Korea in October 2026: Autumn Foliage, Holidays and Weather

Source: KMA climate normals 1991–2020, stations 108, 159 and 184 (KMA). Seoul's October average is 15.0°C.

These are 30-year averages, not a forecast. The Korea Tourism Organization warns that autumn temperatures "can fluctuate greatly" (VisitKorea). In a normal year Seoul's first frost comes around 28 October (KMA), so late October mornings can be close to freezing in the hills. Check the KMA forecast in the week before you fly.

• A light jacket or fleece. Enough for most days in Seoul.
• Layers. Mornings and evenings are cool and afternoons are mild.
• A warmer layer for mountains. It is colder at the top than in the city, and the wind picks up near ridges.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Palace grounds and mountain trails have uneven surfaces.
• A compact umbrella. Rain is light on average but possible.

The Korea Forest Service published its 2026 foliage peak map on 22 September. It counts the peak as the day when at least half of a mountain's leaves have changed color. The forecast peak is late October in the north (Seoraksan on 20 October) and early November in the south (Kyunghyang Shinmun English). The Korea Tourism Organization's forecast gives later dates. The two forecasts conflict, so see the autumn foliage guide for both, the sites and how to get there.

Source: KASI calendar data 2026. Hangul Day was Friday 9 October 2026, and all three dates have passed. On public holidays, banks and government offices close (VisitKorea).

Chuseok in 2026 fell on 24–26 September, in September (KASI). If you plan for October 2027: National Foundation Day (Sunday 3 October) and Hangul Day (Saturday 9 October) both fall on weekends, so Monday 4 October and Monday 11 October are substitute holidays (KASI calendar data 2027).

• Seoul Silver Grass Festival. The 25th festival runs from Saturday 17 to Friday 23 October 2026, 10:00–21:00, around Haneul Park in World Cup Park. From the subway it is about a 40-minute walk from World Cup Stadium Station or Mapo-gu Office Station (Line 6). The city recommends public transport because traffic is very heavy (Seoul Metropolitan Government).
• Seoul Autumn Festa. Visit Seoul lists the program running to 29 November 2026 (Visit Seoul).
• Foliage peaks. Most of the mountains in the north reach their peak in the last ten days of the month. See the autumn foliage guide.

For other events, check the Korea Tourism Organization's festival listings. Confirm dates with the organizer; programs can change.

The Korea Tourism Organization names July to August and December to January as peak seasons (VisitKorea), so October is not on that list. It calls autumn "the season of festivals," and popular foliage sites are likely to be busy at weekends. Weekday visits and early starts help. Buy express bus tickets for mountain trips in advance on the English-language Kobus site (VisitKorea).

• Seoul has palaces, Seoul Forest and city-edge mountains. See the Seoul guide.
• Gangwon's mountains are first for color. See the autumn foliage guide.
• Busan is warmer, with highs around 22.5°C. See the Busan guide.
• Jeju stays mild. Its Hallasan foliage peak is forecast for November. See the Jeju guide.