October 2026 brings palace night programs, fortress festivals, ceramics and heritage events to many parts of Korea, from Seoul and Gyeonggi-do to Jinju, Busan, Cheongju, Sejong and Yeosu. The listings below are ordered by start date, beginning with exhibitions and programs that open earlier and are still running in October, followed by those that start during the month.

Earthen Vessels: Stories of Our Lives

Earthen Vessels: Stories of Our Lives runs from July 29 – October 25, 2026 in the Special Exhibition Gallery, 1st Floor, Main Building, Gwangju National Museum (Jeonnam-Gwangju). Admission is free.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Night Tour

The Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Night Tour takes place at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul from September 2 – October 24, 2026. It is a paid program at 60,000 won per person.

Fortress City in the Forest - Namhansanseong Autumn Festa

Fortress City in the Forest - Namhansanseong Autumn Festa is held in the Namhansanseong Fortress area in Gyeonggi-do from September 5 – October 25, 2026. Admission is free.

The House of an Upright Official, Illuminating Today

The House of an Upright Official, Illuminating Today runs at Chunghyeon Museum in Gyeonggi-do from September 5 – November 7, 2026.

Programs are priced individually: participatory play 6,000 won, hanok exploration 8,000 won, natural dyeing 10,000 won, play plus hanok exploration 9,000 won, and play plus natural dyeing 11,000 won. The gayageum concert is free. Reservations open from 8/10 for paid programs and from 10/20 for free programs.

Deoksugung Palace Seokjojeon Hall at Night

Deoksugung Palace Seokjojeon Hall at Night takes place at Seokjojeon Hall, Deoksugung Palace, in Seoul from September 9 – October 18, 2026. It is a paid program at 35,000 won per person.

Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale

The Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale runs from September 18 – November 1, 2026 across three areas of Gyeonggi-do: Icheon (Serapia area), Gwangju (Gonjiam Ceramic Park area) and Yeoju (Yeoju Dojasesang area).

A combined ticket costs 11,000 won at the standard rate (advance booking 7,000 won) and 7,000 won at the discount rate (advance booking 4,000 won). Individual tickets are also sold for each area: at the standard rate, Icheon is 6,000 won (advance booking 3,500 won) and Gwangju and Yeoju are 4,000 won (advance booking 2,500 won). Admission is free for several groups, including preschool children (age 6 and under) and visitors age 65 and over.

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival takes place at Jinjuseong Fortress and the Namgang River area in Gyeongsangnam-do from October 1–15, 2026. Admission is 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.

Guardians of Jinju

Guardians of Jinju is held at Jinjuseong Fortress in Gyeongsangnam-do from October 3–18, 2026. Admission is 5,000 won.

National Heritage Media Art Cheongju

National Heritage Media Art Cheongju takes place in the area around the Iron Flagpole at Yongdusa Temple Site, Cheongju, in Chungcheongbuk-do from October 3–24, 2026. Admission is free.

2026 Hangeul Culture Special Exhibition 〈Sejong and Namjun〉

The 2026 Hangeul Culture Special Exhibition 〈Sejong and Namjun〉 runs at the Biennale Exhibition Hall in Sejong from October 9 – November 8, 2026. Admission is free.

Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival: Jinnamgwan Guesthouse

The Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival: Jinnamgwan Guesthouse takes place at Jinnamgwan, Gosodae and the Yi Sun-sin Square area in Jeonnam-Gwangju from October 9 – November 8, 2026. Admission is free.

Dongnaeeupseong History Festival

The Dongnaeeupseong History Festival is held around Dongnae Eupseong Fortress North Gate and Dongnae Cultural Center in Busan from October 16–18, 2026.

Admission is free, though some programs charge a fee: the outdoor escape room is 10,000 won and hands-on activities are 3,000–10,000 won.

Before you go

Dates, programs and ticket details can change. Please check the official page linked on each listing before you travel or book.