With the cold that doesn’t go away until late at night, the weather is finally good for going out. May seems to be the month with the most events and festivals since December, the month of Christmas. From springtime outings and date nights, to places to go with the kids and parents for National Family Month. If you’re wondering where to go in May, we’ve got you covered. Things to do in Seoul in May that you shouldn’t miss.
1. Deoksugung Palace’s Nighttime Stone Pavilion
The Deoksugung Palace Nighttime Tour program consists of listening to classical music while enjoying kabacha (coffee) and desserts, a nighttime tour of the stone palace with an expert guide, and a musical performance that tells the story of the imperial family of the Korean Empire. Deoksugung Palace Nighttime Stone Pavilion is held in April and May. In addition, various spring events are being held at Seoul’s five major palaces, including the Gyeongbokgung Palace Starry Night, Gyeongbokgung Palace Pastry Shop, Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour, and the Palace Culture Festival, so check out their respective websites.
🗓️ April 8 (Tue) ~ May 25 (Sun)
2. Seoul Jazz Festival
Seojae festival has become Seoul’s representative music festival. This year, it returned with a colorful lineup as usual. International musicians such as LANY, a popular band that visits Korea almost every year, and Wouter Hamel, known for his song “Breezy,” will be participating, and there is also a strong lineup of Korean artists such as Jannabi, Stellajang, Crush, Cho Won-sun, and Lee Sang-soon. Seojae festival 2025 will be held at Olympic Park on the last weekend of May.
📍 Olympic Park
🗓️ May 30 (Fri) ~ June 1 (Sun)
3. Seoul Circus Festival
Korea’s largest circus arts festival, now in its 8th year. It features a variety of circus performances, hands-on programs to learn skills, circus-themed exhibitions and films, and a flea market. This year’s festival will combine circus with various genres such as music, sports, and traditional arts.
📍 Nordle Island
🗓️ Saturday, May 3 through Monday, May 5
4. Alphonse Muha Wonhwa Exhibition
‘Flowers of Art Nouveau: The Original Paintings of Alfons Mouha’ will be held in Seoul. You can see the largest collection of posters by Alfonso Mouha, an Art Nouveau master who was active mainly in the Czech Republic and France.
📍 My Art Museum, Samsung Station
🗓️ ~ July 13 (Sun)
5. Hip Hop Playa Festival
Why not start the first weekend of May with Hiphop Playa? From Vinzino to Zico, Lee Youngji, Dean, and many more musicians who are shaping the Korean hip-hop scene will participate. The surprise guest not on the lineup is the beauty of Hipplefest.
📍 KINTEX, Ilsan
🗓️ May 3 (Sat)
6. Seoul Spring Festa
A springtime festival organized by the city of Seoul. At Seoul Spring Festa, you can experience all things K-Culture, including K-Beauty, K-Fashion, K-Pop, K-Food, and K-Art, all in one place. The festival includes K-concert wonder shows at the World Cup Stadium, media art performance signature shows at Seoul Plaza, and a roadshow parade around Gwanghwamun Square, and more.
📍 Seoul City Hall Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, Deoksugunggil, World Cup Stadium, and other locations around Seoul
🗓️ April 30 (Wed) – May 6 (Tue)
7. The Air House
The Airhouse is an underground music festival with nature, music and camping. At this eco-friendly music festival, the music never stops for two days and two nights from the moment the stage opens, and you can also enjoy a program of meditations and workshops.
📍 Nami Island
🗓️ Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25
8. Candlelight
If you want to treat your parents to something special on Mother’s Day, consider a Candlelight concert. The Mother’s Day weekend will feature tributes to Hisaishi Joe and Coldplay, and tickets can be purchased here.
📍 Jungdong 1928 Art Center
🗓️ Saturday, May 3
9. Mundo Pixar Exhibition
If you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids for Children’s Day, we recommend the Pixar exhibit Mundo Pixar. It’s a life-size recreation of characters and spaces from our favorite Pixar movies, and it’s fun for kids and adults alike. You can get 30% off early bird tickets now on fever.
📍 Seongsu Cultural Arts Center
🗓️ May 5 (Mon) ~ June 29 (Sun)
10. The Plaza Dowon
If you’re looking for a place to go with your parents, how about a restaurant in a hotel in Seoul? The Plaza Dowon, located in front of City Hall, offers a Chinese course meal with the green Seoul Plaza as a backdrop. Sofitel Miona in Jamsil or Seoul Sky 123 Lounge at Lotte World Tower with a great view.
📍The Plaza in front of Seoul Plaza