Autumn is one of the most popular seasons to visit Korea's royal palaces, when vibrant autumn foliage creates breathtaking scenery.
The palace gardens and tree-lined paths are beautifully decorated with colorful leaves, offering a perfect blend of historic architecture and seasonal landscapes.
Special events, including night openings and cultural programs, are also held during autumn, attracting visitors from around the world.
If you are planning a trip to Korea, we recommend checking the event schedule and reservation dates in advance.
K-Royal Culture Festival
The K-Royal Culture Festival is a cultural festival held at Korea’s royal palaces and historic heritage sites.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of programs, including traditional cultural experiences, special performances, and exclusive palace events.
New 2026 Autumn K-Royal Culture Festival
The 2026 Autumn K-Royal Culture Festival will take place from October 7 to 11 at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine.
The five-day festival will offer exhibitions, guided tours, cultural experiences, traditional performances, and nighttime media art programs that showcase the history and seasonal beauty of Korea’s royal palaces.
Highlights include the Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Royal Banquet, Awakening the Morning Palace and Joseon Spatial Aesthetics: The Order of White at Changdeokgung, From Gwangmu to Yunghui at Deoksugung, and Time Travel at Changgyeonggung and the Moonlight Lotus Show at Changgyeonggung.
Booking Information for Foreign Visitors [Updated September 3, 2026]
The following two programs are available for foreign visitors to book through Creatrip:
- Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Royal Banquet
- Awakening the Morning Palace at Changdeokgung — 8:00 a.m. English-language session
Bookings open on September 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. KST.
A special performance of KBS2’s “Immortal Songs: 2026 K-Royal Culture Festival Special” will also be held at Heungnyemun Square in Gyeongbokgung Palace at 5:00 p.m. on October 6.
A total of 300 seats are planned for foreign visitors. The application date and booking procedure have not yet been announced. We will update this page when further information becomes available.
Gyeongbokgung
New 2026 Autumn Night Opening night
Gyeongbokgung Palace will hold its second-half Night Opening in fall 2026.
- Dates: September 2–October 2, 2026
- Closed: Every Monday and Tuesday
- Opening hours: 7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
(Last admission at 8:30 p.m.) - Admission: KRW 3,000
- Online reservations open: August 26 at 10:00 a.m.
- Booking platform: NOL Ticket
Foreign visitors can purchase same-day tickets at the ticket office at Gwanghwamun Gate. A total of 300 tickets are available each day, with a limit of two tickets per person. A passport or another valid form of identification is required.
The official fall 2026 announcement does not specify the starting time for same-day ticket sales. During previous Night Opening periods, the evening ticket office opened at 6:40 p.m. To improve your chances of purchasing a ticket, arrive before 6:40 p.m. and confirm the sales time at the ticket office.
▶ Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening Fall 2026: Dates, Tickets and Same-Day Admission
🍁New🍁 [K-Royal] Gyeongbokgung Hanbok Royal Banquet
Experience royal court culture at Gyeongbokgung Palace at night while wearing hanbok.
The event includes the Royal Family’s Walk, a reenactment of a royal procession, as well as an exhibition and talk about seasonal court clothing and demonstrations of traditional hanbok-making by skilled artisans.
- Dates: October 9–10, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Foreign visitor allocation: 400 places per day, 800 in total
- Price: Free
- Participation requirements: Advance reservation and hanbok are required
- Booking opens: September 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. KST
- Booking platform for foreign visitors: Creatrip
The illustration is for reference only.
Hanbok is required to participate.
If you do not have your own hanbok, booking a rental shop near Gyeongbokgung Palace in advance is recommended.
The hanbok rental link above is an affiliate link.
New2026 Autumn Saenggwabang Program
Saenggwabang is a popular cultural program where visitors can experience Joseon royal food culture while enjoying traditional court desserts and medicinal herbal tea.
- Event period: September 2–October 26, 2026
- Closed: Every Tuesday
- Session times: 10:00 a.m. / 11:40 a.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 3:40 p.m.
- Venue: Saenggwabang, Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Participation: Advance reservation required
▶View details about the 2026 Autumn Saenggwabang program and reservations
▶ K-Heritage official event information
Source: Korea Heritage Agency
Lottery applications for Korean residents will open through Ticketlink at 2:00 p.m. on August 13. Reservation details for international visitors have not yet been announced.
New 2026 Autumn Starlight Tour
Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace at night with a professional guide while enjoying royal cuisine and traditional Korean music and performances.
The 2026 autumn program will run from September 2 to October 24. Participants will enjoy “Dosul Surasang” at Oe-sojubang, the palace kitchen, before visiting areas including Jibokjae Hall, Geoncheonggung Residence and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion.
Special sessions for international visitors are scheduled from October 21 to 24. Reservations will open through Creatrip on October 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. KST.
Event period: September 2–October 24, 2026
Event days: Wednesday–Sunday
Starting times: 6:20 p.m. / 7:30 p.m.
Admission: KRW 60,000 per person
International sessions: October 21–24
▶ View the 2026 Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour details and booking information
▶ K-Heritage official event information
Source: Korea Heritage Agency
Lottery applications for Korean residents will open through Ticketlink at 2:00 p.m. on August 14.
New[K-Royal] Autumn KBS2 “Immortal Songs – 2026 K-Royal Culture Festival Special”
An autumn evening performance combining traditional Korean court music with ballet at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Dates: October 2–5, 2026, 7:00–8:10 p.m.
Venue: In front of Jibokjae, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Price: KRW 20,000 per person
International booking: Available on Creatrip (first-come, first-served)
Royal Kitchen Suragan Suragan Sisik Gonggam
A special program where visitors can experience the royal cuisine culture of the Joseon Dynasty.
It is popular as a unique opportunity to enjoy traditional Korean royal food and the atmosphere of royal court culture.
The 2025 event took place from September 17 to October 12, 2025.
We will update this page as soon as the official 2026 schedule and reservation details become available.
Changdeokgung
🍁New🍁 [K-Royal] Changdeokgung “Awakening the Morning Palace”
Enjoy a peaceful early-morning walk through Changdeokgung Palace before it opens to general visitors.
Accompanied by a professional guide, participants will explore the palace buildings and Secret Garden while enjoying Changdeokgung’s beautiful autumn scenery away from the usual crowds.
- Dates: October 7–11, 2026
- English-language session for foreign visitors: 8:00 a.m. daily
- English sessions: One per day, five sessions in total
- Price: KRW 10,000
- Participation: Advance reservation required
- Booking opens: September 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. KST
- Booking platform for foreign visitors: Creatrip
Please check the Creatrip booking page for the meeting time, meeting point, cancellation policy, and other participation requirements.
2026 Changdeokgung Palace | Moonlight Tour ー SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
Tickets for the 2026 Autumn Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour for international visitors are currently sold out on Creatrip. Availability may occasionally change due to cancellations, so please check the booking page for the latest status.
Event Details
Walk through Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden under the soft glow of a traditional lantern while listening to stories from an expert guide. The program also includes traditional performances and Korean tea.
- Event period: September 10–October 17, 2026
- Event days: Thursdays–Sundays
- Price: KRW 30,000 per person
- International visitor dates: September 20 and 27; October 4 and 11
- Booking opened: August 28 at 9:00 a.m. KST
- Current status: Sold out
- Booking platform: Creatrip (first come, first served)
Korean nationals cannot participate as accompanying guests in the international visitor sessions.
If tickets become available due to cancellations, a Creatrip account will be required to make a booking.
▶ View the Official “Moonlight Tour” Event Page
▶ K-Heritage official event information
Source: Korea Heritage Agency
NewSeongjeonggak : A Day in the Life of the Crown Prince
Discover how a crown prince of the Joseon Dynasty studied and prepared to become king through exhibitions, performances, and hands-on activities.
A reenactment of a royal lesson will be presented every Saturday. Huiuru Pavilion, whose interior is usually not open to general visitors, will also be specially opened from Tuesday to Saturday.
Date: September 22–November 8, 2026
Hours: 10:00–17:00
Venue: Seongjeonggak and Gwanmulheon, Changdeokgung Palace
Participation fee: Free; regular palace admission is required
Participation: Walk-in viewing and on-site registration
Separate booking for international visitors: Not available
Huiuru is a pavilion attached to Seongjeonggak, where the crown prince studied and spent time reading.
※ Entry to Huiuru Pavilion is limited to eight visitors per session and requires on-site registration.
Deoksugung
Evening Palace Walk
One of Seoul’s favorite autumn evening attractions.
Stroll through the illuminated palace grounds while enjoying the beautiful colors of the autumn foliage.
2026 Autumn “Seokjojeon at Night” at Deoksugung Palace
English Sessions for International Visitors
According to the official announcement, no English-language sessions for international visitors will be offered for the 2026 Autumn “Seokjojeon at Night” program at Deoksugung Palace. The currently announced sessions will be conducted in Korean.
Event Details
Explore Seokjojeon Hall on a guided nighttime tour and enjoy coffee—historically called gabe in Korea—and dessert inspired by the Korean Imperial Court, followed by a musical performance.
- Event period: September 9–October 18, 2026
- Operating days: Wednesday–Sunday
- Times: 6:00 p.m. / 6:40 p.m. / 7:15 p.m.
- Duration: Approximately 100 minutes
- Venue: Seokjojeon Hall, Deoksugung Palace
- Age requirement: Ages 7 and over
- Capacity: 18 participants per session
- Domestic ticket lottery: August 19 at 2:00 p.m.–August 25 at 11:59 p.m. KST
- General booking for remaining tickets: September 2 at 2:00 p.m. KST
▶ View the Official “Seokjojeon at Night” Event Page
▶ K-Heritage official event information
Source: Korea Heritage Agency
The domestic lottery application period has ended. General reservations for any remaining tickets will open on Ticketlink at 2:00 p.m. KST on September 2, 2026.
New 2026 Autumn Royal Guard Night
“2026 Royal Guard Night” will be held in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace.
Visitors can enjoy a night royal guard experience, an opening drum experience, traditional costumes, and a Cheongsachorong lantern-making workshop.
Dates: September 1 (Tue) – September 6 (Sun), 2026
Time: 18:00–21:00
Location: In front of Daehanmun Gate, Deoksugung Palace
Special programs are scheduled for Saturday, September 5, including a martial arts demonstration under the moonlight and a guided history tour of Deoksugung Palace.
※ If a public rally takes place near Daehanmun Gate, the special event scheduled for September 5 will be moved to Sunday, September 6.
Changgyeonggung
🍁New🍁Changgyeonggung Palace: “Honoring Their Memory”
This special program honors the independence patriots who devoted themselves to Korea’s freedom and remembers their achievements.
A commemorative performance inspired by royal court ceremonies will be presented at Munjeongjeon Hall in Changgyeonggung Palace.
・Event period: September 17–20, 2026
・Time: 7:30 p.m.–8:40 p.m.
・Location: Munjeongjeon Hall, Changgyeonggung Palace
・Admission: Free
・Advance reservation required
A separate booking option for international visitors has not been confirmed. Please see the Update article below for participation requirements and booking information.
🍁New🍁[K-Royal] Mulbit Yeonhwa
A nighttime media art program combining light, video art, and the beautiful scenery around Chundangji Pond at Changgyeonggung Palace.
The program consists of eight scenes. Advance reservations are required to view Scene 2 at Daechundangji Pond.
・Event period: October 7–November 1, 2026
・Days: Wednesday–Sunday
・Times: 7:00 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. / 8:00 p.m.
・Booking opens: September 11, 2026
・Advance reservation required
As of September 10, a separate booking option for international visitors has not been confirmed. This page will be updated when further information becomes available.