Seoul Metropolitan Government to hold event at Yeouido Park from Thursday through Oct. 5

Traditional games, activities and photo zones on offer

Open to all, no balloon ride required

The "Seoul Dal" tethered gas balloon floats above Yeouido-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
The "Seoul Dal" tethered gas balloon floats above Yeouido-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

With only four days off, this year's chuseok holiday feels unusually short — leaving many Seoulites who could not make it home or travel stuck in the city. Forecasts also warn that rain on chuseok day itself could obscure the full moon. For those looking for a way to mark the occasion, making a wish beneath the "Seoul Dal" balloon may be just the answer.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Foundation said they will run a chuseok participatory event, "Under Seoul Dal, a Full Moon Wish," at the Seoul Dal site in Yeouido Park starting Thursday. The event runs through Oct. 5, spanning 12 days in total.

Seoul Dal is a tethered gas balloon that rises up to 130 meters above Yeouido, offering a panoramic view of the city center and the Han River. Since opening in August 2024, it has established itself as one of Seoul's signature nighttime tourism attractions.

Cumulative ridership from its opening through August this year reached approximately 118,000. The event features a range of hands-on programs to soak up the holiday atmosphere, along with large-scale photo zones for memorable shots — designed so the whole family can enjoy the holiday together. Anyone can take part simply by following the official Instagram account, regardless of whether they ride the balloon.

During the first week, from Thursday through Sunday, a "traditional games zone" will offer oversized yutnori, a chuseok wish-tree decorating activity and a random dice game for all ages. The second week, from Monday through Oct. 5, shifts to a "Seoul Dal game zone" inspired by the balloon's signature features — including a "guess 13 seconds" challenge based on the balloon's maximum flight altitude and a quiz roulette. Participants who complete missions will receive souvenirs such as Seoul Dal keycaps, moon-jar keychains and grip tok phone holders.

Operating hours during the chuseok holiday period (Thursday through Sunday) and the National Foundation Day holiday period (Oct. 3–5) are 3–9 p.m., while weekday hours are 5–9 p.m.

"As visitors can encounter both the full moon in the sky and the Seoul Dal we have sent up, we hope families will come together under Seoul Dal this chuseok to make wishes and create special holiday memories," said Jo Seong-ho, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Tourism and Sports Bureau.


ken@heraldcorp.com