Quick Info
- Event: Hanwha with Seoul International Fireworks Festival
- Korean Name: 한화와 함께하는 서울세계불꽃축제
- Location: Yeouido Hangang Park, Seoul
- 2026 Date: September 5, 2026
- Festival Hours: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Main Fireworks: 8:00 PM – 9:10 PM
- Admission: Free
- Visitors: Around 1 million
- Event Scale: Approximately ₩13 billion (13 billion KRW)
- Best For: Fireworks, Seoul night views, couples, families, and travelers
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, officially known as the Hanwha with Seoul International Fireworks Festival, is one of Seoul’s biggest annual events and one of the most spectacular festivals to experience in September.
The main event takes place around Yeouido Hangang Park, where huge fireworks fill the night sky above the Han River.
In 2026, around one million people gathered around the Han River for the festival.
The event was held on a massive scale of approximately ₩13 billion, making it much more than a small local fireworks show.
International teams perform first, followed by the Korean team and the main finale.
If you are traveling to Seoul in September, this is one seasonal event worth checking before your trip.
My Experience at the Seoul International Fireworks Festival
I watched the festival directly from Yeouido Hangang Park.
Before I even saw the fireworks, the first thing that surprised me was the number of people.
Several hours before the main fireworks started, large areas of the park were already filled with people.
Many visitors brought picnic mats, chairs, food and drinks and spent the afternoon waiting beside the Han River.
If you want a good spot at Yeouido Hangang Park, I recommend arriving several hours early.
As evening approached, the crowd continued to grow.
By nighttime, the atmosphere was completely different from the afternoon.
Some areas became so crowded that simply moving around was difficult.
The crowds can definitely be tiring, but they also show just how big this festival is in Seoul.
Seoul International Fireworks Festival Schedule
The festival begins in the afternoon, but the main fireworks start after sunset.
The 2026 schedule was:
- 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Pre-events and public programs
- 7:40 PM – 8:00 PM: Official ceremony
- 8:00 PM – 8:15 PM: UK Fireworks Show
- 8:20 PM – 8:35 PM: USA Fireworks Show
- 8:40 PM – 9:10 PM: Korea Fireworks Show & Grand Finale
- 9:10 PM – 10:00 PM: After DJ Performance
- After the event: Clean Campaign
The exact date, schedule and participating countries can change each year, so check the latest official information before visiting.
What Are the Fireworks Really Like?
Once the fireworks started, the atmosphere completely changed.
Huge fireworks filled the sky above the Han River, with different colors, shapes and patterns appearing throughout the show.
Watching from Yeouido also means you can feel the sound and atmosphere of the fireworks at close range.
Some fireworks spread widely across the sky, while others climbed high above the river before exploding into huge circles.
The colors and patterns continued to change throughout the performance.
The Korean team performed the final and longest part of the main fireworks show.
This was when some of the biggest and most impressive fireworks appeared.
Seeing the fireworks directly beside the Han River was much more impressive than watching them through a phone or video.
3 Recommended Places to Watch the Seoul Fireworks
1. Yeouido Hangang Park
Recommended for: Visitors who want to see the fireworks as close as possible.
This is the main festival area and the best place to experience both the fireworks and the huge festival atmosphere.
2. Ichon Hangang Park
Recommended for: Visitors who want fireworks with a Han River night view.
Located across the river from Yeouido, it offers a wider view of the fireworks and Seoul skyline.
3. Nodeul Island
Recommended for: Visitors who want to enjoy both the Han River atmosphere and fireworks.
Its location in the middle of the Han River makes it an interesting alternative to watching directly from Yeouido.
What to Bring
If you plan to watch from Yeouido Hangang Park, be prepared to wait for several hours before the main show.
I recommend bringing:
- A picnic mat or small cushion
- Water
- Simple snacks
- A portable battery
- Comfortable shoes
- A light jacket depending on the weather
I strongly recommend using public transportation.
With huge numbers of people gathering around the Han River, roads and subway stations around Yeouido can become extremely crowded before and after the fireworks.
I also would not plan another tight schedule immediately after the festival.
When the fireworks finish, a huge number of people start heading toward subway stations at the same time.
Leaving Yeouido can take much longer than you expect.
Is the Seoul International Fireworks Festival Worth Visiting?
If you are visiting Seoul in September, I think this festival is worth experiencing at least once.
The biggest downside is definitely the crowd.
You may have to wait several hours for the fireworks, and getting out of Yeouido after the show can take time.
But once the fireworks begin, the atmosphere changes completely.
Watching huge fireworks explode over the Han River at night, surrounded by thousands of people, feels very different from a small local fireworks show.
For a first visit, I recommend Yeouido Hangang Park if you want the full festival experience.
For a wider view across the river, Ichon Hangang Park is another option, while Nodeul Island offers a different Han River perspective.
More Places to Visit in Seoul
1.Gyeongbokgung Palace
One of Seoul’s most famous historical attractions and a good place to start exploring central Seoul.
Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Hidden Food Spots & 1 Day Seoul Itinerary (2026)
2.National Palace Museum of Korea
Located next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, this museum is a good place to learn more about Korea’s royal history.
National Palace Museum of Korea – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
3.Seodaemun Prison History Hall
A historical site where visitors can learn about Korea’s modern history and independence movement.
Things to Do in Seoul – Seodaemun Prison & Korea’s Independence History
4.Gwangjang Market
One of Seoul’s best-known traditional markets and a popular place to experience Korean market food.
Best Food in Gwangjang Market – 5 Must-Try Spots Near Gyeongbokgung
5.Dongdaemun
A lively area for shopping, food and exploring Seoul at night.
Best Things to Do Near Dongdaemun – DDP, Markets and Street Food
Final Tip
The most important thing I learned from visiting the Seoul International Fireworks Festival is simple:
Arrive early.
People begin claiming spots during the afternoon, and the crowd becomes enormous by nighttime.
Do not expect to arrive at Yeouido at 8:00 PM and easily find a good viewing spot.
Bring a picnic mat, water and some food, and allow plenty of extra time after the fireworks to leave the area.
For the full experience, my first choice is still Yeouido Hangang Park.
If your Seoul trip happens to match the festival date in September, this could easily become one of the most memorable nights of your trip.
Have You Visited the Seoul International Fireworks Festival?
Have you watched the fireworks from Yeouido, Ichon, Nodeul Island or another location?
Share your experience, your viewing spot and any useful tips for other travelers.
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Slug: seoul-international-fireworks-festival
Tags:
Seoul International Fireworks Festival, Seoul Fireworks Festival, Seoul September, Seoul Events, Yeouido Hangang Park, Han River Seoul, Seoul Night View, Things to Do in Seoul, Korea Fireworks Festival, Seoul Travel