Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: The 2026 Sejong Hangeul Festival runs October 9–11 at Sejong Lake Park and Central Park in Sejong City. October 9 is Hangeul Day, and the opening day packs in the Hangeul Run, an Air Force Black Eagles air show, a Hangeul song contest and a night-time drone show. Days two and three bring a Taekwondo performance, the “Firefly Jiphyeonjeon” reading event and a Korean National Symphony Orchestra concert. A Hangeul culture exhibition, product fair and playground run all three days. It is the first edition since the festival was named a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 2026–2027 Cultural Tourism Festival.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Sejong Hangeul Festival?
- What Is on Each Day?
- What Runs All Three Days?
- How Do You Get to Sejong From Seoul?
- Tips for Visiting
- Plan Your Trip
What Is the Sejong Hangeul Festival?
Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, created under King Sejong the Great in the 15th century, and Hangeul Day (October 9) is a national holiday that celebrates it. Sejong City — the administrative capital, named after the king — hosts a three-day festival around the date at Sejong Lake Park and Central Park. This year the festival carries the slogan “Hangeul to All the World” and is the first held since its selection as a national cultural tourism festival, which means bigger programming than a typical local event. The Culture Ministry is also running Hangeul-themed events across the country through October, as reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily.
What Is on Each Day?
October 9 (Hangeul Day): the 2026 Hangeul Run, an Air Force Black Eagles air show, a Hangeul song contest, a performance by the National Jeongdong Theater, and a night-time drone show. This is the headline day, and the one to pick if you only have time for one.
October 10–11: the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation’s “Great Taekwondo Performance”, “Firefly Jiphyeonjeon” (an event that blends reading with Hangeul culture) and a performance by the Korean National Symphony Orchestra. Local artists and residents also stage smaller “festivals within the festival” throughout. Exact times can change, so check the Sejong City website before you set out.
What Runs All Three Days?
Across both parks you will find the 2026 Special Hangeul Culture Exhibition, a Hangeul product fair (stationery, calligraphy goods and design souvenirs) and a Hangeul playground for kids. These are the easiest things to enjoy on a quieter day, and none of them requires knowing Korean — the letters themselves are the attraction.
How Do You Get to Sejong From Seoul?
Sejong is roughly 120 km south of Seoul and does not sit on a main KTX line. The simplest option is an intercity or express bus from Seoul (typically around 1.5–2 hours, longer in holiday traffic) to Sejong Terminal, then a local bus or taxi to the lake park. You can also take a train toward Osong or Daejeon and transfer to a bus or taxi. For rail legs, you can compare KTX and train options 🚄 in advance. Because October 9 is a holiday and the air show will draw crowds, book transport early and plan to arrive well before the show.
Tips for Visiting
- Go on October 9 for the spectacle. The air show, run and drone show are all concentrated on the first day.
- Expect crowds and road closures. Take public transport rather than a car, and leave extra time for the return trip after the night show.
- Dress for an October evening. Lakeside temperatures drop after sunset, so bring a light jacket for the drone show.
- Double-check times. Program schedules are set by the organizers and may shift; confirm on the official city page.
Plan Your Trip
Want to see Hangeul’s story in Seoul instead? Our fall festival map lists other autumn events, our day trips from Seoul guide covers more escapes from the capital, and the Korean etiquette guide helps with everyday manners. For another October outing, see our Yangju Nari Park flower festival report.
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