October is a good month to see Korea after dark, with lantern festivals, palace night tours, media art, light events and heritage night walks taking place across the country. This guide lists 12 events in order of their start date, so the ones already running when October begins come first. Each listing gives the dates, place and admission details we have.
Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Night Tour
Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Night Tour runs from September 2 – October 24, 2026 at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Admission is paid, at 60,000 won per person.
Deoksugung Palace Seokjojeon Hall at Night
Deoksugung Palace Seokjojeon Hall at Night takes place from September 9 – October 18, 2026 at Seokjojeon Hall, Deoksugung Palace, in Seoul. Admission is paid, at 35,000 won per person.
Moonlight Music Festival
The Moonlight Music Festival runs from September 11 – October 17, 2026 in Daejeon. It is held across Gapcheon Ecological Lake Park, Eungubi Park, Urideul Park, Dongchundang Park and Daedongcheon Stream. Admission is free.
Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge
The Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge takes place from September 19 – November 7, 2026 in Busan, at Busan Citizens Park Dasom Plaza, Bukhang Waterfront Park Lawn Plaza and Hwamyeong Ecological Park Lotus Complex. Admission is free.
EX Pumpkin Night: Hwani & Woni x Sibijisin (Twelve Zodiac Guardians)
EX Pumpkin Night: Hwani & Woni x Sibijisin (Twelve Zodiac Guardians) runs from September 24 – October 24, 2026 at Hwarang Forest (Luminight), Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, in Gyeongsangbuk-do.
- General: 10,000 won (8,000 won when booked online)
- Groups: 8,000 won
- Discount: 5,000 won (Expo daytime visitors and The Show Silla audience members)
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival takes place from October 1–15, 2026 at Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River area in Gyeongsangnam-do. Admission is paid, at 10,000 won.
It is a lantern festival that originated from the floating of lanterns on the Namgang River during the Great Victory at Jinju in the Imjin War.
National Heritage Media Art Cheongju
National Heritage Media Art Cheongju runs from October 3–24, 2026 in the area around the Iron Flagpole at Yongdusa Temple Site, Cheongju, in Chungcheongbuk-do. Admission is free.
Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival: Jinnamgwan Guesthouse
The Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival: Jinnamgwan Guesthouse takes place from October 9 – November 8, 2026 at Jinnamgwan, Gosodae and the Yi Sun-sin Square area, in the Jeonnam-Gwangju region. Admission is free.
Pohang Nakhwa Night
Pohang Nakhwa Night runs from October 9–17, 2026 in the Pohang Canal area, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Admission is free.
Gwangmyeong Cave Light Festival
The Gwangmyeong Cave Light Festival takes place on October 16–17, 2026 in the Gwangmyeong Cave area, Gyeonggi-do. The festival is free; see the website for Gwangmyeong Cave admission and facility fees.
Daegu National Heritage Night Tour
The Daegu National Heritage Night Tour runs on October 16–17, 2026 in the Cheongna Hill area, Jung-gu, Daegu, along a route from Cheongna Hill to Gyesan Cathedral and Gyesan Yega. Admission is free, though some parts charge a fee.
Gimhae National Heritage Night Walk
The Gimhae National Heritage Night Walk takes place on October 16–18, 2026 in Gyeongsangnam-do. Venue and admission details are not yet listed, so check the official page before you go.
Before you go
Festival dates, venues and admission details can change. Please check the official page linked on each listing before making travel plans.