06/10/2015
Get Pumped for Seoul's October Festovals
The Hi Seoul Festival is one of the world's largest annual performing arts festivals with an average of 1.5 million people participating in the event annually. The festival aims to promote international unity by enabling people to communicate with one another through music and non-verbal performances, going beyond the barriers of language, race and age. This year, the festival will be taking place from October 1st (Thurs) until the 4th (Sundays) in major areas of Seoul such as Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, Gwanghwanun Plaza, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul Station, Sejong-daero, Deoksugung-gil, City Hall, etc.
The theme for 2015 is "Let's Play in the Streets". There will be several performances and programs that will be provided to anyone who wants to join. 55 performance teams will be giving performances for free. The festival will also start off with a "Wide Aerial Theater" performance which received a lot of praise in Sydney, Australia, Aurillac, France, England, etc. When not watching performances, check out the freemarkets and the playground.
Seoul Int'l Fireworks Festival
With the winter and summer seasons going on for so long, we need to take advantage of the precious time that we have with the Fall weather. Every year, the city of Seoul hosts some of the best festivals during October. On October 3, 2015, the sky will turn bright with colors with the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Taking place at Yeouido Hangang Park, this is one festival that people come to see from all over the country and the world. Every year, there are approximately one million people that fill the Yeouido area to see the beautiful display of bright colors in the sky. The countries that visit each year differ as well. In 2014, participating countries included England, China, and Italy; this year, participating countries include the U.S.A and the Phillipines. Fireworks will harmoniously go off with music that is unique to said countries.
Directions
: 10-20 min. walk from either Yeouido station, Singil station (line 5), Daebang station (line 1), or Saetgang Station (line 9).
Seoul Eulalia Festival
If you want to properly experience all the glory that Autumn has to offer this year, the Eulalia festival is a must. From October 10-17, the festival will be open at the Haneul Park area. The 1-2m tall eulalia are especially a grand sight as their white flowers bud during October. "Haneul" in Korean actually means "the sky" and out of all the World Cup Parks, this park is known to be "closest to the sky." The space at the park allows you to enjoy the beautiful eulalia with no interruption as there are no buildings that get in the way. You will simply want to run and prance like a little child in a wide open field. This festival has 3 different themes: nature, culture, and experience. In accordance with these themes, there will be an "illumination" photo zone, an experience program, and cultural performances. Stay past 10 pm to see yet another side of the eulalia as they glow under different lighting.
Directions
: 20 min. walk from exit 1 of World Cup Stadium station (line 6).
Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market, Gangnam Fstival
To many Koreans, Gangnam might be considered the food, fashion, and dessert capital. For this reason, it is very fitting for Gangnam to hold a festival the first week of every October. From October 1-15, come take a look at the Fashion Festival, a marathon, food festival, Hallyu festival, and take advantage of the Gangnam Grand Sale. Day and night, festivals will be going on all day long.
Another exciting festival to look forward to this October is the Seoul Bamdokkaebi night Market. Much like the popular night markets in Thailand and China, you will be able to roam around different food stands and eat to your hearts' content! With 40 food trucks, new food concepts, a free market, circus, mimers, magic shows, and more, you will not be bored. Although this type of festival might sound new and unfamiliar, it might very well turn out to be an extremely popular way to enjoy the cool nights of October. Look forward to the festival from October 1-2, 8-10, 16-17 from 6pm to 12am.
Location
: Coex area, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu area (Gangnam Festival), Yeouido Hangang Park (Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market)
