The Seoul International Fireworks Festival, South Korea’s premier fall festival that draws over 1 million visitors annually, returns this year on an even more spectacular scale. In particular, this year’s event stands out from previous years in every aspect—from program composition to production style—making it essential to check the details before your visit. Let’s take a closer look at the key changes to this year’s fireworks festival.
1. First-Ever “Pre-Festival Event” Introduced (Extended Festival Period)
The most notable change is the extension of the festival period.
- Previously, the festival lasted only one day, but this year, a pre-festival event has been introduced for the first time, kicking off the festive atmosphere a day early.
- Starting the day before the main event, the area around Yeouido Hangang Park will be transformed into a festival venue, and the food truck zone in front of the Yeouido Mulbit Stage will be open from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM, offering a wide variety of food.
2. Expansion of Participating Countries and a Three-Country System Featuring the “UK, U.S., and South Korea”
The scale of participation and the festival’s global reach have grown significantly.
- This year, production teams from three countries—the UK, the US, and South Korea—will join forcesto present a diverse array of national fireworks performances.
- Starting with the British team’s opening performance at 8:00 p.m., the show will continue with the American team’s performance, and the final 30 minutes will be capped off by thehighly anticipated finale from the Korean team.
3. Inspired by Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and Featuring Unique Music and Staging
The festival has strengthened its appeal by combining artistic excellence with popular appeal.
- Firework designs inspired byVincent van Gogh’s masterpiece “The Starry Night”will illuminate the night sky, maximizing the visual artistry of the display.
- The background music lineup will also feature hits from top artists such as Lee So-ra, IVE, WOODZ, and Wendy, enhancing the immersive experience. Additionally, a new “Tower Fireworks” displayutilizing the Wonhyo Bridge will be introduced for the first time, offering an even more dynamic visual spectacle.
4. Largest-Ever Safety and Convenience Measures
Measures for safety and crowd management have been significantly strengthened.
- The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the organizers have increased safety equipment, such as safety fences, by more than 20% compared to last year and will deploy approximately 5,000 safety and security personnel—the largest number in history, including employee volunteer teams—to the site.
- Depending on the level of congestion on the day of the event, subways may bypass Yeouinaru Station without stopping. Additionally, traffic control measures will be expanded to include a complete closure of Wonhyo Bridge (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. the following day), traffic restrictions on Yeouidong-ro, and a suspension of “Ttareungi” bike rental and return services (8:00 a.m. on September 4 to 7:00 a.m. on September 6). Therefore, it is more important than ever to check your travel route in advance.
With the introduction of the pre-festival event, the participation of three countries, and new tower fireworks displays, there is much more to enjoy this year. Let’s make the most of this safe and romantic fireworks show thanks to thorough advance preparations.
