Seoul Int’l Fireworks Festival to draw huge crowds, cause traffic jams Saturday

Fireworks light up the sky in central Seoul during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, Oct. 5, 2024. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival will light up the skies above the Han River this weekend, marking one of the city’s most anticipated autumn events.

The 2025 edition, organized by Hanwha Group in partnership with SBS and backed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, will be held Saturday at Yeouido Hangang Park.

Typically held on the first Saturday of October, the event has been moved up this year due to the Chuseok holiday, which falls in the first week of October. Since its launch in 2000, the festival has grown into a signature cultural event, attracting over 1 million spectators annually.

The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with booths, interactive experiences and entertainment hosted by Hanwha and its partners across the Yeouido area.

The main fireworks show starts at 7 p.m., featuring dazzling displays by teams from Italy, Canada and Korea.

Italy will open with a performance choreographed to the music of composer Ennio Morricone, followed by Canada’s superhero-inspired showcase set to blockbuster film scores. Korea will close the night with a presentation themed “Into the Shining Time,” tracing the flow of time with a new artistic storytelling technique.

A centerpiece of this year’s show is the debut of a decalcomania staging effect, engineered around Wonhyo Bridge and extending from Mapo Bridge in the west to Hangang Railway Bridge in the east. Using mirrored fireworks, the display allows spectators across the city to experience a synchronized, immersive spectacle, showcasing both creative design and advanced pyrotechnic technology.

Prime viewing spots include Yeouido and Nodeul Island for close-up immersion, as well as N Seoul Tower on Mount Nam and Bugak Skyway for sweeping skyline view.

To accommodate massive crowds, both Hanwha and local authorities are intensifying safety measures.

Hanwha plans to deploy 3,500 staff and 1,200 company employees acting as volunteers, while using CCTV and crowd management apps to monitor congestion in real time. Yeongdeungpo District Office will mobilize 325 personnel to provide traffic control and medical aid.

Traffic restrictions will be enforced around Yeouido from the afternoon until late evening, including full road closures near major bridges. Officials urge visitors to use public transportation and prepare in advance to avoid heavy traffic.