- Dates and hours: the official 2026 autumn opening runs September 2–October 2, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays, from 19:00 to 21:30 with final entry at 20:30.
- Foreigner routes: use the authorized online sale or the foreigner-only on-site allocation of 300 tickets per operating day; bring valid proof of foreign status.
- Hanbok: visitors wearing a qualifying complete hanbok are listed for free entry without advance booking, subject to the official clothing check at Heungnyemun.
2026 schedule and illuminated areas
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center's August 18 notice sets the autumn program for September 2 through October 2, 2026. Night viewing is unavailable every Monday and Tuesday. Entry runs 19:00–21:30, with the gate closing to new arrivals at 20:30. The published route includes Gwanghwamun, Heungnyemun, Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru, Sajeongjeon, Gangnyeongjeon, Gyotaejeon and the Amisan area. Access can still change for weather, safety or operations, so reopen the notice on the visit day.
Two ticket routes for foreign visitors
1. Authorized online advance sale
The notice allocates 3,000 online tickets per operating day at 3,000 won. Online sales opened August 26 at 10:00 through NOL Ticket and continue within the published sales window while inventory remains. The notice limits online purchasing to four tickets per account across the night-viewing period, prohibits same-day online booking and gives its own cancellation deadline. Use only the official link from the palace notice; do not buy an account or resale screenshot.
2. Foreigner-only on-site purchase
A separate 300-ticket daily allocation is reserved for foreigners at the site, limited to two tickets per person. Bring a passport or other accepted proof of foreign status. This is limited inventory, not guaranteed entry: arrive with a daytime or nearby alternative instead of assuming tickets will remain.
Free entry with qualifying hanbok
The 2026 notice lists Korean and foreign visitors wearing hanbok among the free-admission groups, with no advance reservation required. Entry staff check clothing against the official hanbok guideline at Heungnyemun. A costume accessory, overcoat alone or mixed outfit that fails the complete upper-and-lower-garment rule may not qualify. Rental cost, return time and damage terms remain separate from palace admission. Review the hanbok rental and palace-entry guide before choosing an outfit.
Practical night-viewing tips
- Save the mobile ticket, passport and official Korean notice offline.
- Arrive before final entry and allow time for security, ticketing and clothing checks.
- Use marked visitor areas; Gyeonghoeru's illuminated exterior is not permission to enter restricted space.
- Keep a charged phone and verify the final subway route after the palace visit.
- Do not structure the whole Seoul evening around an unconfirmed on-site ticket.
If the program is sold out, use the holiday and closure fallback checklist to build an alternative cultural evening. For a contrasting modern neighborhood route, continue with the Seongsu area guide.
Official sources
Time-sensitive details were checked against the original sources below on 2026-08-29.