Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening Fall 2026: Tickets and On-Site Admission for Foreign Visitors

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Gyeongbokgung Palace will hold its second-half Night Opening in fall 2026.

This popular seasonal event offers visitors an opportunity to see illuminated landmarks such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and experience a completely different atmosphere from a daytime visit.

Foreign visitors may book tickets online or purchase same-day tickets reserved for international visitors.

Event Information

  • Dates: September 2–October 2, 2026

  • Closed: Every Monday and Tuesday

  • Opening hours: 7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

  • Last admission: 8:30 p.m.

  • Admission: KRW 3,000 per person

  • Daily capacity: 3,300 visitors

Areas Open During the Night Viewing

The following areas of Gyeongbokgung Palace will be open:

  • Gwanghwamun Gate

  • Heungnyemun Gate

  • Geunjeongjeon Hall

  • Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

  • Sajeongjeon Hall

  • Gangnyeongjeon Hall

  • Gyotaejeon Hall

  • Amisan Garden area

Visitors can walk through the palace grounds and enjoy the illuminated buildings and scenery of Gyeongbokgung on an autumn evening.

Online Reservations

  • Reservations open: August 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

  • Reservations close: October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  • Booking platform: NOL Ticket

  • Online tickets available: 3,000 per day

  • Admission: KRW 3,000 per person

  • Ticket limit: Up to four tickets per account for the entire Night Opening period

  • Booking method: First-come, first-served

Online reservations can be made until 11:59 p.m. on the day before your visit. Same-day online reservations are not available.

Cancellations and refunds are available until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the scheduled visit.

▶ NOL Ticket: Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening Fall 2026

Please note that using NOL Ticket may require a Korean mobile phone number or identity verification. Check the booking requirements on the ticket page before making a reservation.

Same-Day Tickets for Foreign Visitors

A limited number of same-day tickets will be sold exclusively to foreign visitors.

  • Number of tickets: 300 per day

  • Purchase limit: Up to two tickets per person

  • Sales location: Ticket office at Gwanghwamun Gate

  • Identification required: A passport or another document confirming foreign nationality

Same-day tickets for foreign visitors are sold at the Gwanghwamun Gate ticket office on the day of the visit.

During previous Night Opening periods, the evening ticket office opened at 6:40 p.m. However, the official announcement for fall 2026 does not specify the exact starting time for same-day ticket sales.

To improve your chances of purchasing a ticket, arrive before 6:40 p.m. and confirm the sales time at the ticket office.

Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving with extra time is recommended, particularly on weekends and other busy dates.

Free Admission

Foreign visitors who meet one of the following conditions may enter free of charge:

  • Children aged six or younger

  • Visitors aged 65 or older

  • Visitors wearing hanbok

Advance reservations are not required for free admission. Bring your passport or another valid form of identification and present it at the entrance to Heungnyemun Gate.

Visitors entering free of charge while wearing hanbok must comply with the palace’s official hanbok guidelines. Admission may be refused if the clothing does not meet the requirements.

Traditional Court Music and Dance Performances

Special performances featuring traditional Korean court music and dance by musicians from the National Gugak Center are scheduled to take place at Sujeongjeon Hall.

Performances are planned on the following dates:

  • September 2–5

  • September 9–12

  • September 16–19

  • September 30–October 2

Performances are scheduled on a total of 15 days.

Important Information

  • The Night Opening will proceed in rainy weather.

  • Tickets are valid only for the selected date.

  • Visitors with online reservations may enter using a mobile ticket or collect a printed ticket from a self-service ticket machine at Gwanghwamun Gate.

  • Only one ticket is issued for each reservation. The person who made the reservation and all accompanying visitors must enter together.

  • Some areas may be dark, so please take care while walking around the palace grounds.

  • Avoid purchasing tickets through unofficial resale websites or private transactions.

  • Event details and admission requirements are subject to change. Check the official website before visiting.

▶ Official Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening Announcement

Summary

The Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening will be held from September 2 to October 2, 2026.

Online reservations open on NOL Ticket at 10:00 a.m. on August 26 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Foreign visitors can also purchase one of the 300 same-day tickets available at the Gwanghwamun Gate ticket office by presenting a passport or another valid form of identification. These tickets are expected to be sold shortly before the evening opening rather than in the morning.

If you plan to visit Seoul this fall, check the reservation date and Night Opening schedule in advance.

This article is based on the official information available as of August 23, 2026. Event details and ticketing procedures are subject to change.

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