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Halloween in Seoul 2026
- When
- Halloween is Sat Oct 31, 2026
- Itaewon
- Special safety period Oct 23 – Nov 1 · about 2,550 staff
- Emergency
- 112 police · 119 fire & ambulance · 1330 travel hotline
Theme-park horror festivals, two calmer free nights, and what to expect in Itaewon during its Oct 23 – Nov 1 safety period.
Road to Itaewon at night (file photo) · Photo: AhmadElq (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Theme parks with horror festivals
- TO NOV 15Lotte World Adventure — Junji Ito autumn festival
The park's autumn festival, "Invitation to Bizarre World", runs Sep 19 – Nov 15 with walkthroughs, photo zones, shows and themed food based on Junji Ito's horror manga (Tomie, Souichi and more). Jamsil Station, Lines 2 and 8.
롯데월드 어드벤처Google Maps - TO NOV 22Everland — Blood City zombie zone
Everland's autumn festival runs Sep 12 – Nov 22; its horror zone Blood City has zombie shows in the late afternoon and evening (about 4–9 PM). The outdoor shows come with park entry; the horror maze is a separate paid attraction. Everland is in Yongin, about an hour from central Seoul.
에버랜드Google Maps - TIPGo on a weekday
Oct 31 is a Saturday, so both parks will be at their busiest that weekend (our tip). Check the park app for today's show times and any extra-fee attractions.
Itaewon this week: what to expect
- OCT 23 – NOV 1Yongsan-gu's special Halloween safety period
The district runs it with police, fire services, Seoul Metro and local merchants: about 2,550 on-site staff, a joint situation room near World Food Culture Street, and live crowd monitoring through CCTV, a real-time smart map and Itaewon Station exit counts.
- CROWDSAbout 165,000 visitors expected
World Food Culture Street and Quinon-gil are the busiest spots. Haebangchon, Gyeongnidan-gil and Yongnidan-gil are managed as well.
이태원 세계음식문화거리Google Maps - POLICEMore patrols in crowded areas
Seoul police are stepping up patrols in crowded areas such as Myeongdong and Itaewon through Nov 1, and may question people who look like they are carrying weapons.
- OCT 29A week of remembrance
Oct 29, 2026 marks four years since the Itaewon crowd crush. Please be respectful around the memorial alley.
Calmer Halloween nights
- SAT OCT 31Hangang Drone Light Show, Ttukseom Hangang Park
Free, no booking. Stage show 7:30–8:30 PM, drones 8:30–8:45 PM, more music until 9:15 PM. Jayang Station (Line 7), Exit 1 — exits 2 and 3 may be restricted that night. Rain or strong wind can cancel it; check @seouldroneshow_official.
뚝섬한강공원 수변무대Google Maps - OCT 30–31Namsan Campnic night picnic, Baekbeom Square
5–10 PM with a radio show, live music and an outdoor movie. Book on Naver Booking via namsannightfestival.com; the small deposit (₩10,000 per team) comes back after you attend. It was fully booked in mid-October, but cancelled spots reappear in real time.
남산공원 백범광장Google Maps
Stay safe in a crowd
- 1Follow staff and police directions
One-way walkways and stops are set up to keep people moving. Itaewon's district head asked visitors to cooperate with on-site guidance.
- 2Skip packed, narrow alleys
Stick to wide streets and leave early if it feels tight (our tip).
- 3Agree on a meeting spot
Pick one before you go out, in case your group gets split up (our tip).
- 4Save the numbers
112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 Korea Travel Hotline (24 hours, English and other languages).
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYIt's too crowded, let's go another way.
sa-ram neo-mu man-a-yo, da-reun gil-lo ga-yo.
사람 너무 많아요, 다른 길로 가요. - SAYWhere is the subway station?
ji-ha-cheol-yeok eo-di-ye-yo?
지하철역 어디예요? - SAYPlease help me.
do-wa-ju-se-yo.
도와주세요.
Local tips
- Download your maps before you go out — phone signal can get slow in big crowds (our tip).
- Dates and show times can change; check each official site on the day.
FAQ
Is Itaewon safe on Halloween 2026?
Yongsan-gu runs a special safety period Oct 23 – Nov 1 with about 2,550 on-site staff and live crowd monitoring; follow staff directions and avoid packed alleys.
Where can I celebrate Halloween in Seoul without big crowds?
Try the free Hangang Drone Light Show at Ttukseom Hangang Park on Oct 31 or the Namsan Campnic night picnic on Oct 30–31 (booking needed).
Do Lotte World and Everland have Halloween events in 2026?
Yes: Lotte World's Junji Ito autumn festival runs to Nov 15 and Everland's Blood City horror zone runs to Nov 22.
What number do I call in an emergency in Korea?
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, and 1330 for the 24-hour Korea Travel Hotline in English.
Sources: Kyunghyang Shinmun: Yongsan-gu Halloween safety plan, 2,550 staff (Oct 19, 2026) · Newspim: Yongsan-gu Halloween crowd management (Oct 19, 2026) · Financial News: Seoul police measures before Halloween (Oct 14, 2026) · Korea Times: Junji Ito turns Lotte World into a surreal nightmare (Sep 4, 2026) · Financial News: Lotte World autumn festival (Sep 8, 2026) · Hankyung: Everland Blood City (Sep 2026) · Financial News: Everland autumn festival to Nov 22 · Official: seouldroneshow.com · Official: namsannightfestival.com