Create meetup in Seoulchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Sunday Market
want to meet at fmd_good Common Place
want to meet at fmd_good Rouge & Blanc
explore Seoul Guides
Find Hotel in Seoul (2026): By District + Price
caecilieklar
Seoul's History in 2026: From Founding to Today
magdalenateubner
Seoul Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
antoniahenning
Cultural Etiquette in Seoul: What Not to Do (2026)
iris
Seoul's Name Origins & Local Words (2026 Guide)
mariannebender
Typical Souvenirs from Seoul (2026)
kirstinwuest
First Time in Seoul: Complete Guide 2026
suse
Seoul Nightlife Guide (2026)
anjewaechter
Best Day Trips from Seoul (2026)
anka
Seoul Airport to City Center (2026)
lidianiehoff
bar_chart Trends in Seoul
Seoul Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
Start the year with the Seoul New Year Celebration at Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno, where a massive bell is struck 33 times at midnight on January 1. Arrive early to get a goodโฆ ๐ New Year Kickoff
Start the year with the Seoul New Year Celebration at Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno, where a massive bell is struck 33 times at midnight on January 1. Arrive early to get a good spot, as the area fills up quickly with locals and tourists. For a quieter experience, head to Namsan Tower for panoramic views of the city's fireworks.
๐ฎ Lunar New Year
Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, falls on February 17 in 2026, and many locals visit family or wear hanbok to pay respects at ancestral rites. Tourist-friendly events include traditional folk games and performances at the National Folk Museum of Korea, located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. The palace offers free admission on this day, but expect large crowds and plan to arrive before opening at 9 a.m.
๐ธ Cherry Blossom Season
Late March to early April brings cherry blossoms to Seoul, with the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival being the most famous spot, along the Han River. The festival features food trucks, street performances, and night lighting, but it gets extremely crowded on weekends. For a less busy alternative, visit Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, where you can see blossoms reflected in the water with Lotte World Tower in the background.
๐ถ Spring Music Festivals
May is packed with music events, including the Seoul Jazz Festival, usually held at Olympic Park in early May, and the Beautiful Mint Life Festival, which takes place at Nanji Han River Park in late May. Tickets for both range from 100,000 to 150,000 KRW and sell out fast, so book online a month in advance. Bring a picnic mat and sunscreen, as these are outdoor events with limited shade.
๐ญ Traditional Arts Showcase
The Seoul International Dance Festival runs for about two weeks in late May and June, featuring performances at venues like the Seoul Arts Center and the National Theater of Korea. Tickets are affordable, starting at around 20,000 KRW, and many shows include English subtitles or program notes. This is a great way to experience both traditional and contemporary Korean dance in an intimate setting.
๐๏ธ Summer Palace Events
During July and August, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces host special evening openings and cultural performances, including traditional music and dance. The summer night tours at Changdeokgung are particularly magical, but they are limited to 50 people per session and require advance reservation through the palace website. Dress in light clothing and bring insect repellent, as the gardens are lush and humid.
๐จ Autumn Arts Festival
September brings the Seoul International Performing Arts Festival, which showcases theater, dance, and music from around the world at venues like the Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno. Many performances are held outdoors in Marronnier Park, and some are free, but popular shows require booking in advance. The festival atmosphere is lively, with street performers and food stalls lining the theater district.
๐ฎ Lantern Festival
The Seoul Lantern Festival lights up Cheonggyecheon Stream in November, with hundreds of illuminated lanterns floating on the water and hanging overhead. The festival runs for about two weeks, and the best time to visit is after sunset, when the lanterns are fully lit. Entry is free, but the walkway can get congested, so go on a weekday evening to avoid the biggest crowds.
Seollal is the one day I'd actually steer people away from the tourist spots entirely, because the city empties out in a way that's hard to describe. My favorite thing is grabbing a bike and riding along the Han River, you'll have the paths almost to yourself while families are home doing their rites. The convenience stores near the river stay open, so you can stock up on kimbap and coffee without worrying about the restaurant closures.
For the cherry blossoms, if you want something even calmer than Seokchon, try the walkway along Yangjaecheon in Gangnam. It's a long stream with a proper tree tunnel, and the locals who live there are out jogging rather than taking photos, so it feels more like a neighborhood morning than a festival. The blooms there tend to last a few days longer than Yeouido too, since it's more sheltered.
honestly the summer palace night tours are the hidden gem here. i did changdeokgung in august and it was like 28 degrees at 8pm, still warm but the gardens smell incredible after the rain. the 50 person limit means you actually hear the traditional music without someone's phone going off. booking opens exactly two weeks ahead and slots vanish in minutes, so set an alarm for 10am kst on the day.
for the lantern festival, walk the stream from the cheonggye plaza end down to the dongdaemun side. everyone starts at the top and shuffles along, but if you enter from the lower exits near gwangjang market you get the lanterns all to yourself for a good 20 minutes before hitting the crowd. also grab a hotteok from the market stalls before you go, it keeps way better than the fried chicken you'll see everyone carrying.
one thing nobody mentions about seollal: the subway runs on a holiday schedule, so trains come less often and some exits close early. if you're heading to gyeongbokgung for the free entry, take the 3 line and get off at gyeongbokgung station exit 5, but expect a 15 minute wait just to get through the turnstiles after 10am. honestly i'd skip the palace that day and do the folk museum instead, it's calmer and the kids' games area is actually fun even for adults.
There's a lot of good stuff here, but nobody's mentioned the Seoul International Dance Festival gets a fair number of free outdoor performances, especially the opening weekend at Seoul Arts Center's lawn area. I stumbled into one a few years back, just sat on the grass with a bottle of makgeolli from the convenience store across the street, and watched a contemporary piece that had English surtitles projected on the side. Way better than paying for a seat if you're just curious.
Also, for the Yeouido cherry blossoms, the food trucks are a trap, they're overpriced and the lines are ridiculous. Instead, walk across the bridge to the Mapo side and hit up the small stalls near the river taxi stop, you'll get the same view of the blossoms along the bank but with better tteokbokki and half the crowd. The night lighting is nice but it's honestly the worst time to go, everyone shows up after 7pm and the paths turn into a slow shuffle. Go at like 6am on a weekday, the light is softer and you can actually hear the birds.
load 2 more replies
best tea service at Camellia House in Seoul 2026
Reserve the 2pm seating, gets packed after 3.
the set, not a la carte
Coming from Haebangchon, take line 6 to Itaewon then walk up, taxi is only like 6,000 won though. Skip the scones honestly, they're dry. Order the first flush darjeeling a la carte and a slice of their matcha roll.