October in Seoul

Dates checked against official announcements. Save this page before you fly.

The calendar

1. OCT 1–7China's National Day holiday

   Myeongdong and the palaces get busy. Go early in the morning.

2. OCT 3–5National Foundation Day long weekend

   Sat Oct 3 plus a substitute holiday on Mon Oct 5.

3. TO OCT 11Free heritage pass at the airport

   Discover Seoul Pass, Heritage Edition: free entry to 12 sites incl. the four main palaces and Jongmyo. Tourist Information Center at Incheon or Gimpo. First come, first served.

4. OCT 1–8Myeongdong welcome booth

   Help in English, Chinese and Japanese near Myeongdong Station, Exit 6.

5. OCT 5–11Creative x Seongsu

   Free festival across Seongsu-dong.

6. OCT 7–11Royal Culture Festival

   Programs at all four palaces and Jongmyo.

7. OCT 9–11Hangul Day long weekend

   Fri Oct 9 is a public holiday.

8. TO NOV 19K-drama exhibition at HiKR Ground

   40+ Studio Dragon dramas, free entry.

Our guides for October 2026

1. SEP 4–NOV 1Seoul Outdoor Library (closes Nov 1, 2026): 3 free reading spots, hours and how to get there

   Seoul Plaza · Free, no booking

2. SEP 18–NOV 19Step into 40 K-dramas for free at HiKR Ground

   HiKR Ground, 4F · Free entry

3. OCT 1–3Seoul market night festivals, Oct–Nov: every date

   23 markets in 12 districts · Free entry

4. OCT 9–18New Seongsu pop-ups in October 2026: KICKDOONGS, Mamma Ham Store, Kakao Pay

   Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu · Free to walk in

5. OCT 12–31Incheon Airport free prize draw for foreign visitors (Oct 2026): Visit Seoul Starter Pack at HiKR Station

   HiKR Station, Incheon Airport Terminal… · Free

6. OCT 16–NOV 30Korean show discounts for foreign tourists: Korea In Motion and AI subtitle glasses (2026)
7. OCT 16–NOV 8Nowon Moonlight Walk 2026: light art on Danghyeon Stream (from Oct 16)

   Danghyeon Stream, Nowon-gu

8. OCT 17–DEC 31Free Bibigo welcome kit at Gyeongbokgung (Oct–Dec 2026): how to get one on the free palace tour

   Gwanghwamun → Gyeongbokgung Palace · Tour and kit free

9. OCT 17–JAN 24Crayon Shin-chan immersive exhibition in Seongsu (Oct 17 – Jan 24) + this week's Seongsu pop-ups

   Yeonmujang 5-gil 9-29, Seongdong-gu

10. OCT 17–NOV 14Seoul night market festivals Oct–Nov 2026: dates for 6 traditional markets

    6 markets across Seoul · Free entry

11. OCT 19–31Hanbok discount at Lotte World (50% off) and Seoul Sky (35% off), until Oct 31

    Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul

12. OCT 23–NOV 6Busan Hanwoo Gourmet Tour: foreign visitors get up to ₩30,000 toward a Korean beef meal

    4 restaurants in Haeundae, Gwangalli

13. OCT 23–NOV 1Musinsa Standard Super Sale in Seoul (Oct 23 – Nov 1, 2026): up to 80% off Korea's basics brand

    44 Musinsa Standard stores in Korea +…

14. OCT 23–NOV 6₩30,000 Hanwoo BBQ for foreigners in Seoul (Oct 23 – Nov 6, 2026): Majang-dong, Taste of Seoul

    3 restaurants, Majang-dong meat market

15. OCT 23–NOV 14Namsan Night Festival 2026 (Oct 23 – Nov 14): free night picnic, autumn night walk & silent disco under N Seoul Tower

    Namsan Park · Free

16. OCT 24–DEC 31How to get the free K-snack bag at Gyeongbokgung (Oct–Dec 2026): step by step

    Gwanghwamun → Gyeongbokgung Palace · Tour and kit free

17. OCT 26–NOV 4Free night temple walk in Seoul: Bongeunsa, Jogyesa, Hwagyesa (Oct 26 – Nov 4, 2026)

    Bongeunsa, Jogyesa, Hwagyesa · Free, no booking, no…

18. OCT 26–NOV 15Seoul Hiking Week 2026 (Oct 26 – Nov 15): free hiking gear for foreign visitors, programs and how to sign up

    3 Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers…

19. OCT 29–NOV 15Seoul palace fall leaves 2026: peak this week, free entry Oct 29 – Nov 15
20. OCT 29–NOV 15Seoul palaces free entry Oct 29 – Nov 15, 2026: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Jongmyo and more

    4 palaces, Jongmyo shrine, Joseon… · Free regular admission

21. OCT 29–NOV 15Korea Grand Festival 2026 (K-Sale Festa): Oct 29 – Nov 15 deals for tourists

    Nationwide, in store and online

22. OCT 29–30FUN&FUN Gangnam: free Thursday street shows at Gangnam Station Exit 12 (until Oct 29)

    Gangnam Station Exit 12 · Free, no booking

23. OCT 30–31Jeongdong Night Walk 2026 (Oct 30–31): 34 historic buildings by Deoksugung open till 10 PM

    Deoksugung Palace and the Jeongdong…

24. OCT 30–NOV 1Seoul TCG Con Halloween card show in Seongsu (Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026): hours, tickets, how to get there

    BLANKBEAM Studio 2F, Seongsu · From ₩10,000 at the door

25. OCT 30–31Seoul City Tour Bus Halloween 2026: ghost actors on the open-top night bus (Oct 30–31)

    Board at the DDP ticket booth · Night: ₩22,000 adult

26. OCT 30–NOV 8SSG Day 2026: Shinsegae Duty Free sale up to 70% off (Oct 30 – Nov 8)
27. OCT 31Namsan Costume Hike on Halloween (Sat Oct 31, 2026): how to sign up, plus free hiking gear for foreign visitors

    Namsan, central Seoul

28. OCT 31Hangang Drone Light Show, Oct 31 2026: free drones over the Han River at Ttukseom

    Ttukseom Hangang Park, riverside stage · Free, no ticket

29. OCT 31Halloween in Seoul 2026: where to go and what to know (Sat Oct 31)
30. OCT 31Han River drone light show on Halloween night, Oct 31 2026: times, Ttukseom Hangang Park, free

    Ttukseom Hangang Park, riverside… · Free

Everything in October 2026, including ended events →All months