Barbecue at Noeul Park, Craft Beer at Seokchon Market... Festivals Await Across Seoul This Weekend [Seoul Edition]

Starting from the 24th, the fourth weekend of October will see festivals taking place all across the country. There will be an abundance of food, sights, and entertainment to enjoy everywhere.

▲ Barbecue vs. Craft Beer vs. Seafood vs. Beer

The “Seoul Barbecue Festa,” a global gourmet tourism festival, will be held on the 25th and 26th in the area around Noeul Park Campground (84 Haneulgongwon-ro, Mapo District). An all-in-one self-barbecue zone will allow visitors to purchase carefully selected Korean pork and beef from various regions such as Andong, Chuncheon, and Jeju at affordable prices and grill them on-site. Three of Seoul’s most renowned barbecue restaurants-Namyeongdon, Talk, and Haebong Butcher Shop-will introduce limited-edition new menu items developed exclusively for this festival.

The Seoul Barbecue Road will feature popular eateries among younger generations, such as Mungteong, Yanginhoandae, Hapjeonghapgye, Jjijeungoogi, and Yangchon Tteokgalbi, offering a diverse range of K-barbecue at prices about 30% lower than at their regular locations. There will also be a traditional barbecue exhibition and hands-on program, “Joseon Barbecue Experience,” as well as a special space called “Happy Nyamnyam Ramen Shop,” where visitors can enjoy ramen by the Han River along with barbecue.

Songpa District will host the “2025 Seokchon Market Craft Beer Festa” on the 24th and 25th, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Eight craft beer brands from across the country will participate. In addition to a food truck zone, there will be market food booths operated directly by the merchants’ association, featuring signature traditional market dishes such as fried chicken, sundae (Korean blood sausage), boiled pork slices, and fermented skate sashimi. On the 25th, Pungnap Market will hold a night market festival, followed by similar events at Macheon Market on the 30th and 31st. Both venues will welcome visitors with beer, food, and various events.

Dongjak District will hold the “8th Urban Sea Festival” on the 25th and 26th in the area around Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market. Noryangjin Soccer Field will be transformed into a “Plaza of Culture and Taste,” hosting food markets and cultural performances, while Noryangjin Baseball Field will become a “Family Healing Park” offering various activities and games. From noon on both days, unique events such as “I Am Also a Seafood Auctioneer” and a tuna filleting show will take place. Ongoing programs include a seafood ramen tasting, shrimp net fishing for children, grilling autumn gizzard shad, 20 different hands-on booths, and direct sales and food markets. During the festival, 63 businesses within the fisheries market will offer seafood at special prices.

Photo material of Dongjak-gu Sea Festival. Dongjak District Office

Dobong District will hold the “2025 Dobongsan Old Road Autumn Beer Festival” on the 25th at the Dobongsan Old Road Shopping District. While last year’s event was held on a section of Dobong-ro 181-gil, this year it will take place throughout the entire Dobongsan Old Road Shopping District (including Dobong-ro 181-gil, Dobong-ro 891, and Dobongsan 3-gil). Various booths will be set up, including AI photo booths, 3D pen experiences, nail art, and bubble shows, along with performances by invited singers. Customers who present a receipt showing a purchase of at least 10,000 won at any shop in the district will receive a free glass of beer.

▲ Admiral Yi Sun-sin in Jung District vs. King Taejo Yi Seong-gye in Seongdong District

Jung District will host the “2025 Yi Sun-sin Festival” on the 25th around the Myeongbo Art Hall intersection, near the birthplace of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. This inaugural festival will kick off with the proclamation of Jung District’s new city brand, “Yi Sun-sin 1545 Jung District.” The finals of the “Ironman Yi Sun-sin Fitness King Contest” will be held to select the first-ever Ironman Yi Sun-sin. There will also be a food zone themed around being invited to the childhood home of Yi Sun-sin, featuring renowned local restaurants such as Geum Dwaeji Sikdang, Taegukdang, Eunjujeong, Maboklim Tteokbokki, and Oldies Taco. Innovative food products entered in the “Yi Sun-sin Dining Table Productization Contest” will also be showcased. Visitors can collect stamps at various experience booths, promotional booths, and photo zones throughout the festival grounds. The first 1,545 people to collect seven stamps will receive commemorative gifts.

Seongdong District will hold the “King Taejo Yi Seong-gye Festival” on the 25th in the area around Salgoji Sports Park.

Participants are starting the race course at the Geumcheon Sarang Marathon, held in May under the Geumcheon-gu Athletics Federation President's Cup. Geumcheon-gu

▲ Walk, Run, Recharge... Family Healing Activities

The “21st Geumcheon District Mayor’s Cup Health Running Competition” will be held on the 26th at the Anyangcheon Multipurpose Plaza in Geumcheon District. All pre-registered participants can enjoy boiled pork slices and Makgeolli, earning the event the nickname “Boiled Pork Run.”

Seongbuk District will host the “12th Samseon-dong Fairy Festival” on the 26th in the area around Hanyangdoseong and Seongbukcheon Fountain Maru. Participants will march from Hanyangdoseong, pass through Donam Market and the Seongbukcheon riverside revitalization hub, and reach Seongbukcheon Fountain Maru, with a food market and prize events also planned.

Yeongdeungpo District will hold the “Yeongdeungpo Seonyudo Garden Festival” and “October’s Seonyu” from the 24th to the 26th in the area around Seonyudo Park and the Seonyudo Station walking street. The “Chef’s Special Alley Sebasi” will take place at the alley-style shopping district near Seonyudo Station (23 Seonyuro 49-gil). Eunpyeong District will host the “2025 Eunpyeong Nuri Festival” on the 24th and 25th along the Bulgwangcheon Stream, organized by the Eunpyeong Cultural Foundation.

2024 Yeongdeungpo Seonyudo Garden Festival scene. Yeongdeungpo District Office

Gangnam District will hold the “Children’s Forest Family Festival” at 10 a.m. on the 25th at the Daemosan Children’s Forest Experience Center (436-6 Ilwon-dong), with about 300 children and families participating. The event will focus on hands-on and family participation programs, such as “Garden in a Pocket,” where participants decorate eco-bags with natural materials; “Journey of Seeds,” which explores how seeds travel; and “Making Fruit Dolls” using horse chestnut seeds. There will also be an insect photo exhibition and a family photo zone.