May 1, 2026 - Oct 27, 2026Happening now
Seoul Forest–Seongsu (main show); Maeheon Citizen’s Forest (October fall extension)
Alongside the main show around Seoul Forest and Seongsu (May 1–October 27), a fall extension is running at Maeheon Citizen’s Forest from October 1–27, its 40th anniversary year. Seoul lists 51 gardens across the 180,000 m² site: four designer, five student, five citizen, six corporate/institutional, one Seoul citizen-gardener, five local-government, and 25 district gardens. The program also includes 20 garden-market stalls and public activities such as garden workshops, gardening, forest yoga, and singing-bowl meditation. This is a separate fall venue and count from the 167 gardens reported across the Seoul Forest–Seongsu area. The Maeheon site is at 99 Maeheon-ro, Seocho-gu; Yangjae Citizen’s Forest (Maeheon) Station on the Shinbundang Line, exits 1 or 5, is about 150 m away (under a five-minute walk). Visitor reports differ on crowding by visit time, so they should not be generalized; Seoul recommends public transport. Check the official site for dated programs and changes before travelling.
Sep 4, 2026 - Nov 1, 2026Happening now
Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream
Seoul Outdoor Library runs from September 4 to November 1, 2026, every Friday through Sunday at Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Seoul’s English cultural calendar lists October daytime hours of 11:00-18:00 and free admission. The city also expanded foreign-visitor content in 2026 with an English-oriented Seoul Outdoor Library Tour and a Tourism Library developed with 14 countries. Site-specific programs, weather cancellations, tour availability and booking conditions vary, and we did not verify every October session in real time.
Sep 19, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Happening now
Seoul Cruise Yeouido Terminal
Through October 11, 2026, foreign visitors can receive a 20% discount on Seoul Cruise tickets at the Yeouido terminal, while the fourth-floor Moonlight Rooftop Night Market offers K-pop performances and Korean traditional-culture experiences. Cruise schedules vary by product and can change with weather or river conditions.
Oct 2, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Happening now
Multiple venues in Bukchon and Seochon, Seoul
Seoul Hanok Week runs October 2–11 around Bukchon, Seochon and other hanok neighborhoods. Seoul’s official festival listing describes 82 public-participation programs with more than 170 participating organizations, spanning exhibitions, walks, hands-on activities, performances and events. Seven programs are paid: a Seochon walk at Honggeon Ik House, flower-arranging at Bukchon Culture Center, parfait-making at Seochon Lounge, moonlight tea at Unhyeongung, Korean painting at Go Hui-dong Art Museum, archery at Hwanghakjeong and a Korean-medicine experience at Seoul K-Medi Center. Some programs use advance booking and a lottery; limited walk-ins may be accepted for no-show spaces at venue discretion.
Oct 2, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Happening now
노들섬
A free waterfront laser and media-art festival at Nodeul Island, October 2–11, 2026, daily 18:30–22:30. The official program lists a lecture at 18:30, lighting fashion show at 19:00 and Light of Companionship at 19:20–20:20 on October 9; a lecture at 18:30 and Coogie from 19:00–19:30 on October 10; and a Bumkey/An Se-kwon closing performance from 19:30–20:30 on October 11 (subject to change). Festival viewing is free, while some Live House performances require separate reservations. As checked October 8, the MUTO show that evening was marked sold out, 0 of 300 seats remaining. Nodeul Island’s west parking lot is closed 24 hours October 2–11; transit is recommended, with Ichon Hangang Park lots 3 and 4 as the official alternative for drivers. Seoul lists a free shuttle linking Sinyongsan, Nodeul Island, Nodeul and Noryangjin stations about every 15 minutes, 18:00–22:00. Three independent visitor posts dated October 3–4 mention heavier crowds after dark and early-arrival tips; these are dated personal observations, not official attendance data.
Oct 6, 2026 - Oct 8, 2026Ending soon
COEX Halls A and B, Seoul
Seoul’s public smart-city and AI event runs October 6–8, 2026 at COEX Halls A and B. The official SLW site lists show-floor hours of 10:00–18:00 on October 6–7 and 10:00–16:30 on October 8, with exhibitions, the Seoul AI Robot Show, forums, awards and business programs. Seoul’s Culture Portal lists a slightly narrower public schedule for October 6 and 8 (10:30–18:00 and 10:00–16:00), so visitors should follow the organizer’s live guidance. The Culture Portal marks the event free and open to anyone; pre-registration is available in English.
Oct 9, 2026 - Oct 9, 2026Upcoming
Baengnyeon Market
Baengnyeon Market hosts its third-season Baegya Night Market on October 9, 2026, from 16:00 to 21:00. Seoul's official schedule lists a food night market, local musician busking, a family activity zone and prize events. Individual promotions can change or end early depending on market conditions.
Oct 9, 2026 - Oct 11, 2026Upcoming
Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater
A three-night pansori program at Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater from October 9 to 11, 2026. Friday starts at 19:30 and Saturday/Sunday at 18:00. The official English performance page currently says 90 minutes, while the Korean performance page says about 70 minutes, so visitors should treat the running time as unresolved and recheck before attending. The production brings three pansori performers together with directors to emphasize theatrical elements. Tickets are KRW 30,000.
Oct 14, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026Upcoming
DDP and design spots across Dongdaemun, Seongsu, Yeonhui, Seochon and Apgujeong
Seoul Design Week runs October 14-25, 2026 at DDP and across five Seoul districts: Dongdaemun, Seongsu, Yeonhui, Seochon and Apgujeong. The city says the Seoul Design Road connects 150 design spots across those districts, while DDP hosts exhibitions, a conference, markets and the paid DDP Design Fair. The fair runs October 14-18 and lists 79 participating brands, with general admission at KRW 15,000 during the event period. Many citywide Design Road programs are free, but individual venues keep their own hours, reservations and access rules. We did not verify all 150 spots individually.
Oct 14, 2026 - Oct 18, 2026Upcoming
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall
The main fair inside Seoul Design Week brings 79 lifestyle brands and emerging designers into DDP Art Hall under the theme 'Market of Taste.' Public hours are October 14 14:00–20:00, October 15–17 11:00–20:00, and October 18 11:00–18:00. Early-bird tickets are listed at KRW 9,000 through October 13 and general admission at KRW 15,000 during the fair.
Oct 17, 2026 - Oct 23, 2026Upcoming
Haneul Park, World Cup Park
The 25th Seoul Silver Grass Festival runs October 17–23, 2026 at Haneul Park in World Cup Park, daily 10:00–21:00 and free to enter. Seoul's current program highlights include a silver-grass lighting show, sensory garden, silver-grass bouquet making, a new resource-circulation market and busking, alongside the park's autumn grass and retained garden displays.
Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026Upcoming
Nanji Campground
The 2026 Seoul BBQ Festival runs Oct 24–25, 12:00–20:30 each day around Nanji Campground. The Self BBQ Zone has three reserved sessions daily; table fees are KRW 20,000 for charcoal or KRW 10,000 for a griddle. BBQ Village runs 12:00–19:30 and Healing Zone 12:00–20:30. Festival entry and stage viewing are free, while food and BBQ tables cost extra. Seoul lists shuttle service from Digital Media City Station and Mangwon Hangang Park Parking Lot 1 at KRW 1,500 per ride. Check official notices for remaining reservations and exact shuttle stops and times.
Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026Upcoming
Nodeul Island
A free one-day music festival at Nodeul Island on October 24, 2026. Side programs run 12:00–18:00, the food zone 12:00–20:00 and the main performance 17:00–21:00. The current lineup includes Paul Kim, Kwon Jin-ah, Rooftop Moonlight, Nerd Connection, Chudahye Chagis and Kim Chang-wan Band, with additional listening, exhibition, busking, talk and participation programs built around Seoul's 2026 'music curation' concept.