‘Tis the season to escape the sun and go somewhere with water. For those who are unfortunately stuck in Seoul this summer, we’ve got you covered. Here are some spaces in August where you can enjoy a short vacation in the city.
1. One Universe Festival 2025
Charlie Puth, who topped Billboard for 12 consecutive weeks, and Charlie XCX, who caused Brat Summer Syndrome, have been confirmed for Korea. This is the work of One Universe Festival, a music festival that encompasses everything from electronic and alternative to rock and pop. Charli XCX will take the stage on Friday, August 15, and Charlie Puth will take the stage on Saturday, August 16.
📍 Seoul National University Park Parking Plaza, 152 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
🗓️ August 15 (Fri) ~ August 16 (Sat)
2. Sleepnowmore Seoul
A performance where there is no boundary between the stage and the audience. A performance where you follow the actors around. A performance where you spend time in the same space and leave with your own memories and experiences. Sleepnomore, a hit show that is said to have proposed a new paradigm in the global performance world, is coming to Seoul this summer. After a preview performance on July 24, the show will officially open on August 21.
📍 Mackitan Hotel, 212, Deunggye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
🗓️ Preview performance schedule: July 24 (Fri) ~ August 9 (Sat)
3. Caribbean Bay Water Music Pool Party
A classic is a classic. There is nothing better than playing in the water to cool off. The watery water park Caribbean Bay is holding a water music pool party every day until August 24th. This year’s lineup of artists is even more spectacular. From RIIZE to QWER, Changmo, Koyotae, Stacy, Backhoe, and BIG Naughty. Check out the schedule, tickets, and more here. See the list of other Seoul pool parties here.
📍Caribbean Bay, 199, Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (Naver map)
🗓️ July 4 (Fri) ~ August 24 (Sun)
4. Bam Bam Festa Busan, South Korea
Even if you can’t go on a long trip. If you want to get out of Seoul for a weekend, even for one night, head to Busan. On Saturday, August 2, the 2025 Korea Bam Bam Festa will be held at Haeundae Beach. There will be a candlelight concert by the sea, a K-night picnic zone, Haeundae Silent Party, Starbadaebusan Rose Night Yoga, and more. More information can be found here.
📍 Haeundae Beach Area (Naver Map)
🗓️ August 2 (Sat)
5. Seoul Brewery
They say alcohol lovers don’t care what they drink, but there’s nothing like a beer in the heat of the day. Seoul Brewery, which proudly bears the city’s name, is the largest urban brewery in Korea, offering more than 100 types of craft beer. The seven-story Seongsu branch has a cafe, dining, and cultural space alongside the beer. Seoul Brewery can be found in Hapjeong and Seongsu, and you can check out more craft beer restaurants and breweries around Seoul here.
📍Seongsu Branch, 28-12 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
📍Hapjeong Branch, 10, Tojeong-ro 3an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul ( Naver map)
6. Hongje Cafe Waterfall
If you want to feel nature in the city center, pay attention. Moving water is an essential condition to feel like you’re in nature. In Hongje Stream, there is a waterfall that makes you feel cool just by looking at it. The terrace of Cafe Waterfall in front of it is a great place to sit still and take a waterfall dip.
📍262-24, Yeonhee-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
7. Samgongio Cafe
With reading becoming more popular than ever, Samgong Io is a great place to spend a calm moment surrounded by books. This cafe and LP bar serves coffee and drinks depending on your mood, and the owner’s eclectic playlists are the soundtrack to your day. For other book cafes in Seoul, check out our list here.
📍1F, 243 Segumjeong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
8. Myeongpil Film Art Center
A cinema paradise in Paju Publishing City. Myeongfilm Art Center is a complex cultural space of Myeongfilm, a production company that has made long-lasting works in Korean film history such as ‘Access’, ‘JSA’, and ‘Introduction to Architecture’. From a movie theater with a Dolby Atmos system to a cafe, pub, showroom, archive room, screening room, and merchandise shop on five floors, you can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences. It’s a great place to spend some time on a rainy summer day. In addition to the art cinema or rainy day spaces are available at the link.
📍530-20, Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Naver map)
9. Uijeongbu Art Library
Uijeongbu Art Library is a great place for book lovers who are not satisfied with book cafes to spend a proper book vacation. Everyone you know has probably already been there, but it’s worth a leisurely visit while others are on vacation.
📍248, Minak-ro, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do (Naver map)
10. Odium
A Korean museum made it onto the recently released list of the 7 most beautiful museums in the world. It is the world’s largest sound museum, Odium, which opened in June last year. The list was announced by UNESCO’s Versailles Architecture Prize, and the other museums on the list include the Grand Palais in Paris, France, and Kunstsilo in Kristiansand, Norway.
Kengo Kuma and Kenya Hara designed the architecture and visual identity of the museum, which features phonographs from the 19th century and world-class sound systems. It’s also the most extensive experience of any aural space, another noticeable trend. To ensure that the collections are kept in optimal condition, the museum is only open for three days from Thursday to Saturday, with online reservations required.
📍6, Hunneung-ro 8-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Naver map)