Halloween in Korea 2025

 

 

 

 

Halloween in Korea 2025

 

 

🎃 A Korean-Style Halloween

Halloween isn’t a traditional Korean holiday, but in recent years it has grown into one of the biggest cultural events for locals and tourists. From themed festivals to K-pop idol appearances, Seoul becomes a giant stage for costumes, nightlife, and spooky fun.

 

📍 Where to Celebrate Halloween in Korea

 

🏙️ Itaewon — The Iconic Party District

Still the most famous spot for Halloween in Seoul, Itaewon’s streets used to overflow with costumes, parades, and themed nightlife.
Since the 2022 tragedy, celebrations are now strictly regulated, with visible police presence, crowd control, and officially approved venues only.
Many bars still host Halloween nights, but with limited capacity and reservation systems — making it safer but still full of creativity and impressive costumes.

💡 Tip: Check bar Instagram pages in advance (e.g. Thursday Party Itaewon, Cakeshop, Fountain) to confirm entry rules and times.

🎭 Hongdae — Youth, Music & Street Vibes

Hongdae’s Halloween is less about luxury clubs and more about creativity and student energy.
Expect themed nights in bars, street performances, costume contests, and playful K-pop or EDM events.
The Hongdae Playground area often becomes an open-air party space, with locals showing off their costumes and makeup looks.

🎨 Fun idea: Many makeup stores (Olive Young, Etude, Stylenanda) offer Halloween pop-up corners for quick costume touch-ups.

🎢 Theme Parks — Immersive Halloween Worlds

🎃 Lotte World (Seoul)

Every autumn, the park turns into a full Halloween fantasy called “Horror Halloween Festival.”

• Haunted houses, themed parades, live idol performances, and food stalls with spooky treats.

• Both indoor and outdoor areas are decorated — perfect for day and night shots.

• Visitors often come in group costumes, making it a real K-drama-like scene.

🕓 When: Mid-September to early November.

🎟️ Tip: Book tickets in advance — night entry passes sell out quickly.

🩸 Everland (Yongin)

Everland’s create is a massive horror-themed area that rivals western haunted parks.

• Realistic horror sets, zombie zones, and actors who chase you through dark alleys.

• The rest of the park stays lighter with pumpkin decorations, parades, and fireworks.

• Easy to reach from Seoul by shuttle bus.

🔦 Perfect for: thrill seekers or anyone wanting a cinematic Halloween daytrip.

🏮 Cultural & Traditional Spots — A Korean Twist on Halloween

Korean Folk Village (Yongin)

Combines Halloween fun with traditional ghost stories (Gwisin tales) and Joseon-era folklore.

• The event “Korean Ghost Village” features costumed actors playing historical spirits.

• Visitors can try lantern-making, mask painting, or listen to ancient legends under lantern light.

• A great way to discover how Korean mythology and Western Halloween meet.

🧙‍♀️ Bonus: Some nights include live pansori (Korean storytelling music) about wandering souls — haunting but poetic.

👻 Ghost & Folklore Tours — A Cultural Chill

Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk

A guided night tour exploring haunted alleys, myths, and gruesome stories from Seoul’s past.
It blends humor, history, and urban legends — perfect for travelers who prefer something mystical rather than noisy.

• Tours available in English.

• Covers places around Gwanghwamun, Insadong, and old execution grounds.

🎧 Fun fact: The guide even shares modern ghost stories tied to K-dramas and hotels.

🏰 Other Unique Experiences

• Namsangol Hanok Village: sometimes offers night folklore tours or Korean Halloween craft events for families.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Tour: not officially Halloween-themed, but the illuminated courtyards at night give an eerie, cinematic mood.

• Busan Halloween Festival (Gwangalli area): a seaside version, with lights, costumes, and DJs by the beach.

 

 

 

📅 Dates in 2025

• Most events run from mid-October until November.
• Lotte World Séoul – Pokemon World Adventure, Zombie World : Sept 6 – Nov 16, 2025.
• Everland – Everland of Oz: Sept 5 – Nov 16, 2025.
• Lotte World Busan – Sweet or scream, Zombie World : Sept 12 – Nov 23, 2025 – Spécial Zombie week : Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2025
• Korean Folk Village – A haunted prison : April 19 – Nov 9, 2025 – A haunted den : April 25 – Nov 9, 2025

 

Club events in Itaewon & Hongdae: last weekend of October + Oct 31

 

 

 

✨ Why It’s Unique in Korea

Unlike in the West, Halloween here is less about children trick-or-treating and more about nightlife, themed festivals, and photo culture. Many Koreans see it as a chance to express creativity, cosplay, and mix Western “horror” with Korean ghosts (gwishin) or K-drama inspired costumes.