When is the best time for you to visit Korea? Read our month-by-month Korea weather guide for the best things to do each season. With seasonal weather, must-do activities, and more!
South Korea experiences all four seasons, each offering unique weather and scenery changes, from April’s cherry blossoms to July’s summer rains and wintry December. Whether you’re drawn to its vibrant festivals, mountainous sceneries, Hallyu, or shopping, South Korea has something for everyone! Here’s a Korea weather guide for everything you need to know about choosing the best weather and time to visit.
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When’s the best time to visit Korea?
Generally, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are considered the best times to visit South Korea. This is due to the mild and pleasant weather, allowing for many outdoor activities and the seasons showcasing beautiful natural scenery — with cherry blossoms in spring and colourful foliage in autumn respectively.
Image Credits: Korea Meteorological Administration
However, visiting during these peak periods is not always in our best interest, especially for the more budget-conscious and crowd-avoidant. But fret not! We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Korea, for every season, month-by-month. Above are the highlights of South Korea each month 👆
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Korea Weather Guide By Month:
March and April in Korea
Ideal for: Local festivals, outdoor exploration and sight-seeing
Weather: Temperatures are still low in early to mid-March which can see the coldest dipping to 0°C. In April, the lowest range from 6°C to 11°C, and the highest from 14°C to 20°C. (Source: WeatherSpark)
Image Credits: Korea.net
With the mild weather, the Spring months of March and April are great for all sorts of activities, especially outdoor festivals and exploration. Since mountains and hills mainly make up 70% of Korea, make the most of the weather and scenery by hiking one of the many trails in Korea. You can check out Achasan, Jirisan, or Hallasan.
Spring in South Korea is a picturesque season, with an abundance of flowers in bloom. The numerous spring festivals held across the country to celebrate these blooms provide the perfect opportunity to admire the scenery!
Festivals to catch in Korea during March & April:
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Blossom Festivals 👉 Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, etc. | Similarly, this is a spring festival that showcases a sea of yellow canola flowers that are famous in Jeju. | Late Mar to Early Apr |
| Jeju Canola Flower Festival | Similarly, this is a spring festival to showcase a sea of yellow canola flowers famous in Jeju. | Early Apr |
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May in Korea
Ideal for: Buddhist temple visits
Weather: In late spring, the weather gets warmer with temperatures ranging from as low as 7 °C to 29 °C (according to Accuweather).
Image Credits: CGTN
If you’re visiting South Korea in May, you get to witness the grand celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. Known as “Seokga Tansinil” (석가탄신일) in Korean, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in South Korea. It commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, and is observed on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which usually falls in April or May.
During this period, temples will be decorated and prepared for their rituals and ceremonies. Many temples offer free meals to visitors, usually vegetarian bibimbap paired with tea.
Festivals to catch in Korea during May:
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Boseong Green Tea Festival | Participate in tea picking and tasting activities in Boseong, the largest green tea plantation in Korea. | May |
| Buddha’s Birthday & Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeon Deung Hoe) | The Lantern Festival is held across Korea to celebrate the birth of Buddha. This festival features a grand parade with thousands of illuminated lanterns in various shapes and sizes, including traditional lotus lanterns, mythical creatures, and more. Many temples will be decorated to welcome Buddhists paying pilgrimage. | May |
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June to August: Summer in Korea
Ideal for: Beaches, water activities and traditional cultural festivals
Korea’s weather in Summer: Temperatures range around 21.1°C – 29.3°C (Average minimum and maximum in Summer 2023). Korea’s rainy season lasts from mid-June until the end of July.
Image Credits: Visit Busan
During summer in Korea, you can check out some of the country’s best beaches in Jeju and Busan. Sunbathe and watch the sunset or take on water sports like jet skiing, parasailing or paddleboarding.
Alternatively, check out the many summer festivals available from the Haeundae Sand Festival showcasing sand sculptures, to something more cultural like the Gangneung Danoje Festival.
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Image credits: Gangwon Blog
As the weather heats up, cold dishes like Mul-naengmyeon (cold noodles) and Patbingsu (shaved ice dessert) become even more frequently consumed.
Activities & Festivals to catch in Korea during Summer:
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Haeundae Sand Festival | Sand sculptures and beach activities in Busan | End May |
| Dano Festival / Gangneung Danoje Festival | Dano is one of the three major traditional holidays in South Korea, together with Seollal and Chuseok. The festivities around Dano include traditional folk activities, rituals and games celebrating the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Gangneung Danoje Festival is specifically named as one of the official UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. | Jun |
| Boryeong Mud Festival | Enjoy mud baths, slides, and wrestling in Boryeong, a popular exporter of mud-based cosmetic products | from Mid-Jul |
| Waterbomb Festival | A famous music festival in Summer featuring live performances where performers and attendees will be sprayed with water guns and water canons | Jul to Aug |
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September in Korea
Ideal for: Experiencing Korean Thanksgiving
Weather: Highest temperatures range around 27°C to 23°C. Lowest temperatures range from 20°C to 14°C.
Image Credits: VISITKOREA
September in Korea brings about autumn, just the perfect weather to showcase and partake in vibrant traditional festivities. A huge event in September is Chuseok, Korea’s Thanksgiving, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. During Chuseok, families gather to honour ancestors, share traditional foods, and enjoy festive activities.
As one of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea, many people will be travelling to their families hence you can expect the roads and transportation to be packed on the day itself and the few days leading up to the Chuseok holidays. During this time, many places might be closed so do look up their operating hours during this holiday period. As locals travel out, you can enjoy shorter queues at popular tourist destinations, and you can also get discounts for Everland amusement park tickets.
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Image Credits: Asia Society
But don’t worry, you can get to experience some of that authentic Chuseok holiday spirit at popular historic sites. The royal palaces and museums in Seoul are great locations to celebrate the Chuseok holiday because they have many traditional and cultural events lined up. We recommend the Korean Folk Village and Namsangol Hanok Village.
These places might also serve traditional dishes such as songpyeon, rice cakes symbolising a good harvest, and galbijjim, braised short ribs often prepared for family gatherings, which are central to the celebrations.
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Image Credits: Visit Korea
You can also check out the Taean Autumn Flower Expo, held from September 15 to October 31 at Korea Flower Park in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do. Located by Kkotji Beach on the western coast, this expo showcases a stunning array of autumn flowers, including chrysanthemums, verbenas, angelonias, sunflowers, and globe amaranths. Visitors can enjoy the fresh scent of these blooms while strolling along the scenic floral pathways, making it a perfect couple or family outing.
Activities/Festivals to catch in Korea during September:
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Andong Mask Dance Festival | The festival features a variety of cultural performances, including Korea’s traditional mask dance drama. | Late Sept to Early Oct |
| Chuseok celebrations at historical sites | Korean Folk Village – hosts a Chuseok event which includes making songpyeon (Chuseok rice cakes) or holding a charye (ancestral ritual) while wearing traditional Hanbok. Namsangol Hanok Village – Another popular destination for Chuseok celebrations, located near Chungmuro Station, where visitors can try various hands-on activities and enjoy folk music performances. | Mid-Sept to Late Oct |
| Taean Autumn Flower Expo | The Taean Autumn Flower Expo, held near Kkotji Beach on the western coast and features a variety of autumn flowers, including chrysanthemums, verbenas, angelonias, and more. | Mid-Sept to Late Oct |
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October and November in Korea
Ideal for: Enjoying the autumn foliage and festivals
Weather: In October, the highest temperatures range around 22°C to 15°C, and the lowest temperatures range from 14°C to 7°C. November becomes colder with the highest temperatures ranging around 15°C to 7°C, and the lowest at 7°C to 0°C.
Image credits: Ha Nam-gi, Korea Tourism Organization
October and November are perfect months to experience Korea’s vivid autumn foliage. The Hueree Pink Muhly Festival in Hueree Natural Park, located at the foot of Hallasan Mountain in Seogwipo, Jeju-do, runs from mid-September to November. This festival celebrates the stunning waves of pink muhly grass, perfect for those Instaworthy posts on your social media. You can also get the chance to pick and enjoy Jeju mandarins at their peak season from late October.
If you’re a film buff, don’t miss out on the iconic Busan International Film Festival which also takes place in October, drawing film enthusiasts from around the world. It features diverse international and Asian films, offering premieres and forums. BIFF celebrates emerging and established filmmakers, fostering cultural exchange and a chance for you to catch your favourite actors up close!
Image credits: National Geographic
Another highlight of November is the Busan Fireworks Festival on November 4th, held at Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong-gu, Busan. This festival, which began in 2005 to represent the APEC summit, has grown into a major annual event. The spectacular fireworks show, accompanied by a media façade display on Gwangandaegyo Bridge, combines fireworks, lighting, and music to create an unforgettable autumn evening by the beach.
Activities/Festivals to catch in Korea during October & November:
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Busan International Film Festival | The Busan International Film Festival is an annual event showcasing diverse films, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting Asian cinema. | Early Oct to Mid-Oct |
| Hueree Pink Muhly Festival | Hueree Natural Park’s Pink Muhly Festival offers stunning pink landscapes and Jeju mandarin picking at Hallasan’s base. | Mid-Sept to Mid-Nov |
| Busan Fireworks Festival | Enjoy spectacular fireworks and a media façade show at Gwangalli Beach, set against the backdrop of Gwangandaegyo Bridge. | Early Nov |
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December in Korea
Ideal for: Enjoying the winter activities and celebrating New Year
Weather: Highest temperatures range around 6°C to 2°C. Lowest temperatures range from 0°C to -5°C.
Image credits: Daily Travel Pill
December in Korea heralds the start of winter festivities and activities. The Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm transforms nearly 330,000㎡ of the garden into a winter wonderland, with gleaming lights illuminating the natural beauty from 5 PM to 9 PM, extended to 11 PM on Saturdays.
For winter sports enthusiasts, skiing and snowboarding at popular resorts are top attractions. You can enjoy warm and spicy street foods like tteokbokki, spicy rice cakes or gyeranppang, an egg bread street snack perfect for the cold winter.
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Image Credits: VISITKOREA
If you’re planning to welcome the New Year, head to Homigot Sunrise Square, one of the most popular spots for witnessing Korea’s brilliant yellow and golden sunrise. Enjoy the festival featuring celebratory performances, and a local market operated by small businesses giving out free servings of tteokguk while welcoming the new year.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival which provides an overnight celebration with events like wish lantern lighting and a candle ceremony, culminating in a breathtaking view of the New Year’s sunrise!
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm | Light festival that spans 330,000 sqm in a garden throughout winter | Early Dec to Mid-Mar |
| Homigot Sunrise Square | Homigot Sunrise Square at Homigot Cape is known for its stunning New Year’s sunrise views featuring celebratory performances, local markets, and complimentary tteokguk. | End Dec |
| Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival | An annual event for witnessing the New Year’s sunrise, featuring lanterns and a candle ceremony. | End Dec |
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January and February in Korea
Ideal for: Ice fishing, sledding, winter activities
Weather: Daily high temperatures around 1°C, low temperatures are around -5°C to -6°C.
Image Credits: Klook
Winter in Korea, spanning January and February, is a season of icy adventures and cosy festivities. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in January invites visitors to participate in ice fishing, sledding, and various winter activities in Hwacheon, while popular ski resorts like Alpensia, Yongpyong, and Vivaldi Park offer excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities. New Year’s Day is celebrated traditionally with family visits and eating Tteokguk (rice cake soup), symbolising the start of a new year.
In February, the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival in Taebaek is a must-visit event. Held at the end of January or the beginning of February, this festival showcases hundreds of ice statues masterfully carved by sculptors from around the globe.
| Festivals | About Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival | Participate in ice fishing, sledding, and other winter activities in Hwacheon. | Early Jan to Late Jan |
| Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival | Taking place at the end of January or the beginning of February, the Snow Festival showcases hundreds of ice statues intricately carved by sculptors from around the globe. | End Jan to Mid-Feb |
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Korea: Where you can live that K-drama fantasy, one episode at a time
Korea promises an unforgettable experience year-round. We hope that this Korea weather guide has helped you decide which months are the best for visiting South Korea! Don’t forget to use your YouTrip card to cash in on our sweet wholesale exchange rates when spending with the best KRW rates all day!
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Until next time, safe travels and happy adventures!
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