November is the month when autumn descends south. While leaves have already fallen in the mountainous regions of Gangwon, peak foliage arrives in Naejangsan, Hallasan, and southern urban areas. Ginkgo tree-lined streets turn yellow, and silver grass begins to fade to silver. This page is a guide to where you can experience the last of autumn in November.
There are no public holidays in November. It's all about how you utilize the four weekends. Since peak foliage in the south occurs in early to mid-November, the first and second weekends will be the busiest. October holiday schedules are organized in October Outings.
| November 2026 | Key Events | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Around Nov 4 | Naejangsan peak foliage predicted | Korea Forest Service prediction |
| Around Nov 6 | Hallasan peak foliage predicted | Korea Forest Service prediction |
| 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 peak foliage prediction, Naejangsan will reach its peak around November 4, and Hallasan around November 6. Seoraksan (October 20) and Songnisan (October 28) will have already passed their peak. The first weekend of November is when the entrance to Naejangsan is heavily congested, so an early morning departure or public transportation is a realistic option. A list of national attractions can be found in Autumn Foliage Spots.
| Mountain | 2026 Peak Prediction | November Status |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan | Oct 20 | Already past peak |
| Songnisan | Oct 28 | Fading in early Nov |
| Naejangsan | Nov 4 | First week of Nov is peak |
| Hallasan | Nov 6 | Early Nov is peak |
The Korea Forest Service predicts the peak of ginkgo trees to be around October 30. Ginkgo trees are best seen in urban streetscapes, parks, and old temple courtyards rather than mountains. For about a week after their peak, even the fallen leaves on the ground contribute to the scenery. Early November is the best time to see urban ginkgo trees. For walking courses to experience autumn in downtown Seoul, you can refer to Hanyangdoseong Hyehwa-dong Section and Changdeokgung Huwon Autumn Tour.
Silver grass is most abundant in October, and by November, its plumes swell to white and fade to silver. Photographs taken during this period sometimes capture the silver grass as brighter. Reeds tend to last longer than silver grass, so riverside reed beds are still worth seeing in November. Attractions can be found in Autumn Pink Muhly & Silver Grass Spots and Autumn Reed Bed Cycling & Hiking in Korea.
In November, major regional festivals significantly decrease compared to October. As a result, foliage spots become the main focus for weekend outings.
After mid-November, there will be days when morning temperatures drop close to freezing. For mountain hiking, it's essential to shorten your descent time as the days become shorter.
| Situation | What to Bring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foliage hiking | Windproof/warm outerwear, headlamp | Night Hiking Gear Guide |
| Fireworks/night events | Thick coat, cushion | Beaches can be very windy |
| Camping | Sleeping bag close to winter-grade | Camping Sleeping Bags & Mats |
The flow of November is the same every year. In the first week, the foliage of southern mountains reaches its peak, ginkgo trees color the city, and after mid-month, autumn events gradually conclude, transitioning to winter light festivals. Foliage predictions can shift by a few days depending on the year's temperature, so it's best to reconfirm the announcements from the Korea Forest Service and each national park just before your departure. The full list of festivals from September to November is in the Autumn Festival Calendar.
Last checked: 2026-09-29