After the searing temperatures and exhausting humidity of Korea in August, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief in Korea in September.
Welcome to one of the very best months of the year in South Korea!
Visiting Korea in September is an excellent idea!
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- what the weather is like during September in Korea
- the Seoul weather in September and other major cities and tourist hotspots, including Busan, Gangneung, and Jeju
- the best autumn festivals to attend around the country in September
- what to wear and the best things to pack for a successful trip to South Korea in September
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In this guide
- 1 Visiting Korea in September
- 2 How’s the weather in Korea in September?
- 3 Summary of Korea’s Weather in September
- 4 Planning a trip to Korea?
- 5 Korea in September | Typhoons
- 6 Limited Edition Autumn Tours in Korea
- 7 Korea in September | Best Festivals and Events
- 7.1 Seoul Light & DDP Autumn Festival | 서울라이트 가을
- 7.2 Jamsugyo Ttubeok Ttubeok Festival | 뚜벅뚜벅 축제
- 7.3 Seoul Sculpture Festival
- 7.4 Seoul Fashion Week
- 7.5 Jecheon International Music & Film Festival | 제천국제음악영화제
- 7.6 Muju Firefly Festival | 무주 반딧불축제
- 7.7 Hyoseok Culture Festival | 평창효석문화제
- 7.8 Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Tours | 경복궁 별빛야행
- 7.9 Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour | 창덕궁 달빛기행
- 7.10 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) | 부산국제영화제
- 7.11 Seoul Drone Show | 드론 라이트 쇼
- 7.12 Jeongseon Arirang Festival | 정선아리랑제
- 7.13 Wonju Hanji Festival | 원주한지문화제
- 7.14 Gangnam Festival | 강남 페스티벌
- 7.15 Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival | 한성백제문화제
- 7.16 Andong Mask Dance Festival | 안동국제탈춤페스티벌
- 7.17 Great Baekje Festival | 백제문화제
- 7.18 Suwon Hwaseong Media Art Festival | 수원화성 미디어아트
- 8 September in Korea | What to Wear
Visiting Korea in September
If you’ve planned your trip to South Korea for September, you’re in for a wonderful time! With golden light and comfortable weather, it’s easy to feel optimistic this month.
Whether it’s challenging yourself with a hike up Bukhansan, seeing the sights from the deck of a luxury yacht on the Han River, or scooting around Seoul on an e-bike, September is definitely a month to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Sunsets in Korea in September are simply glorious.
In Korea in September, kids are back in school, and the epic crowds seeking peak autumn foliage haven’t arrived yet. So booking tours and the ideal accommodation in Seoul is relatively easier, and more affordable than in October and November.
However, the Chuseok holiday falls from September 16th to 18th in 2024. At this time, everyone and their dog is traveling around Korea, so there are huge traffic jams and booking KTX tickets is very difficult. It’s best to stay put in Seoul during Chuseok.
You’ll have to wait until October or November to see this kind of fall foliage in Korea.
There’s also plenty to keep you entertained in South Korea in September, with some truly unique festivals and events set to take place in this first month of autumn. I’ll cover these a bit later on in this guide.
How’s the weather in Korea in September?
After the oppressiveness of summer in Korea, the September weather feels just a little bit like heaven. This is one of the best months to visit Korea climate-wise, with ideal temperatures, minimal humidity, and glorious sun-filled days.
The weather in Korea in September is ideal.
However, there’s an overall cooling trend in Korea during September, with daytime high temperatures decreasing 4°C | 8°F, from 27°C | 81°F to 23°C | 73°F over the course of the month.
It’s still hot enough across the country to be out in shorts and t-shirts for the first few weeks of September in Korea, but it’s wise to prepare a sweater or light jacket for evenings. Near the end of the month, it can feel downright chilly at night, with average lows of 17°C | 63°F.
It’s warm enough for shorts in the beginning of September in South Korea © Live Studio, Korea Tourism Organization
Summary of Korea’s Weather in September
City | Average Lows | Average Highs | Precipitation |
Seoul | 22°C | 72°F | 30°C | 85°F | 364-mm | 14.33-inches |
Busan | 25°C | 77°F | 28°C | 82°F | 204-mm | 8.03-inches |
Jeju Island | 24°C | 76°F | 30°C | 86°F | 263-mm | 10.35-inches |
Sokcho | 21°C | 70°F | 27°C | 81°F | 293-mm | 11.54-inches |
Jeonju | 23°C | 73°F | 31°C | 88°F | 278-mm | 10.94-inches |
Gyeongju | 22°C | 72°F | 29°C | 83°F | 212-mm | 8.35-inches |
Seoul Weather in September
With average temperatures ranging from 17°C | 63°F to a still warm 26°C | 78.°F, the Seoul weather in September is simply wonderful. It cools down as we head into Seoul’s incredible autumn season, but jeans and multiple layers are all that’s required for exploring comfortably this month.
You don’t need more than a light jacket and layers to explore Korea comfortably in September.
The humidity decreases quickly in Seoul in September, and by the end of the month, it sits at just 3%. There are about 9 days of rain, totalling approximately 170-mm, on average, but it’s not really anything to worry about.
September in Korea is such an incredible relief.
*Personal note: Last year, it stayed hot and humid during the day time right up until the end of September. It started to cool down a little in the last week, with evenings and nights pretty tolerable. Is this new September weather, or was it an outlier? We will have to wait and see.
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South Korea Travel Essentials
Hotels and Other Accommodation
Tours, Admission Tickets, and Things to Do
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Busan Weather in September
With its location on Korea’s southeastern coast, Busan in September is cooler than Seoul. It has average daily temperatures ranging from 21°C | 70°F to 24°C | 76°F. It rains for approximately 9 days, but precipitation only totals about 70-mm over the entire month.
September is an excellent time to see Busan’s gorgeous Haedong Yonggungsa Temple © Lee Beomsu, Korea Tourism Organization
If you don’t mind a cooler sea, it’s still possible to swim at Busan’s beaches. The water temperature sits at 25°C | 77°F in September in Korea, and there’s plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Be sure to slather on that sunscreen though – the UV index is still very high.
SMALL GROUP AND PRIVATE TOURS | Major attractions like Taejongdae Cliff, Songdo Skywalk, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple are spread out in several different areas of Busan. Make the most of your limited time with tailored small group or private tours. Check options here.
Jeju Weather in September
In September, average temperatures on Jeju Island range from 20°C | 69°F and 26°C | 78.4°F with 11 days of rain, totalling approximately 220-mm of precipitation.
You can still swim at gorgeous Gwakji Beach in September.
The water temperature is 25°C | 76°F, so you can still swim comfortably at one of Jeju’s gorgeous beaches.
GETTING AROUND JEJU ISLAND | Jeju is a surprisingly large island, and public transit can be slow and time-consuming. If you don’t have a ton of time, your best options are to rent a car and drive yourself, or join a group tour of major Jeju Island sites.
- Eastern Jeju Discovery: Horse riding, Seongeup Folk Village, Women Diver Show (Haenyeo Museum on rainy days), Seongsan Sunrise Peak + Manjang Cave
- Western Island Exploration: Hyeopjae Beach, Hallim Park, O’sulloc Green Tea Field, Sanbang Cruise + Cheonjeyeon Waterfall
- Southern Jeju Adventure: Mysterious Road, Hallasan, Alive Museum, Jusangjeolli Lava Cliff, Lonely Rock + Jeongbang falls
- Jeju Island UNESCO Day Tour: UNESCO sites like Manjang Cave, Seongsan Ilchubong Peak, and Hallasan
Gangneung Weather in September (Gangwon-do)
The Korea weather in September on East Coast beaches is typically quite a bit cooler than in the interior. In Gangneung in September, the average daily temperatures ranges from 16°C | 60°F to 21°C | 70.5°F. The sea temperature hovers around 22°C | 71.2°F – which makes for uncomfortable swimming, for most people.
The East Coast of Korea can be chilly, even in summer.
In my experience. the East Coast can feel quite chilly even in summer time, so be prepared with some heavier weight clothing.
AFFORDABLE TAXI TOUR OF GANGNEUNG | This 3 hour private taxi tour of Gangneung area sites provides incredible value at just 37,500 won per car (max 4 people). See famous sites like the BTS bus stop, Anmok Beach Coffee Street, Gyeongpo Lake, or Ohjukheon at your own pace.
Looking for other fun things to do in the Gangneung area? Check day and all-inclusive tour options here.
Korea in September | Typhoons
Typhoon season in South Korea is from July to September. At this time a few years ago, Typhoon Hinnamnor was barreling towards Jeju Island. It was at Korea’s highest typhoon rating, with a maximum wind speed of 55-m per second – strong enough to collapse a building.
Maemiseong Fortress was built to protect the land, after Typhoon Maemi hit Korea (the last super strong typhoon).
If a typhoon should hit while you’re visiting Korea in September, it’s best to stay indoors, shut the windows tight and avoid places where there could be flooding or mudslides… and maybe avoid Jeju Island. A lot of flights get cancelled or delayed there at difficult weather times.
Limited Edition Autumn Tours in Korea
These autumn tours in Korea only take place for a few months each year, and they get booked up fast, because space and timing for them is limited. If you’ve got your heart set on seeing any of these places during autumn in Korea, I recommend reserving a spot as soon as you can.
Wondae-ri Birch Forest looks like a dream © Dodream, Korea Tourism Organization
*Will be updated for 2025 as dates are released, but you can get an idea of what to expect.
Day Tours from Seoul
- Wondae-ri Birch Forest + Seasonal Flower Festival | September 13th – November 15th
- Nari Park, Pink Muhly Grass + Dumulmeori | September 23rd – October 18th
- Seoraksan (Osaek Autumn Foliage) + Nami & Garden of Morning Calm OR Alpaca World | October 2nd – November 29th
- Seoraksan Autumn Maple Leaves Tour | October 16th – 25th
- Seoraksan National Park Hiking Tour (Private or Join-in | no set dates, recommend booking in the last 2 weeks of October
- Alpaca World + Hongcheon Ginkgo Tree Forest | October 8th – 18th
- Hwadam Botanic Garden + Namhansanseong Fortress (UNESCO) | October 15th – November 5th
- Seoraksan National Park with Cable Car Day Tour from Seoul | October 15th – November 8th
- Seoul City Autumn Tour (Gamaksan, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Haneul Park + Jingwansa) | October 16th – November 24th
- Jangtaesan and Jeonju Hanok Village Day Tour from Seoul | October 28th – November 22nd
- Classic Naejangsan National Park Tour | October 25th – November 15th
- Naejangsan National Park + Jeonju Hanok Village from Seoul | November 1st – 13th
Day Tours from Busan
- Jirisan National Park Autumn Tour | October 21st – November 4th
- Bulguksa Temple and Gyeongju Hwangnidan-gil Autumn Tour | October 24th – November 12th
- Naejangsan National Park Autumn Foliage Tour | October 25th – November 10th
- Naejangsan Autumn Tour with Transfer from Seoul to Busan | October 25th – November 11th
- Gyeongju Autumn Foliage One Day Tour | October 28th – November 15th
Naejangsan is in peak foliage in early November © IR Studio, Korea Tourism Organization
It’s possible to see pink muhly grass from mid-September in some places. Here’s a few tickets and day tours for pink muhly hotspots in Korea for October.
Korea in September | Best Festivals and Events
When September hits Korea, it’s like we all wake up from a deep summer hibernation, fully recharged and ready to explore the country. The streets are packed and the mood is vibrant.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but here’s a rundown of some of the major festivals and events to check out in Korea in September.
Cherry blossom festivals take over Korea in April ⓒ Gangwon Office, Korea Tourism Office
Visiting Korea at another time of the year? Learn about weather and festivals for other months in Korea, in the following detailed guides.
- Korea in January: The Coldest Month of the Year
- Korea in February: The Final Month of Winter
- Korea in March: First Signs of Spring
- Korea in April: Chasing Cherry Blossoms
- Korea in May: In Full Bloom
- Korea in June: The Best Month of Summer
- Korea in July: The Peak of Summer
- Korea in August: Summer Vacation for EVERYONE!
- Korea in October: Full on Fall Foliage
- Korea in November: Autumn to Winter Transition
- Korea in December: Christmas Lights Galore
Snow and ice festivals happen during winter in Korea.
SEASONAL LOCAL FESTIVALS TOUR | Going to a festival in Korea is one of the best ways to get insight into local culture, while exploring new parts of the country. There’s always one happening SOMEWHERE in Korea. The Daegu Chimaek Festival is the current festival offering.
Check festivals departing from Seoul | Check festivals departing from Busan.
Seoul Light & DDP Autumn Festival | 서울라이트 가을
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, August 29th – September 8th last year
Address: 281, Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 중구 을지로 281 (을지로7가)
Seoul Light is a massive media facade festival that projects images onto the surface of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s curvy architecture. Designed by both Korean and international artists, it began in 2019, and has already welcomed over a million visitors.
Seoul Light is a free for all this year!
Best of all, Seoul Light is free to see! I’ve personally gone to Seoul Light a few times, and been completely awestruck. Shows start at 7:30PM, and run until 10:00PM. Get full details here.
After Seoul Light, explore the rest of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, then head over to nearby Little Russia to eat some shashlik at Fortune Cafe.
Head to Fortune near DDP for a break from Korean food.
Jamsugyo Ttubeok Ttubeok Festival | 뚜벅뚜벅 축제
FESTIVAL DATES: 2025 TBA, Sundays from September 1st – October 27th last year
Address: 350, Dongjak-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 서초구 신반포로11길 40
Banpo Hangang Park was already one of the best places to enjoy Seoul’s riverside park, but it just keeps getting better. Head to Jamsugyo submarine bridge (yes, this is the one under the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain) on Sundays between 1 and 9PM to enjoy the Ttubeok Ttubeok Festival
An amazing location for a festival! © Seoul Metropolitan Government/Penta Press
On these days, the bridge is completely car-free, and you can enjoy fun activities like sunset yoga, a silent DJ party, concerts, dance classes, food trucks, beanbag chairs, a food festa, and so much more.
Seoul Sculpture Festival
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 2nd – 8th last year
Address: Various locations including Songhyeon Green Plaza, World Cup Park, Dream Forest, and more.
The Seoul Sculpture Festival is a brand new event starting this September in Korea. This festival will turn Seoul into an open-air museum, with sculptures and artworks displayed in outdoor areas across the city.
It’s free to attend, and the weather is finally cooperating, so get out there for a stroll among the sculptures.
Seoul Fashion Week
WHEN: 2025 TBA, September 3rd – 7th last year
Seoul Fashion Week will be back full-force at Dongdaemun Design Plaza this September in Seoul. This promises to be a gorgeous event with all the cutting-edge style, spectacular shows, and celebrities you’d expect from Korea’s premier fashion event.
You might even get lucky, and catch a glimpse of New Jeans – the global ambassadors for Seoul Fashion Week.
DISCOUNTED NANTA SHOW TICKETS | Nanta is Korea’s longest running show for a reason. Watch an incredibly entertaining performance that mixes acrobatics, comedy, and percussion using kitchen utensils. Best of all, it’s nonverbal, so anyone can enjoy this show, regardless of language. Check availability of Nanta tickets here.
Jecheon International Music & Film Festival | 제천국제음악영화제
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 5th – 10th last year
Address: 14-1, Uibyeong-daero 12-gil, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do | 충청북도 제천시 의병대로12길 14-1 (명동)
The Jecheon International Music and Film Festival typically takes place during September in Korea, and showcases movies and documentaries that combine film and music, in gorgeous natural settings.
There’s a separate musical program that features live concerts, outdoors on the shores of Cheongpung Lake and Uilimji. Check details here.
Muju Firefly Festival | 무주 반딧불축제
Festival Dates: September 6th – 14th, 2025
Address: 326-14, Hanpungnu-ro, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 전라북도 무주군 한풍루로 326-14 등나무운동장
Muju is a natural habitat for fireflies, so it’s possible to see a field full of romantic flickering lights easily at the Muju Firefly Festival in Korea in September. You can enjoy traditional performances and concerts, but the highlights are definitely night programs, like firefly exploration and stargazing.
Most programs are free, but online reservation in advance is required for both stargazing (5,000 won) and firefly exploration (15,000 won). Check their website for more details.
Hyoseok Culture Festival | 평창효석문화제
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 6th – 15th
Address: 157, Ihyoseok-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do | 강원도 평창군 봉평면 이효석길 157 (봉평면)
The Hyoseok Culture Festival is held yearly to commemorate Lee Hyo-seok’s popular novel, “When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom.”
Buckwheat flowers bloom in Korea in September © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
Make your way to Bongpyeong to see the Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village and Memorial Hall to learn about the book, and see the beautiful fields of buckwheat flowers that bloom every September in Korea.
Learn all about the festival here.
Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Tours | 경복궁 별빛야행
Starlight Tour Dates: 2025 TBA, September 11th – October 5th last year
Gyeongbokgung at Night Dates: 2025 TBA, September 11th – October 27th last year
Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)
Twice a year, Gyeongbokgung Palace is brilliantly lit and opened for night viewing. General night time viewing dates were from September 11th to 27th last year, but if you wanted a guided tour, it was necessary to enter a lottery for Starlight Tour tickets. Details for 2025 TBA.
Enter Gyeongbokgung at night free, if you’re wearing a hanbok.
These 110 minute tours from are from Wednesday to Sunday, in 2 separate time slots. The first starts at 18:40, and the second at 19:40. There are only 68 spots per day, but those who are successful will enjoy a royal banquet at Gyeongbokgung Palace’s royal kitchen, gugak performances, and a night tour of the spectacular palace grounds.
No word yet on special dates / tickets specifically for foreigners.
Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour | 창덕궁 달빛기행
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, Thursdays – Sundays, from September 12th – November 10th last year
Address: 326-14, Hanpungnu-ro, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do | 전라북도 무주군 한풍루로 326-14 등나무운동장
Moonlight tours of UNESCO listed Changdeokgung Palace are back for a 15th year. To allow more visitors access to this stunning experience, the maximum number of daily visitors has been raised to 150.
Changdeokgung has a stunning Secret Garden © Lee Jung-kyu, Korea Tourism Organization
Tours are offered at 7:00, 7:05, 7:10, 7:35, 7:50, 7:55, and 8:00PM. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, and tickets cost 30,000 won each. A maximum of 2 tickets can be purchased per person.
General tickets go on sale on August 29th. If you have difficulty with the Korean website, special tickets for foreigners go on sale on September 9th at 9AM for tours on October 20th, 27th, and November 3rd.
Check their website for more details.
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) | 부산국제영화제
Festival Dates: September 17th – 26th, 2025
Address: 120, Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan | 부산광역시 해운대구 수영강변대로 120
Busan is always an amazing place to visit, but head there from in mid September, and you’ll find some extra special things to do, because the Busan International Film Festival is on!
Busan is always worth a visit © Kim Sangseok, Korea Tourism Organization
This is the biggest film festival in Asia, attracting hundreds of thousands of cinemaphiles, celebrities, and directors to the city, to screen hundreds of films from all over the world. Learn more here.
Seoul Drone Show | 드론 라이트 쇼
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, Saturdays, September 21st – October 26th last year
Address: 139, Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 광진구 강변북로 139 (자양동)
The Drone Light show starts its second run for the year, this September in Korea. This is one of autumn’s most popular events, with 1000 drones lighting up the night sky above Seoul.
This is a totally free event taking place at Ttukseom Hangang Park. Check full details here.
Jeongseon Arirang Festival | 정선아리랑제
Dates: September 25th – 28th, 2025
Address: Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do | 강원도 정선군 정선읍 봉양리
The Korean folk song Arirang was registered on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2012, and the mournful Jeongseon version is its oldest, dating back over 600 years.
At the Jeongseon Arirang Festival, you can hear many versions of Arirang from different regions, play traditional games, and watch a parade. Don’t miss the “Arirang Gilnori” – a massive performance of Arirang by over 1,600 people!
Check more details here (Korean only).
Wonju Hanji Festival | 원주한지문화제
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 26th – 29th last year
Address: 151, Hanjigongwon-gil, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do | 강원도 원주시 한지공원길 151
After a year-long hiatus (while the Hanji Theme Park was in renovations), the Wonju Hanji Festival is back at the end of September in Korea.
Hanji is traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark.
At the Wonju Hanji Festival, you can enjoy this traditional paper in all its beautiful iterations by wondering inside a hanji paper forest, admiring thousands of glowing hanji lanterns, or signing up for traditional hanji craft experience programs.
Don’t miss the fashion show where ALL the clothes and accessories are made completely from hanji paper.
The hanji paper fashion show is a highlight of the festival.
I checked out this festival last time, and it was wonderful! Get more details on their website (Korean only).
ALPACA WORLD + WONJU SOGEUMSAN SUSPENSION BRIDGE + HOENGSEONG LUGE | Selfies with adorable alpaca, walking on Korea’s longest suspension bridge 100-metres in the sky, and racing down one of the longest luge tracks in the world? Sign me up! Check full details here.
Gangnam Festival | 강남 페스티벌
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 26th – 29th last year
Address: Coex K-POP Square, Gangnam Station, Garosu-gil, Throughout Gangnam-gu
The Gangnam Festival returns to Korea in September, with a K-pop Concert on Yeongdong-daero street outside of Starfield Coex Mall. Past concerts have featured Psy and other K-pop idols. Gangnam Style NEVER gets old. Am I right, or am I right?
Gangnam is full of city lights and skyscrapers.
If you didn’t get tickets to the concert, don’t fret. There’s a ton more to do at the festival, including a fashion festa, street performances, night movies, K-culture zone and much more. Get all the details here.
Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival | 한성백제문화제
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 27th – 29th last year
Address: 326 , Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 326 송파구청
The Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival takes place at Olympic Park at the end of September in Korea. Events centre around the remnants of the Baekje era Mongchontoseong Fortress, and features folk performances, musicals, family concerts, and activities.
There’s a lot to see and do at and near Olympic Park in Seoul.
I’ve attended this one with my daughter a few times, and there’s a lot of fun free and paid activities for children. Head there between 10AM and 7PM to take advantage of them. More details here.
LOTTE WORLD TOWER | The Seoul Sky Observatory takes up the top 8 floors of the Lotte World Tower – the tallest building in Korea. Head to the top for panoramic views of Seoul you can’t get anywhere else. Pick up advance tickets.
Andong Mask Dance Festival | 안동국제탈춤페스티벌
Festival Dates: September 27th – October 6th, 2025
Address: 239, Yuksa-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 안동시 축제장길 200 탈춤공연장
If cultural travel is your thing, the Andong Mask Dance Festival is the perfect event for you to attend in Korea during September. This festival takes place near the UNESCO World Heritage designated Andong Hahoe Village, which is totally worth a visit on its own.
Enjoy the mask dance festival in Korea in September © Kim Jiho, Korea Tourism Organization
Aside from performances of Korea’s mask dance drama (intangible cultural heritage), and other mask dances from around the world, there are experiential programs, mask related competitions and a ton of food stalls to stuff yourself at. Check full festival details here.
Great Baekje Festival | 백제문화제
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 28th – October 6th last year
Address: 135, Baekgang-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do | 충청남도 부여군 백강로 135
The 68th Great Baekje Festival takes place in the old Baekje capitals in Chungcheongnam-do. This festival promises to be totally epic, with multiple large scale parades, exhibitions, performances, and events staged at UNESCO World Heritage sites in Gongju and Buyeo.
Gongsanseong is a treasure of the Baekje Dynasty.
I checked out this festival last year in Buyeo, Gongju, and Iksan – and it did not disappoint. I definitely need to head back again, because there was so much to see and do, I barely cracked the surface.
There are UNESCO sites to explore in Iksan.
I’ve been to Gongju at least 3 times also, and I highly recommend it. It’s a wonderful place to visit in Korea that’s sadly overlooked. with so much to see, do, and explore.
Learn more about the festival here.
Suwon Hwaseong Media Art Festival | 수원화성 미디어아트
Festival Dates: 2025 TBA, September 28th – October 20th last year
Address: 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825 (남창동)
There’s actually a lot happening near Suwon Hwaseong Fortress this month including media arts installations on the fortress walls, a Suwon Lantern Festival, and traditional performances and experience programs.
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is UNESCO World Heritage © Live Studio, Korea Tourism Organization
Starting every September in Korea at the UNESCO World Heritage Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, this landmark festival includes a Citizen’s Parade, traditional performances, Guard’s Ceremony, and simultaneous Food Culture Festival.
There are a number of great events in Suwon in autumn.
Do not miss the Reenactment of King Jeongjo’s Tomb Parade. This is one of Korea’s largest national events, traveling 59.2 km from Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul to Yeungneug Tomb in Suwon from October 4th to 6th.
Get more info about all festival events here (Korean only).
SUWON STARFIELD LIBRARY + HWASEONG MEDIA ART FESTIVAL | Well! Suwon has become quite the hotspot for must-see places and events. See them easily on this affordable VIP tour of the city’s best attractions! Check full details here.
September in Korea | What to Wear
September in Korea is a shoulder month between summer and autumn. The weather can change quickly from hot to windy and cool this month, so it’s best to be prepared with multiple layers and weights of clothing to deal with the changing conditions.
By the end of September in Korea, you’ll want long sleeves and pants.
At the beginning of the month, temperatures are still relatively high, the sun is strong, and there’s some possibility of rain. I’m comfortable in shorts and t-shirts, even in the evenings, but I run pretty hot. Most locals are wearing jeans, leggings, skirts, long-sleeved shirts, and lighter weight sweaters, jackets, and windbreakers by the start of September in Korea.
By the end of the month (or even earlier), it’s cooled down enough that shorts and sandals would feel strange. Travellers from tropical climates would probably find it chilly, especially at night.
You’ll log thousands of steps a day, when visiting Korea. Comfortable shoes are a must © Korea Tourism Organization
You’ll log a lot of miles while exploring Korea, so comfortable shoes are a must. A quality pair of sneakers or running shoes will save your feet when tackling all the stairs and steps in Seoul.
Tips for What to Wear in Korea in September
Korea in September is mostly very green.
Korea in September | Packing List
Here’s a rough guideline of items to pack for the Korea weather in September. Keep in mind that this is a shoulder month, and you’ll need warmer items if you’re traveling to Korea in the latter half of September.
Bring from home
- travel documents: passport, itineraries, hotel reservations, plane tickets, travel visas, insurance
- international driver’s license if you plan to rent a car
- adaptor / plug
- t-shirts, lightweight sweaters, hoodies, cardigans
- jeans, trousers, leggings
- shorts, capris
- skirts or dresses
- light jacket, windbreaker or shell
- sunglasses, eyeglasses, contact lenses
- deodorant, feminine hygiene items
- comfortable shoes for lots of walking
- any special medications you need
Buy in Korea
- umbrella if it rains / parasol
- disposable air pollution / medical masks
- batteries / charging cables (super cheap at Daiso)
- skincare products like sunscreen (high quality and cheap in Korea!)
- eyeglasses and contact lenses can be purchased just by walking into a store (a free eye test will be provided)
- birth control can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription (but all brands may not be available)
Get ready for some wonderful light in Korea in September.
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Korea in September: Essential Info and FAQs
All ready for the perfect trip to Korea in September? What have you got planned?
senangsenangyuks
wow, yeash yeash South Korea in September is pleasing.
Love the photographs. <3
shelley
September is SUCH a relief after summer. I feel like I’m alive again. Ha!