[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Four best outdoor events to visit in Seoul right now

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[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Four best outdoor events to visit in Seoul right now

Published: 09 Sep. 2023, 10:30 Updated: 25 Sep. 2023, 10:03

KIM DONG-EUN
kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr

Yukjo Yard in the outdoor yard area of Seoul Outdoor Library. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN LIBRARY]

Fall, the favorite time of the year for many Koreans, has finally arrived, and its evening sky views are one of the season's many rewarding traits.

The breezy and crispy weather increases the urge to go out on a picnic and lie down on a picnic mat to embrace the weather or head for a long walk, which had been impossible due to summer's scorching heat in the past months. As more and more people are getting eager to get out and enjoy time outside, Seoul's cultural organizations and authorities are hustling up to offer events and programs that cater to their needs.

If you are searching for an enjoyable day out, here are four outdoor event recommendations by the Korea JoongAng Daily to try in Seoul.

Hangang Moonlight Market
한강달빛야시장

Visitors check the handicraft booths at Hangang Moonlight Market at Yeouido Hangang Park, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, is a quintessential spot in Seoul to head to in good weather for both Koreans and foreigners. It is also famous as a place where you can enjoy the iconic Korean combination of fried chicken and beer, or chimaek, a portmanteau of chicken and maekju, meaning beer in Korean. It is also known for its automated ramyeon machines, a just as well-known ritual.

However, don't hastily assume that these two would be the only must-try menus at the park. The Hangang Moonlight Market, held at the park, features 40 food trucks and 50 handicraft booths that will entertain both your taste buds and your eyes. The food trucks sell dishes ranging from boneless chicken and fries to diced steak and fried noodles. Dessert stalls also pop up, serving machine-whipped ice cream and slushies.

Those who are visiting may already be aware of the fact that the park gets extremely crowded every weekend, meaning long queues will form in front of the food truck to try out their delicious dishes. But this also gives you the perfect opportunity to mingle with tourists and Seoulites, watch bands busk and try different kinds of food and desserts.

The park's Cascade Plaza is where the market's main events take place, but make sure to check out the rest of the park and find its gems. The night market opens every weekend from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22.

@hangangmoonlightmarket
330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul
(서울 영등포구 여의동로 330, 여의도한강공원)
Duration: Sept. 16 to Oct. 22, Every Saturday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone number: 02-3780-0561
Website: https://hangangmoonlightmarket.org/?_l=en

Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival
잠수교 뚜벅뚜벅축제

Citizens enjoy the Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival at Jamsu Bridge, Seocho District, southern Seoul. [YONHAP]

If you are a fan of a chill day at riverside parks, not only at nighttime but also in the afternoon, head to Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul. This year's Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival is coming back in full scale, with the Covid-19 pandemic no longer being a concern and the weather being better than ever. The event runs every Sunday from noon to nighttime through Nov. 2.

Banpo Hangang Park is another major gathering spot with two floating buildings and colorful light shows along the bridge. Jamsu Bridge gets submerged underwater every monsoon season when the Han River's water level rises. However, it comes back to life very soon, thanks to visits by Seoulites and tourists. This year, the venue hosts multiple events on different sides of the bridge, one of them being a noiseless DJing Party named Mute Seoul, where each participant is given a pair of headphones that blasts music, and everyone dances together frantically in a silent space.

The festival also attracts food trucks serving dishes from a wide array of cuisines. Also coming with the festival are a variety of events ranging from live performances of classical music, popera, jazz and brass music to magic shows. These events are held twice a day, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the busking area of the festival. Last but not least, Pink Bridge and the Sunset Photo Zone give you plenty of space for photogenic memories while offering colorful walkways.

You might end up getting stuck in traffic if you try to get there by bus, which is why taking the subway to Express Bus Terminal Station through lines 3,7 or 9 or Seobinggo Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line is a better idea. The river park is ten minutes away by walk from these stations.

Banpo Hangang Park and Jamsu Bridge (잠수교 및 반포한강공원 일원)
649 Banpo-dong, Seocho District, southern Seoul (서울 서초구 반포동 649)
Phone number: 070-5143-5663
Duration: Sept. 3 – Nov. 2, Every Sunday (Closed on Oct. 1, Sunday due to the Chuseok Holiday)
September, noon to 9 p.m., October, noon to 8 p.m., November, noon to 7 p.m.

Seoul Outdoor Library
서울야외도서관 광화문 책마당

The outdoor yard of Seoul Outdoor Library stretches across Gwanghwamun Plaza. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN LIBRARY]

Have you ever been torn between reading a book in a quiet cafe and spending a fun day outside? At Seoul Outdoor Library, you can get the best of both worlds. What's more, the outdoor venue hosts movie nights and live music sessions.

The outdoor library stretches along the Gwanghwamun Plaza, consisting of three parts: Gwanghwamun Lounge, Sejong Lounge and the Outdoor Yard. The yard is the event area for outdoor activities, while the lounges are indoors and run cultural events like book talks. You can also borrow books from the library for the day until 7:30 p.m. if you sign up for the program online. A book stamp tour also takes place throughout the day.

Those who are not fond of reading can still enjoy the event. Every Saturday evening, at the Outdoor Yard, a cultural event dubbed "Romantic Saturday Night" takes place until Sept. 23. The first Saturday evening this month kicked off merrily with a jazz show, and the following event this week on Saturday will be a classical music performance by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

The next two weeks are also ambitiously planned out with an art commentary session and an all-time favorite music film, "Begin Again (2014), screening night on the last day. No registration is required, and you can spontaneously show up to enjoy the events.

The two lounges run throughout the week, but the outdoor yard is available only on weekends.

@seouloutdoorlibrary.g
B172 Sejong-daero, Jongno District, central Seoul (서울 종로구 세종로 1-68)
Duration: Runs until Nov. 12.
Outdoor yard: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Indoor lounge: Gwanghwamun Lounge, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sejong Lounge, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Sunday)
Website: https://www.seouloutdoorlibrary.kr/niabbs5/

Gyeongbok Palace Night Tour
경복궁 야간개장

Gyeongbok Palace Night Tour runs until Oct. 29. [YONHAP]

Sometimes, the most mundane option turns out to be a remarkable experience. Changing into hanbok, traditional Korean dress, and touring around historical spots in Seoul would be such an experience. Gyeongbok Palace in Jongno District, central Seoul, is the most predictable place to visit. However cliche the route may seem, the night tour attracts not just foreign tourists but Seoulites every year, its daily tickets getting sold out in a matter of few hours. The act of marching around in the historical surroundings dating back to the Joseon Dynasty attracts the Korean youth. This year, the night tour runs until Oct. 29 and holds its door open for two hours and a half.

Booking a spot for the night tour online can be extremely competitive, but luckily, foreigners are eligible for on-site ticket purchases after showing their IDs. There are 200 on-site tickets available for foreigners for 3,000 won ($2.25) each. Those in hanbok get a free entrance, not to mention that there's no need to book in advance.

If you are a fan of historical places, also check out other palaces in Seoul, like Changdeok Palace in Jongno District, central Seoul, and Deoksu Palace in Jung District, central Seoul.

@gyeongbokgung_palace_official
161 Sajik-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul (서울 종로구 사직동 161, 경복궁)
Admission fee: 3,000 won per person, free entrance for those in hanbok
Duration: Runs until Oct. 29., 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Admission is open until one hour before closing, closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Oct. 4)
Phone number: 02-3700-3900, 02-3700-3901
Website: https://www.royalpalace.go.kr/