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Hi, I’m SeoulAslanKorea Grand Festival 2026: What Foreign Tourists Get
The 2nd Korea Grand Festival runs from Thu Oct 29 to Sun Nov 15, 2026, and foreign visitors can save real money during it. The three biggest benefits are free entry to the Seoul palaces and royal tombs, Korea Welcome Week coupons (eSIM and portable Wi-Fi up to 25% off, tours and activities up to 35% off) and up to 25% off at 25 duty-free shops. The coupons sit on an official English page, and palace entry needs no booking.
Checked Oct 29, 2026
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I really dislike crowds, so I read the Korean notices for this festival to see which parts are worth planning around. The government says about 40,000 businesses are taking part, and most of the official site is in Korean. This guide keeps only what a visitor can use. The palace photos here are mine, from Changdeokgung in March 2026 and Gyeongbokgung in April 2022.
Jump to: Who it is for · Duty-free deals · How duty-free works · Welcome Week · Free palaces · Plan around · What to watch · FAQ
Is the Korea Grand Festival for tourists or locals?
It is a nationwide, government-run shopping and culture period, and it covers both. Most of it is in Korean, but three parts are built for people visiting from abroad: Korea Welcome Week, the Korea Duty-Free FESTA and free palace entry.
The combined opening ceremony is on Oct 31 near the old Andong Station in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. You do not need to go there to use any of the benefits below.
What do foreigners get at duty-free shops?
The Korea Duty-Free FESTA 2026 (autumn edition) runs Oct 29 to Nov 15. It is organised by the Korea Customs Service and the Korea Duty Free Shops Association. Twenty-five duty-free shops take part, including airports, seaports, downtown stores and online shops. The headline is up to 25% off on items such as liquor and cosmetics, plus gifts, points or prepaid cards that depend on how much you spend.
The spring edition (Apr 25 to May 31) went up to 60%. This autumn round tops out at 25%, so do not expect the spring numbers.
These four operator offers are confirmed:
- Lotte Duty Free: up to 15% off for GOLD membership holders.
- Hyundai Duty Free: up to 15% off for GOLD membership holders.
- Shilla Duty Free: a 5,000 won voucher when you spend US$100 or more.
- Shinsegae Duty Free: 10,000 won shopping support online.
Lotte also has a tourist membership card of its own, and my LOTTE Tourist Membership Card guide explains how it works. The other shops run their own offers, so check each shop's page before you go.
How does duty-free shopping work for foreigners?
At a downtown duty-free shop, you show your passport and your departure flight details. You do not carry the goods out of the shop. What you buy is handed over at the duty-free pickup counter in the airport departure area, on the day you leave Korea.
That means two things. Downtown purchases are not delivered to your hotel, and you cannot collect them when you arrive. Also, your home country has its own customs allowance, which is separate from Korean rules. Check your own country's limits before you buy.
If you still need won for the rest of the trip, my Myeongdong money exchange guide covers rates and rules.
What is Korea Welcome Week?
Korea Welcome Week is the part of the festival made for foreign tourists. It runs Oct 30 to Nov 15. Welcome booths with multilingual tourist information stand at major entry points, including Incheon Airport and Busan Port. The booths also hand out information on regional festivals, to encourage trips outside Seoul.
The discounts are:
- Portable Wi-Fi and eSIM: up to 25% off.
- AREX (Airport Railroad) Express train: 2,000 won off.
- Partner payment methods: up to 10% off or cashback.
- Tours and activities: up to 35% off.
The coupons are on the official page at koreawelcomeweek.com/eng, in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Each partner's coupon is listed there, so pick the one you want on that page. For the train itself, my AREX Express vs All-Stop guide explains which one to take.
If you would rather sort it before you fly, these are separate from the festival coupons, which stay on the official page. An Airalo Korea eSIM can be installed at home, so it works the moment you land. A Klook AREX Express voucher lets you book the airport train before you leave.
Are the palaces really free?
Yes, for everyone, foreigners included. From Oct 29 to Nov 15, entry is free at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs. You do not need to book. The K-Heritage cultural goods shops at the palaces also take 10% off selected items. Closing days and the Huwon tour are not covered, and I put the full details in my free palaces guide.
What should I plan around?
Most of the savings are easy. The dates are what trip you up, so write these down:
- Mondays, Nov 2 and 9: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and the royal tombs are closed.
- Tuesdays, Nov 3 and 10: Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo are closed.
- Gyeongbokgung in November: it closes at 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm.
- Huwon tour: the Changdeokgung Secret Garden tour is not free. It costs 5,000 won.
- Welcome Week: it starts on Oct 30, one day after the festival.
- The end: everything above stops on Sun Nov 15.
- Duty-free: you pick up on the day you leave, so buy before your last day in Korea.
Since I dislike crowds, I would take a palace on a weekday morning.
If you arrive at Incheon in this period, my airport-to-Seoul guide lists every way into the city.
What should I watch after this?
Check the Welcome Week page again during the festival. Partners and coupons can be added while it runs, and I will update the date at the top of this guide when something changes. The duty-free event has also had two rounds this year, spring (Apr 25 to May 31) and now autumn, so next year's dates are worth following.
FAQ
Can foreigners use the Korea Grand Festival discounts?
Yes, the visitor parts are made for you: Korea Welcome Week coupons, the duty-free offers and free palace entry. Other offers from the 40,000 businesses are listed in Korean on the official site, so read each offer's terms.
Where do I get the Korea Welcome Week coupons?
On the official page, koreawelcomeweek.com/eng, which is in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Pick the coupon there. Welcome booths at entry points such as Incheon Airport and Busan Port give tourist information.
How much can I save at Korean duty-free shops this autumn?
Up to 25% on items such as liquor and cosmetics at the 25 shops taking part. Lotte and Hyundai give GOLD members up to 15%, Shilla gives a 5,000 won voucher for US$100 or more, and Shinsegae gives 10,000 won online.
Can I pick up downtown duty-free purchases when I arrive?
No. You show your passport and departure flight details at the shop, and you collect the goods at the duty-free pickup counter in the airport departure area on the day you leave.
More guides
Sources
- Korea Herald, Oct 27, 2026
- Seoul Economic Daily, Oct 27, 2026 (Korean)
- Etoday, Oct 29, 2026 (Korean)
- Financial News, Oct 27, 2026
- Seoul Economic Daily (English), Oct 27, 2026 (duty-free operator offers)
- Financial Consumer News (Korean, duty-free operator offers and Welcome Week)
- Korea Grand Festival official site (Korean)
- Korea Welcome Week official page
- Shilla Duty Free FAQ (pickup rules, Korean)
- Our palace guide (closing days from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center notice)
— SeoulAslan
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