Visiting Seoul in August? Whilst one of the quieter months for festivals due to the heat, you can still enjoy Seoul events in August 2026 like the Hangang River Festival and Seoul International Garden Show.
Make a ‘home run’ to the KBO baseball games in Seoul at Jamsil Stadium or Gocheok Sky Dome, see a K-League game or watch Manchester City take on the K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid in the ‘2026 Coupang Play Series’ at Seoul’s World Cup Stadium.
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Seoul Concerts in August include Stray Kids at KSPO DOME, aespa at the Gocheok Sky Dome, NCT DREAM, Psy’s Summer Swag in Suwon and the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival.
Here is our pick of the best Seoul events in August 2026 along with several other South Korea festivals in August like the Boryeong Mud Festival, Busan Sea Festival and the Andong National Heritage Night.
South Korea checklist
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For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, Trazy or Klook.
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All set for South Korea? Do one final check with our Seoul first timers guide and our South Korea packing list
South Korea public holidays in August 2026
There is one public holiday in August in South Korea – Liberation Day / Gwangbokjeol on 15 August 2026 (observed Monday 17 August 2026).
The Liberation Day public holiday remembers the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, and the official creation of the South Korean Government on 15 August 1948.
Hangang River Festival
1 to 16 August 2026
The Hangang River Festival is a quarterly event with cultural activations, pop-ups and performances along Seoul’s waterfront.
Held at waterfront parks across Seoul, this sensational summer festival is a great way to beat the Seoul heat. Enjoy water activities, outdoor cinema and sunset sessions.
Specific details are still to be announced at the time of writing (July) but expect K-pop, children’s entertainers, colourful and creative arts stations for all ages – a perfect way to spend the day on the Hangang River.
Held across Seoul’s major Hangang parks, this urban summer festival is a refreshing escape from the heat. Enjoy water activities, outdoor movie screenings, concerts, water sports, and more, all while soaking up the cool breeze off the river.
Seoul International Garden Show 2026
Until 27 October 2026 at Seoul Forest Park
Twice as big as last year, the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show is back bigger and better than ever before and is themed “Seoul, Green Culture”. It takes place at Seoul Forest with other pop-ups at Ttukseom Hangang Park and in the Seongsu neighborhood.
Over 150 garden displays (up from 111 in 2025) are on show until late October and Hechi, (Seoul’s cute tourism mascot) will be part of the proceedings again. Lots of K-companies and iconic Korean brands are taking part including SM Entertainment Nongshim noodles, Musinsa fashion and Clio K-Beauty.
We visited the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 in May and spotted everything from the Kakao Friends garden to the Pokemon Secret Forest. That said, we were slightly underwhelmed with our visit as it was quite corporate and many gardens were quite small. Maybe a Seoul festival to combine with half a day in Seongsu-dong.
Open daily from noon until 7pm, check out the official Seoul International Garden Show 2026 website here >
2026 Coupang Play Series
5 August and 9 August 2026
England’s Premier League side Manchester city takes on the K-League All Stars at Seoul Wolrd Cup Stadium on August 5, as part of the annual Coupang Play series.
There is also a second international friendly soccer match at the same stadium on August 9, where Manchester City take on Spain’s Atlético Madrid.
2026 South Korea / Seoul baseball season
Across August until September 2026
South Korea’s most popular sport is baseball so after a day of exploring why not catch a game of baseball such as at the Seoul Jamsil baseball ground or Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome.
This year’s 2026 KBO baseball season is hotly anticipated and there are KBO baseball games most days in August 2026 except Mondays. Amazingly, there are 105 Korean baseball games happening in August 2026. Each team will play 144 games over the season.
The baseball season in South Korea runs from late March until September every year, and Seoul is fortunate enough to have three home baseball teams – the Doosan Bears, the Kiwoom Heroes and the LG Twins (last year’s KBO championship winners).
There will often be several baseball games a week played at Jamsil stadium (it is a huge stadium, holding 25,000 spectators). Foreigners can buy Seoul baseball tickets at Jamsil stadium and Gocheok Sky Dome for as little as 13,000 Won (around £8 / $10 USD).
We’ve been to Jamsil Stadium baseball three times plus one game at Gocheok Sky Dome and had an amazing evening every time watching baseball (and eating, singing, dancing…).
Click here to read our guide on how to buy Seoul baseball tickets >
You might like these Seoul neighbourhood guides:
Dongdaemun
Euljiro
Gangnam
Hannam-dong
Hongdae
Ikseon-dong
Insadong
Itaewon
Myeong-dong
Seongsu-dong
Sindang
Or check out our best neighbourhoods in Seoul Guide >
K League Soccer (FC Seoul)
15 and 23 August at Seoul World Cup stadium
The perfect way to ‘kick-off’ your trip to South Korea, K League football (or soccer) is a popular sport, up there with baseball.
So if you are visiting Seoul in August, consider a FC Seoul K League Game at the Seoul World Cup stadium. Home FC Seoul games in August 2026 take place on 15 August (vs Daejon Hana Citizen and 23 August (vs Bucheon FC).
South Korea K League game tickets are easy to purchase (and very cheap) plus the World Cup Stadium in Seoul has good transport links with its very own subway station.
From purchasing K League tickets for FC Seoul through to what types of food, drink and entertainment you can expect at the stadium, here is our guide to all things K League South Korea and the Seoul World Cup Stadium >
Seoul concerts in August 2026
Here are some of the headline concerts in Seoul (K-Pop, classical and international artists) in August 2026:
Psy’s Summer Swag
1 and 2 August 2026 at Suwon World Cup Auxiliary stadium
Stray Kids Concert
1 and 2 August 2026 at KSPO DOME
aespa
7 and 8 August 2026 at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome
Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra – ‘2026 Classics for Everyone’
18 and 19 August in Suwon
Steve Lacy: Oh yeah? Asia Tour in Seoul
19 August 2026 at Olympic Hall
BIGBANG 2026 WORLD TOUR
21 – 23 August 2026 at Goyang Stadium
David Byrne
21 August 2026 at Hall of Peace Kyunghee University Seoul
NCT DREAM 10TH Anniversary Party
22 and 23 August 2026 at Inspire Arena
Seoul pop-ups August 2026
For a full list of all the Seoul pop-up stores in August 2026, check out this comprehensive guide (you need to change the date to ‘August’).
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Regular events in Seoul (all year round)
NANTA Theatre Cooking Show
There are many theatre shows to see in Seoul on rainy days but perhaps the most famous (and long-running) is the NANTA theatre show.
This world renowned comedy cooking show has been packing in audiences worldwide since 1997. Possibly the best known Korean theatre show, NANTA Theatre has been performed over 50,000 times in over 60 countries and is a fun mix of slapstick and physical comedy.
There are very few spoken words used throughout so not understanding Korean (or English) won’t be an issue.
Myeongdong NANTA Theatre has at least two NANTA performances every day, with evening shows held at 5pm and 8pm Monday to Saturday (on Sundays, it is 2pm and 5pm).
Book your Myeongdong Nanta theater show ticket on Klook >
The Painters show
‘The Painters’ in Seoul is the world’s first live painting show combined with music – a few people have asked recently about an alternative to the ‘Nanta Cooking / Comedy Show’ and we’d recommend ‘The Painters’. It is on 7 nights a week in Seoul at 8pm (and 2pm and 5pm).
To be honest, we thought it was going to be naff (terrible) but it was surprisingly good and the theatrics and artistry were amazing. Even if you don’t like K-Pop style shows, the way they create incredible paintings from nothing is spellbinding.
Korean ‘idols’ recreate famous paintings such as Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Heaven’ and Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Self-Portrait’ with splendid choreography and live drawings. It sounds like it will be kitsch AF but we both loved it. There is also a photo opp with the boys at the end.
For more info and tickets, check out ‘The Painters’ on Klook >
For something a little more ‘adult’ and for women over 19 years of age, check out the “WILD WILD: After Party” in Euljiro, Seoul or the ‘Touch Five’ show musical – remember to pick a ‘touch’ or ‘no touch’ sticker!
Saturday Gugak Concert
Every Saturday afternoon in Seoul
Catch Seoul’s best unplugged talents in one wonderful weekly showcase, taking place every Saturday at 3pm at the National Gugak Center.
Listen to classical Korean performances on traditional instruments or amazing dance performances.
Book your Saturday Gugak Concert tickets on Klook >
Other South Korea August 2026 festivals and events
Busan Gwangalli Drone Show (free) – every Saturday night at 8pm and 10pm
Busan’s Gwangalli Beach is the place to be every Saturday night with the weekly Gwangalli M Drone display over the night sky.
Seriously for us, this had to be one of the top 5 things to do in Busan, not just Gwangalli. It is also a great thing to enjoy in Busan with kids.
Every Saturday night at 8pm and 10pm in August over 300 aerial drones take to the skies of Gwangalli Beach and create an incredible skyborne spectacle, with various scenes and characters created.
Each week, the official Gwangalli drone show website lists what the theme will be that Saturday.
More things to do in Gwangalli >
Other South Korea August 2026 festivals and events
- Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival (정남진 장흥 물축제) – 25 July to 2 August 2026
- Boryeong Mud Festival – 26 July to 9 August 2026
- Andong National Heritage Night “Wolyeong Night Stroll” – 31 July to 9 August 2026
- Busan Sea Festival (mainly Dadaepo Beach) – 7 to 16 August 2026
- Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival – 12 to 16 August 2026
- Gangneung National Heritage Night – 14 to 16 August 2026
- Hwacheon Tomato Festival – 31 July to 9 August 2026
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