Visiting Seoul in October? From BBQ festivals to the Bitseom Light festival, there is lots to do and epic events to enjoy in October 2025 in Seoul; plus the Seoul Garden Festival ‘blooms’ into life!
October in Seoul is also the month of Chuseok (추석) Korea’s Thanksgiving holiday (so be sure to book hotels and transport in advance), plus the Seoul Outdoor Library is open until 2 November.
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Brit pop comes to Korea in the form of Oasis (21 October) plus K-Pop fans can enjoy ENHYPHEN playing Seoul’s KSPO Dome (24 to 26 October 2025).
Hungry for more Seoul events? Check out the K-Food Festival ‘Knock Knock’ every Friday through Sunday near Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Here is our pick of the best Seoul and South Korea events in October 2025.
You might like – 101 best things to do in Seoul >
South Korea checklist
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For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, Trazy or Klook.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
Check out our South Korea travel booking resources >
All set for South Korea? Do one final check with our Seoul first timers guide >
South Korea Public holidays in October 2025
Chuseok (추석) 5 to 8 October; with 3 October and 9 October also national holidays
During Chuseok, most things will be closed on these days – also make sure you book any accommodation / Seoul hotels and transport (like trains) well in advance.
You might like – 50 best things to do in South Korea >
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Seoul October 2025 festivals
Seoul Outdoor Library
Until 2 November 2025
The annual Seoul Outdoor Library is definitely something you’ll want to ‘bookmark’ for your October 2025 Korea trip!
Every year from April to October, 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 >
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 >
Seoul International Garden Show
Until 20 October 2025 at Boramae Park
This ‘blooming’ well must be one of the most colourful Seoul events in October 2025.
Running for over 20 years, the annual Seoul International Garden Show springs into life every May to October.
This year, the event theme is “Seoul, Green Soul” with over 100 garden displays brought to life by flora and fauna. There is even a new Hechi (the Seoul tourism mascot) garden this year.
Seoul International Garden Show 2025 is free entry and open from noon until 7pm daily.
You might like – 50+ top things to do with kids in Seoul >
DDP Architecture Tour
Every Tuesday to Sunday at 1.30pm accept public holidays until 31 December 2025
Not so much a 2025 Seoul festival but a common question in our South Korea Travel Tips and Planning Facebook group is about English language tours of the DDP in Seoul (not to be confused with the DMZ which is something entirely different).
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.
You might like – Our guide to 25+ things to do in Dongdaemun including Gwangjang Market
Seoul K-Food Festival ‘Knock Knock’ / Nok Nok
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31 December 2025
We love Korean food so the thought of attending this popular Seoul food festival in October 2025 is making us very hungry.
Free to attend, each week 15 to 20 food trucks rock up to downtown Seoul and serve up tasty Korean snacks and hot food – think fried chicken, oodles of noodles and nice rice dishes plus more unusual dishes like puffed rice ice cream.
Taking place Friday to Sunday 4pm to 9pm at Sejongno Park (close to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square), make sure you arrive hungry!
You might like – 30+ different Korean foods you must try or our Korean soju guide
2025 Seoul Light Hangang Bitseom Festival
3 to 12 October 2025 – free admission
Taking place at Yeouido Hangang Park, Seoul Light Hangang Bitseom Festival is one of the more illuminating Seoul festivals in October 2025.
Lighting up the Hanganag River with floating light installations, one of South Korea’s biggest laser shows and nightly performances, Seoul this October is looking ‘well lit’.
You might like – 40 things to do in Seoul at night >
2025 Seoul BBQ Festival
25 and 26 October 2025
Want to try a slice of Korea’s best K-BBQ restaurants? This tasty treat of a Seoul festival takes place over just one October weekend from 11am until 8pm on the Saturday and until 7pm on the Sunday.
Locals will enjoy the self BBQ zone (it will smell goooooood) whilst foreign guests can buy amazing Korean BBQ snacks from various stalls. Read more on their official website >
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Seoul 2025 Baseball Season
Please note the Seoul 2025 baseball season currently runs from March until 30 September 2025 but there may be some additional games / play offs in October 2025 – TBC at the time of writing.
You might like our guide to Seoul baseball tickets and going to a Korean baseball game >
Seoul concerts in October 2025
Madly Medly Festival
18 – 19 October 2025 – Paradise City, Incheon
Oasis
21 October 2025 – Seoul Goyang Stadium
Book Oasis Seoul tickets >
ENHYPEN World Tour in Seoul
24-26 October 2025 – KSPO Dome
Regular events in Seoul (all year round)
NANTA Theatre Cooking Show
There are many theatre shows to see in Seoul 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 >
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 >
You might like – 15+ K-Pop activities in Seoul >
Other South Korea October 2025 Festivals and Events
Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치축제)
31 October to 2 November 2025 – Sangmu Citizens Park, Gwangju
More things to do in Gwangju >
2025 Andong Mask Dance Festival
26 September to 5 October 2025
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (진주 남강유등축제)
4 to 19 October 2025 – Gyeongsangnam-do
Busan National Sports Festival
17 to 23 October 2025 – Busan
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