Updated November 1, 2026
Seoul events in November 2026
The big Seoul event that runs all through November 2026 is the Seoul Autumn Festa, a performing-arts season that ends on November 29. The Seoul Lantern Festival is not in November this year: it's listed for December 11, 2026 to January 31, 2027 on Cheonggyecheon Stream. And the autumn leaves? They were forecast to peak around the Seoul area in late October, so early November is the tail end.
November 2026 at a glance
| Seoul Autumn Festa | Sep 18 – Nov 29 · theatres, Han River parks and Daehangno |
|---|---|
| Seoul Wellness Travel Week | Oct 29 – Nov 4 · Bongeunsa Temple and around Gangnam |
| Autumn leaves | Seoul-area peak forecast for late October; first days of November are the last good ones |
| Seoul Lantern Festival | Not in November · Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027, 18:00–23:00 |
Dates from the Seoul city government's monthly event plan, the Seoul Tourism Organization and the Korea Heritage Service, checked November 1, 2026. Events can change, so check the official page the week you go.
Seoul Lantern Festival 2026: December, not November
A lot of older guides say the lantern festival is a November thing. It used to be. The last few editions moved to the winter holidays, and the 2025 one ran from December 12 to January 18.
Dates
The Seoul Tourism Organization lists December 11, 2026 (Fri) to January 31, 2027 (Sun). The city's festival site, FUN SEOUL, still just says "December (planned)".
Where and when
Along Cheonggyecheon Stream, from Cheonggye Plaza to Samil Bridge. Lights are on 18:00–23:00. The 2026 theme is "Seoul's romance: a symphony of light".
Cost
The 2026 listings I found don't mention a ticket or a fee. Check the official site once the festival is announced in full.
My tip: If your trip is in November, don't plan around the lanterns. Plan around the leaves instead, and do it early. With the peak forecast for late October, every extra week in November means fewer leaves on the trees.
Autumn leaves in early November
The Korea Forest Service forecast the national peak for late October: ginkgo around October 30, maple around October 31. The Korea Tourism Organization's 2026 foliage map puts the Seoul area's peak "from late October", and the southern regions in early to mid-November.
- Palaces are the easy pick. Gyeongbokgung's Hyangwonjeong pond, in the photo above, is one of the classic autumn shots. Hanbok photo spots in Seoul
- City walks. Seoul city keeps a list of 110 autumn-leaf walks, split into downtown, riverside, park and trail routes.
- Wear layers in hanbok. November evenings get cold. Ask the shop if they lend a jacket or shawl before you book.
- Mind the closing days. Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo are closed on Tuesdays; Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung on Mondays.
What already ended
A few autumn events show up in search but are over for 2026:
- Gyeongbokgung night tour (autumn session): September 2 to October 2.
- Changgyeonggung "Mulbit Yeonhwa" night media art: October 7 to November 1, so tonight is the last night.
- Han River drone light show: the last autumn show was October 31. Seoul Drone Show 2026
Questions
Is there a Seoul lantern festival in November 2026?
No, the Seoul Lantern Festival is not in November 2026. The Seoul Tourism Organization lists it for December 11, 2026 to January 31, 2027 on Cheonggyecheon Stream, from 18:00 to 23:00.
What events are on in Seoul in November 2026?
Seoul events in November 2026 include the Seoul Autumn Festa, a performing-arts season running until November 29, and the Seoul Wellness Travel Week around Bongeunsa Temple until November 4. Early November is also the last stretch for autumn leaves.
Are the autumn leaves still out in Seoul in November 2026?
Seoul's autumn leaves were forecast to peak in late October 2026, with ginkgo around October 30 and maple around October 31. So early November is the tail end of the season.