Temperatures start to drop in Korea as September rolls around, creating the perfect atmosphere for travel and festivals. Autumn festivals offer the opportunity to enjoy Korea’s abundant harvest, vast blue skies, and colorful foliage.

Taean Autumn Flower Expo

Period: September 15 – October 31, 2023
Venue: Korea Flower Park in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do
400, Kkotjihaean-ro, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 태안군 안면읍 꽃지해안로 400)

Taean Autumn Flower Expo takes place by Kkotji Beach on the western coast. Visitors can enjoy the view of diverse autumn flowers such as chrysanthemum, verbena, angelonia, sunflower, and globe amaranth. Take pleasure in the fresh scent of autumn flowers as you stroll along the floral pathways.

Hueree Pink Muhly Festival

Period: September 15 – November 15, 2023
Venue: Hueree Natural Park in Seogwipo, Jeju-do
256, Sillyedong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 신례동로 256)

Located at the foot of Hallasan Mountain, Hueree Natural Park hosts Hueree Pink Muhly Festival every fall to celebrate the beautiful waves of pink. The blanket of pink muhly in the backdrop generates impressive photos to post on your social media feed. Visit after October and you can participate in picking and eating Jeju mandarins during their peak season.

Andong Mask Dance Festival

Period: October 2-9, 2023
Venue: Downtown area, old Andong Station, & Mask Dance Park in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
200, Chukjejang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 안동시 축제장길 200)
Website: www.maskdance.com (English, Japanese, Chinese)

Andong Mask Dance Festival features traditional Korean mask dance performances and traditional rituals. The festival takes place at Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The performances are a must-see for those hoping to understand more about Korean culture. Artists from home and abroad will not only treat you to a series of captivating performances, but will also encourage you to join in the free-spirited fun with various experience programs.

Gimje Horizon Festival

Period: October 5-9, 2023
Venue: Area of Byeokgolje Reservoir in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do
442, Byeokgolje-ro, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 김제시 부량면 벽골제로 442)

Gimje Horizon Festival takes place in the rice bowl of Korea, and is filled with fun sights and activities related to traditional farming and the far-distant horizon. Listen to farm music groups from across the country perform their best, operate traditional farm equipment, catch grasshoppers in the field, fly a kite, harvest rice, and play folk games! After expending your energy, fill up on a meal of rice cooked the traditional way!

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival & Media Art

Periods
- Festival: October 7-9, 2023
- Media Art: October 6 – November 4, 2023

Venues
- Festival: Areas of Haenggung Palace Square & Jangan Park in Suwon Hwaseong Fortress 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825)
- Media Art: Area of Changnyongmun Gate in Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
697, Gyeongsu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 수원시 팔달구 경수대로 697)

Every fall, the city of Suwon hosts many festivals and events themed around Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This year’s signature events are the 60th Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, and Suwon Hwaseong Media Art, a vibrant evening program. The events are a great way to learn all about King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon dynasty. The festival period is abounding with connected programs such as the Reenactment of King Jeongjo’s Tomb Parade (October 8-9) to make your fall evenings full.

Hanhwa Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Period: October 7, 2023
Venue: Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul
330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 330)

Seoul International Fireworks Festival, hosted by Hanhwa Group, is held annually at the Hangang River. Fireworks technicians from around the world gather to put up an extravagant fireworks show. Seoul International Fireworks Festival is one of the most popular fall festivals in Seoul for enjoying the Hangang River in the evening along with beautiful fireworks. While the fireworks can be seen from many places around Seoul, the best spots are in the Hangang Parks of Yeouido, Ichon, and Mangwon. To avoid the crowds, consider making a reservation at a nearby hotel or restaurant, or watch from the water on a water taxi or river cruise. Another method is to watch the show live on YouTube from the comfort of your own home!

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

Period: October 8-22, 2023
Venue: Area of Namgang River & Jinjuseong Fortress in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do
626, Namgang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 진주시 남강로 626)

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival brightens the autumn evening with vibrant lights. Visitors can experience making their own wish lantern and send it downstream. With traditional lanterns from all over the world on display, the beauty of thousands of lanterns lighting up the night will captivate your heart.

Gangneung Coffee Festival

Period: October 12-15, 2023
Venue: Areas of Gangneung Oval & Gyeongpohosu Plaza in Gangneung, Gangwon-do
100 Surigol-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원특별자치도 강릉시 수리골길 100)

Gangneung is a coastal town more famous for its coffee than the seafood! What started 20 years ago with a few famous baristas moving their shops here led to the first coffee festival in 2009. During the festival, famous coffee franchises and baristas such as Bohemian Roasters and Terarosa as well as brands from around the country fill the air with the scent of freshly roasted and ground coffee. Visitors can enjoy coffee tasting events, attend seminars with leading coffee experts, shop at the night market, and listen to music at concerts with food and drinks from food trucks.

Busan Fireworks Festival

Period: November 4, 2023
Venue: Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong-gu, Busan
219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구 광안해변로 219)

Busan Fireworks Festival first began in 2005 in celebration of the APEC summit and has now grown to an annual festive event that represents Busan. A fabulous fireworks show takes place by Gwangalli Beach along with a media façade display using Gwangandaegyo Bridge. The fireworks, lighting, and music combine to create a memorable autumn evening.

* Festival dates and schedules are subject to change.
* This column was last updated in September 2023, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.