Now that the heat is finally breaking, it’s a great time to cool off and spend some time in places you’ve been putting off visiting. Here are some of the best spaces in and around Seoul to visit in September.
1. 2025 Tyler, the Creator Korea Tour
Tyler, the Creator is returning to Korea for the first time in 10 years. It is a tour to celebrate the release of their eighth studio album ‘Chromacopia’. Tickets sold out quickly and one more performance was added to make it a two-day show. If you don’t want to miss his next concert, don’t wait too long to book your tickets.
📍KINTEX Exhibition Center 2, Hall 10 (Naver Map)
🗓️ September 13 (Sat) ~ September 14 (Sun)
2. Hotel Floria
It’s a shame that the adorable Sanrio characters are only available as merchandise. This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of My Melody and the 20th anniversary of Kuromi, the Sanrio characters are gathered at the media art exhibition Hotel Floria. Conceived by digital design and art company District and global character company Sanrio Korea, Hotel Floria embodies the lovable world of Sanrio Korea through emotional media art. The surreal space filled with light and color will bring you happy moments. Hotel Floria will also be offering limited edition merchandise for the exhibition, which can be reserved now at fever.
📍 IFC Mall South Atrium L3 MPX Gallery , Yeouido (Naver map)
🗓️ ~ November 15 (Sat)
3. frieze & kiaf
Organized in partnership with Kiaf (Korea International Art Fair), Frieze Seoul is now in its fourth year and has become an iconic September event. Frieze Seoul 2025 will feature more than 170 leading galleries from more than 30 countries around the world and will take place at COEX during the first week of September. The fair will feature world-class galleries such as Gagosian, Pace Gallery, White Cube, and David Zwirner, as well as leading Korean galleries such as Arario Gallery, Kukje Gallery, and Hakgojae.
📍COEX Halls C and D (Naver map)
🗓️ September 3 (Wed) ~ September 6 (Sat)
⏰ 11:00-19:00
4. James Turrell Solo Exhibition
The art scene during Frieze extends beyond COEX. Galleries across Seoul will be hosting a variety of events, and Frieze Nights will allow visitors to stay up late to view exhibitions. At Hannam Face Gallery, James Turrell’s solo exhibition “The Return,” an exploration of light and space, is on view through the end of September. It is free to view and requires advance reservation through Naver Reservation.
📍Hannam Face Gallery (Naver Map)
🗓️ ~ September 27 (Sat)
🎟️ Free of charge, advance reservation required via Naver Reservation
5. Seoul Moon
Get a bird’s-eye view of Seoul from 130 meters above the Han River in a hot air balloon. From Seoul Moon, a mooring gas balloon in Yeouido Park, you’ll have a view that would be the envy of any tall building’s observation deck. Feel the crisp autumn air as it finally leaves the dampness of the city from the top of a hot air balloon. For more information, click here.
📍 Yeouido Park (Naver Map)
⏰ 12:00-22:00, closed on Mondays
🎟️ Adult 25,000 won, Child 15,000 won
6. Jonathan Bertin Photo Exhibition
GroundCiso’s new space, GroundCiso East in Gu, is hosting the opening exhibition Jonathan Bertin. Jonathan Bertin, a photographer from Normandy, France, pays tribute to Impressionist painting through photography. He is interested in the fluidity of the image, just as the Impressionists discovered the colors that change with the light. Groundsiso East is also hosting a concurrent exhibition of Alex Quito’s photographs, which capture everyday and surreal moments. Both exhibitions are on view until the end of September, with additional discounts available for combined tickets at Fever.
📍Groundsiso East in Gu (Naver Map)
🗓️ ~ September 28 (Sun)
7. Gwangneung National Arboretum
After an intense summer, you want to find a place where time seems to flow slower. In such a case, head to Gwangneung Forest National Arboretum. The entrance to the arboretum is reached through a winding forest path, and the opening sequence of views will slowly warm you up to a refreshing mood.
Take a walk along the path that surrounds the arboretum and connects Namyangju and Pocheon, or try your hand at komorebi (sunlight shining through the leaves) and hitting the treeholes. Right next door is Bongsunsa Temple, a peaceful temple with a pond, which is even more serene during the holidays.
📍509, Gwangneungsumokwon-ro, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Naver map)
8. Tea House Season
Along the same lines, why not calm your mind while enjoying tea? The tea house seasonal festivals introduce teas that match the festivals and seasons. There are also tea cocktail and tea blending classes, as well as performances and exhibitions, which you can reserve here.
📍306 Bongunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
9. Conchino Concrete
If you haven’t yet experienced the trend of listening spaces that has emerged in the past few years, head to Conchino Concrete. Here, you can enjoy high-end audio from around the world, including the Mirrorphonic M2 system, in a space designed solely for listening to music. The view of the Imjin River through the floor-to-ceiling windows is a bonus.
📍17, Saeori-ro 161beon-gil, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Naver map)