November is the month autumn journeys south. While the mountains of Gangwon-do have already shed their leaves, peaks like Naejangsan and Hallasan, along with southern downtowns, reach their autumn foliage peak. Golden ginkgo tree avenues burst into color, and silver grass begins to soften into winter hues. Here is your definitive guide to catching the final breaths of autumn across South Korea in November.
There are no statutory public holidays in November. Instead of long holiday breaks, the key is making the most of the month's four weekends. Since autumn foliage peaks in the southern regions in early to mid-November, the first and second weekends draw the biggest crowds. For previous holiday schedules, see our guide on October Outings.
| November 2026 | Key Event / Forecast | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31 – Nov 8 | Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival | Changwon 3·15 Marine Nuri Park area |
| Nov 1 | Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival Closing | Iksan Central Sports Park |
| Around Nov 4 | Predicted peak foliage at Naejangsan | Korea Forest Service forecast |
| Around Nov 6 | Predicted peak foliage at Hallasan | Korea Forest Service forecast |
| Nov 7 (Sat) | Busan Fireworks Festival | Gwangalli area |
| Mid-November | Theme park autumn season ends | Varies by park |
According to the Korea Forest Service's 2026 forecast, autumn foliage peaks around November 4 at Naejangsan and November 6 at Hallasan. Earlier hotspots like Seoraksan (October 20) and Songnisan (October 28) have already faded. The first weekend of November brings severe traffic jams along the access roads to Naejangsan, making an early morning departure or public transit the most practical choice. For a nationwide list of leaf-peeping destinations, check out Autumn Foliage Spots.
| Mountain | 2026 Forecasted Peak | November Status |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan | October 20 | Leaves already fallen |
| Songnisan | October 28 | Fading by early November |
| Naejangsan | November 4 | Peaks during the first week of November |
| Hallasan | November 6 | Peaks in early November |
The Korea Forest Service forecasts ginkgo trees peaking around October 30. Ginkgo trees shine brighter along urban streets, in public parks, and across ancient temple courtyards than deep in the mountains. Even for a week after peak color, the fallen golden leaves carpet the ground to create breathtaking scenes. Early November is prime time to enjoy urban ginkgos. For scenic autumn walking routes in central Seoul, explore the Hanyangdoseong Hyehwa-dong Trail and the Changdeokgung Secret Garden Autumn Tour.
Silver grass looks fullest in October, but as November arrives, its plumes turn fluffy and fade into a shimmering silvery-white. This stage often looks even brighter and more dramatic in photographs. Reeds tend to outlast silver grass, making waterside reed beds well worth visiting well into November. Discover top locations in our guides to Autumn Pink Muhly & Silver Grass Spots and Autumn Reed Beds for Cycling and Hiking.
Major local festivals drop off significantly in November compared to October, shifting the spotlight primarily onto scenic foliage destinations for weekend getaways.
After mid-November, morning temperatures often dip close to freezing. Because daylight hours grow shorter, planning an earlier descent is essential when hiking.
| Activity | What to Pack | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foliage Hiking | Windproof/thermal outer layer, headlamp | Night Hiking Gear Guide |
| Fireworks & Night Events | Heavy coat, seat cushion | Coastal winds are strong |
| Camping | Near-winter sleeping bag | Camping Sleeping Bag & Mat Guide |
The rhythm of November stays consistent year after year: southern peaks reach peak autumn color in the first week, golden ginkgo trees brighten city avenues, and by mid-month, autumn events wind down to usher in winter light festivals. Because foliage forecasts can shift by a few days depending on annual temperatures, it's wise to double-check official updates from the Korea Forest Service and Korea National Park Service right before heading out. For the full autumn lineup spanning September to November, see our Autumn Festival Calendar.
Last verified: 2026-09-29