Seoul International Garden Show 2026: Your Complete Guide to Dates, Hours, Docent Tours and Parking
The Seoul International Garden Show 2026 runs from May 1 to October 27, 2026, across the Seoul Forest (서울숲) area. From October 1 to 27, a second venue also opens at Maeheon Citizen’s Forest (매헌시민의숲) in Seocho-gu. Admission is free, you don’t need to book, and official hours are 12:00 to 19:00.
What Is the Seoul International Garden Show 2026?
The show is the global garden festival behind Seoul’s “Garden City Seoul” identity, and this year’s theme is “Seoul, Green Culture.” Experts and companies from Korea and abroad helped create the gardens, along with institutions, local governments and everyday garden lovers.
The Seoul Forest venue covers 710,000㎡ in total and holds 167 gardens across 90,000㎡. It stretches roughly 10km, from Seoul Forest toward the Han River and through Seongdong-gu and Gwangjin-gu. Along the way you’ll find plenty of garden spaces for slowing down, recharging, and making memories with the people you came with.
Seoul International Garden Show 2026 Dates, Venues and Opening Hours
There are two venues this year. The Seoul Forest area has been open since May. Maeheon Citizen’s Forest only opens in October.
| Seoul Forest Area | Maeheon Citizen’s Forest Area | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | May 1 – Oct 27, 2026 | Oct 1 – Oct 27, 2026 |
| Location | 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273, 성수동1가) | Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서초구) |
| Gardens | 167 (90,000㎡) | 51 |
| Hours | 12:00–19:00 | 12:00–19:00 |
| Nearest station | Seoul Forest Station, Suin-Bundang Line | Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station, Shinbundang Line |
- Official hours are 12:00 to 19:00. In July and August only, the show ran from 14:00 to 21:00.
- At both Seoul Forest and Maeheon Citizen’s Forest, you can still walk into the park and see the gardens outside official hours.
- The show goes ahead in the rain. Only some outdoor programs may be adjusted.
- For inquiries, call the Dasan Call Center (120).
- Official website: https://gov.seoul.go.kr/festa/garden/y2026
The Maeheon Citizen’s Forest Venue
Maeheon Citizen’s Forest has 51 gardens, including 4 artist gardens, 5 citizen gardens and 5 student gardens. The venue also has a garden market, the Seoro Jangteo (서로장터) market, food trucks and garden workshops. There are hands-on programs for kids, dog owners and wellness, plus live performances.
The park is being rebuilt as a new citizens’ garden, so some facilities may be closed or harder to use. These ones remain open: the indoor and outdoor tennis courts, the dog playground, the children’s playground, the fountain, the nature learning center, the Seoul Dullegil (Seoul Trail) information center and the Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall (윤봉길의사기념관).
Seoul International Garden Show 2026 Highlights and Programs
The show has three main parts: the gardens themselves, a garden industry fair and a garden culture program.
| Program | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| Gardens | Invited gardens, artist gardens, corporate gardens, student partnership gardens, citizen partnership gardens, global gardens and more |
| Garden Industry Fair | A large fair selling garden plants and supplies, with garden structures on display and leisure brands taking part |
| Garden Culture Program | Docent tours (Korean and English), hands-on activities, academic events and arts and culture content |
| Other | Food trucks and a flea market |
With 4,620 seats and 5 food truck zones around the grounds, there are plenty of places to stop and rest as you walk.
When Are the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 Docent Tours?
Guided tours with a docent explaining the gardens run every day. The table below shows the Seoul Forest schedule for September and October. You can sign up through the official website or Naver Booking.
| Tour | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korean docent tour | 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 (1 hour each) | The 16:00 tour is for children and teens with their families. If nobody signs up, it runs as a general tour. |
| English Seoul Forest garden docent tour | 15:00–16:00, 17:00–18:00 | Runs in September and October |
| Tour for visitors with disabilities | Saturdays 13:00–14:00 | — |
| Tour for multicultural families | Sundays 13:00–14:00 | — |
| Gaeuljeongwon Gipi Ilgi (가을정원 깊이 읽기) | — | A small themed autumn-garden tour with a docent. Book via Naver Booking. Free. |
| Bimirui Sup (비밀의 숲, “Secret Forest”) | Wed 15:00 / Sat 10:00 & 14:00 (through October) | Book ahead through Seoul Public Service Reservation. 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) |
- The special in-depth tour and the Seoul Forest–Seongsu Connect Tour are not running in September or October.
- Smart docent: All 167 gardens have a QR code you can scan anytime for commentary in 9 languages. This is a big help if you don’t speak Korean.
Garden Docent Tours at Maeheon Citizen’s Forest
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Times | Daily at 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 |
| Group size | 20 people per tour, first come, first served |
| Booking | Closes 2 hours before each tour. Walk-ins can join if spots are left. |
Is the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 Free?
Yes. Entry is free and you don’t need to book. Only some hands-on programs charge a fee.
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| General admission | Free (no booking) |
| Some hands-on programs | Paid (e.g. Bimirui Sup: 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD)) |
| Gaeuljeongwon Gipi Ilgi tour | Free (book via Naver Booking) |
Final Week Events (October 19–27)
These events are scheduled for the last week before the show closes. You can download the October monthly schedule (PDF) from the official schedule page: https://gov.seoul.go.kr/festa/garden/y2026/program/schedule-info
| Event | Date & Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn night screening | Sat, Oct 24, from 18:30 | Organizers have posted a schedule change |
| Forest stage (숲속무대) at Maeheon Citizen’s Forest | Oct 23–24, 18:00–20:00 | No entry 17:00–17:30. Doors open at 17:30. |
| Visitor survey giveaway | Thu, Oct 1 – Tue, Oct 27 | Prize draw for Seorak Waterpia passes and discount vouchers |
Getting to the Seoul International Garden Show 2026
Crowds are expected, so organizers recommend public transportation. The Seoul Forest venue is just a short walk from the subway.
How to Get to the Seoul Forest Venue
| Mode | Line / Stop | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | Seoul Forest Station, Suin-Bundang Line, Exits 3, 4, 5 | About 2 minutes on foot |
| Subway | Ttukseom Station, Line 2, Exits 7, 8 | About 11 minutes on foot |
| Bus | ”Seoul Forest Entrance 1” stop: No. 121 | — |
| Bus | ”Seoul Forest Entrance 2” stop: Seongdong 13 | — |
| Bus | ”Seoul Forest Entrance 3” stop: Nos. 121, 2014, 2224, 2413 | — |
How to Get to the Maeheon Citizen’s Forest Venue
| Mode | Line |
|---|---|
| Subway | Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station, Shinbundang Line |
Parking Near Seoul Forest
| Parking Lot | Address | Spaces | Hours | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Forest Parking Lot | 643 Seongsu-dong 1-ga | 211 | 24 hours | 200 KRW (~$0.15 USD) per 5 min (2,400 KRW (~$1.80 USD) per hour) |
| Ttukseom Retention Basin Public Parking Lot (뚝섬유수지 공영주차장) | 23 Wangsimni-ro 11-gil | 333 (11 accessible, 34 family spaces) | 24 hours | 150 KRW (~$0.11 USD) per 5 min (1,800 KRW (~$1.35 USD) per hour) |
Tips for Visiting the Seoul International Garden Show 2026
- For English commentary, pick the 15:00 or 17:00 tour. In September and October, the English docent tour runs twice a day. If neither time works, scan the QR code at any garden for the 9-language smart docent.
- You can see the gardens outside official hours. The park stays open before 12:00 and after 19:00, so you can walk around when it’s less crowded.
- In October, you can visit both venues. Seoul Forest and Maeheon Citizen’s Forest are both open until October 27. Construction at Maeheon may make some facilities harder to use.
- Stop by Seongsu-dong afterward. It’s right next to Seoul Forest and full of cafés, pop-up stores and restaurants.
- Rain won’t stop the show. Some outdoor programs may be adjusted, so check the official website for notices before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 held?
It runs until October 27. The Seoul Forest area is open from May 1 to October 27, and the Maeheon Citizen’s Forest area in Seocho-gu is open from October 1 to October 27.
Is the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 free?
Yes, it’s free. You don’t need to book, and only some hands-on programs charge a fee.
What are the opening hours of the Seoul International Garden Show 2026?
It’s open from 12:00 to 19:00. In July and August only, it ran from 14:00 to 21:00. At both Seoul Forest and Maeheon Citizen’s Forest, you can still walk into the park and see the gardens outside official hours.
When are the English docent tours?
In September and October, they run from 15:00 to 16:00 and from 17:00 to 18:00. You can also scan the QR code at any garden for the 9-language smart docent, whenever you like.
Where can I park for the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 at Seoul Forest?
You can park at the Seoul Forest Parking Lot (211 spaces) or the Ttukseom Retention Basin Public Parking Lot (333 spaces). Both are open 24 hours and cost 2,400 KRW (~$1.80 USD) and 1,800 KRW (~$1.35 USD) per hour. Crowds are expected, so public transportation is recommended.
Does the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 run when it rains?
Yes, it runs as normal. Only some outdoor programs may be adjusted.
What’s the closest subway station to the Seoul Forest venue?
Seoul Forest Station on the Suin-Bundang Line is closest. From Exits 3, 4 or 5, it’s about a 2-minute walk. If you’re on Line 2, Ttukseom Station Exits 7 and 8 are about an 11-minute walk away.
Does the Seoul International Garden Show 2026 get crowded?
Crowds are expected, which is why organizers recommend public transportation. The park is open outside official hours, so coming early or in the evening is a good way to avoid the busiest times.
Who do I contact about the Seoul International Garden Show 2026?
Call the Dasan Call Center (120). Program schedules and notices are posted on the official website (https://gov.seoul.go.kr/festa/garden/y2026).
