Written: October 8, 2026 · Updated: October 8, 2026

This guide summarizes official announcements and is not a firsthand visit review. Character illustrations are GPT-generated.

2026 EX Pumpkin Night Schedule, Fees, Parking – Before Visiting Hwarang Forest at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park with Kids

2026 EX Pumpkin Night: Hwanny Wanny X Sibijisin (화니워니X십이지신) poster — from Sep 24 to Oct 24 (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

As the sun sets, the forest paths of Gyeongju are lit up with pumpkin lights 🎃

It’s happening right now! 2026 EX Pumpkin Night: Hwanny Wanny X Sibijisin (화니워니X십이지신) opened on September 24 (Thursday) and runs every evening from 18:00 to 22:00 until October 24 (Saturday) at Hwarang Forest in Gyeongju Expo Grand Park.

I’ve organized the official event notice (September 10) and reservation site information from the park.

📅 17 Days Left – When Can You Go?

From the 8th (Thursday) to the 24th (Saturday), there are 17 days left. The reservation site says the event is ‘open year-round’ with no closed days.

There’s also an Instagram event every day until the last day.

Verification is done inside the event at the ‘EX Pumpkin Night Operations HQ.’

🎃 What Kind of Event Is This?

Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park — Gyeongju Tower and an autumn foliage forest (Nov 2018) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Gallery · 라이브스튜디오 · KOGL Type 1)

Gyeongju Expo Grand Park — View of the park with Gyeongju Tower and mountain scenery (2604年14月) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Gallery · 비디비디 스튜디오 · KOGL Type 1)

The park mascots Hwanny and Wanny and the Sibijisin (12 Zodiac Guardians) who protect the Silla royal tombs become pumpkin characters for this Halloween night event.

According to a press release reported by Gyeongbuk Ilbo, the theme is ‘The Guardians of Silla, Enter the World of Pumpkin Night.’

The event venue, Hwarang Forest, becomes a ‘Luminight’ night walking trail (less than 2km) after dark.

The reservation site illustration shows 12 Halloween-themed spaces along the forest path: Entrance Gate · Witch’s Wardrobe · Ghost’s Cabin · Wizard’s Laboratory · Ghost Carriage Stop · Dragon’s Lair · Monster Hunting Ground · Light Observatory · Blue Moon Cemetery · Circus Tent Theater · Black Knight’s Castle · Exit Gate.

🎨 What Can You Enjoy?

The press release also mentions Halloween makeup/costume rentals and food & beverage booths.

There is no official info yet on experience/costume rental fees or DJ performance times.

🎟️ Admission & Reservations

Based on the Naver reservation info posted by the park.

You can also reserve on Coupang. You can buy and use tickets on the same day, but it’s recommended to purchase at least 1 hour before your visit. Unused tickets are 100% refundable, used tickets are non-refundable.

This ticket only covers Pumpkin Night content. For other park facilities, you need to purchase a separate park admission ticket.

🚗 Getting There & Parking

The address is 614 Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju. The reservation site says free parking is available at the Expo West Parking Lot. The park has a total of 798 parking spaces (east & west combined).

The park closes at 18:00 in October, so where you use your ticket depends on your arrival time.

It’s 500m on foot from the main gate to the Luminight ticket office. There is no bus route info in the event notice.

👨‍👩‍👧 If You’re Going with Kids

Preschool children must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

You can borrow a stroller (for under 30 months) from the park, but not if it’s raining. The nursing room is near the Cheomseongdae Video Hall according to the amenities guide.

Official event photos show lots of witch and ghost sculptures and dark lighting. If your child is easily scared, check the reservation site photos together in advance.

Since it’s an evening forest walk, it’s a good idea to bring an extra outer layer for your child.

☔ What If It Rains?

Operation status is announced twice on the day: First at 10:00, second at 13:00.

You can bring a regular umbrella or parasol, but not golf or leisure umbrellas, or large parasols. Raincoats are sold at the Hwarang Forest entrance ticket office.

⏳ Still Awaiting Announcement

□ On-site ticket price (whether it matches the ‘Special Event’ 12,000 won on the park price list) □ DJ performance and recreation times/days □ Makeup/costume rental and experience fees □ Public transportation info such as buses

This info is not yet in the official notice. I’ll update this post when it’s available.

If you have questions, call the number listed on the reservation site: 054-740-3960.

👍 Recommended for These Families

✔ Families looking for a Halloween-themed evening outing ✔ Families who want to take photos of their kids at photo zones ✔ Families seeking an evening activity during a Gyeongju trip

At the same time, the Gyeongbuk Intangible Heritage Fair 2026 (free, until the 18th) is also being held at the Cheonnyeonmisogwan in the National Gyeongju Museum. See the summary post → Gyeongbuk Intangible Heritage Fair

Walking the pumpkin-lit forest path is a wonderful autumn night Halloween outing.

This post is organized based on official information before visiting. Event photos are from the Korea Tourism Organization, released under KOGL Type 3 (attribution, no derivatives) and shown unedited. Photos marked ‘Photo Gallery’ are from the Korea Tourism Organization under KOGL Type 1 (shooting dates noted). The character images are GPT-generated.

📷 The festival in photos 4

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AI-assisted translation. Numbers and article structure were checked against the Korean original on 2026-10-09. This is not a new verification of the event announcements. Original post (Korean)