Sejong Hangeul Festival
Oct 11, 2026 · Sejong
Overview
The Sejong Hangeul Festival is the only festival in Korea dedicated to Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Held every year around Hangeul Day, it is Sejong City’s signature celebration of the Korean writing system. Launched in 2013, the festival honors the vision behind King Sejong’s creation of Hangeul. In 2025, it was renamed the Sejong Hangeul Festival from its former name, the Sejong Festival. The festival brings the beauty and creativity of Hangeul to life through performances, exhibitions, and hands-on programs with a fresh, contemporary touch. Open to visitors of all ages and nationalities, it offers an easy and engaging way to experience the appeal of Hangeul and the spirit of King Sejong in the heart of the city. Blending traditional and contemporary arts and culture, the festival continues to grow as a distinctive cultural tourism event unique to Sejong City.
Why go
This is Korea's only festival dedicated entirely to Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, held annually around Hangeul Day and run by Sejong City as its signature cultural event. Since its 2013 launch (renamed from the Sejong Festival in 2025), it has combined performances, exhibitions, and hands-on programs exploring the writing system created under King Sejong. It's designed to be accessible to visitors of all ages and nationalities.
Getting there from Seoul
Sejong City has no KTX station of its own; the nearest major rail stop is Osong Station, from which local buses or taxis connect to central Sejong, including the Lake Park and Central Park venues. Alternatively, direct express or intercity buses run from Seoul's bus terminals to Sejong's BRT terminal, typically a 1.5–2 hour ride depending on traffic.
Tips
- Admission is free, but the festival runs for one day only (11 Oct 2026, 11:00–21:00), so plan your visit within that window.
- The event spans two connected venues, Sejong Lake Park and Sejong Central Park — budget time to walk between them.
- Programs like the Hangeul Song Contest and Quiz Bowl are largely in Korean, but the Prince Chungnyeong Marionette Show and flash mob performances are enjoyable to watch even without fluency.
Best for: families, language learners, culture enthusiasts, day-trippers from Seoul.
Program
Sejong Hangeul Playground, Hangeul Song Contest, Hangeul Flash Mob, Hangeul Quiz Bowl, Prince Chungnyeong Marionette Show
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Sejong
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Sep 11 – Oct 17, 2026
The Moonlight Music Festival is a cultural and arts performance series designed to let people enjoy music on autumn nights from September through October in familiar, everyday settings across Daejeon’s five districts. As an open-air event free to all citizens, it will feature a total of five performances—one in each district. Against the backdrop of cool autumn nights, local artists performing a variety of genres will take the stage, alongside performances by popular singers. By adding music to the familiar and comfortable parks and riversides in the city center, the Moonlight Music Festival aims to provide special moments and experiences where families, couples, and friends can enjoy music together and share the joy of live performances as part of their daily lives.
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Gyeryong Military Culture Festival
Oct 1 – Oct 5, 2026
The Gyeryong Military Culture Festival is a major defense-themed cultural event held in Gyeryong, home to the headquarters of the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, and Air Force. First launched in 2007, the festival marks its 16th edition in 2026 and will run for five days from October 1 to 5. The festival opens with performances by top artists, followed by military band and honor guard shows and special performances by the Army performance team on the main and secondary stages and throughout the airstrip. This year will also feature the largest road parade in the festival’s history, along with a large-scale street parade involving some 700 participants, adding even more energy to the event. Visitors can take part in a wide range of hands-on military experiences, including military equipment and shooting activities, the Extreme Field Training Challenge, a Comprehensive Military Camp Experience, and VR and AR programs. The festival also offers history lectures, a special video pavilion with a 20-meter LED screen, a children’s theme park, and many other programs, making it a distinctive celebration of military culture for visitors of all ages.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site