What to do in Seoul this weekend?
Check the NowHitz radar for this weekend's concerts, pop-ups and festivals, then fill the gaps with Seoul's reliable weekend classics: a royal palace, a late-opening museum on Saturday, a traditional market, and an evening by the Han River or Cheonggyecheon.
Updated 2026-10-15Find this weekend's events
Events in Seoul change every week, so start with a current list rather than an old blog post. The NowHitz radar collects upcoming concerts, exhibitions, pop-ups and festivals by city and month. For official listings, Seoul city's culture portal and Visit Seoul's events pages are also useful. Always check the organiser's page for times, tickets and last-minute changes.
Palaces on the weekend
All the main palaces are open on Saturdays and Sundays; their weekly closing days are Monday or Tuesday. Gyeongbokgung costs 3,000 won for adults, and visitors wearing hanbok enter free. Weekends are busy, especially around Gyeongbokgung, so go soon after opening. Changdeokgung's Secret Garden needs its own ticket, so book or buy early if you want to see it.
Saturday nights at museums
Several big museums stay open late on Saturdays. The National Museum of Korea is open until 9 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and its permanent galleries are free. MMCA Seoul is also open until 9 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the National Palace Museum stays open until 9 pm on Saturdays. A late museum visit is a good plan for a cold or rainy weekend.
Markets, rivers and parks
Traditional markets such as Gwangjang and Mangwon are lively on weekends; stall hours vary, so go hungry and a little early. Cheonggyecheon, the stream running through central Seoul, is free and easy to walk at any hour. The Hangang parks along the Han River fill up on sunny weekends with picnics, cycling and sunset views. Bring a mat and a jacket, as it gets windy by the river.
Plan around Monday closures
If your trip runs from the weekend into Monday, do Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, the War Memorial of Korea or the Seoul Museum of History on Saturday or Sunday, because they close on Mondays. Save Gyeongbokgung and the National Museum of Korea for Monday, when they are open and usually calmer than on weekends.
People also ask
Where can I find events happening in Seoul this weekend?
Start with the NowHitz radar, which lists upcoming events by city and month, then confirm details on the organiser's official page or Seoul's culture portal.
Are Seoul palaces open on weekends?
Yes. The main palaces close on a weekday instead: Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo on Tuesdays, and Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung on Mondays.
What can I do in Seoul on a rainy weekend?
Head to a museum: the National Museum of Korea is free for its permanent galleries and open until 9 pm on Saturdays. Pop-up stores and exhibitions on the radar are good indoor options too.