Silver Grass in Korea 2026 – Haneul Park Festival & Best Autumn Fields

 



Hello from Seoul! 🍂
The mornings are crisp now, and the hills around the city are slowly turning silver.

Quick answer first:
The 2026 Seoul Silver Grass Festival runs from October 17 (Sat) to October 23 (Fri) at Haneul Park, open 10:00–21:00, and entry is free.
If you can’t make those dates, Minjungsan in Gangwon keeps its festival going until early November.

Here’s the thing — silver grass season is short.
The fields look their best for only a few weeks, and the festival lasts just 7 days.
Miss it, and you wait a whole year. So let’s make sure you don’t. 😊

■ What is silver grass (eoksae)?

Silver grass, called “eoksae” (억새) in Korean, is a tall wild grass that blooms every autumn.
When the sun hits it, the soft plumes glow silver in the day and golden at sunset.
Locals love it as much as autumn leaves — some say even more.

💡 Tip: Silver grass is NOT the same as reeds. Reeds grow near water; silver grass covers hills and mountain ridges.

■ 1. Seoul Silver Grass Festival 2026 at Haneul Park 🌾




This is the easiest silver grass trip you can take in Korea — right inside Seoul.
This year is the 25th festival, with the theme “Silver Grass, Comfort from Nature.”

Festival Info

  • Dates: Oct 17 (Sat) – Oct 23 (Fri), 2026
  • Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
  • Venue: Haneul Park area, World Cup Park (Mapo-gu, Seoul)
  • Entry: Free
  • Inquiries: +82-2-300-5574 (Western Parks Leisure Center)

Haneul Park has a great story, too.
It sits on top of what used to be Seoul’s old landfill, Nanjido.
After an ecological restoration, it became a park — and now one of the city’s best autumn views.

💡 Tip: Stay until dark. During the festival the park stays open later, and the fields are lit up at night.

■ 2. How to Get to Haneul Park 🚇




Traffic gets very heavy during the festival, so the city recommends public transportation.

Step by step

  • Take Subway Line 6 to World Cup Stadium Station or Mapo-gu Office Station
  • Walk about 40 minutes, OR
  • Take the “Maengkkongi” electric tram from the Nanjicheon Park parking lot area (paid)

💡 Tip: Weekend tram lines can be long. If you’re fine with walking, the uphill path is gentle and the views open up as you climb.

■ 3. Best Silver Grass Fields in Korea This Autumn 🗺️




Want more than one field? Here are my top picks.

① Haneul Park (Seoul)

  • Best for: first-timers, a short city trip, night lighting
  • 2026 festival: Oct 17 – 23

② Minjungsan (Jeongseon, Gangwon)

  • Best for: the most dramatic views
  • Silver grass covers the ridges near the 1,119m summit
  • 2026 festival: running until Nov 8

③ Myeongseongsan & Sanjeong Lake (Pocheon, Gyeonggi)

  • Best for: a day trip from Seoul + lake walk
  • Festival usually held in mid-October — 2026 dates not yet officially confirmed, so check the Pocheon city website before you go

④ Ganwoljae, Yeongnam Alps (Ulsan)

  • Best for: hikers who want wide-open ridges
  • Usually peaks mid to late October

⑤ Saebyeol Oreum (Jeju)

  • Best for: an easy climb with sunset views
  • About 30 minutes to the top

💡 Tip: Silver grass usually looks best from mid-October to early November. For a Seoul trip, Haneul Park during festival week is the safest bet.

■ Worried about any of these? 🤔

Q. Is it too crowded to enjoy?
A. Weekends are busy. Go on a weekday, or arrive in the morning. Even on weekends, the field is big enough to find quiet spots.

Q. Is the walk up hard?
A. Not really. The path is gentle, and you can take the electric tram if you’d rather skip the climb.

Q. I can’t go Oct 17–23. Did I miss it?
A. No! The silver grass doesn’t disappear when the festival ends. Last year the park stayed open for viewing into early November. Minjungsan’s festival also runs until Nov 8.

Q. Is it worth it if I’m only in Seoul for a few days?
A. Yes — it’s inside the city, free, and takes about half a day. Great value for a short trip.

■ Save This Before You Go ✅




  • Go 1–2 hours before sunset for the golden glow
  • Weekdays = fewer crowds
  • Bring a light jacket — hilltops get windy
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Use the subway, not a car
  • Stay on the paths and don’t step into the grass

■ Summary

✔ Seoul Silver Grass Festival: Oct 17–23, 2026, Haneul Park, 10:00–21:00, free
✔ Getting there: Line 6 + 40-min walk or electric tram
✔ Can’t make it? Try Minjungsan (until Nov 8)
✔ Best time of day: just before sunset

Autumn in Korea goes by fast.
I hope you catch the silver waves this year before they’re gone. 🌾

💬 Have you ever seen silver grass in Korea? Or which field would you visit first? Let me know in the comments!
If this helped, follow the blog for more Korea travel tips every day. 😊


■ You Might Also Like

Korea Travel in October 2026 – Weather, What to Wear & Things to Do





Location: 대한민국 서울특별시

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