2016 Seoul International Fireworks Festival: A Night on the Han River
In the morning we were out looking at wedding outfits, then rushed over to the fireworks festival. Why is downtown Seoul traffic so bad? Since roads get blocked and parking is terrible during the festival, we parked at Yongsan Station, took the subway to Daebang Station, and walked to the Seoul fireworks festival.
The crowds were truly enormous.
We had lawn seats at the Seoul fireworks festival. They said to enter by 5, but luckily late entry was allowed.
There were lots of events this time. With our lawn seats, we grabbed a spot right in front of where the fireworks would launch.
Before the show started, only ads played on the screen. So boring. But two hours fly by with good company.
We settled onto the lawn. As it got dark, it got cold, so we put on the padded jackets we had brought. Once the sun sets, it gets really cold here, and that day the wind was strong too. Good thing we brought them.
The 63 Building behind us.
Then the darkened Han River. The announcer appeared on screen and the 2016 Seoul fireworks festival began. First the countdown, then Japan first, a splendid feast of fireworks. So cool.
Japan’s fireworks were so splendid and full of character. Then Spain. Compared to Korea and Japan, Spain’s show was just so-so.
And finally Korea’s fireworks. Truly breathtaking. Hanwha, as expected.
Korea’s fireworks were truly magical, fantastic and mesmerizing the whole time. With this, my husband and I made another beautiful memory before our wedding. We promised to come back to the Seoul fireworks festival again, then melted into the crowds. Luckily, catching the subway at Daebang Station was better than expected. The trains came quickly, so thankfully it was not a packed subway.
Dates, programs and prices in this guide are as of the 2016 edition. Check the official website for next year’s schedule before you go.