Organizer | Seoul Metropolitan Government서울특별시 |
| Usual timing | One to four days in autumn, between late September and early November: 13–16 Oct 2022, 22–24 Sep 2023, 27–29 Sep 2024, 1–2 Nov 2025 and 24 Oct 2026 (one day). First held 28 Sep–6 Oct 2019 on Gwanghwamun Square; not held in person in 2020 and 2021. Browse September / October / November festivals. |
| First held | 2019 |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026Checked against 13 sources · See sources |
What it is like
The Seoul Music Festival (서울뮤직페스티벌) is the Seoul Metropolitan Government's free autumn festival of Korean popular music. It began in 2019 as nine days of K-pop stages on Gwanghwamun Square, came back in 2022 as the first in-person edition in three years, and moved that year to Nodeul Island, the small island in the Han River crossed by Hangang Bridge. It has stayed there every year since except 2025, when it was held at the Culture Depot (Mapo Oil Tank Culture Park) in Mapo-gu. The length changes from year to year: four days in 2022, three in 2023 and 2024, two in 2025 and one in 2026.
The 2026 edition is on Saturday 24 October from 12:00 to 21:00, and its line-up was put together with the Korean Music Awards (한국대중음악상), mixing award winners and nominees with popular names, newer musicians and long-standing favourites. The main concert, from 17:00 to 21:00 on the island's Grass Plaza, has Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Okdal (옥상달빛), Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis and the Kim Chang-wan Band, with GLL in the pre-show. From 12:00 to 18:00 the island has an album exhibition and listening zone for the awards, karaoke, photo booths, a photo zone with Haechi, the city's mascot, and busking and music talks; the food zone stays open until 20:00.
Entry is free, but seats in the concert area are booked in advance on Yes24, up to two per person. You show the mobile ticket at the on-site booth between 12:00 and 18:00 to get a wristband, and the entry queue forms from 15:30. The Seoul Foreign Resident Center has set aside 100 seats for foreign nationals. Nodeul Island reopened on 18 September 2026 after the city rebuilt its waterfront area, and it is about 8 minutes on foot from Nodeul Station on Line 9.
The honest caveats: free seats go fast (in 2024 every seat was booked within a day of opening), booking is on a Korean ticket site, the line-up is entirely Korean, and the island is open to the river wind after dark. In 2024 outside food was not allowed and only bottled water of up to 500 ml could be brought in, and in 2025 rain held up the first evening's concert for a while.
Highlights
- Free one-day festival on Saturday 24 October 2026, 12:00–21:00, on the Grass Plaza of Nodeul Island in the middle of the Han River
- Main concert 17:00–21:00 curated with the Korean Music Awards: Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Okdal, Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis and the Kim Chang-wan Band, with GLL in the pre-show
- Side programmes 12:00–18:00: Korean Music Awards album exhibition and listening zone, karaoke, photo booths, a Haechi photo zone, busking and music talks
- SMF Food Zone open 12:00–20:00
- 100 seats set aside for foreign nationals through the Seoul Foreign Resident Center in 2026
- Sunset over the Han River before the 17:00 start, on an island that reopened on 18 September 2026 after renovation
Who it suits. Best for travellers in Seoul on 24 October who want a free afternoon and evening of Korean ballad, indie and rock acts by the river at sunset; less suited to anyone who cannot book on a Korean ticket site in advance, since free seats went within a day in 2024, or who wants international headliners.
Getting there
From Seoul
Line 9 to Nodeul Station, Exit 2, then walk about 8 minutes (roughly 700–740 m) north along Hangang Bridge onto the island. From the north side of the river, Yongsan Station (Line 1) and Sinyongsan Station (Line 4) are the alternatives, followed by a walk or a bus across Hangang Bridge. Buses that serve Nodeul Island include 150, 151, 152, 500, 501, 504, 506, 507, 605, 742, 750A, 750B, 752 and 6211.
From Incheon Airport
AREX to Gimpo Airport Station, then a Line 9 local (all-stop) train to Nodeul Station, Exit 2; or AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 1 to Yongsan Station and cross Hangang Bridge.
Last leg from Nodeul Station
Seoul Subway Line 9, Exit 2. About 8 minutes (about 740 m) north along Hangang Bridge to the island
Getting home
The concert ends at 21:00, long before the last Line 9, Line 1 and Line 4 trains; expect a queue at Nodeul Station when the crowd leaves together.
Parking
No festival parking was announced. The city's citizen reporter points to the large car park at the north end of Hangang Bridge and the Ichon Hangang Park car parks, then a walk onto the island, and recommends public transport.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry and concert seats | Free | Free; seats booked on Yes24, up to 2 per person, and exchanged for a wristband on site. Whether a booking fee applies was not found. |
- Booking
- Book free seats on Yes24 (performance 60368), up to 2 per person. Show the mobile ticket at the on-site ticket booth (12:00–18:00) for a wristband; the queue for the concert area forms 15:30–16:00. The booking opening date was not found. Foreign nationals can also apply for 100 seats set aside by the Seoul Foreign Resident Center (one foreign companion each, first come first served). Inquiries: 070-4272-7330.
- English on site
- No English information from the organizer was found; the Seoul Foreign Resident Center reserved 100 seats for foreign nationals in 2026.
- Crowds
- Expect a full concert area: in 2024 all 2,500 outdoor and 800 indoor seats were booked within a day of opening (11–12 September), and fans arrived about an hour early for good spots.
- Best time to go
- Arrive in the early afternoon to collect your wristband (12:00–18:00) and see the side programmes, join the entry queue from 15:30, and watch the sunset over the river before the 17:00 start.
- What to bring
- Your mobile ticket and original ID (photos and copies of ID were refused at the 2024 wristband booth), a warm layer for the river wind after dark and a raincoat. In 2024 outside food was banned, water was limited to bottles of up to 500 ml, and mats and camping chairs were not allowed in the concert area.
- Rain
- Not published for 2026. In 2025 rain held up the first evening's concert for safety, the organizers handed out raincoats, and the show went on once the rain stopped.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Late September to early November 2027 if the pattern since 2022 holds; nothing announced as of 18 October 2026. The length (one to four days) and the venue have changed most years. | expected | Free seats have gone on sale only days to about two weeks before the festival (28 Sep for 13 Oct in 2022, 11 Sep for 27 Sep in 2024, 28 Oct for 1 Nov in 2025), so watch the city's announcements from September. |
| 2026 | 24 Oct 2026 | ended | Grass Plaza (잔디마당), Nodeul Island; the island reopened on 18 September 2026 after renovation of its waterfront area. |
| 2025 | 1–2 Nov 2025 | ended | Munhwa Madang, Culture Depot (Mapo Oil Tank Culture Park), 87 Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, about 10 minutes on foot from World Cup Stadium Station (Line 6), Exits 2 and 3; not Nodeul Island. |
| 2024 | 27–29 Sep 2024 | ended | Noeul Stage on the Nodeul Island lawn; Naru Stage in the indoor live house; talk show at Nodeul Seoga. |
| 2023 | 22–24 Sep 2023 | ended | Nodeul Island, with an indoor live-house stage |
| 2022 | 13–16 Oct 2022 | ended | First year on Nodeul Island (lawn and Nodeul Square) |
| 2019 | 28 Sep – 6 Oct 2019 | ended | Gwanghwamun Square |
Nearby
- Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원). Riverside park on the north bank at the far end of Hangang Bridge, with lawns and cycle paths along the Han.
- Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진수산시장). Seoul's big seafood market beside Noryangjin Station, one stop from Nodeul on Line 9, where you can buy fish and have it prepared at restaurants upstairs.
- National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관). Korea's national museum north of the river in Yongsan, with free permanent galleries.
- Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도한강공원). Seoul's busiest Han River park, a short ride west on Line 9 to Yeouido Station.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Seoul Music Festival 2026?
Saturday 24 October 2026, 12:00–21:00, on Nodeul Island in the Han River. The main concert runs from 17:00 to 21:00; side programmes run 12:00–18:00 and the food zone until 20:00.
Is the Seoul Music Festival free?
Yes. All seats are free, but concert seats must be booked in advance on Yes24, up to 2 per person, and exchanged for a wristband at the on-site booth between 12:00 and 18:00.
Who is playing in 2026?
Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Okdal (옥상달빛), Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis and the Kim Chang-wan Band, with GLL in the pre-show. The line-up was chosen with the Korean Music Awards, mixing award winners and nominees with popular artists and veterans.
How do I get to Nodeul Island?
Take Line 9 to Nodeul Station, Exit 2, and walk about 8 minutes along Hangang Bridge to the island. From the north bank, use Yongsan Station (Line 1) or Sinyongsan Station (Line 4) and cross the bridge; many buses, including 150, 151, 152 and 6211, also serve the island.
Can foreign visitors get seats?
Yes. Besides Yes24, the Seoul Foreign Resident Center set aside 100 seats for foreign nationals in 2026, first come first served, with one foreign companion per applicant. How to apply was not stated in the sources found.
What if I don't get a ticket?
The side programmes (12:00–18:00) and the food zone (to 20:00) are on the open island. In 2024 people without a booking sat on Nodeul Square and listened from outside the concert area; whether the same is possible in 2026 was not announced.
Is the festival always on Nodeul Island?
Mostly. It began on Gwanghwamun Square in 2019, moved to Nodeul Island in 2022, and was held at the Culture Depot in Mapo-gu in 2025 before returning to the island in 2026.
What is the weather like during Seoul Music Festival?
September in Seoul: average high 26 °C (79 °F), low 18 °C (64 °F), 142 mm of rain (Seoul station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). October in Seoul: average high 20 °C (68 °F), low 11 °C (51 °F), 52 mm of rain (Seoul station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). November in Seoul: average high 12 °C (53 °F), low 4 °C (38 °F), 51 mm of rain (Seoul station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
22 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- KTO TourAPI listing 2026 서울뮤직페스티벌 (contentId 2857763)kto — 24 Oct 2026, 12:00–21:00, free, Nodeul Island at 445 Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, coordinates, organizer Seoul Metropolitan Government, phone 070-4272-7330, homepage, curation with the Korean Music Awards (winners, nominees, popular artists, new musicians, legends)
- KTO tourist data — 2026 서울뮤직페스티벌 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Line-up Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Okdal, Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis, Kim Chang-wan Band, pre-show GLL; album exhibition, listening zone, karaoke, photo booth, food zone, Haechi photo zone, busking and talk show
- Popga — 2026 서울뮤직페스티벌 listing (links to Yes24)other — Sat 24 Oct 2026 on the Nodeul Island Grass Plaza; free seated and standing areas; Yes24 performance 60368, up to 2 tickets per person; wristband booth 12:00–18:00; entry queue 15:30–16:00; main concert 17:00–21:00; all ages; PLOT Inc. and the Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Travel And Tour World — free live music at Nodeul Island (15 Oct 2026)news — Side programmes 12:00–18:00, food zone 12:00–20:00, main concert 17:00–21:00; 100 seats for foreign nationals through the Seoul Foreign Resident Center with one foreign companion each; Yongsan (Line 1), Sinyongsan (Line 4) and Nodeul (Line 9) stations; Nodeul Exit 2 about 700 m
- Seoul Mediahub — Nodeul Island after its reopening (29 Sep 2026)municipal — Island reopened 18 Sep 2026 after renovation of the waterfront area; Nodeul Station Exit 2 about 738 m; buses 150, 151, 152, 500, 501, 504, 506, 507, 605, 742, 750A, 750B, 752, 6211; car parks at the north end of Hangang Bridge and in Ichon Hangang Park; public transport recommended
- Seoul Mediahub — Nodeul Island visitor guide (12 Sep 2023)municipal — Nodeul Station (Line 9) Exit 2, about 8 minutes on foot; food outlets mostly in Nodeul Square; address 445 Yangnyeong-ro
- Seoul Mediahub — 2025 서울뮤직페스티벌 opens, booking startsmunicipal — 2025 dates 1–2 Nov at the Culture Depot, start times 17:30 and 16:00, line-ups, TicketLink booking from 28 Oct 13:00 with a ₩1,000 fee, 100 family seats a day, open-area viewing without seats, side programmes
- Seoul Mediahub — 2025 festival at the Culture Depot (3 Nov 2025)municipal — Rain delayed the first evening's concert, raincoats handed out; Culture Depot at 87 Jeungsan-ro, about 10 minutes from World Cup Stadium Station Exits 2 and 3
- Seoul Mediahub — 2024 서울뮤직페스티벌 booking opens on 11 Sepmunicipal — 2024 dates 27–29 Sep, Noeul Stage from about 17:00, Naru Stage 15:00, talk show 13:00, line-ups, Naver booking from 11 Sep 11:00, 2 per person, 2,500 and 800 seats, all booked by 12 Sep; first held 2019, on Nodeul Island since 2022
- Seoul Mediahub — 2024 festival reviewmunicipal — Wristbands from 12:00 with original ID only; Nodeul Square activities 12:00–18:00; no outside food, water up to 500 ml, no mats or camping chairs in the concert area; up to 55 family teams on 29 Sep; fans arrived about an hour early; non-ticket holders listened from Nodeul Square; sunset views
- Seoul Mediahub — 2023 서울뮤직페스티벌 on Nodeul Islandmunicipal — 2023 dates 22–24 Sep, third edition, free, Starplanet booking from 6 Sep and a lottery for 7–9 Sep applications, line-ups; began 2019 on Gwanghwamun Square, moved to Nodeul Island in 2022
- Seoul Mediahub — 2022 Nodeul Island music festival, all seats freemunicipal — 2022 dates 13–16 Oct, main concerts from 19:00, Naver booking from 28 Sep 10:00, 2 per person per session, first in-person edition in three years, first held 2019 on Gwanghwamun Square, K-pop Cover Dance Festival World Final with teams from 13 countries, line-ups
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — 2019 서울뮤직페스티벌 at Gwanghwamun Squareofficial — 2019 dates 28 Sep–6 Oct (nine days) on Gwanghwamun Square; free tickets with a ₩1,000 booking fee through Hana Tour
What we could not confirm
- When Yes24 booking opened for 2026, whether seats remain, whether a booking fee applies and whether a Korean phone number is needed
- How foreign nationals apply for the 100 Seoul Foreign Resident Center seats
- Whether people without a booking can enter the concert area or listen from outside it in 2026, as they could in 2024
- Set order and times for each act; the Yes24-linked listing also names 김태형 among the performers without saying in what role
- Rain policy, food and bag rules, restrooms and accessibility for 2026 were not published
- Official Japanese and Chinese names not found
- Whether the festival ran online in 2020 and 2021 (the city called 2022 the first in-person edition in three years)
- The city's own 2026 announcement was not found; dates, hours and line-up come from KTO data, a Yes24-linked listing and news
Changes: 2026-10-18 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-19 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found. · 2026-10-19 — Added a Wikimedia Commons photograph of Nodeul Island, the venue (travel oriented, CC BY-SA 2.0). · 2026-10-22 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found.
