Seoul November 2026 Events & Festivals / South Korea Events

Visiting Seoul in November? From early Seoul Christmas events to the final weekend of Seoul Outdoor Library, there is lots to do and epic events to enjoy in November 2026 in Seoul.

Seoul concerts in November include MONSTA X plus international artists like Kings of Convenience, My Chemical Romance and Diana Krall.

Other South Korea festivals in November include the Busan Fireworks festival on 7 November plus ‘hot-foot’ it to the Jeju Olle Walking Festival in early November.

Here is our pick of the best Seoul and South Korea events in November 2026.

This article was originally published on 2 September 2025.

South Korea public holidays in November 2026

There are no national South Korea public holidays in November 2026.

Seoul November 2026 festivals and events

Seoul Christmas activities

Yes, it may sound crazy to start our Seoul November 2026 events guide with Christmas BUT most of the Seoul Christmas lights, displays and markets begin from early November, particularly famous light displays like Shinsegae Myeongdong and The Hyundai Seoul Christmas Village which usually start around 1 November 2026.

We have been lucky enough to do several trips to Seoul in November and December (and we are back in November 2026!). We have written a guide to over 30 Seoul Christmas markets, lights and displays (many of the Seoul 2026 Christmas dates don’t get confirmed until late October / November).

Some of the best Seoul Christmas 2026 events opening in November will include:

This year’s Seoul 2026 Lotte Adventure Christmas theme is still TBC. In recent years previously, it was ‘Miracle Winter’ and a ‘Snoopy Christmas’, which brought the park to life with incredible displays of Christmas lights indoors and out, and various festive themed performances and shows.

We’ve been to Seoul Lotte World at Christmas and it is magical! The highlight has to be the magical Snow Castle, a beautiful snowy structure of fairytale proportions. Indoors, make a wish at the Miracle Tree and see Santa at home in his grotto (‘Santa Big Lotty’ – hmmmm).

Did you know Lotte World is also included as part of the Discover Seoul Pass?

Shinsegae Department Store (one of the best malls in Seoul) must have a massive electricity bill at Christmas as the store exterior becomes a HUGE multimedia light show, having heavily invested in millions of LED lights (they use a whopping 3.75 million LEDs to bring the display to life).

It is hard to miss this year’s Shinsegae Seoul Christmas light display as the effect of the lights is incredible. It lights up the surrounding area so brightly that your eyes are drawn to it as soon as you leave the vibrant Myeongdong Walking street and Myeongdong Night Market area.

Check out our things to do in Myeongdong guide >

In one word, wow! Of all the Seoul shopping malls and complexes we visited for Christmas in Seoul, The Hyundai Seoul had the busiest and biggest Christmas display in Seoul we went to.

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It is officially the largest indoor Christmas light display in Seoul and the whole of Korea, covering over 3,000 square meters and with around 20 Christmas stores.

P.S. The Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre, Gangnam also puts on a really good Seoul Christmas display – one Christmas when we visited, it had an outdoor Christmas Village packed full of animatronic bears and Santa’s helpers – so cool!

Seoul’s legendary cultural plaza chock full of museums, galleries and boutique shops, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) lights up at Christmas with a festive winter light show.

The DDP Seoul Light show features illuminations and projections on the side of the curved and ultra sleek building. Since its first edition in 2019, the light show has attracted over 1 million visitors and is one of the more popular winter festivals in Seoul.

There are several free walking tours of the Dongdemun Design Plaza (DDP) held every day (except Monday) although most Seoul travellers don’t know there is one DDP conducted in English at 1.30pm.

The free Seoul DDP tours last 60 minutes and must be booked in advance via the official site or Naver.

Or see Seoul from a different perspective with a Dongdaemun Design Plaza rooftop tour (English sessions daily at 11am except Mondays  – until 29 November) – easily one of the best Dongaemun things we did on our latest 2026 trip.

There are DDP rooftop guided tours in English and all participants are given safety equipment, a radio so you can hear the tour guide, plus a special pouch to keep your phone in. Locker facilities are included too. Visit the official website here >

Seoul Autumn Festa

18 September to 29 November 2026

This year’s Seoul Autumn Festa spans 38 Festivals over 470 performances running across September, October and culminates in November (last year, it was just 40 days).

A variety of indoor and outdoor performances and pop-ups along the Han River, famous monuments and Seoul theaters.

Sub festivals will include the Seoul Street Arts Festival, Seoul International Dance Festival, and Seoul Opera Festival (all various dates).

Seoul Concerts in November 2026

My Chemical Romance
7 November 2026 at Incheon Paradise City

ASEAN-Korea Music Festival 2026
7 and 8 November 2026 at Incheon Namdong Gymnasium

Xdinary Heroes Concert <IMPULSE>
13 to 15 November 2026 at Inspire Arena (Incheon)

Kings of Convenience
18 November 2026 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

MONSTA X WORLD TOUR
21 November 2026 at Inspire Arena (Incheon)

Diana Krall
22 November 2026 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Seoul Pop-Ups November 2026

For a full list of all the Seoul pop-up stores in November 2026, check out this comprehensive guide (change the date to November 2026) >

Seoul Outdoor Library

Until 1 November 2026

The annual Seoul Outdoor Library is sadly coming to an end for this year and if you are in Seoul on the 1 November, you can catch the last day.

Every year from April to October/November, the Seoul Outdoor Library pops up in several picturesque locations across the city.

Seoul is known for its Instagrammable libraries like Starfield Library at COEX near Gangnam and this is a welcome addition to Seoul’s roster of annual cultural events.

From locations to opening hours, here is our guide to Seoul Outdoor Library >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 7pm and 9pm in November 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 >

2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea
5 September to 4 November 2026

Busan Fireworks Festival
7 November 2025. Get your Busan Fireworks Festival 2026 tickets on Klook >

More things to do in Busan >

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