Seoul in October: A Citywide Celebration of Culture and Cuisine
October: Seoul's Stage for Festivities
Seoul Festivals Tailored to Your Taste
In October, Seoul transforms into a citywide festival ground.
Beneath the sunset sky, the aroma of barbecue mingles with cheers, while the lights illuminating books paint the autumn nights at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggyecheon Stream.
From the excitement of heading to a performance venue to stumbling upon impromptu stages on the streets, October in Seoul blurs the lines between daily life and celebration.
Escape the mundane this October and dive into the vibrant festivals of Seoul.
PART 1
From gastronomy to reading, design, and outdoor activities, Seoul offers a rich array of festivals this autumn, catering to our diverse tastes.
2025 Seoul BBQ Festa
October 25-26 will see the Noeul Park Camping Ground filled with the flavors of K-BBQ.
The highlight of this year's festival is the 'All-in-One Self BBQ Zone.' Purchase carefully selected domestic meats like Korean pork and beef at special prices on-site, and enjoy convenient urban camping barbecue with grilling plates, wraps, and sauces all provided. The second round of pre-reservations will open on October 1st, with some on-site availability. 'Seoul's Top 3 BBQ Restaurants' [Namyeongdon, T.A.K (Namyeongdak), (Haebong Butchers)] known for long lines will present festival-exclusive menus and live grill performances. At 'K-BBQ Road,' experience various grilling methods from traditional charcoal to the latest grills, and savor popular restaurant signature dishes at special festival prices. Additional programs such as the Noeul Concert, BBQ Playground, and a children's playground will also be available.
Dates and Times: October 25-26, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Noeul Park Camping Ground
K-Food Festival N넉넉 (Knock Knock)
The 'K-Food Festival N넉넉,' held in the heart of Seoul at Gwanghwamun Square, is a 'new' food market where you can taste Korean cuisine that crosses traditional and fusion boundaries in one place.
Representative menu items include Injeolmi Chicken Gangjeong, Baechu Kimchi Bún chả, Tteokgalbi Burger, Kimchi Seafood Pancake, and various skewers and Tteokbokki. A market featuring Korean sauces as a concept will also be operated. For desserts and beverages, Injeolmi Gelato, Black Sesame Latte, and Cream Cheese Dried Persimmon Rolls are available. In a space inspired by a Hanok village, you can experience flavors that modernly reinterpret traditional ingredients. At the festival site, you can participate in ordering and prize events through QR codes and the 'QR Giant' authentication event. During the special Chuseok operation period, holiday foods such as Songpyeon and pancakes will be additionally presented.
Dates and Times: June 20th - December 7th, every Friday to Sunday, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Special operation October 3rd - 12th)
Location: Sejongro Park next to Gwanghwamun Square
* Participating trucks and performances vary by session. Not operated in case of rain.
Seoul Outdoor Library
2025 Seoul Outdoor Library
In the autumn season perfect for reading, the Seoul Outdoor Library reopens, offering a new way to rest and read in the city center. Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, and Cheonggyecheon Stream transform into open bookshelves, furnished with beanbags, parasols, and mobile bookshelves. Curated bookshelves by theme and immersive reading 'Book-mung (reading while spacing out),' as well as readings, book talks, and small-scale performances provide a calm energy. Seats arranged along the city's grass and waterways, and bookshelves tailored to age groups and interests broaden the choices, and when the sun sets, the lights turn on, enabling comfortable reading even at night.
Dates: September 5th - November 2nd, every Friday to Sunday (Special operation October 1st - 5th, 8th - 12th)
Locations: Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon Stream (Mojeon Bridge - Gwangtong Bridge)
JamSu Bridge Ddook Ddook Festival Without Cars
2025 JamSu Bridge Ddook Ddook Festival Without Cars
Every Sunday, the JamSu Bridge opens to pedestrians instead of cars. Walking along the JamSu Bridge with the river breeze and sunset leads to a course connecting Banpo Hangang Park Moonlight Square and Sebitseom outdoor stage. Food trucks and flea markets, and local agricultural product markets are set up, and participatory programs such as the Hangang Silent DJ Party complete the weekend rhythm. Photo-friendly spots are set up everywhere, allowing everyone to mingle, eat, and enjoy the festival atmosphere in the city center.
Dates: September 28th - October 26th, every Sunday (Not operated during the Chuseok period)
Location: JamSu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park area (Moonlight Square, Sebitseom outdoor stage, etc.)
Seoul Design Week 2025
Seoul Design Week offers a glimpse into the trends of Seoul design in one place. From October 15th, the DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) will host the DDP Design Fair, conferences, exhibitions, and markets.
It serves as a venue for exchange where domestic and international companies and designers gather to share the present and future of K-design, and any citizen can participate to experience a variety of programs. In particular, about 100 brands are expected to participate in the main program, the DDP Design Fair. You can explore brands that suit your taste through collaboration with the lifestyle platform 29CM, and admission is charged (regular price 15,000 won).
Dates: October 15-26
Location: DDP and Seoul area
2025 Together We Walk My5K
On the morning of Hangeul Day (Korean Alphabet Day), the approximately 5km sharing walk 'Together We Walk My5K,' where your footsteps share love with your neighbors, will be held. The participation fee for this festival, which involves walking together from Seoul Plaza to Hyochang Stadium, is fully donated, and you can receive a completion medal and a commemorative kit.
Date and Time: October 9th, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Seoul Plaza - Hyochang Stadium
Seoul Eulalia Festival
The 24th Seoul Eulalia Festival
Light spreads over the waves of eulalia in World Cup Park, tinged with sunset. The 24th Seoul Eulalia Festival delivers the romance of the eulalia path under the theme of 'Eulalia, Colored by Light.' During the day, busking, photo zones, wish tunnels, experiences, singing bowl meditation, and electric car tours continue, and at night, media facades, Gobo lights, and art sculptures illuminate the eulalia path.
Dates and Times: October 18-24, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Location: World Cup Park (Sky Park area)
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