Gyeongju events this autumn can change your trip, and the one to plan around is the marathon on Saturday 17 October. Roads close for hours, in the same week that the autumn colours peak. This page lists the Gyeongju events I could confirm for October and November 2026, with what each means for a visitor. I checked dates against published sources on 11 October and will update it if they change.
The calendar
| When | What | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 9–11 Oct | Silla Cultural Festival | Ends 11 October. See the festival guide for next year. |
| Sat 17 Oct | Gyeongju International Marathon | Start 08:00 at the Civic Stadium; course traffic control about 07:50 to 13:30. |
| 30–31 Oct | APEC Memorial Festa | Reported at Gyeongju Expo Park (Seondeok Square area); confirm details. |
| 4–27 Sep (ended) | Daereungwon heritage media art | A nightly light show at the tomb park. It has ended for this year. |
The marathon on 17 October
The Gyeongju International Marathon is co-hosted by the city, the provincial government, the athletics federation and the newspaper Dong-A Ilbo. This year about 20,000 amateur runners are expected, plus about 100 elite athletes, which is a record for the race. It has held World Athletics’ Elite Label for two years running.
The race starts at 08:00 from the Civic Stadium, and the city reports staged traffic control on the course from about 07:50 to 13:30. Entries closed in May, so this is for people who are in town, not for signing up. The reports I found do not list which streets close, so check the Gyeongju city notices before you plan a morning of driving.
- Do your temples and tombs early or late. If you are driving between sights before about 13:30 on the 17th, expect detours.
- Book your KTX and taxis with extra time for the same morning.
The Silla Cultural Festival (ends 11 October)
The festival’s evening shows, Hwabaekjeonje and the Dalbit Nanjang night market, are the part I enjoy most; I have been to both. This year’s festival ends on 11 October, so if you are reading this after that, my festival guide is the reference for next year.
Late October and November
The APEC Memorial Festa is reported for 30 and 31 October at Gyeongju Expo Park. I could not confirm a programme, so treat it as a date to check. The heritage media art at Daereungwon ran for 24 nights, from 4 to 27 September, between 19:30 and 21:30, projecting light shows onto the royal tombs. It has finished for this year, but the tomb park itself is lovely to walk in autumn.
I did not find a confirmed major festival in Gyeongju for November. That is a good reason to come for the foliage instead: see my Gyeongju autumn guide, and the walks at Woljeonggyo and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at night.
Dates and times come from published news and event listings (checked 11 October 2026) and can change. Confirm with the city or organiser before you travel.
Photos: Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).
Sources: Etoday, Gyeongju International Marathon; 2026 Gyeongju APEC Memorial Festa listing; Gyeongju Tourism; Next Daily, Daereungwon media art.
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