Peep Korea
Travel
Fall Isn’t Just Foliage.
Seoul in November and December 2026: real temperatures, when the leaves peak, first snow odds, festival dates, Christmas markets, the countdown and holiday closures.
Most people plan this trip around a photo of red maples. Then they land on 25 November to bare branches and a wind off the river.
The two months are really four short seasons. Early November is late autumn. Late November is a grey gap. Early December is cold with little on. From mid December the lights come on. Pick your week first.
The one rule for these two months: book by the week, not by the month. "November" can mean gold ginkgo streets or a city of brown sweepings, and the difference is about ten days.
November in Seoul is a month that changes halfway. The first ten days are often clear, crisp and still gold on the streets; the second half turns grey, windy and noticeably colder. On average Seoul gets about 51 mm of rain spread over nine wet days, so it is mostly dry, but not reliably sunny.1, 2
What that means on the ground:
The sun sets early too: before 6 p.m. in early November, a little after 5 p.m. in December. Do outdoor sightseeing early.
Colder than most first-timers pack for. Using the Korea Meteorological Administration's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Seoul station, a typical November day runs from about 3.5°C at dawn to 11.9°C in the afternoon, and a December day from about minus 3.4°C to 4.2°C.2
| Month (Seoul station, 1991 to 2020 normals) | Avg high | Avg low | Monthly mean | Rain or snow | Days with snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 11.9°C (53°F) | 3.5°C (38°F) | 7.5°C | 51.1 mm | 2.3 |
| December | 4.2°C (40°F) | minus 3.4°C (26°F) | 0.2°C | 22.6 mm | 6.4 |
Seoul climate normals from KMA, as of October 2026. Averages, not a forecast.1, 2
Now the 2026 twist. KMA's three-month outlook for Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi, issued 23 October 2026, gives November a 60% chance of being warmer than normal and December a 50% chance, with a strong El Niño expected to peak in December. November is also more likely than not to be wetter than usual.3 Warmer on average still means cold snaps. The same outlook warns that cold air can still push in sharply, especially into January.3
Wind matters more than the thermometer. A 5°C afternoon by the Han River feels far colder, so check the "feels like" (체감온도) figure in Korean weather apps.
Q. What is the humidity like? Dry, and drier indoors. Seoul's average relative humidity is around 60% in November and 58% in December, and heated rooms pull it much lower.1, 2 Your skin will notice before you do.
Layers you can take off indoors. Seoul's buildings, subways and cafes are heated, so the trick is to be warm on the street and not cooking on the train.
Early November checklist
Late November and December checklist
Q. Can I buy a coat when I get there? Yes. But pack one real layer in your carry-on for the cold ride in from the airport. Our Incheon Airport to Seoul guide covers that first ride.
Late October to early November, depending on where you look. KMA saw Bukhansan's first autumn color on 14 October 2026, one day earlier than normal; Bukhansan's normal peak is 28 October.4, 5 The Korea Forest Service's 2026 forecast map puts the national 50% peak for maples and oaks around 31 October and for ginkgo around 30 October.6 A private forecaster, Weatheri, put the Bukhansan peak later, on 4 November.7
So the honest answer: if you arrive in the first week of November, you will still see color. If you arrive after mid November, treat any leaves as a bonus.
Three different clocks are running:
| Where | When it usually peaks | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains around Seoul (Bukhansan, Dobongsan) | Late October | Peak means about 80% of the mountain colored, by KMA's definition4 |
| City parks and palace grounds | Late October to early November | Maples turn a little after the mountains |
| Street ginkgo trees | Late October to mid November | Many of the city's 110 listed foliage roads are ginkgo-lined8 |
Foliage timing as of October 2026. Check KMA's live mountain status before a day trip.4, 5, 6, 7
Seoul City publishes a list of 110 autumn foliage roads sorted by district, so you can pick the one near your hotel instead of crossing town for a viral spot.8
Q. What if I miss the leaves in Seoul? Go south. The Forest Service map puts Naejangsan, a classic foliage mountain in North Jeolla, at around 4 November, and Hallasan on Jeju at around 6 November.6 That buys you a few extra days, at the cost of a day trip.
Q. Do ginkgo trees smell? The female trees drop fruit that smells sour once it is crushed. Watch your step on yellow sidewalks, and wipe your shoes before you walk into a hotel or clinic.
Usually, yes, but not much and not for long. Seoul averages about 6 days with some snow in December, and the city's first snow arrives on 20 November on average.1, 2 Total December precipitation is only about 23 mm, so a thick white city is the exception rather than the rule.2
"First snow" in Korea is a technical event. KMA counts it the first time snow is observed at the Seoul weather station, even a few flakes that never settle.1 Locals still treat it as a small occasion.
What snow changes for a visitor:
Three are worth knowing, and two end earlier than people expect. Dates below are from official pages as of 25 October 2026.
Seoul Autumn Festa (to 29 November). This is the city's autumn performing arts season: dance, theatre, music and street arts at venues across Seoul, run by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture from 18 September to 29 November 2026.9, 10 It is not one big stage. It is an umbrella for many shows, each with its own tickets and times. The info center is on the first floor of the foundation's Daehangno Center, closed Mondays and public holidays.10
Namsan Night Festival (to 14 November). The main programs run on Fridays and Saturdays only, and the last regular nights are 6 and 7 November.11, 12
| Program | 2026 dates | What it is | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namsan Campnic | 23, 24, 30, 31 Oct; 6, 7 Nov | Tent or mat sites at Baekbeom Square, 5 to 10 p.m., live music and outdoor films | Pre-booking required; 10,000 won per team, refunded on attendance12 |
| Autumn Leaves Night Walk | 23, 24 Oct; 6, 7 Nov | Guided evening walk; the November route is 4.2 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes | Pre-booking required; 5,000 won deposit, refunded on attendance11, 12 |
| Palgak Club | 14 Nov | Silent disco by the octagonal pavilion near N Seoul Tower, 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. | 300 people per session; 5,000 won deposit11, 12 |
Namsan Night Festival 2026, official dates as of 25 October 2026. Deposits are no-show deposits, not ticket prices.11, 12
Booking runs through Naver Reservation, and the festival is open to foreign visitors.11 If the Naver flow asks for a Korean phone check you cannot pass, ask your hotel desk to help, or check the festival FAQ first.
K-Sale Festa and the Korea Grand Festival (29 October to 15 November). More on this in the shopping section below.13, 14
Two days in November move traffic, crowds and even flights. Neither is a reason to skip Seoul, but both are worth a line in your plan.
Sunday 1 November: the JTBC Seoul Marathon. About 30,000 runners start at 7:30 a.m., and roads close along both courses.28
| Course | Route | Roads closed (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Full marathon | Gwanghwamun Square to Olympic Park | 7:20 a.m. to 1:54 p.m.28 |
| 10 km | Sangam World Cup Stadium area to Yeouido Park | 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.28 |
From Seoul City's traffic notice, revised 28 October 2026. Roads close and reopen section by section, so a given street may open earlier.28
If you are crossing the city that morning, take the subway and allow extra time. Taxis and buses near the course will be slow or rerouted. (Peep advice)
Thursday 19 November: the college entrance exam (suneung). About 550,000 students sit the exam from 8:40 a.m.29 What visitors notice:
Yes. The main one is Gwanghwamun Market on Gwanghwamun Square, a European-style Christmas village with small-business stalls, photo zones and free activities.15, 17 The Seoul Tourism Organization's vendor notice, revised on 13 October 2026, sets it for 11 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.17 Opening hours had not been published as of 25 October 2026.
It is one piece of a bigger city program. The Seoul Winter Festival runs from 11 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 at Gwanghwamun Square and six other sites.15
| Event | 2026 to 2027 dates | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwanghwamun Market | 11 Dec to 10 Jan (per vendor notice) | Gwanghwamun Square | Christmas stalls, food, photo zones15, 17 |
| Seoul Light Gwanghwamun | 11 Dec to 3 Jan, 5:30 to 10 p.m. | Gwanghwamun Square | Media facade show, New Year countdown16 |
| Seoul Lantern Festival | December (dates not yet final) | Cheonggyecheon stream | Lantern and media art installations18 |
| Seoul Plaza Ice Rink | 18 Dec to 9 Feb | Seoul Plaza, City Hall station | 1,000 won per hour including skates and helmet19 |
| Seoul Light DDP | Within the winter festival | Dongdaemun Design Plaza | Media facade, Christmas town, countdown15 |
Seoul Winter Festival program as listed by the city, as of 25 October 2026. (ref. 15 to 19)
The ice rink runs 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 1 a.m. on 24 and 31 December. It can pause for bad weather or poor air.19
Q. What if my trip is in early December? Then you land in the gap. Most of the big lights start on 11 December.15, 16 Department store facades and hotel lobbies usually decorate earlier, so the city still looks festive, just without the main shows.
Q. Is Christmas a big deal in Seoul? It is a public holiday and a couples' night out more than a family day.22 Restaurants book up for 24 and 25 December. Reserve dinner early.
The classic spot is Bosingak, the bell pavilion in Jongno, where the city rings the bell 33 times at midnight. For the 2026 New Year, the event ran from 11 p.m. to 12:20 a.m., Jonggak station was skipped by trains from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., and subways and city buses ran until about 2 a.m.20 The 2026 to 2027 details had not been announced as of 25 October 2026; the city usually publishes them in late December.
Your three main options:
Korea's version comes earlier. The government's big shopping event, now called K-Sale Festa (renamed from Korea Sale Festa), runs from 29 October to 15 November 2026 as part of the Korea Grand Festival, alongside a duty-free promotion.13, 14 Some retailers also run their own "Black Friday" deals around 27 November, but that is store by store.
For beauty shoppers, the bigger saving is often the tax refund, not the sale. How that refund works at the counter: Olive Young in Seoul.
Q. Thanksgiving is 26 November. Is it a thing in Seoul? Not a Korean holiday, so everything is open. Some hotels and Western restaurants advertise turkey dinners for the US expat crowd; book a few days ahead if it matters to you.
Yes, if you choose the right fortnight. The first ten days of November give you leaves, festivals and mild days. Mid December to New Year gives you lights, markets and a real winter mood. The weaker window is roughly 20 November to 10 December: cold, bare and between programs.2, 6, 15
A simple way to choose:
| You want | Aim for | Accept |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn color | 28 October to 10 November | Crowds on foliage roads and weekends |
| Quiet, lower demand | Late November to early December | Bare trees, grey days, shorter light |
| Lights and Christmas | 11 to 24 December | Cold nights, busy squares |
| New Year in Seoul | 28 December to 2 January | Holiday closures, crowded transit |
Planning windows built from KMA normals, the Forest Service forecast and city event dates, as of October 2026.2, 6, 15
Q. Is air quality a problem in winter? It can be. Korea runs a winter fine-dust management season from December to March.24 Check the air index on your weather app and carry a KF94 mask for bad days.
Two things: the air and the light. Winter is a popular time to book skin work because people are covered up and the summer sun is gone. But cold outdoor air, heated indoor air and wind all dry out the skin barrier, and healing skin feels it first.26
Want to know which treatments people book on a short trip? See 7 Korean skin treatments, explained.
Q. Should I skip the Namsan night walk after a laser? If your skin is raw, yes. A long walk in cold wind on day one is not a good trade. Book the outdoor plans before the treatment, not after.
25 December and 1 January are public holidays in Korea, and in 2026 both fall on a Friday.22 That makes two long weekends in a row.
Q. Does the entry rule change on 1 January? It might. The temporary K-ETA exemption for US, UK, Canadian and Australian travelers ends with 31 December 2026 in Korea.23 Arriving in 2027? Re-check the official K-ETA site a week before your flight. The full arrival checklist: Korea entry requirements.
About 12°C in the afternoon and 3 to 4°C at dawn, using KMA's 1991 to 2020 normals.2 Wind by the river or on Namsan makes it feel colder.
About 4°C in the afternoon and minus 3°C at night on average.2 Cold snaps go lower, so pack a real winter coat.
KMA's October outlook gives a 60% chance of a warmer-than-normal November.3 That is a probability, not a promise. Pack for normal cold.
Some, mostly on ginkgo streets and sheltered parks. One windy or rainy day can strip them, so treat them as a bonus.
Use Seoul City's list of 110 foliage roads and pick one near your hotel.8 Palace grounds and city parks also color without a climb.
Sometimes. The average first snow date is 20 November.1 It is often just a few flakes that do not settle.
Usually a little: about 6 days with some snow on average.2 A heavy, lasting snowfall is uncommon.
A long padded coat, thermals, gloves, a hat and shoes with grip. Dress in layers, because trains and shops are heated.
On 29 November 2026.9 It is a season of separate shows, so book each one on its own page.
Yes, Gwanghwamun Market, planned for 11 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.17 Hours had not been published as of late October 2026.
For the 2026 New Year it was a media facade and laser show instead.21 Do not count on fireworks until the 2027 plan is out.
Both are public holidays, and many clinics close or shorten hours.22 Confirm every appointment date in writing before you book flights.
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Korea winter festivals for January and February 2027: Hwacheon ice fishing dates, foreigner fees, buses from Seoul, and trout and snow festivals.
How foreigners buy K-pop concert tickets in Korea: ticket sites, passport checks, fan club presales, music show audiences, resale law, venues.
Gwangjang Market food guide for 2026: bindaetteok, mayak gimbap, yukhoe and kalguksu, food alley hours, cash or card, how to order at a stall price rules.
Korean drinking etiquette for visitors: two-hand pouring, turning away from elders, how to say no, alcohol-free options, legal age and public drinking rules.
