• Twenty-three traditional markets and shopping districts across 12 districts in Seoul will host food and cultural autumn festivals in October.
• The festivals will feature a variety of unique experiences, from global cuisine and new dishes developed with universities to hanbok fashion shows and book talks
• Food-themed stamp tours, gift certificate rewards, and discount coupons will add fun and offer extra savings
• As part of efforts to boost the nighttime economy, the festivals will help create a traditional market where people want to stay late and bring energy to local businesses

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, September 30, 2026 – As the streetlights go on, delicious nights begin in Seoul. This fall, 23 traditional markets across Seoul will welcome visitors with unique food and cultural experiences, offering everything from special dishes inspired by foods featured in literature to the fun of collecting stamps on food-themed tours.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced the launch of its autumn festival series, featuring a mix of culinary and cultural experiences at 23 traditional markets and shopping districts across 12 districts of the capital.

The festival series will showcase food and cultural offerings unique to each market as part of Seoul’s efforts to revitalize the nighttime economy, a key initiative of the city’s ninth elected administration. Each market will offer a range of special dishes, cultural performances, and culinary tours that reflect its unique character, creating inviting spaces where people can enjoy an evening out and stay longer. Increased foot traffic will also encourage greater spending at local small businesses.

<A Variety of Experiences, from Global Festivals and Hanbok Fashion Shows to Exotic Foods and Book Talks>

First, part of the festivals will include global cultural events, hanbok fashion runways, and various specialty dishes. Between October 1 and 3, Haebangchon Sinheung Market in Yongsan- gu will host the “2026 Sinheung Market Local Festival,” featuring a global flea market highlighting nine countries, traditional Korean yut nori (a type of board game), and global talk concerts. Guro Market in Guro-gu will hold the 4th “Hanmaek Festival” on October 24. Citizen and college student models will showcase hanbok and introduce 10 of the market’s most popular products during the “Hanbok ON Guro Market Runway” show. The market will also feature an outdoor food zone and a traditional makdoenjang-making experience.

Some markets will hold food festivals with signature dishes that represent them, as well as new and distinctive dishes. Dongjak-gu’s Namseong Station Alley Market will host the “Jal-Dwaeji Cold Suyuk Festival,” with a food zone dedicated to its signature cold suyuk (boiled pork) and a sauce-making event on October 23. Geumcheon-gu’s Byeolbit Nammun Market will unveil seven new dishes developed in collaboration with nearby universities at the 4th “1009 ByeolYaByeol Festival” on October 9, where the dishes will be evaluated by the public. The shopping district at Guro-gu’s Gocheok Alley Market will collaborate with side-dish, jeon, and Korean street food shops to offer small packaged dishes from October 15 to 17. Youth busking performances will also take place during the festival.

Other markets will incorporate local cultural offerings, such as reading and walking experiences, into their festivals. On October 31, the shopping alley around Yangwon Forest Trail in Jungnang- gu will present special dishes inspired by foods featured in books at the “2026 Yangwon Forest Trail Spooky Library.” The festival will also include an outdoor reading area and book talks with authors. In Nowon-gu, Sanggye Central Market will offer a variety of hands-on activities, cultural performances, and food, as part of a night market together with “Nowon Dalbit Walk,” a public art festival along the Danghyeoncheon stream, on October 17.

<More Fun and Savings with Food Stamp Tours, Gift Certificate Payback, and Discount Coupons>

There will also be interactive events that invite visitors to explore different corners of the markets. Gangbuk-gu’s Suyu Traditional Market will organize the “Suyu Culinary Tour” as part of the first “Suyu Food Talk” on October 3. People who visit three or more stores in different categories and complete the stamp tour will receive a market souvenir. On October 23 and 24, Bangsin Traditional Market in Gangseo-gu will hold the fourth “Bangsin Four Seasons Festival,” themed around airports and travel, with a passport-inspired stamp tour and food lounges.

Don’t miss out on payback events that offer rewards including Onnuri Gift Certificates, based on your purchases. Consumers who present receipts showing purchases of 50,000 won or more at the “Eat, Enjoy, and Connect at the Shinwon Night Market” in Gwanak-gu on November 13 and 14 can receive a 10,000-won digital Onnuri Gift Certificate. Each market will also offer additional promotions, including receipt raffles and discount coupons.

The SMG will encourage consumer spending by expanding the number of stores that accept digital Onnuri Gift Certificates through its public delivery app Seoul Delivery + DdangGyeoYo and Seoul Sarang Gift Certificate payment services. The Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates can be purchased and used through the Seoul Pay+ app.

For detailed event schedules and programs, visit the official website of the SMG (In Korean version: www.seoul.go.kr > Information by Sector > Economy > Micro-business Support > Traditional Market > Event Information). As event dates and programs vary by market, it is advised to check the details before visiting.