Seoul’s 2026 International Garden Show is entering its final day on October 27, concluding a nearly six-month program that has turned Seoul Forest and parts of nearby Seongsu into a large-scale outdoor culture and ecology destination. Running from May 1 through October 27, the event has combined garden design, public art, environmental education and seasonal performances under the theme “Seoul, Green Culture.” The program is designed not only as a horticultural exhibition but also as a public festival, with visitors able to explore themed gardens, cultural installations and hands-on activities across the site. The Seoul Forest area has been especially important to the event’s visitor experience. Located in eastern Seoul, the park links green space with one of the city’s best-known lifestyle districts, where independent shops, cafes, galleries and creative studios have helped make Seongsu a major stop for both residents and international visitors. The autumn program has included evening activities alongside daytime garden viewing.
Seoul’s official event information lists the outdoor “Garden Theater” program through October 27, as well as moon-viewing and wish-making activities in the park. Earlier parts of the autumn schedule also included traditional Korean music performances and other cultural programming designed to place contemporary garden design alongside Korean heritage. The show’s format reflects a broader shift in how Seoul presents parks and public space. Instead of treating a garden exhibition as a specialist event for landscape professionals, the city has used the festival to create a more accessible cultural outing for families, tourists and casual visitors. The result is a mix of design exhibition, leisure walk and seasonal entertainment.
Travelers visiting on the final day should note that the event’s different areas may have separate operating hours, and some evening programs require checking the latest schedule before arrival. Seoul Forest is accessible by subway and can be combined with a visit to Seongsu’s commercial streets, although the area can become busy at peak times. With the exhibition closing on October 27, the International Garden Show will leave behind a temporary example of how Seoul is linking urban greening with tourism and cultural programming. Its emphasis on gardens as public art and everyday recreation also offers an alternative way to experience the city beyond palaces, shopping districts and major entertainment venues.