Gyeongbokgung Palace at Night 2026: Dates, Tickets & What to Expect

Last Updated on August 30, 2026

As the sun set over Seoul, families, couples, and curious travelers slowly wandered through the cobblestone paths of Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁), soaking up the serene nighttime atmosphere. Once a short weeklong event, the Gyeongbokgung Palace night opening has now become a beloved seasonal affair. It runs for several weeks each spring and autumn, inviting both tourists and locals to experience one of Seoul’s top attractions in a completely different light, literally.

Gyeongbokgung only opens for night viewing a handful of weeks a year, and only Wednesday through Sunday within that window, tickets go for as little as W3,000, but they sell out fast. Here’s exactly how to get in, and what to actually expect once you do.

Whether you’re visiting Korea in the cherry blossom season or catching the fall foliage, seeing Gyeongbokgung Palace illuminated at night is one of the most memorable things to do at night in Seoul. 

Get ready to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace at night:

• Basic Info
• How To Get Tickets For Palace Night Viewing
• What To See
• FAQ

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. Thank you for your support.)

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Basic Info

Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로))

Directions: Head to Gyeongbukgung Station, exit 5 which exits directly into the palace complex. For the main gate view before you enter the palace, take Gyeongbukgung Station, exit 6. Make a u-turn and you’ll see the palace main gate across the street. If you want to rent a Hanbok prior to entering, you’ll want to go to exit 4 where you can find a few shops to choose from.

Autumn Season 2026: September 2 ~ October 2, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday only, the palace is closed for night viewing on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the run.

Nighttime Hours: 7:00pm–9:30pm (last entrance is permitted at 8:30pm)

A note on weather: this is an outdoor event and it runs rain or shine, there’s no refund if it rains, so plan accordingly (and maybe pack a small umbrella just in case). Last year it was a little drizzly when I went, but the lights were still beautiful and actually it was a bit less crowded because some people didn’t want to be out in the rain I imagine. It was a pleasant evening by the end.

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How To Get Tickets For Palace Night Viewing

Online: Tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis through NOL Interpark, opening about a week before the season starts, this autumn, sales opened August 26 at 10:00am. Adult tickets (ages 7–64) are W3,000, and each person can buy up to 4. There are 3,000 tickets available per day, and they go quickly, especially for weekend dates, I’d recommend having your NOL account set up and payment method ready before the sale window opens.

On-site: A limited number of tickets can also be purchased on-site, 300 tickets are available per day, reserved for foreign passport holders only, with a limit of 2 per person. You’ll need to show your passport or alien registration card to get these.

Free entry: Everyone gets in FREE if you’re wearing a Hanbok, no ticket needed at all. Children 6 and under and seniors 65+ also enter free. If you don’t have a Hanbok, rent one, walking through a traditional Korean palace in traditional Korean clothing is pretty much the best way to get cultural and traditional in the city, and it’s the one guaranteed way in even if the day’s ticket allotment is gone.

The real thing to book, though, are the specialized tours, the ones with dinner served, or a concert. These have much more limited entrance and are really special in that they make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the palace of your dreams. I’ve attended this kind of tour at both Gyeongbokgung Palace and at Changdeokgung Palace, both amazing and worth it. These run on a separate booking system from the standard night viewing ticket above, for foreigners, you can book through Creatrip.

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What To See

When the lights go on, Gyeongbokgung transforms into a magical space where history and culture meet moonlight and music. Key spots are illuminated for a dreamy walk through Korea’s royal past.

Main Areas Lit Up at Night:

• Gwanghwamun Gate
• Heungnyemun Gate
• Geunjeongjeon Hall (Throne Hall)
• Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
• Sajeongjeon Hall
• Gangnyeongjeon Hall
• Gyotaejeon Hall
• Amisan

Gwanghwamun Gate is the main entrance into the palace complex. The central arch was the entrance for the king while the arches on either side were for the crown princes or other officials entering the complex.

The original gate had been moved to just north of the east gate of the palace when the Japanese government came in and took over in the 1920s. This gate was later bombed and destroyed during the Korean war. Rebuilt in 1968, it was most recently restored in 2010.

Crowds have picked up for this over the years, it can be crowded. But it’s not crowded in a “you can’t find a corner to get a good picture” way. Because it’s dark, people naturally congregate around the lights, which makes sense, but you can spread out into the darker corners a bit, watch your step, and still get that sense of intrigue and quiet you’re hoping for.

It being a Friday on one of my visits, the crowds were massive, yet navigable. Everyone moved with ease, in most cases, as we all had the same goal: enjoying the concert and taking pictures. Not only were the pictures of the beautiful architecture, but also of children playing in the lamp light and dancers in Hanbok on stage.

Reaching the illustrious throne hall, or Geunjeongjeon Hall, was deemed a feat not worth fighting the crowds for this time. Standing back a bit though, the light mixed with all of the people strolling the grounds made the immensity of the building quite a sight.

One could imagine how many people once filled this space when the king would receive foreign envoys and preside over official ceremonies here.

The only entrance open from the main throne hall led to the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. This seemed to be one of the biggest draws and for good reason. Situated in the middle of a pond, this pavilion is a true beauty seemingly floating on water. The reflection of the building and the lights and the moon in the water made for a spectacular photo opportunity certainly not missed by anyone in attendance.

This building was built for feasts and joyous affairs. The name means that the king is capable of handling national affairs only when he has the right people around him and in a setting like this the right people would definitely be the cherry on the ice cream. This building has remained intact on the grounds since being rebuilt in 1867 and is a must see for any visitor night or day.

On the night I caught a performance, the lit-up hall was filled to capacity with chairs, and those still hoping to watch took their seats on the nearby lawn, any ledge space found, or a simple piece of newspaper on the dusty ground.

The show started off with a rendition of Arirang followed by some traditional and not so traditional remakes. About half way through, dancers in hanboks took to the stage to give the music a visual partner.

All in all, the night was a lit up success. Daytime visits to Gyeongbokgung are always a hit, but experiencing the palace at night is on another level. With fewer people, cooler temperatures, and a completely different ambiance, the Gyeongbokgung night tour is a truly unique way to connect with Korea’s history and beauty.

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FAQ

When is Gyeongbokgung Palace open at night in 2026?

Autumn night viewing runs September 2–October 2, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday, 7:00pm–9:30pm, with last entry at 8:30pm.

How much does the Gyeongbokgung night tour cost?

3,000 won for ages 7–64. Children 6 and under, seniors 65+, and anyone wearing hanbok enter free.

Can I still get tickets if online sales sell out?

Yes, up to 300 same-day tickets are sold on-site each day, but only to foreign passport holders, capped at 2 per person, with passport in hand.

Is Gyeongbokgung open every night during the season?

No, it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the run.

What happens if it rains?

The event goes on rain or shine, with no weather-related refunds.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Rentals aren’t available for the night viewing (they are during the day), so plan accordingly.

Which subway exit should I use?

Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 4, it leads right into the palace, and it’s also the better exit if you want to rent a hanbok first, since a couple of shops are right there before you cross the street.

Is the night viewing crowded?

Yes, more than it used to be, but people tend to cluster around the lit areas, so you can still find quieter corners in the darker stretches of the grounds if you’re willing to watch your step.

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