November in Korea is crisp, bright and busy. The last autumn leaves are still glowing, and two of the season’s most popular events fall in the same month: a huge fireworks show in Busan and a lantern festival in Seoul. These are festivals that Koreans themselves travel for.
November 2026 at a glance
- Nov 4 to 8: Naejangsan reaches peak autumn color (forecast and local estimates)
- Nov 7 (Sat): Busan Fireworks Festival
- Nov 13 to 29 (tentative): Seoul Lantern Festival
Busan Fireworks Festival
One of Korea’s biggest fireworks nights, held around Gwangalli Beach in Busan with the Gwangandaegyo Bridge as the backdrop. It is expected on Saturday, November 7, 2026, and crowds in the hundreds of thousands are normal.
- Book a place to stay early. Rooms near the beach fill up quickly for this weekend.
- Arrive hours ahead if you want a good spot, and plan your way home, because trains, subways and taxis are packed afterward.
- Paid seating is sold for some viewing areas. Check the official site for tickets and exact times.
Seoul Lantern Festival
Giant glowing lanterns light up the center of Seoul after dark, usually along the Cheonggyecheon stream. The 2026 dates are tentatively November 13 to 29, and the official schedule was not yet confirmed when this was written.
- It is easy to reach by subway and best after sunset.
- Evenings are cold in late November, so wear layers.
- November 19 is Suneung day, so the city will be quieter and more tightly scheduled than usual. Read Suneung Day 2026: Why Korea Goes Silent for One Exam first.
Autumn foliage course
Many people think the leaves are over by November, but the south and the cities peak later than the northern mountains.
- Naejangsan National Park (Jeongeup). Famous for maple trees along the valley. Local estimates put the peak around November 7 to 8, and a large crowd (around 350,000 visitors) is expected, so go on a weekday if you can. The autumn festival usually runs from late October into mid-November, with exact dates confirmed close to the opening.
- Seoul. City colors arrive in early November. See the full forecast in Korea Autumn Foliage 2026: Peak Dates & Best Places Right Now.
A simple way to combine them
- Early November: Naejangsan for the leaves, then Busan for the fireworks on the 7th (give yourself a full travel day between them).
- Mid to late November: Seoul for the lantern festival and the last city colors.
Get your maps and taxi apps ready with Essential Apps for Foreigners in Korea, and see what to snack on in Korean Street Food in Autumn & Winter.