All you need to know about Seoul in August to enjoy your holiday during the summer months in South Korea (based on my approximately 10 trips!) From the best summer festival to what to bring for the monsoon season, this post has you covered.
Jump to:
Seoul, South Korea has so much to offer all year round. However, in August, like Seoul in July, it's HOT! (Korea has very distinct seasons.)
Despite the high temperature and humidity, tourists are not deterred from flocking to Seoul to enjoy its many summer events and popular attractions, such as summer festivals, visiting the Korean palaces, enjoying facials, hair cuts, kimchi making classes, and K-pop.
Weather
First things first, you need to know about the summer climate in Seoul.
August, the last month of summer, is Seoul’s hottest period of the year, with average temperature highs of 82degrees F/ 28 degrees C and lows of 68 degrees F /20 degrees C.
It is also rainy and humid thanks to jangma 장마, so don't forget to bring a light folding umbrella with you. Jangma is Korea's monsoon season, which typically ended in late July but with all the climate changes these days, who knows!
Some people suggest a raincoat to prep for the heavy rains, but it's so hot, I find it sticky and impractical- a small portable umbrella would be easier to manage.
Thanks to the high humidity, you'll clothing made of natural fabric such as cotton is a good idea (instead of man-made fabrics which trap heat, such as polyester.)
Honestly, if you have control over your timing, I would suggest traveling to Seoul in Spring or fall instead! If you really must go to Korea in August, maybe head to coastal areas like Jeju Island or Busan instead. (The weather is more temperate there.)
Things You Need to Know
South Korea commemorates its “Liberation Day” (from Japan) on August 15. However, most things are still open so no worries.
In addition, the summer vacations for schoolchildren in South Korea runs from mid-July to late August. As such, popular tourist sites and family-friendly attractions tend to be very crowded during this period, thanks to domestic tourism.
Towards the end of the month, things should be less crowded.
Festivals & Events
Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival 2024
- Festival Dates: July and August 2024
- Address: 93 Yangsu-ro, Yangseo-Myeon, Yangpyeon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- Admission Fee: KRW 5,000 (includes entry to the Museum)
Semiwon in Gyeonggi-do is a popular day trip from Seoul.
It has a huge garden filled with lotus flowers and water lilies in full bloom in summer, so August is a great time to visit. It is a beautiful sight with white and red lotus flowers in the lakes.
It's a popular place so be prepared for crowds on weekends despite what you see in photos. (Koreans are great at photography angles to make it look like they're the only ones in a field of flowers when there are actually hundreds of people besides them!)
This lotus and water lily garden in Semiwon is about 15 minutes walk from Yangsu Station (Gyeongui - Jungang Line), which you can easily get to from Seoul using the subway. The super fit can cycle over using the riverside bike road (in the Seoul to Yangpyung direction.)
You can enjoy a visit to the Lotus Museum, coffee shop and a lotus cookies store. A bridge at the end of the garden leads to Dumulmeori, where the heads of the Bukhara and Namhan Rivers meet.
For those who enjoy crafts, there are workshops on making handkerchiefs and fans out of lotus leaves at the festival. There is also a stream in which you can dip your feet- a great way to cool down in the heat!
NOTE: The lotus flowers close their leaves in the early morning and evening, so time your visit appropriately if you want to photograph them in full bloom!
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
Festival Dates: August 1-3, 2025
Address: 350 Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
This annual rock festival held at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, Pentaport features local as well as international musicians. You'll get to see famous names such as Jack White, Turnstile, Girl in Red and Ride, Creepy Nuts and Indigo la End and many more.
Note: Tickets for 1-3 days range from KRW 80,000 to 200,000
Waterbomb 2025
- Festival dates: Sokcho, August 23, 2025
The famous Waterbomb Festival made its first appearance in Seoul in 2015. It's such a big thing- Korea's flagship summer festival- it's even gone international, with a Waterbomb Singapore (30-31 Aug 25)!
You'll enjoy live performances from K-pop stars and DJs as well as thrilling water-fighting games between artistes and the crowd. Super fun!
Seoul Fringe Festival (서울프린지페스티벌)
Festival Dates : 31 July to 17 August 2025
Address: 84-3 Seongmisan-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 마포구 월드컵북로 75 (성산동)
The Seoul Fringe Festival has been held every summer since its inception in 1998 and invites artists from dance, music, culture and art. The indoor and outdoor events highlight comedy shows, plays, performances, art and culture of independent artists.
Hangang River Festival
Festival Dates: July 26 - August 24 2025
Locations: Parks along Han River (Yeouido Hangang Park, Ttukseom Hangang Park & Banpo Hangang Park)
The Hangang Festival is held 4x a year: once a season.
The (area next to the) Han River is a good place to escape from the August temperature and humidity. In fact, my Korean pilates teacher told me that in summer, the air-conditioning can't go very low in Seoul apartments, so people all run to the Han River to cool down.
Besides cooling off, there are water sports, art exhibitions, live performances, a boat race, puppet shows for your further enjoyment. In 2025, there will be a picnic concert with candlelight!
Alternatively, enjoy the sea breeze as you take a cruise along the Han River and enjoy music or the sight of fireworks.
Outside Seoul
Boryeong Mud Festival
Festival Dates: July 25- August 2025
Address: 897-15, Daehae-ro, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Boryeong Mud Festival is a very popular festival that started in the 1990s to promote Boryeong’s mud-based skin care products. (You'll see many such festivals in South Korea, albeit not as famous as this one.)
Boryeong mud is said to be rich with healing and anti-ageing nutrients!
Held at Daecheon Beach, Boryeong Mud Festival is one of the most popular summer festivals in Korea. You will find not just Koreans but also foreigners there. Coat yourselves with the nutrient-rich Boryeong mud as you wrestle in the mud baths, slides and mazes.
There will also be a K-Pop performance at night.
A ticket can be purchased on-line. Alternatively, the rear of the festival area is free and open to the public, but there are no mud activities.
If you're based in Seoul, you can book a return day tour from Seoul which includes a mud festival ticket. It can take 3-4 hours to get to Boryeong from Seoul, so this is the best way to not have to enjoy the festival without worrying about transport!
Note: If you are planning to be at this festival over the weekend, it is better to book accommodation early as thousands of people flock to Daecheon Beach for the mud festival.
Bonghwa Sweet fish Festival (봉화은어축제)
Address: Naeseong Heon stream area in Boughwa-eup
At this festival, you will enjoy catching fish with your bare hands or with nets and grilling them. There are also water activities like slides, mini pools and water fights, sprinting races across the riverbanks for a prize, children’s activities and so on.
Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival
Address: 21 Jangheung-ro, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do
What is a better way to cool down from the summer heat than at a water festival?
The water festival at Jangheung is held annually and hosts various water- themed games and activities.
Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival
Address: Tongyeong-si (Culture Square, Yi Sun-shin Park, Gyeongsangnam-do)
At Tongyeong, a southern coast city near Busan, the Hansan Battle Festival will be held to commemorate the Great Battle of Hansan (1592) in remembrance of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin’s (of the Joseon Dynasty) defeat of the Japanese. (The Great Battle of Hansan is one of the four most famous sea battles in Korea’s history.)
Of special interest in the festival is a brilliant and exciting replication of Geobukseons (Korea’s turtle-shaped ships) and Japanese ships firing artillery at each other in the sea.
Besides this, visitors can enjoy other events, such as ocean sports, air-show, fireworks, live performance and Hands-on activities such as making your own turtle ship and a mother-of-pearl artwork. (You can also take a Mother-of-pearl class in Seoul- click through for my review of the experience.)
Tip: You can take an express bus from Seoul to Tongyeong Bus Terminal. Then, take City Bus No. 41 or 42 to the festival venue.
Events
1st day of festival: a naval vessel will dock at the Tongyeong Port. There will be a ceremony at Chungnyeolsa Temple to honour the memory of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
2nd day of festival: Gunjeom Ceremony (a naval parade) at Sebyeonggwan, one of the main offices of the naval bases during the Joseon Dynasty. - Samdosuguntongjesa Parade along the downtown streets of Tongyeong
4th day of festival: reenactment of the Battle of Hansan off the shores of Hansan Island at 6 pm. (A show of ships shooting fire and lasers into the sky!)
Jeonju International Sori Festival
Address: Sori Arts Center, North Jeolla Province
Jeonju is famous for its collection of traditional Korean houses in its hanok village, as well as being the birthplace of bibimbap. It's one of the best day trips from Seoul, in my opinion.
A top performing arts festival in South Korea, Jeonju International Sori Festival showcases Korean vocals and music. It has performances across different genres such as gugak (traditional Korean string music) and other related art forms, such as song, dance and ceremonial movements.
The grand finale of the festival will feature a pansori performance.
Taebaek Sunflower Festival
Address: Guwau Village, 38 -33, Guwau-gil, Taebaek-si County, Gangwon-do
Frolic amongst the endless maze of sunflower fields and enjoy the “ocean” of bright yellow petals! (There are over 300 species of wildflowers and sunflowers in a 100,000 square meters field.)
The festival also features dance performances, a live band, sunflower oil making, and many more.
Note: Admission is free with varying fees for activities.
Busan Sea Festival
Address : Haeundae beach, Gwangali beach, Dadaepo beach, Songdo beach and Sangjeong beach
Summer season in Busan is always fun!
The Busan Sea Festival is held at Busan’s 5 beaches with different events at each location. There are fireworks, street performances, surfing, beach activities, EDM performances, DJ Contest, dancing and many more.
Hwacheon Tomato Festival
Location: The whole of downtown Sachang-ri, Sanae-Myeongdong
This festival held to celebrate the tomato harvesting season is hosted in Hwacheon every August.
Both Koreans and international tourists flock to this region to enjoy the various activities, such as the famous “gold ring hunt” in the pool of tomatoes, face painting, slime making, tomato sandwich making, tomato seed planting, water slides, water gun pool, bubble, and buying tomatoes and tomato-related goods.
Outdoor Activities
Visit a Theme Park
Lotte World
Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Songza District, Seoul
Amusement parks are very popular in Korea and Lotte World, an outdoor amusement park is a place with something for everyone! (It also has an indoor theme park.)
This amusement park is so popular, my friend's Korean in-laws brought us there on ur first visit to Seoul!
Everland
Everland, another of South Korea’s largest theme parks, has 5 unique themed zones, including Caribbean Bay where you can cool off in the water rides, swimming pool, or the spa.
Hiking
For nature lovers, Bukhansan National Park is a very popular hiking destination. (Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Korea.)
Indoor Activities
However, during the hottest month of the year, indoor activities are definitely more popular during day (especially if it is a wet day.)
Here are some places where you can beat the heat:
Museums
Seoul has many museums. Visit the National Museum of Korea for an insight into Korean history and heritage via the extensive display of ancient artifacts, traditional art and historical relics.
However, my favorite is the Museum Kimchikaan in Insa-dong.
Other Things To Do
If you need a break from visiting the festivals, escaping from the heat to the beaches, why not try a different activity. Seoul has many bustling markets. August is a good time to visit the bustling and vibrant Gwangjang Market, popular for its wide range of food stalls and traditional Korean snacks. You can sample the delicious Korean cuisine admits the lively atmosphere.
A trip to Seoul would not be complete without a visit/visits to the grand palaces built during the Joseon era, the most famous being Gyeongbokgung Palace. Rent and wear a hanbok: admission is free if you wear one!!
What to Bring
As August is hot and humid, you need to bring:
- light-weight clothing (made in natural fabric such as cotton)
- Good Walking shoes
- Sunglasses, hat and SUNBLOCK- or buy in Seoul as Korea has great sun care products. (The UV index is high in daylight hours.)
- Any prescription medicine you may need: remember to check Korea's laws about medicine as they do not always accept prescription notes from doctors.
- Travel documents such as: passport, air ticket, itineraries, hotel reservations, visa and insurance papers
- Credit cards
- Mobile phone, chargers, and travel adapters
- For a full list of what to pack for Seoul in summer, click here.
Any questions on visiting Seoul in August? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply