What’s on in Seoul and what to do, in the month of October 2024:

Seoul in October 2024 is packed with a variety of exciting events across different categories. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening and what to do:

Pop Culture, Markets and Community Events:
Concerts and Music:
Art and Exhibitions:
Festivals and Special Events:
Theatre, Performance and Musicals:
Sports:
Food, Drink and Fun:
Conferences and Expos:
Want more What’s On details?

Pop Culture, Markets and Community Events:

1. Seoul International Fireworks Festival:
   • Date: October 5, 2024
   • Where: Yeouido Hangang Park
   • Details: A massive fireworks show with over 100,000 fireworks from international teams.
2. Culture Flows at Seoul Plaza:
   • Dates: May 8 – November 30, 2024 (ongoing in October)
   • Where: Seoul Plaza Outdoor Stage
   • Details: Daily performances and exhibitions with music, dance, and art.
3. FunFest 2024: Night in the Museum:
   • Date: October 11, 2024
   • Where: Yongsan International School of Seoul
   • Details: A family-friendly festival featuring games, food, and entertainment.
4. Car-Free Jamsugyo Bridge Festival:
   • Dates: September 1 – October 27, every Sunday
   • Details: The Jamsugyo Bridge transforms into a pedestrian zone with eco-friendly food trucks, silent DJ parties, and markets.
5. Hanbok Culture Week:
   • Dates: October 16-22
   • Details: This event celebrates Korea’s traditional clothing with exhibitions and activities throughout the Jongno area.
6. Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival:
   • Dates: October 14-16
   • Details: A local celebration in Gwanak-gu featuring participatory cultural events like archery, art contests, and historical reenactments.
7. Bamdokkaebi Night Market:
   • Dates: October weekends
   • Details: A popular night market held at various locations like Yeouido and Banpo Hangang Park featuring food stalls, crafts, and live performances.
8. Guro G Festival × Anyangcheon Light Festival:
   • Dates: October 6-8
   • Details: A community event featuring light displays, live music, and a local food market along the Anyangcheon River.
9. Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival:
   • Dates: October 4-6, 2024
   • Where: Wonju City, Gangwon Province
   • Details: Large-scale dance performances and street dancing competitions.
10. Busking All Around Seoul:
    • Dates: April 1 – November 30, 2024
    • Where: Multiple locations across Seoul, including Hongdae and Itaewon
    • Details: Street performances, music, and shows from independent artists.

Concerts and Music:

1. Zandari Festa 2024:
   • Dates: October 3-5, 2024
   • Where: Various venues in Hongdae, including Seendosi
   • Details: Indie music festival with both local and international artists like DVTR and Cyril Cyril.
2. Jorja Smith Live Concert:
   • Date: October 25, 2024
   • Where: Yes24 Live Hall
   • Details: A highly anticipated concert by the British singer.
3. Nat Vazer Concerts:
   • Dates: October 11 and October 22, 2024
   • Where: Club FF Seoul (October 11), Jebidabang Seoul (October 22)
   • Details: Indie performances by Australian singer-songwriter Nat Vazer.
4. Seoul International Dance Festival:
   • Dates: October 1-6
   • Where: Oil Tank Culture Park
   • Details: Showcases a range of dance performances and offers public dance classes.
5. Electro Boyz:
   • Dates: October 11 & 12
   • Where: KSPO Dome
   • Details: This K-Pop group brings their electrifying stage presence.
6. Top Gun: Maverick in Concert:
   • Date: October 5
   • Where: Kyung Hee University Peace Hall
   • Details: A unique concert experience featuring a live orchestra playing the score from the hit film.

Art and Exhibitions:

1. Media Art Seoul:
   • Dates: October 10 – 31, 2024
   • Where: Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)
   • Details: An art festival featuring cutting-edge digital artworks and installations from Korean and international artists.
2. Midnight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace
   • Dates: September 12 – November 10, 2024 (ongoing in October)
   • Where: Changdeokgung Palace
   • Details: Evening tours of the palace under the moonlight.
3. Cultural Heritage Media Art Show
   • Dates: September 28 – October 20
   • Where: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
   • Details: A stunning media art exhibition at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, combining visual art with historical storytelling.
4. Grand Park Chrysanthemum Exhibition
   • Dates: October – November 2024
   • Where: Seoul Grand Park, Gwacheon
   • Details: A beautiful exhibition of seasonal chrysanthemums.
5. Park Silver Grass Eulalia Festival
   • Dates: Throughout October 15 – 21
   • Where: Haneul Park, World Cup Park, Seoul
   • Details: Celebrates the blooming of Eulalia grass, perfect for autumn viewing.

Festivals and Special Events:

1. International Fireworks Festival
   • Dates: October 5th
   • Where: Yeouido Hangang Park
   • Details: One of the most iconic festivals in Seoul, held at Yeouido Hangang Park. The festival features over 100,000 fireworks, with participants from several countries. It attracts a huge crowd and also includes performances and food trucks.
2. Baekje Cultural Festival
   • Dates: October 24-27, 2024
   • Where: Buyeo and Gongju (outside Seoul)
   • Details: Celebrating Korea’s ancient Baekje kingdom with lantern displays, K-pop performances, and traditional arts and food.
3. Itaewon Global Village Festival
   • Dates: October 15-16
   • Where: Itaewon District
   • Details: A multicultural event in the Itaewon district, offering food, parades, and performances celebrating various cultures
4. Myeongdong Beer Festival
   • Dates: October 6-8
   • Where: Myeongdong
   • Details: A lively beer festival in one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts, offering craft beers and live music.
5. Hanbok Culture Week
   • Dates: October 16-22
   • Where: Jongno-gu
   • Details: A week-long celebration of traditional Korean clothing, with exhibitions and hands-on experiences around Jongno-gu.
6. Gang Gam-chan Festival
   • Dates: October 14-16
   • Where: Gwanak-gu
   • Details: A local festival in Gwanak-gu, featuring cultural performances, archery contests, and traditional games.
7. Seoul Music Festival
   • Dates: late September into early October
   • Where: Nodeul Island
   • Details: This event takes place on Nodeul Island, showcasing performances from a range of artists.
8. Gimje Horizon Festival
   • Dates: October 2-6, 2024
   • Where: Gimje City, Jeollabuk-do (outside Seoul)
   • Details: Celebrates Korea’s agricultural heritage with traditional farming activities.
9. Seoul Lantern Festival:
   • Dates: Typically late October to November
   • Where: Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seoul
   • Details: The event showcases beautiful lanterns along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, highlighting Korea’s culture and history.
10. Seoul Kimchi Making and Sharing Festival
    • Dates: Late October to early November
    • Where: Seoul Plaza

    Details: This festival often happens in late October or early November and celebrates kimchi-making traditions.

Theatre, Performance and Musicals:

1. The Phantom of the Opera:
   • Dates: October 1 – November 19, 2024
   • Where: Charlotte Theatre, Seoul
   • Details: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece returns to Seoul for a limited engagement.
2. Nanta Cooking Show:
   • Dates: Daily performances in October
   • Where: Nanta Theatre, Myeongdong
   • Details: A high-energy performance combining comedy, martial arts, and drumming, centered around cooking.
3. The Truth Untold” (Musical)
   • Dates: October 11th
   • Where: Myeongdong, Seoul
   • Details: A dramatic musical performance.
4. National Theater Performances
   • Dates: Various Performances during October – check website
   • Where: National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Grand Theater
   • Details: A variety of Korean traditional performances.
5. Midnight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace
   • Dates: September 12 – November 10, 2024 (ongoing in October)
   • Where: Changdeokgung Palace
   • Details: A unique opportunity to explore one of Seoul’s most famous palaces under the moonlight, with guided tours highlighting its history.
6. The Painters: Show in Seoul
   • Dates: Ongoing in October
   • Where: Jongno Theatre
   • Details: A unique creative live performance combining painting with dance and comedy, held at the Jongno Theatre.

Sports:

1. Seoul E-Prix:
   • Dates: October 19 – 20, 2024
   • Where: Jamsil Sports Complex
   • Details: The electric car racing event, featuring top drivers from around the world.
2. KBO Korean Series:
   • Dates: October 23 – 30, 2024
   • Details: The championship series of the Korean Baseball Organization, featuring the best teams in the league.

Food, Drink, and Fun:

1. Myeongdong Beer Festival
   • Dates: October 6-8
   • Where: Myeongdong
   • Details: A lively beer festival in one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts, offering craft beers and live music.
2. Seoul Gourmet Week:
   • Dates: October 10 – 16, 2024
   • Where: Various restaurants around Seoul
   • Details: A week-long celebration of Seoul’s culinary scene, offering tasting menus, cooking classes, and food tours.
3. Nonsan Ganggyeong Salted Seafood Festival
   • Dates: October 12-16, 2024
   • Where: Nonsan, outside of Seoul
   • Details: Celebrates Korea’s traditional salted seafood, including interactive food stalls.
4. K-Food Festival Knock Knock
   • Dates: May 2024 – May 2025 (ongoing in October)
   • Where: Various locations in Seoul
   • Details: Culinary exhibitions showcasing Korean food.
5. Seoul Sool Festival:
   • Dates: October 14 – 16, 2024
   • Where: Seoul Forest
   • Details: A festival dedicated to Korean traditional liquors, with tastings, workshops, and live performances.

Conferences and Expos:

1. Korea Electronics Show (KES):
   • Dates: October 8 – 11, 2024
   • Where: COEX Convention Center
   • Details: An annual exhibition showcasing the latest in electronics and ICT products.
2. Seoul International Travel Mart (SITM):
   • Dates: October 15 – 17, 2024
   • Where: COEX Convention Center
   • Details: A premier B2B travel trade event bringing together travel professionals from around the world.
3. Robot World 2024
   • Dates: October 23-26, 2024
   • Where: KINTEX
   • Details: International robotics exhibition, competition, and conference.

These events provide a rich tapestry of activities that highlight Seoul’s vibrant community life, cultural heritage, and commitment to public engagement. Whether you are interested in outdoor activities, cultural performances, or educational talks, there’s something for everyone in Seoul this October.

Want more What’s On details? For more details and the latest updates, you can visit  the following resources:

1. • In My Korea: Information on major festivals.
   • my Guide Seoul: Lists various local events and markets.
   • Visit Seoul (Official Travel Guide): Has details on a wide range of community events, performances, and cultural festivals happening in Seoul.
   • Ploys Little Atlas: Offers insight on local cultural events.
   • Korea To Do: Information on additional Cultural events.
   • Trip.com: Details about major concerts.
   • Trip.com Must See attractions:
   • Songkick: Lists upcoming concerts and music festivals in Seoul.
   • Kpopmap: Details K-Pop idol concerts and fan meetings.
   • Seoul Metropolitan Government: Provides information on various cultural and public events.

These sources together give a comprehensive view of concerts, festivals, and other happenings and what to do around Seoul in October 2024.