The 2026 Seoul International Fireworks Festival takes place at Yeouido and Ichon Hangang Parks on Saturday, September 5.
The main fireworks show runs from 8:00 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. Admission to the main public viewing areas is free, but the entire Nodeul Island viewing area requires a paid ticket.
The most important advice is simple: do not plan to drive to Yeouido or depend only on Yeouinaru Station. Major roads will close, nearby parking will be restricted, and Yeouinaru Station may be skipped or have its entrances closed if it becomes overcrowded.
Use Yeouido, Saetgang, or Mapo Station instead, and decide how you will leave before entering the park.
Information was checked against Seoul Metropolitan Government notices updated on September 3, 2026. Transport controls may change according to crowd and traffic conditions.
Festival Date, Time, and Location
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Festival activities: 1:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Fireworks: 8:00 p.m.–9:10 p.m.
- Main areas: Yeouido Hangang Park and Ichon Hangang Park
- Participating teams: United Kingdom, United States, and South Korea
- Admission: Free in the main public viewing areas
- Nodeul Island: Paid ticket holders only
A preliminary event is also taking place on Friday, September 4. Some transport restrictions and facility closures therefore begin before the main festival day.
Quick Answer: Which Subway Station Should You Use?
Avoid making Yeouinaru Station your only plan.
Seoul may have Line 5 trains pass through Yeouinaru Station without stopping or close station entrances if the platforms and exits become dangerously crowded. This is expected to be possible between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Use one of these alternatives:
| Station | Lines | Recommended exits |
|---|---|---|
| Yeouido Station | Lines 5 and 9 | Exits 4 or 5 |
| Saetgang Station | Line 9 and Sillim Line | Exits 2 or 3 |
| Mapo Station | Line 5 | Exits 1 or 4 |
These stations require more walking than Yeouinaru Station, but they give you more options if the closest station is restricted.
Save the station names in both English and Korean:
- Yeouido Station — 여의도역
- Saetgang Station — 샛강역
- Mapo Station — 마포역
- Yeouinaru Station — 여의나루역
How to Reach the Festival Without Getting Stuck
Step 1: Choose your arrival and return stations separately
Your best arrival route may not be your best return route.
For example, you can enter through Yeouido Station but leave toward Saetgang or Mapo Station after the show. This reduces the risk of joining the largest crowd moving toward one station.
Take a screenshot of both routes before entering the park. Mobile service can become slower when a very large crowd gathers in one area.
Step 2: Do not drive into the Yeouido festival area
Yeouidong-ro, between the southern end of Mapo Bridge and the front of the 63 Building, will be fully closed from 3:00 p.m. until midnight on September 5.
Wonhyo Bridge has a longer restriction:
- September 4, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.: One northbound lane and the sidewalk closed
- September 5, 9:00 a.m.–September 6, 3:00 a.m.: Road and sidewalks fully closed
- September 6 morning: Another partial restriction is scheduled
Access between Parc1 Tower and the Yeouido Community Service Center intersection will also be limited to residents and authorized festival vehicles from 3:00 p.m. until midnight.
The entrance from Olympic-daero and Nodeul-ro toward the 63 Building may be controlled according to real-time conditions.
Step 3: Check live traffic before your final transfer
Open Seoul TOPIS before entering Yeouido. It provides current road conditions, closures, bus changes, and traffic-camera information.
Map and navigation applications may reflect closures, but the official TOPIS information should be used for last-minute confirmation.
Parking Restrictions
Driving is not recommended.
The parking area in front of the 63 Building is closed from 6:00 p.m. on September 4 until midnight on September 5.
Yeouido Hangang Park Parking Lot 1 will not allow normal entry or exit during the restriction period. Other parking lots around Yeouido, Ichon, and Banpo may operate, but police can restrict the approach roads when they become full.
Parking or stopping on nearby bridges and roads to watch the fireworks is prohibited. Vehicles that ignore enforcement instructions may be towed.
A parking space outside the immediate festival district does not guarantee that you will be able to drive through Yeouido after the show.
Subway and Bus Changes
Seoul plans to operate 18 additional Line 5 trains and 65 additional Line 9 trains on September 5.
Extra trains do not mean every nearby station will remain accessible. Yeouinaru Station can still be skipped or have entrances closed when crowd levels become unsafe.
Twenty-four bus routes that normally use Yeouidong-ro or Wonhyo Bridge will be temporarily diverted.
Sixteen bus routes will also skip four stops on Hangang Bridge, including the two Nodeul Island stops, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
Additional buses serving Yeouido Transfer Center and Yeouido Station are planned during these periods:
- 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
- 10:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Because diversions can change according to conditions, verify your bus through TOPIS or a current transit application immediately before boarding.
Do Not Depend on a Rental Bike or E-Scooter
Rental and return services for Seoul Bike Ddareungi, private shared bicycles, and personal mobility devices will be suspended around Yeouido and Ichon from 8:00 a.m. on September 4 until 7:00 a.m. on September 6.
Bicycles may also be prohibited inside dense crowd-control areas on the main festival day.
Do not plan to leave the festival by renting a bicycle or e-scooter after the fireworks.
Can You Use the Hangang Bus or a Cruise?
Do not assume that normal river transportation will operate.
Hangang Bus schedules and operating sections are changed from September 3 through September 5. Water access between Seogang Bridge and Hangang Bridge will also be restricted in stages.
Check the official Hangang Bus website before using any river service.
A private cruise or boat should only be treated as available when the operator confirms that specific departure. River restrictions can affect routes even when an ordinary booking page remains visible.
What to Know About Nodeul Island
Nodeul Island is not a free alternative viewing area in 2026.
The entire island is being operated as the paid Orange Play Zone. Only visitors with advance tickets can enter.
Bus stops on Hangang Bridge serving Nodeul Island will be skipped from 4:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. This restriction matters even if you already have an admission ticket.
Do not travel to Nodeul Island expecting to enter without a ticket.
Toilets, Medical Help, and On-Site Assistance
Seoul is adding 94 temporary toilet units around Yeouido and Ichon Hangang Parks.
Two general information centers in Zones B and E of the Yeouido site can help with toilet locations, emergency medical assistance, lost children, and lost property.
Six emergency medical stations will operate in the Yeouido and Ichon areas. Ambulances, firefighters, and medical staff will also be deployed.
For urgent help in Korea:
- 119: Ambulance and fire
- 112: Police
- 120: Seoul city information and transport guidance
- 1330: Korea Travel Helpline
Important Rules and Safety Notices
Do not leave an unattended mat to reserve space
Seoul has asked visitors not to occupy areas for long periods or sell reserved spaces. Unattended mats may be collected and removed.
Do not fly a drone
Unauthorized drone flights are prohibited around Hangang Park. Flying near the fireworks zone can result in penalties under Korean aviation-safety rules.
Do not enter controlled areas
Follow police officers, safety staff, barriers, and one-way walking instructions. A route that appears shorter on a map may be unavailable at the venue.
Take your rubbish with you
Official food trucks will operate near the Mulbit Stage plaza. Seoul advises visitors to avoid unauthorized street vendors and remove their rubbish after the event.
Consider a mask if you have respiratory problems
Fireworks may temporarily increase fine-dust concentrations. Seoul recommends that children and people with respiratory conditions prepare a KF80-or-higher protective mask.
The Safest Way to Leave After the Fireworks
The fireworks end at approximately 9:10 p.m., when a large part of the crowd will begin moving at once.
- Confirm which stations are operating in your live transit application.
- Do not automatically follow the crowd toward Yeouinaru Station.
- Walk toward your preselected alternative: Yeouido, Saetgang, or Mapo Station.
- Follow official pedestrian controls even when they differ from your map.
- If the route is dangerously crowded, wait in a safe open area instead of forcing your way into the flow.
- Keep your group together or use a meeting point selected before the show.
- Allow extra time for walking, station entry, and transfers.
Seoul is promoting a “10 Minutes Slowly” campaign to spread departure times after the show. Waiting briefly in a safe location can be more practical than entering the first wave of people leaving the park.
Before You Leave: Final Checklist
- Save Yeouido, Saetgang, and Mapo Stations in your map application.
- Screenshot your arrival and return routes.
- Check Seoul TOPIS for current restrictions.
- Add enough balance to your transportation card before entering the festival area.
- Do not depend only on Yeouinaru Station.
- Do not plan to park near the venue.
- Do not depend on a rental bicycle, e-scooter, or normal Hangang Bus service.
- Confirm that everyone in your group knows the meeting point.
- Keep emergency numbers 112 and 119 accessible.
- Check the official festival website again on the event day.
Can You Watch Online?
Yes. Seoul states that the fireworks will be livestreamed through Live Seoul and Hanwha TV.
Use the streaming links provided through the official Seoul festival notice. This is the safest alternative if you cannot comfortably manage a very large outdoor crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Seoul Fireworks Festival free?
The main public viewing areas around Yeouido and Ichon Hangang Parks are free. Nodeul Island is different: the entire island requires a paid advance ticket in 2026.
What time do the fireworks start?
The international fireworks show is scheduled from 8:00 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. on September 5, 2026.
Will Yeouinaru Station close?
It is not scheduled to remain closed for the entire day. However, trains may pass through without stopping or station entrances may close if the station becomes overcrowded, particularly between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Which station is the best alternative to Yeouinaru?
Seoul officially recommends Yeouido Station, Saetgang Station, and Mapo Station. The best choice depends on your destination after the show.
Can I park at Yeouido Hangang Park?
Parking and road access will be severely restricted. The official recommendation is to use public transportation.
Can I enter Nodeul Island without a ticket?
No. Nodeul Island is a paid-ticket area for the 2026 festival.
Will buses operate normally?
No. Some buses will be diverted, while several stops on Hangang Bridge will be skipped. Check TOPIS or a live transit application immediately before traveling.
Where can I get help in English?
Call the Korea Travel Helpline at 1330. For Seoul transport information, call 120. Use 112 for police and 119 for medical or fire emergencies.
Official Information
- Seoul Metropolitan Government transport and safety notice
- Seoul Hangang Parks official festival information
- Official Seoul International Fireworks Festival website
- Seoul TOPIS real-time traffic information
Last checked: September 4, 2026. Road controls, station access, bus diversions, river services, and livestream links may change according to weather, crowd levels, or official safety decisions.