Blog · October 31, 2026
Halloween in Seoul 2026
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Seoul is running a special safety plan from October 30 to November 1. Expect road closures around Itaewon and Hongdae tonight, lots of staff on the streets, and a quieter mood than you might picture.
Why Halloween feels different here
On October 29, 2022, 159 people died in a crowd crush in a narrow alley in Itaewon on Halloween weekend. This weekend is the fourth anniversary. A lot of Koreans don't really "do" Halloween in the streets any more, and the alley beside the Hamilton Hotel is now a memorial path. If you're going out, keep that in mind. It's not a party-street night for everyone.
What the city is doing this weekend
- 14 areas watched closely, including Itaewon, Hongdae, Seongsu, Konkuk University, Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Myeongdong and Ikseon-dong.
- Car traffic restricted around Itaewon and Hongdae on the 31st, to give people room to walk.
- About 4,500 police officers in nightlife areas, plus thousands of city and district staff.
- Itaewon expects around 160,000 visitors. If it gets too crowded, entrances and exits can be split, and trains may be told to skip Itaewon Station.
- Hongdae shows live crowd levels on screens along the "Red Road", with safety fences and guides on site.
- Police have asked people to skip costumes that could scare or alarm others, like fake police uniforms or weapons.
My tip: check the crowd level before you go. Seoul's real-time city data (data.seoul.go.kr, "Seoul real-time city data") shows how busy each area is right now. If Itaewon or Hongdae shows red, pick another night or another neighbourhood.
Want Halloween without the crowds? Theme parks
Honestly, this is where Koreans go for the spooky stuff.
| Lotte World (Jamsil) | Sep 12 – Nov 15 |
|---|---|
| Everland (Yongin) · Blood City | Sep 12 – Nov 22 |
2026 dates as reported by travel guides from the parks' announcements. Confirm on the official park websites before you book.
Lotte World is indoors and right on Line 2 (Jamsil Station), so it works in the rain and late in the day. Everland is out in Yongin, about an hour from central Seoul, and its horror zone is the bigger, scarier one.
Questions
Is Halloween celebrated in Seoul?
Yes, but more quietly than before 2022. Bars, clubs and theme parks still run Halloween events, while street parties in Itaewon are smaller and heavily managed for safety.
Is Itaewon open on Halloween 2026?
Yes. Itaewon is open on Halloween 2026, but car traffic is restricted, crowd levels are monitored, and the subway may skip Itaewon Station if it becomes very crowded.
When is Lotte World Halloween 2026?
Lotte World's 2026 Halloween festival runs from September 12 to November 15, according to travel guides citing the park's announcement.