Seoul International Garden Show Adds Evening Programs at Seoul Forest This Summer
The 2026 Seoul International Garden Show has surpassed 6 million visitors and is expanding its programming with a series of summer evening events at Seoul Forest (서울숲), running through August 2026. The additions include free outdoor cinema screenings, guided night walks through the gardens, and curated reading events - giving both locals and visitors more reason to visit the show after daylight hours.
What’s New: Evening Programs
The headline addition is Garden Cinema, a free open-air film screening series held every Saturday through 29 August after sundown. The program mixes Korean cinema with international titles in a setting surrounded by the show’s garden installations.
Alongside Garden Cinema:
- Guided Night Walks: structured evening walks through the garden show’s thematic zones, with commentary from curators; check the Seoul Forest event calendar for specific dates and availability
- Reading in the Garden: curated literary events held on selected evenings, combining outdoor seating with readings and discussions
The evening programs aim to make the garden show accessible to visitors who find the afternoon heat (Seoul in July can reach 33–35°C) challenging. Seoul Forest sits along the Han River and benefits from river breezes in the evening.
The 2026 Seoul International Garden Show
The main exhibition opened earlier this year and runs until 27 October 2026, making it one of the longest-running horticultural events in the region. The show occupies Seoul Forest’s central grounds and is open daily from noon to 7pm (evening programs extend beyond these hours on relevant dates).
The 6-million-visitor milestone, reached as of early July, suggests strong domestic and international interest. The show features garden installations from Korean and international designers, with thematic zones ranging from traditional Korean garden aesthetics to contemporary landscape design.
Location: Seoul Forest (서울숲), Seongdong-gu, Seoul
How to get there: Seoul Forest station (Suinbundang Line, Line 2 transfer at Wangshipni), then a short walk
Admission: The main garden show has an entry fee; Garden Cinema screenings are free
Planning a Visit
The evening programming makes a visit to Seoul Forest practical even on a full day of sightseeing. The park sits near Seoul’s eastern neighbourhoods, within easy reach of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza area and Seongsu-dong - Seoul’s “Brooklyn” with its cafés and vintage shops - making it a natural extension of an afternoon in that part of the city.
For visitors arriving in Seoul mid-week, the daytime garden show offers a quieter experience with well-maintained garden spaces that provide respite from the urban density of central Seoul.
For a full picture of what to see and do in the city, see our Seoul things to do guide. If you are planning around other summer events in Korea, our practical guide covers transport, accommodation, and seasonal travel conditions.