Seoul Silver Grass Festival 2026 at Haneul Park: Free Stunning Lighting Show & Complete Guide

Free entry to 60,000 pyeong (approx. 200,000 m²) of shimmering silver grass? 🌾 The Seoul Silver Grass Festival runs October 17–23 at Haneul Park — 22 photo zones, a nightly lighting show, and the Maengkkongi electric cart for just ₩2,000! Full guide inside: cart schedule, lighting show times, parking, and how to get there. ✨

※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The Seoul Silver Grass Festival is one of Seoul’s most beloved autumn events, held every October at Haneul Park inside World Cup Park (Mapo-gu). 🍂 Now in its 25th edition, this year’s theme is “Silver Grass, Nature’s Comfort” — and with a newly added Resource Circulation Ribbon Market, there’s more to see than ever before.

The Seoul Silver Grass Festival takes place at Haneul Park, 95 Haneulgongwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, from Saturday, October 17 to Friday, October 23, 2026. Based on official announcements as of October 7, 2026. Admission is completely free, and no advance reservation is required.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Official Festival Page (Korean)

1. Seoul Silver Grass Festival: 3 Things to Know

Seoul’s Signature Autumn Event — Now in Its 25th Year

The Seoul Silver Grass Festival began in 2002, when a former landfill site in Sangam-dong (Mapo-gu) was restored into Haneul Park — one of the most remarkable ecological transformations in Seoul’s recent history. The park sits at 98 meters above sea level, and when October arrives, its 200,000-square-meter silver grass fields (known in Korean as eoksae, 억새) turn into a sea of shimmering silver. Around 700,000 visitors come each year, according to the organizers. This year’s theme, “Silver Grass, Nature’s Comfort,” reflects the seasonal solace that the vast silver fields offer to city dwellers.

Mid-October is when the silver grass reaches full bloom — the festival period of October 17–23 aligns exactly with peak conditions, so any day within this window is a good time to visit.

Key Programs — Lighting Show, Photo Zones & Red Kochia Garden

The highlight of the Seoul Silver Grass Festival is the Silver Grass Wind Lighting Show (억새바람 라이팅쇼). Three times every evening — at 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:00 PM — music and laser lighting sweep across the 200,000-square-meter silver grass fields, creating a scene that is completely different from the daytime view. The park’s “Five Senses Garden,” filled with a red kochia (댑싸리, a vibrant Korean ornamental plant that turns brilliant crimson in October) grove, operates daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM alongside 22 silver grass photo zones and a “Wind Zone” where visitors can write wishes. Busking performances under the “Corner Live” series add a musical backdrop throughout the park.

💡 Trip.com offers discounts on hotels near Sangam and Mapo. Booking in advance is especially important during the autumn peak season — weekend rooms sell out fast.

New for the 25th anniversary, the Resource Circulation Ribbon Market has been added to the program, alongside a silver grass bouquet giveaway event (limited quantities, likely first-come, first-served). Check Seoul Metropolitan Government’s official park channels ahead of your visit for the exact giveaway schedule.

2. Silver Grass Peak Bloom & Best Time to Visit

When Silver Grass Peaks — and Why the Timing Matters

Haneul Park’s silver grass typically peaks in mid-October. The festival window (October 17–23) is timed to coincide with this peak, so any day within the festival is suitable for viewing the full silver bloom. On clear afternoons, sunlight hits the silver grass plumes at an angle that maximizes their shimmer — ideal for photos at any of the 22 photo zones. Overcast days can still be beautiful, but the silver-gold glow is best on sunny afternoons.

Red Kochia Grove and Photo Zone Locations

Adjacent to the silver grass fields, the Five Senses Garden hosts a red kochia grove. The kochia (댑싸리) turns a deep crimson in October, creating a striking color contrast with the silver grass. Among the 22 photo zones scattered across the park, the hot-air balloon photo zone inside the kochia grove draws especially long lines. After dark, the art installation “Wind, Wind, Wind” (바람, 바람, 바람) in the Artist’s Garden becomes a popular night photo spot, lit up in coordination with the lighting show.

For those planning autumn outings in the same region, the Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Festival runs on the same dates (October 17–18) at Imjingak, Paju — a combination day trip is realistic if planned carefully.

3. Maengkkongi Electric Cart: 4 Steps for Foreign Visitors

Step 1: Check the Fares

The Maengkkongi (맹꽁이열차) is a small electric cart that runs from the boarding area at Nanjicheon Park Parking Lot — at the base of Haneul Park — up to the hilltop. The 2026 official fares are: adults ₩2,000 one-way / ₩3,000 round-trip (approx. $1.35 / $2.00 USD); children ₩1,500 one-way / ₩2,200 round-trip (approx. $1.00 / $1.50 USD). The downhill-only fare is ₩1,000 for adults — many visitors ride up and walk the 291-step stairway down. Payment is accepted at the on-site ticket booth; both cash and card are accepted.

Step 2: Finding the Boarding Point

Take Subway Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station (월드컵경기장역), use Exit 1, walk through Peace Park (평화의공원), and continue to the Nanjicheon Park Parking Lot boarding area — about 10–12 minutes on foot. Mapo-gu Office Station (마포구청역, also Line 6) is another access point. Just follow the bilingual signs toward World Cup Park. During the festival, boarding queues can reach 40 minutes on weekends, so if the line is long, the 291-step stairway (12–15 minutes) is faster.

Step 3: Cart Schedule and Timing

During the festival, the cart runs roughly every 10–20 minutes during operating hours. The ride to the hilltop takes about 10 minutes. Demand peaks sharply before each lighting show (7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM). If you want a good spot for the show, aim to board between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM. The last cart departure is adjusted to align with the park’s 9:00 PM closing — confirm the exact last departure time on-site.

Step 4: The Stairway Alternative

When queues are long, the 291-step stairway beside the boarding point is a practical alternative — 12–15 minutes to the top. On the way up, you’ll catch views of the Han River and the park’s native vegetation. Note: visitors with strollers or wheelchairs will find the cart essential, as the stairway is not accessible.

Heading to Haneul Park by intercity bus or KTX from outside Seoul? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Check Cart Fares & Festival Details (Korean)

4. Getting There, Parking & Nearby Dining

Getting There by Public Transit

From Incheon International Airport (Terminal 1), take AREX (Airport Railroad) to Hongik University Station, then transfer to Subway Line 2 toward Digital Media City (DMC) Station or Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station. The journey takes approximately 50–60 minutes. From Seoul Station, Line 1 or Line 2 to Hongik University, then Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station — about 30 minutes total. Public transit is strongly recommended during the festival: weekend parking at the park fills up fast, and surrounding roads become congested.

Parking

The Nanjicheon Park Parking Lot inside World Cup Park is available. During festival weekends, spots are taken very early — arriving before 10:00 AM or visiting on a weekday significantly reduces the stress. Sangam DMC Public Parking Lot nearby is an alternative, from which you can walk to the park entrance.

Nearby Dining

The Sangam-dong neighborhood surrounding the park has a solid range of restaurants and cafés. Food booths also operate on the festival grounds, and the Resource Circulation Ribbon Market offers snacks and light bites. After the lighting show, the Mangwon and Hapjeong dining districts in Mapo-gu are about 10 minutes by car or taxi — a good option for a full dinner.

5. Seoul Silver Grass Festival vs. Nearby Autumn Festivals at a Glance

Several autumn events take place across the Seoul area in October. Comparing them by schedule, location, and content can help you plan your itinerary.

6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors to the Seoul Silver Grass Festival

Visit on a Weekday to Avoid Crowds

On weekends, tens of thousands of people visit Haneul Park in a single day. The Maengkkongi cart queue can reach 30–40 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. If your schedule allows, a weekday visit is far more relaxed. If you do visit on the opening Saturday (October 17) or any weekend day, arrive early — explore the silver grass fields in the morning, then enjoy the lighting show in the evening at a comfortable pace.

Secure a Lighting Show Spot Early

The Silver Grass Wind Lighting Show runs at 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:00 PM nightly. To get a good viewpoint, aim to reach the Haneul Park hilltop by 6:30 PM at the latest. After the show ends, the cart queue surges again — walking down the 291-step stairway is much faster than waiting for the cart.

Dress for the Cold

At 98 meters above sea level, Haneul Park feels noticeably cooler than street level in Seoul. After mid-October, nighttime temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F), and wind speeds on the exposed hilltop make it feel even colder during the lighting show. A light down jacket or windbreaker is essential — especially for the evening program.

Bringing Pets? Check First

Dogs and other pets are allowed in Haneul Park, but a separate fee applies when taking your pet on the Maengkkongi cart. Confirm the exact amount at the on-site ticket booth. On crowded weekends, a busy festival environment may be stressful for animals — a weekday visit is more suitable for pet owners.

The Silver Grass Bouquet Giveaway — Go Early

The 25th-anniversary silver grass bouquet giveaway is limited in quantity and likely first-come, first-served. If you’d like to participate, check the official Seoul Metropolitan Government park social media channels for the schedule in advance, and plan an early arrival on the relevant day. The Resource Circulation Ribbon Market is also brand new this year — worth visiting at the same time.

💡 Trip.com lets you compare hotels near Sangam, Hongdae, and Mapo in advance — locking in a rate before the autumn peak saves money. Weekend rooms near the festival fill fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

More to Explore

Planning an autumn day trip that combines the silver grass festival with a trip to Paju? Agoda and Booking.com both list options near Sangam and Mapo that work well as a base for both destinations.

The Paju Gaeseong Ginseng Festival opens on the same day — October 17 — at Imjingak Square, featuring six-year-old ginseng direct trade and an outdoor film screening called Dalbit Theater.

Heading to Haneul Park by intercity bus or express train from outside Seoul? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government — Western Seoul Parks and Leisure Center official announcement; Seoul Media Hub (based on October 2026 official release)