Hangeul Day in 2026 falls on Friday, October 9. With Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th following, it creates a three-day holiday weekend from October 9 (Fri) to 11 (Sun). As Hangeul Day is a national holiday and the date itself is a Friday, there is no substitute holiday. The week before, Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day) on October 3 was a Saturday, so Monday the 5th was designated as a substitute holiday for that week. This means there are two holiday weekends in the first two weeks of October.
This year also holds special significance. It marks the 580th anniversary of the promulgation of Hunminjeongeum and the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day, which began as 'Gagyanal' in 1926. Consequently, larger-than-usual Hangeul Day events will be held across the country starting from the first day of the holiday weekend. Below is information on how to plan your three days, where it might be crowded, and whether Hangeul Day-related venues are actually open.
| Date | Day | Nature | Outing Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 9 | Fri | Hangeul Day | Most Hangeul Day events open today. Morning traffic will be heavy |
| October 10 | Sat | Middle of the holiday | The most relaxed day. If staying overnight, this is the night to book |
| October 11 | Sun | Return day | Heavy traffic towards the Seoul metropolitan area late afternoon. Focus on nearby places |
The second week of October is the season for silver grass and autumn flowers, rather than autumn leaves. The autumn foliage in high mountains like Seoraksan is just beginning, and it's still too early for flatland foliage. Information on silver grass spots is compiled in National Silver Grass and Pink Muhly Spots, and expected autumn foliage times are in Autumn Foliage Spots.
As it's the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day, local government events are scheduled to coincide with the holiday. Below is a compilation of events whose schedules have been confirmed by the organizers.
| Event | Period | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sejong Hangeul Festival | Oct 9-11 | Sejong Central Park · Sejong Lake Park | Daytime experiences, large evening performances. Black Eagles air show scheduled for the first day, drone light show with approx. 2,000 drones |
| Yeoju 2026 Hangeul Day Cultural Event | Oct 9-10 | Area around Yeoju King Sejong's Tomb (Yeongneung) | Aimed at children and families. Oct 9: Catch! Teenieping Sing-along Show (11 AM · 4 PM), Heunhannammae Talk Show (2 PM) |
| Mindungsan Singing Contest | Oct 9-10 | Area around Jeongseon Mindungsan | Program during the Mindungsan Silver Grass Festival (Sep 18 - Nov 8) |
Sejong City's name itself comes from King Sejong. The Sejong Special Self-Governing City festival features large-scale performances, making evening parking the most challenging. The Yeoju event is designed for families with preschoolers and elementary school children, so it's more convenient to go in the morning. As of September 29, detailed schedules for the Hangeul Day event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul have not been released.
Other autumn festivals held during the same holiday can be viewed chronologically in the Autumn Festival Calendar and October Recommendations.
| Place | Region | 2026 Status | Visiting Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Sejong's Tomb (Yeongneung) | Gyeonggi Yeoju | Open | Sep-Oct 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last admission 1 hour before closing), closed Mondays. Adults 500 won, under 24 and over 65 free |
| National Hangeul Museum | Seoul Yongsan | Closed | Restoration and expansion work after a fire in Feb 2025. Reopening targeted for Oct 2028 |
| Sejong Central Park · Lake Park | Sejong | Festival held | Sejong Hangeul Festival Oct 9-11 |
| King Sejong Statue at Gwanghwamun Square | Seoul Jongno | Always open | Detailed Hangeul Day event schedule not yet announced |
The most common wasted trip is to the National Hangeul Museum. Located next to the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, it's often considered a Hangeul Day outing option, but it has been closed for construction after a fire, with reopening targeted for October 2028. This year, you cannot see the Hangeul Day commemorative exhibition in the museum building.
King Sejong's Tomb is a joint tomb where Joseon's 4th king, Sejong, and Queen Soheon are buried together. October 9 is a Friday, so it's a regular opening day, and Hangeul Day cultural events will be held in the area on the same day. It's in eastern Gyeonggi Province, about an hour's drive from Seoul, making it an easy day trip.
One-day, with children (departing from Seoul metropolitan area) — Morning: Yeoju King Sejong's Tomb Hangeul Day cultural event → Lunch → Afternoon: Stroll through the royal tomb area. Although it's regularly closed on Mondays, all three holiday days (Fri, Sat, Sun) are open.
One-day, with silver grass — Early morning on the first day of the holiday: Hike Jeongseon Mindungsan, then watch the Mindungsan Singing Contest. Hiking trails and parking information are available in Jeongseon Mindungsan Hiking Guide.
Two-day, Chungcheong region — Day 1: Sejong Hangeul Festival daytime experiences and evening drone show → Overnight in Sejong → Day 2: Travel to Asan and walk along the Gokgyocheon embankment in Chungcheongnam-do. Ginkgo tree foliage peaks in late October to early November, so there's a high chance of green leaves remaining during the holiday. Check the timing at Ginkgo Autumn Spots.
Two-day, Yeongnam mountain concert and silver grass — The 16th Ulju Odyssey Mountain Concert will be held at Ganwoljae in Ulju on October 3 (Gaecheonjeol), the week before the holiday. While there's no concert during the Hangeul Day holiday, the silver grass at Ganwoljae can still be seen during this period.
Korea Expressway Corporation's traffic forecast for the Hangeul Day holiday has not yet been announced as of September 29. However, for a three-day holiday weekend (Fri-Sun), traffic typically concentrates on outbound routes on the morning of the first day and inbound routes on the afternoon of the last day. Conversely, Saturday morning and late afternoon on the first day are relatively less crowded.
The second week of October is pleasant for light walking during the day, but there's a significant temperature difference between morning and evening. Especially on silver grass ridges around 1,000m above sea level, temperatures are lower and winds are stronger than in flat areas. Check the short-term forecast from the Korea Meteorological Administration before your trip.
Is there a substitute holiday for Hangeul Day in 2026? No. Hangeul Day (October 9) falls on a Friday, so it doesn't overlap with the weekend. Instead, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday create a three-day break.
Can I visit the National Hangeul Museum? It cannot be visited on Hangeul Day 2026. It is closed for fire restoration and expansion work, with reopening targeted for October 2028.
Is King Sejong's Tomb open on Hangeul Day? Yes, it is open. It is regularly closed only on Mondays, and October 9 is a Friday. Hangeul Day cultural events will also be held there on the same day.
What Hangeul Day events are good for children? The Yeoju King Sejong's Tomb Hangeul Day cultural event is designed for families with preschoolers and elementary school children. The Sejong Hangeul Festival also focuses on experience booths during the day.
Can I see autumn foliage during the Hangeul Day holiday? In high mountains, it's just beginning; in urban and flat areas, it's too early. Silver grass is a more certain sight during this period. Check regional expected times at Autumn Foliage Spots.
Last checked: 2026-09-29
Some Klook booking links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.