Seoul and Busan Festivals, Oct 12–31, 2026: Dates, Costs, Exits

Checked Oct 10, 2026

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Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge at night, Busan. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1)

Between Oct 12 and Oct 31, 2026, Seoul and Busan have 11 events worth planning around. Free to walk in: the Seoul Silver Grass Festival (Oct 17 to 23), the Hangang drone show (Sat Oct 31), Busan's Saturday drone shows at Gwangalli Beach, and the Seoul palaces from Oct 29. Book or sign up early for the Joseon Royal Tombs Festival (foreigners book in English on Creatrip), the Hansik Festa (sign-up opens Mon Oct 12) and the Namsan Night Festival (booking opens Mon Oct 12). The Busan International Film Festival ends Oct 15. Each event below has the date, place, subway exit, cost and one tip.

WindowMon Oct 12 to Sat Oct 31, 2026 (plus one Busan event on Nov 7)

SeoulSilver Grass · Royal Tombs · Gourmet Week · Hansik Festa · Namsan Night · Hangang drone show · palaces free entry

BusanFilm Festival (last days) · Jagalchi Festival · Pork Soup Grand Fair · Gwangalli drone shows · Fireworks Nov 7

Free, no bookingSilver Grass · Hangang drone show · Gwangalli drone show · palaces from Oct 29

Book earlyRoyal Tombs (Creatrip) · Namsan Night · Hansik Festa sign-up · Film Festival tickets

HalloweenSat Oct 31. Crowd rules in Itaewon: see the Halloween section

Jump to: Calendar · Seoul · Busan · Halloween · What needs booking · FAQ

What is on, day by day?

The events in this post by date. Chart: Before You Go Korea

Dates (2026)	Event	City	Cost
Mon Oct 12 to Thu Oct 15	Busan International Film Festival, last four days	Busan	Ticketed
Thu Oct 15 to Sun Oct 18	Jagalchi Festival	Busan	No entry fee listed; seafood tasting free
Fri Oct 16 to Sun Oct 18	Busan Pork Soup Grand Fair, showcase	Busan	No price listed
Fri Oct 16 to Sun Oct 25	Joseon Royal Tombs Festival (Mon Oct 19 is the tombs' rest day)	Seoul area	Opening and Royal Stage free; musical 15,000 won
Sat Oct 17 to Fri Oct 23	Seoul Silver Grass Festival	Seoul	No ticket listed (free in 2025)
Sat Oct 17, 24 and 31	Gwangalli drone show, 19:00 and 21:00	Busan	Free
Fri Oct 23 to Sun Oct 25	Hansik Festa, National Museum of Korea	Seoul	No price listed; hands-on programs need sign-up
Fri Oct 23 to Thu Oct 29	Seoul Gourmet Week (market at DDP Oct 24 to 25)	Seoul	No price listed yet
Fri Oct 23 to Sat Nov 14	Namsan Night Festival (booking needed)	Seoul	Refundable deposit: 10,000 won per team or 5,000 won per person
Thu Oct 29 to Sun Nov 15	Palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs free entry	Seoul area	Free
Sat Oct 31	Hangang drone show, Ttukseom	Seoul	Free
Sat Nov 7 (just after)	Busan Fireworks Festival	Busan	Paid seats 70,000 and 100,000 won

Seoul events

Seoul Silver Grass Festival, Oct 17 to 23

WhenSat Oct 17 to Fri Oct 23, 10:00 to 21:00

WhereHaneul Park, World Cup Park, western Seoul

SubwayLine 6, World Cup Stadium Station (월드컵경기장역) or Mapo-gu Office Station (마포구청역), then about 40 minutes on foot (Seoul city)

CostNo ticket listed in the 2026 notice. The 2025 festival was free

TipGo up in the late afternoon to see the grass in low sun

This is the 25th year. Seoul city recommends public transport because traffic will be very congested, and says the electric car boards at the Nanjicheon Park car park. It has been a long time since I went. I used to get off at World Cup Stadium Station, buy lunch at the gimbap shops next to the stadium, cross the footbridge and climb the stairs step by step. The walk-up plan, the electric car and the cold are in my Silver Grass Festival guide.

Joseon Royal Tombs Festival, Oct 16 to 25

WhenOpening Fri Oct 16, 19:30. Festival Sat Oct 17 to Sun Oct 25. Mon Oct 19 is the tombs' rest day, but a few programs still run

Where12 royal tomb sites. Opening at Yunggeolleung (융건릉), Hwaseong. In Seoul: Seolleung and Jeongneung (선릉과 정릉), Gangnam

CostOpening and Royal Stage concerts are free for foreigners on Creatrip. Musical 15,000 won (US$11.19 on Creatrip). Entry to the tombs is free every Wednesday, including Oct 21

BookForeigners book in English on Creatrip. Booking opened Sep 15

TipLast year the opening and the main show sold out on the day booking opened (Herald Business, Oct 2025)

The closest show to central Seoul is the Royal Stage at Seolleung and Jeongneung with jazz singer Youn Sun Nah on Sat Oct 17. Check the start time on the Creatrip page. My Royal Tombs Festival guide has every show, the booking steps and how to get to Yunggeolleung.

Seoul Gourmet Week, Oct 23 to 29

WhenFri Oct 23 to Thu Oct 29. Gourmet Market Sat Oct 24 to Sun Oct 25

WhereDongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Eoullim Square and Art Hall 1, plus restaurants across Seoul

SubwayDongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5), Exit 1

CostNot listed yet. Details are released on the event site and its social media

EnglishThe event site has an English version

TipUse the 100-restaurant list to plan the week

It is Seoul city's food week. The Korea Times lists four parts: Restaurant Week, the Gourmet Market, Gourmet Tours and Gourmet Workshops. The market page lists pop-up booths and two workshops for Oct 24 and 25 at DDP. The Seoul Gourmet 100 list that goes with it is in my guide to the 100 restaurants.

Hansik Festa, Oct 23 to 25

The main hall of the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan-gu. The Hansik Festa is in the museum auditorium and around the Mirror Pond. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1)

WhenFri Oct 23 to Sun Oct 25. The Oct 23 ceremony for the first Hansik Day and the conference are in the museum auditorium

WhereNational Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관): the auditorium and the Mirror Pond (거울못) area

SubwayLine 4 or Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Ichon Station (이촌역), Exit 2, then the Museum Nadeulgil path to the west gate

Sign-upConference sign-up from Oct 8. Hands-on programs from Mon Oct 12. Both by Naver form, first come first served

CostNo festival price listed yet. Museum entry is free except paid special exhibitions

TipDetails are on the Korea Food Promotion Institute's official Instagram

Oct 24 is Hansik Day (한식의 날), the first year it is a legal anniversary. Around the Mirror Pond, all three days, the program lists cooking demonstrations by masters and chefs, a Hansik golden bell quiz, a talk show on Korean food in films, cooking classes, cultural performances, a company showcase, restaurant pop-up stores and a flea market. Parking at the museum is paid and limited, and the museum recommends public transport.

Namsan Night Festival, Oct 23 to Nov 14

DatesFri Oct 23 to Sat Nov 14, 2026 (Seoul Parks notice)

BookingCampnic and Autumn Leaf Walk open Mon Oct 12 at 10:00, week by week. Palgak Club opens Mon Nov 2 at 10:00

WhereNamsan Park (남산공원): Baekbeom Plaza (Campnic), Yejang Park (Autumn Leaf Walk), in front of the Palgakjeong pavilion near N Seoul Tower (Palgak Club)

CampnicPicnic and camping at sunset. Fri and Sat for three weeks between Oct 23 and Nov 7, 17:00 to 22:00. 100 teams a day, up to 4 people per team

Autumn Leaf WalkOct 23 and 24, Nov 6 and 7, 16:00 to 21:00. 700 people a day

Palgak ClubSat Nov 14, 17:30 to 19:00 and 19:30 to 21:00. 300 people per session

CostA deposit paid when you book: 10,000 won per team for Campnic, 5,000 won per person for the Walk and Palgak Club. It is refunded when your attendance is confirmed

ContactFestival office 070-5226-0759. The festival website opens Oct 12

Seoul city's Park Leisure Projects division runs it, and the details are in a notice on the Seoul Parks site. Seoul city's October table lists Fri and Sat nights on Oct 23 to 24 and Oct 30 to 31, so the days can differ by program. Book from the dates shown on the booking page.

Getting there: don't plan on a taxi. Private cars and taxis have been barred from Namsan Park since May 1, 2005. Seoul's Namsan Park page names Myeongdong, Chungmuro and Dongguk University stations as starting points for the circular bus. In Seoul city's 2024 bus guide, buses 01A and 01B start at the Namsan Yejang bus transfer lot, pass Chungmuro Station and Dongguk Univ. Station and go up to N Seoul Tower. The first bus was 06:30 and the last 23:00.

Palaces free entry, Oct 29 to Nov 15

WhenThu Oct 29 to Sun Nov 15

WhereGyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs

CostFree. Not free: the Changdeokgung Huwon (Secret Garden) tour, which has its own ticket and booking

ClosedMondays Nov 2 and 9: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, royal tombs. Tuesdays Nov 3 and 10: Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo

BookNo booking for palace entry

Closing days, November hours and a one-day route are in my free palace entry guide. For the paid night programs and foreigner sessions, see my palace events guide.

Hangang Drone Light Show, Sat Oct 31

The riverside at Ttukseom Hangang Park, Gwangjin-gu. The Oct 31 show is at the park's water stage. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1)

WhenSat Oct 31. Stage performance 19:30 to 20:30, drone show 20:30 to 20:45, second performance 20:45 to 21:15

WhereWater stage (수변무대), Ttukseom Hangang Park

SubwayLine 7, Jayang Station (자양역), Exit 1

CostFree, on-site viewing

EnglishThe official site has an English page

TipThe park's public Wi-Fi is switched off from 12:00 to 21:30 on show days. Bring mobile data

Seoul city says Exits 2 and 3 at Jayang Station may be restricted, and parking lots 3 and 4 may keep cars in until 21:30, so take the subway. Wind or rain can delay or cancel the show, so check the official site or its Instagram on the day. If you have no data plan, a Korea eSIM is the easy fix (SKT and LG U+ networks, 1 to 30 days, from US$1.25 on Oct 9).

Busan events

Busan International Film Festival, until Oct 15

When31st edition, Tue Oct 6 to Thu Oct 15. Last four days: Mon Oct 12 to Thu Oct 15

WhereBusan Cinema Center (Roof Theater, Cinema 1 and 2) and the Culture Hall on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City

SubwayLine 2, Centum City Station (센텀시티역), Exit 12 or 6, about 7 minutes on foot

CostTicketed. Prices are on the ticket site

EnglishThe official site is in English

Bookticket.biff.kr. Call center 1666-9177, weekdays 10:00 to 17:00

The festival opened one day earlier than usual, on a Tuesday, this year. If you land in Busan on Oct 12 or later, you have four days left, so check the ticket site for seats before you plan around a film.

Jagalchi Festival, Oct 15 to 18

The I love JAGALCHI sign by the harbor. The festival is at Jagalchi Market and Yurari Plaza. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1)

When33rd edition, Thu Oct 15 to Sun Oct 18. Opening Thu Oct 15, 19:00

WhereJagalchi Market and Yurari Plaza, Jung-gu, Busan

SubwayLine 1, Jagalchi Station (자갈치역), Exit 10, about 5 minutes on foot

CostEntry fee not stated in the announcement. The seafood tasting is free

EnglishJung-gu says an interpreter information booth will be set up for foreign visitors

TipOpening night: ceremony at 19:00 on the main stage, then the Namhang sea fireworks, then a concert

The program in Jung-gu's announcement (reported Oct 8) includes a ritual for the market's guardian deity, a street parade from the Busan Modern History Museum through Gwangbok-ro to the main stage, an eel relay race, a "find the golden fish" game and an attempt at the world's largest hoe-bibimbap (raw fish bibimbap).

Busan Pork Soup Grand Fair, showcase Oct 16 to 18

WhenShowcase Fri Oct 16 to Sun Oct 18. Voting runs until Oct 14

WhereBIFC (Busan International Finance Center)

WhatBusan city and the Busan Tourism Organization picked 20 pork soup (dwaeji-gukbap, 돼지국밥) restaurants. The showcase has food booths and cooking shows, and announces the top 3 and top 10

CostNo price listed

This is a first-time event. Dwaeji-gukbap is a Busan staple: pork soup served with rice. Busan city's Sept 1 notice says the awards are on Oct 17, while a Sept 29 report says Oct 16, the showcase's opening day, so go for the weekend if you want to see them. The list of 20 restaurants is on the Kakao Map event page.

Gwangalli Drone Light Show, every Saturday

Gwangalli Beach at night, with Gwangan Bridge. The drone shows are on Saturdays. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1)

WhenEvery Saturday: Oct 17, 24 and 31. October to February shows are at 19:00 and 21:00, about 12 minutes each

WhereGwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장). You can watch from anywhere on the beach

SubwayLine 2, Gwangan Station (광안역), Exit 3 or 5, about 10 minutes on foot

CostFree

TipShows can be delayed or cancelled by weather or technical problems

The show is run by Suyeong-gu, the district office. The year-round show began on April 2, 2022, and uses about 1,000 drones. Busan city's English event page lists the Saturday schedule.

Just after the window: Busan Fireworks Festival, Sat Nov 7

WhenSat Nov 7, 19:00 to 20:00, including a 10-minute break

WhereGwangalli Beach, Igidae and Dongbaek Island area

SubwayLine 2, Gwangan Station, Exit 3 or 5

CostPaid seats: R seat with table and chairs 100,000 won, S seat with chairs 70,000 won

BookNOL Ticket sells the paid seats

It is the 21st festival. If you are coming from Seoul, my Busan day trip by KTX guide has the train times. Book the KTX itself on Korail; my KTX booking guide shows how a foreigner does it.

Is Halloween night safe in Itaewon and Hongdae?

Halloween 2026 is Saturday, Oct 31. Seoul's 2026 safety plan was not out when I checked on Oct 10. Last year's rules show what to expect:

• 2025: the city ran a special safety period from Oct 24 to Nov 2 for 14 crowded areas, including Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu, Konkuk University, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeongdong and Ikseon-dong.
• Cameras that count people per area send crowd alerts to the authorities and the public. Safety fences and extra staff were put in place, including more than 200 fences in Hongdae to keep people to the right.
• Seoul said it was considering having subway trains pass Itaewon without stopping when it is very crowded. On World Food Street, movable barriers kept walkers on one side of the street (Korea JoongAng Daily).
• In 2024 the city's plan said crowd inflow into Itaewon World Food Street would be "controlled or blocked" when congestion passed warning levels.

Plan for a crowded or closed station. Pick a second station before you leave and keep your map app open. I really don't like crowds. If you are the same, both drone shows are also on that night, one in Seoul and one in Busan, if you want a different way to spend it.

Which events need booking?

The events that need booking and where to book them. Chart: Before You Go Korea

Event	Booking	Where to book
Joseon Royal Tombs Festival	Yes, for the shows	Creatrip (English, for foreigners)
Namsan Night Festival	Yes, from Mon Oct 12 at 10:00. A refundable deposit is taken	The festival website, opening Oct 12 (Seoul Parks notice)
Hansik Festa	Sign-up for hands-on programs, from Mon Oct 12	Naver form. The link is on the Korea Food Promotion Institute's official channels
Busan International Film Festival	Yes, per film	ticket.biff.kr
Busan Fireworks (Nov 7)	Only for paid seats	NOL Ticket
Silver Grass · both drone shows · palaces · Jagalchi · Pork Soup showcase	No booking mentioned	—

A map app that works in Korean is worth setting up before any of these. I compare the three main ones in my Naver Map vs Kakao Map vs Google Maps guide. Gwangmyeong Cave's drone show (Oct 16 to 17) is just outside Seoul, in my Gwangmyeong guide.

FAQ

Which events are free for foreign visitors?

The Hangang drone show (Oct 31), the Gwangalli drone shows in Busan, the Silver Grass Festival (no ticket listed), and entry to the palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs from Oct 29 to Nov 15. At the Royal Tombs Festival the opening and Royal Stage concerts are free for foreigners on Creatrip, but the musical costs 15,000 won.

What is on in Seoul on Oct 24 and 25?

The Gourmet Market at DDP (Sat and Sun), the Hansik Festa at the National Museum of Korea, the Namsan Night Festival's Autumn Leaf Walk on Sat Oct 24 (booking needed), and the last two days of the Royal Tombs Festival.

What is on in Busan this month?

The last days of the Film Festival (until Oct 15), the Jagalchi Festival (Oct 15 to 18), the Pork Soup showcase (Oct 16 to 18) and the Gwangalli drone show every Saturday. The fireworks are on Nov 7.

Do I need mobile data?

Yes for most of them. The Hangang drone show switches off the park's public Wi-Fi on show days, and booking pages, QR codes and maps all need data.

Can I do Busan and Seoul in one trip?

Yes. The Busan events end by Oct 18, apart from the Saturday drone shows, and the big Seoul ones start on Oct 16, so Busan first and Seoul second works. The train between them is in my day trip guide above.

Announcements still to come this month

I'll update this page when Seoul publishes its 2026 Halloween safety plan, when the Namsan Night Festival website opens on Oct 12 with its final program, and when Seoul Gourmet Week and the Hansik Festa publish their costs and daily programs.

Sources

• Seoul Metropolitan Government, "October 2026 main citizen notices and event plans" (Korean), edited Oct 8, 2026: Namsan Night Festival, Seoul Gourmet Week and Hangang drone show dates
• Seoul Metropolitan Government, Hangang drone light show, second half of 2026 (Korean): Oct 31 show, free, Jayang Station Exit 1, Wi-Fi notice
• Seoul Hangang Drone Light Show official site: schedule and times, checked Oct 9, 2026
• Seoul Metropolitan Government, 25th Seoul Silver Grass Festival notice (Korean), Sept 28, 2026; 2025 festival report (Korean): free entry
• Seoul Parks, 2026 Namsan Night Festival notice (Korean): dates, programs, deposits, booking times; Namsan Park guide (Korean); Seoul city, Namsan circular buses 01A and 01B (Korean), Apr 8, 2024
• Seoul Gourmet Week, Gourmet Market page (Korean) and Korea Times, Oct 6, 2026
• 2026 Hansik Festa: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs press release, Oct 7, 2026 (Korean), as reported by NoCut News, Maeil Shinmun and Digital Times (Korean); National Museum of Korea directions and parking pages
• Joseon Royal Tombs Festival: official English program page, Creatrip listings for foreigners, Financial News and The Travel News (Korean), Sept 2026; last year's sell-out: Herald Business, Oct 30, 2025 (Korean)
• Free entry Oct 29 to Nov 15: make2t, Oct 9, 2026 (Korean, citing the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center notices) and Etoday on the 18-day Korea Grand Festival from Oct 29 (Korean); free tomb Wednesdays: Yugacrew, May 29, 2026
• Busan International Film Festival, official English site, checked Oct 9, 2026; The Fact, 31st BIFF (Korean)
• Busan city, Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (English event page) and Korea Trip Tips (KTO tourism data), updated Jul 8, 2026
• Jung-gu Office announcement on the 33rd Jagalchi Festival, as reported by Newspim, inews24 and Hankook Ilbo (Korean), Oct 8, 2026
• Busan city, 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Grand Fair, Sept 1, 2026, WikiTree, Sept 29, 2026 and Pennmike (Korean)
• Busan Fireworks Festival organizing committee, overview; VISITKOREA; NOL Ticket
• Seoul Metropolitan Government Halloween safety plan, Oct 24, 2025 (Korean); Korea JoongAng Daily, Oct 27, 2025; Korea JoongAng Daily, Oct 23, 2024
• Subway exits: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, Busan Cinema Center (Busan Navi) and Busan city, Gwangalli Beach, Jagalchi Market and Busan Navi
• Klook product page: Korea eSIM, checked Oct 9, 2026

— SeoulAslan