Korea In October: The Weather, Travel Tips, Flowers and Things To Do

Last Updated on November 3, 2025

October in Korea is peak autumn, and it’s every bit as magical as it sounds. The days are cool but not cold, and the skies are often a brilliant blue. That doesn’t mean it’s all crisp air and falling leaves just yet. Not at all. October has an energy that combines the best of summer’s warmth and autumn’s charm.

Having spent years exploring Korea in October, I can confidently say it’s one of the best times to visit. The foliage is breathtaking, with fiery reds and golden yellows in every direction, and the air is perfect for hiking, strolling, or just sitting back with a warm drink. Whether you’re here for the scenery or the festivals, October will steal your heart.

Will you be traveling to Korea in October? Here’s everything you need to know from the weather to the festivals.

• The Weather In Korea In October
• What To Know About Visiting Korea In October
• What To Pack and What To Wear
• The Public Holidays In Korea In October
• The Best Festivals and Events In October
• Picturesque Korean Tree Species
• Ideas For Things To Do
• What To Eat In The Fall In Korea
• The October Flower Guide
• Day Trips & Adventures To Take From Seoul

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The Weather In Korea In October

October in Korea is pure magic, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 19°C (50°F to 66°F) and autumn foliage at its peak. The landscapes transform into a breathtaking palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, making every hike or drive a visual delight.

The crisp air and clear skies create the perfect setting for exploring Korea’s countryside, enjoying vibrant festivals, or simply soaking in the beauty of the season. October is Korea at its most stunning, and you’ll feel it in every step you take.

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What To Know About Visiting Korea In October

October is a popular time for tourism in Korea, as the country is at its most picturesque with fiery autumn foliage covering the mountains and parks. The mild weather makes it perfect for outdoor activities, from hiking trails to exploring historical sites and countryside festivals.

Speaking of festivals, October is full of them, celebrating everything from traditional harvests to modern music and art. It’s the ideal month to soak in Korea’s cultural and natural beauty at its finest.

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What To Pack and What To Wear

Autumn in Korea is very pleasant. October is still quite warm during the day but there are cooler breezes and the evenings can even be chilly depending where you are. You won’t need anything overly heavy though. Planning to go to Jeju? You might actually be able to swim still if you’re visiting in early October!

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The Public Holidays In Korea In October

National Foundation Day (개천절) | October 3: The origin story of Korea is quite the tale and if you haven’t heard it yet, get ready to discover the beginning of Korean mythology and why National Foundation Day is celebrated.

Chuseok (추석) | October 5 – October 8, 2025: Chuseok is a celebration of harvest and family and the date changes every year. This autumn festival is a time for Korean families to take off work, travel to the countryside or abroad and spend time together. It can be difficult to travel during Chuseok for tourists as train tickets are provided to locals first. Chuseok in Seoul can be fabulous though!

Hangeul Day (한글날) | October 9: This special day commemorates the creation and proclamation of the Hangeul script by King Sejong the Great and his scholars in 1443. The script is a masterpiece of simplicity, consisting of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels that can be combined to form complex characters representing sounds and syllables. Get ready to celebrate Hangeul Day Korean-style.

Did you know there are unofficial holidays in Korea? On October 14, Koreans celebrate Wine Day. One for the age-appropriate couples, wine has been gaining in popularity over the past couple of decades and there’s a day to celebrate the delicious grape juice.

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The Best Festivals and Events In October

With such fantastic weather all over the country, October is a busy month full of events and festivals in just about every city you look. Plan around these awesome events for an even better experience.

Cultural Festivals

• The World Pansori Festival (월드판소리페스티벌): October 8, 2025 ~ October 9, 2025
  • In the Namsangol Hanok Village, don’t miss this amazing experience to see traditional Korean pansori performances, the gayageum, soriguk, a traditional musical drama, and ganggangsullae, a traditional Korean circle dance.
  • Address: 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 필동2가 84-1)
• Jinju Lantern Festival (진주 남강유등축제): October 4, 2025 ~ October 19, 2025
  • Attracting thousands of guests each year, the Jinju Lantern Festival has some just huge lanterns with Buddhist influences and famous scenery in Korea to see.
  • Address: 626 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 진주시 남강로 626)

Food Festivals

• Chuncheon Makguksu and Dakgalbi Festival (춘천 막국수닭갈비축제): October 16, 2025 ~ October 19, 2025
  • Chuncheon is famous for their delicious dakgalbi, or spicy stir fried chicken. Head out to the for this delicious food where it comes from.
  • Address: 245 Sports town-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원 춘천시 삼천동 200-9)
• Icheon Rice Festival (이천쌀문화축제): October 22, 2025 ~ October 26, 2025
  • Icheon is a fertile area that grows a lot of rice and their fun towny festival is super fun. You can try a ton of rice dishes including cakes, and rice ice cream!
  • Address: 48 Gongwon-ro, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 이천시 공원로 48)
• Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (전주비빔밥축제): October 24, 2025 ~ October 26, 2025
  • Celebrate the taste and charm of one of Korea’s representative foods in the city of it’s origin, Jeonju. The city has been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy.
  • Address: 451 Girin-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do (전북특별자치도 전주시 덕진구 기린대로 451)
• Imsil N Cheese Festival (임실N치즈축제): October 8, 2025 ~ October 12, 2025
  • Cheese might not be the first food in Korea you think of, but there is indeed a local cheese-tastic spot to check out. Imsil hosts an event with over 80 cheesy programs.
  • Address: 50 Doin 2-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 임실군 성수면 도인2길 50)
• Gangneung Coffee Festival (강릉커피축제): October 23, 2025 ~ October 26, 2025
  • Gangneung has become synonymous with beaches and coffee. The area is even credited with creating modern coffee culture in Korea.
  • Address: 9-1 Gyeonggang-ro 2021beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 경강로2021번길 9-1)

Nature Festivals

• Haneul Park Silver Grass Festival (서울억새축제): Usually mid-October
  • Sky Park, or Haneul Park, in the World Cup Parks system becomes immensely popular in the fall in Korea.
  • Address: 482 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 상암동 482)
• Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival (순천만갈대축제): Usually mid-October
  • This wetlands area is visited by migrating birds and the reeds blowing in the winds makes for some spectacular natural scenery. Cultural, artistic, eco-education and other activities are combined for a great weekend-away location.
  • Address: 513-25 Suncheonman-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 순천시 순천만길 513-25)
• Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival (익산천만송이국화축제): October 24, 2025 ~ November 2, 2025
  • This festival is amazing. If you’ve ever wondered what chrysanthemums on chrysanthemums on chrysanthemums would look like, this is the place to go.
  • Address: 322 Hana-ro, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 익산시 하나로 322)
• Jogyesa Chrysanthemum Festival (조계사국화축제): October 15, 2025 ~ October 31, 2025
  • Jogyesa is probably best known for their sky of lanterns in the spring, but they host a number of fantastic installations throughout the year including their chrysanthemum celebration in the autumn.
  • Address: 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 우정국로 55)

Culture & Food Festivals

• Andong Mask Dance Festival (안동국제탈춤페스티벌): September 26, 2025 ~ October 5, 2025
  • Traditional Korean mask dances are performed as well as mask dances by international troupes too. From folk culture to dance lessons, exhibits and more, this is a great event to plan a weekend away around. The Andong Hahoe Village is a must-visit.
  • Address: 200 Chukjejang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 안동시 육사로 239)
• Great Baekje Festival (백제문화제): October 3, 2025 ~ October 12, 2025
  • With events in the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gongju and Buyeo, this is a great opportunity to learn about the Baekje Kingdom. Gongju and Buyeo are also just beautiful cities to explore.
  • Address: 135 Baekgang-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 부여군 백강로 135)
• Gimje Horizon Festival (김제지평선축제): October 8, 2025 ~ October 12, 2025
  • In the heart of the Honam rice bowl, this is the only place in Korea to see the far-distant horizon. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is an important foundation of the nation.
  • Address: 442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do (전북특별자치도 김제시 벽골제로 442)
• Silla Cultural Festival (신라문화제): October 10, 2025 ~ October 12, 2025
  • From the Baekje Kingdom to the Silla. Taking place in Gyeongju each autumn, see some amazing performances, fireworks, and learn about the culture of Silla.
  • Address: 18 Jungang-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 중앙로 18)
• Gwangju Chungjang Festival (추억의 충장축제): October 15, 2025 ~ October 19, 2025
  • Experience Korea in the 70s. Head to Gwangju for some retro cafes, nostalgic street food, and a parade that harkens back to the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
  • Address: 1 Seonam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju (광주광역시 동구 서남로 1)

Must See Events

• Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour (창덕궁 달빛기행): October 5, 12, & 19, 2025
  • Gyeongbokgung’s nighttime festival became so popular, the government decided to open up more palaces and Changdeokgung is just as stunning.
  • Address: 2-71 Waryong-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 와룡동 2-71)
  • Advanced Tickets Required: Tickets are available exclusively through Creatrip. Get them ASAP.
• Seoul Drone Show (드론 라이트 쇼): October 18, 2025 & October 25, 2025
  • This FREE event is quite the showcase. 1000 drones take to the sky for a rhythmic showcase. It’s definitely something you won’t see in many other places. Take the time to enjoy the show from the Han River.
  • Address: 139 Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 광진구 강변북로 139)
  • More information: https://www.seouldroneshow.com/

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Picturesque Korean Tree Species

Fall foliage is beautiful wherever you look, but one of the most popular activities in the autumn is hiking. There are mountains all around Korea to explore and even if you don’t want to hike, a lot of them feature cable cars to get up to the top, too. Get ready for an adventure!

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Ideas For Things To Do

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What To Eat In The Fall In Korea

In the autumn, fruits and vegetables are being harvested meaning there is a ton of fresh produce to eat and warm and cozy soups.

Persimmons (감) hang from the trees in the autumn and after getting picked, are hung even longer to be dried. Typically, harvested persimmons are dried outdoors for two to three weeks, then dried indoors for a few more days and eaten as dried persimmons. They’re also used in one of my favorite drinks, sujeonggwa (수정과), a persimmon and cinnamon drink.

Marinated raw crab, or ganjang gejang (간장게장), might take some time to grow on you, but if you’re an adventurous eater, the autumn is the best time to enjoy this delectable treat. Fresh raw crabs are marinated in soy sauce and sweet and spicy chili peppers. It’s delicious!

Dotorimuk (도토리묵) is acorn jelly salad, a refreshing and earthy dish often enjoyed in autumn for its unique texture and light taste.

Sweet potatoes are so delicious at this time of the year. Cooked over coals, you can buy them at markets or from street carts. Pro tip! Eat them with kimchi. You’ll never go back if you do.

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The October In Korea Flower Guide

October is prime time flower season in Korea in so many ways. From September through October, there are flowers blooming galore. You’ll want to fill every weekend with an outdoor adventure between the flower spotting and foliage finding.

Cosmos (코스모스): Cosmos are one of the most popular autumn flowers in Korea and create some dreamy fields of oranges and pinks.

Where to see them in Seoul (usually):

• Haneul Park (하늘공원): 481-72 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (상암동 481-72)
• Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원): 62 Ichon-ro 72-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 이촌로72길 62)
• Guri Hangang Park (구리시민한강공원): 249 Cosmos-gil 14-beon-gil, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 구리시 코스모스길14번길 249)
• Olympic Park (서울 올림픽 공원): 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 424)

Pink Muhly (뮬리): Blooming from mid-September until early November, this invasive species was first planted in Jeju and now you can find fields of the fluffy pink clouds all over the country. Find the guide to pink muhly in Korea for 23 places for this wispy wonder.

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Day Trips & Adventures To Take From Seoul

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I bet you didn’t guess that you could visit Korea in January and spot flowers, go ice fishing, and see a festival if lights! You can indeed! Get ready for an epic adventure in South Korea this January. Get ready for the fun.

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