With Children’s Day on May 5 approaching, families are looking for outings that do not require advance reservations.
This year, free viewing and walk-in events are scheduled across major central Seoul sites, including Gwanghwamun Square, Han River parks, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the National Museum of Korea and Seoul Children’s Grand Park.
Not every program is fully open-access. Some hands-on activities have already closed reservations or will be run on a first-come, first-served basis. Food trucks, flea markets and some activities may charge fees, so visitors should check details before heading out.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is running “Seoul Kids Week” across the city from May 1 to 7. On Children’s Day, Seoul-style kids cafes will open citywide, with venue-specific programs such as magic shows and classical instrument experiences. More than 60 Seoul-style kids cafes that can be used for free can be found through the “Our Neighborhood Kiwoom Portal.”
In the city center, Gwanghwamun Square will host the “2026 Gwanghwamun Family Companion Festival” from May 2 to 5 under the subtitle “Let’s Play! Gwanghwamun Square!” The program includes participation and event booths, photo zones, a children’s beverage food truck, a lounge, book talks, music performances, a magic show, animation screenings, a cosplay parade and a Lego-building contest. Events will be spread across the square, including play areas, Yukjo Yard and adjacent street space.
Children’s Day programs will also continue along the Han River. At Seoulham Park in Mangwon Hangang Park, the “2026 Seoulham Festival” will run May 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature a children’s military-life experience, Navy culture activities, special performances and family participation programs. Outdoor performances are free, while some activities require participation after obtaining a Seoulham Park admission ticket.
Near the J-Bug (Jabeolle) complex at Ttukseom Hangang Park, “Hangang Plpl Adventure” will run May 1 to 5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except May 4, when it closes at 7 p.m. Indoors, it will offer a flea market and activity programs; outdoors, it will include a carousel, air bounce attractions, a magic show, a bubble show, street performances and food trucks. Admission is free, while the flea market and food and drinks are paid. Participation is walk-in.
At DDP, the “2026 DDP Children’s Design Festival” will be held May 2 to 5 in outdoor areas including Eoullim Square, Palgeori and the lawn hill. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free. The city said some programs took online first-come reservations, but on-site registration will be available during the festival period for those who missed reservations.
The National Museum of Korea has also planned events for families over the Children’s Day holiday. From May 2 to 5, it will host “Gukjungbak Outing” around the Open Plaza, Mirror Pond Plaza and the permanent exhibition halls. The program includes photo zones, performances, activity booths, a QR stamp tour, a book market and a food zone. On Children’s Day, events include balloon art, a bubble magic show, an ensemble performance and a K-pop dance performance. Some programs at the Children’s Museum and special guided sessions, however, require reservations or will be first-come, first-served.
At Seoul Children’s Grand Park, the “2026 Seoul Children’s Garden Festival” will run from May 5 to 18. It will be held across about 12,000 square meters from the park’s back gate to the Palgakdang area. This year’s theme is “Gardens Are Art Museums, Children Are Artists,” featuring a garden gallery, children’s art-creation programs, hands-on activities and stage events.
Outside Seoul, Incheon Art Platform is another option. It will run a Children’s Day event, “Iyap! A Playground Together,” on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. around the Incheon Art Platform area. Admission is free.
Most free Children’s Day events are being held in accessible locations such as downtown squares, parks and museums. Even without reservations, families can cut costs and still enjoy an outing by choosing events that allow walk-in viewing or on-site participation, including those at Gwanghwamun Square, Han River parks, DDP and the National Museum of Korea.
Organizers cautioned that Children’s Day can draw heavy crowds, making it important to use public transportation, confirm operating hours and check whether on-site registration is available. Hands-on programs may close early, so visitors may want to plan around performances and exhibitions, or focus on larger outdoor venues such as Han River parks and Seoul Children’s Grand Park when mapping out routes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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