Hanwha Fireworks Fest Draws 1M to Yeouido

As of September 6, 2026, roughly 1 million people packed Seoul's Yeouido Hangang Park on Sept. 5 for a fireworks festival hosted by Hanwha, which covered the entire 13-billion-won (about $9.7 million) cost itself. The festival's energy spilled over into nearby convenience stores, some of which saw sales spike to more than ten times their usual levels.

1 millionEstimated crowd size at the Sept. 5 festival

13 billion won (~$9.7M)Total event cost, fully covered by Hanwha Group

4.5 billion won (~$3.4M)Amount spent on safety management

5,000+Safety personnel deployed on-site

Key points

Now in its 22nd year, the Hanwha-hosted Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026 featured fireworks teams from Korea, the US, and the UK.
Of the 13 billion won ($9.7M) budget, 4.5 billion won ($3.4M) went to safety management alone — more than last year's spending.
A record 5,000-plus safety personnel were deployed on-site, including about 1,200 Hanwha employee volunteers.
CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 stores near Yeouido saw sales jump by more than tenfold on festival day.

On the night of Sept. 5, Yeouido Hangang Park was packed with crowds craning their necks at the sky. Organizers estimated roughly 1 million people turned out for the 22nd edition of the festival, which brought together a fireworks team from Hanwha Corp. representing Korea alongside teams from the US and UK. The roughly 13 billion won ($9.7 million) price tag was covered entirely by organizer Hanwha Group, with no outside funding.

Representing Korea, Hanwha Corp. built its show around the theme "Puzzle of Light," inspired by Van Gogh's "The Starry Night." The centerpiece was a "decalcomania" effect — fireworks mirrored symmetrically on either side of Wonhyo Bridge — plus tower-shaped bursts that used the bridge itself as a canvas, along with fireworks spelling out the city's name and the company's slogan. Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn reportedly sent employees a message ahead of the show, saying he hoped to share the joy with everyone looking up at the night sky. About 300 households of veterans and their families, including national merit recipients, were invited as special guests.

Safety was a major focus. The event deployed more than 5,000 safety and crowd-control personnel — a record — including roughly 1,200 Hanwha employee volunteers. The safety budget alone came to 4.5 billion won ($3.4 million), about 17% more than last year's. A joint command center ran alongside the Seoul city government, the fire and disaster headquarters, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, backed by a real-time crowd-density app and a 5G-linked CCTV network. The livestream peaked at 260,000 concurrent viewers and racked up 2.68 million total views.

The festival's economic ripple reached neighborhood businesses, too. Convenience stores in Yeouido, Yongsan, Ichon-dong, and Banpo reported sales on festival day up anywhere from roughly tenfold to more than 100 times what they'd see on the same weekday a week earlier. Instant meals like lunch boxes and gimbap, plus ice, bottled water, and beer, flew off shelves — and because this year's festival landed about a month earlier than usual, shoppers grabbed ice and umbrellas rather than hand warmers. After the fireworks ended, Hanwha's volunteer corps stayed out late into the night cleaning up the park.

In Korea right nowIn Korea, the festival's staying power as an autumn fixture on the Yeouido skyline is itself part of the story. That one company has fully funded and hosted it, free of charge, for more than two decades is seen as unusual, and pulling off a crowd of over a million without major incident has drawn praise for the safety operation. News that the festival also lifted sales at convenience stores and other small businesses nearby is being cited as a case study in how a single large-scale event can ripple through a local economy.

FAQ

Who organizes the Seoul International Fireworks Festival?

Hanwha Corp., a Hanwha Group affiliate, has hosted the festival since 2000. This year marks its 22nd edition, with Hanwha Group covering the full cost.

Why is it held in Yeouido every year?

Yeouido Hangang Park offers a wide-open view against the backdrop of the Han River, its bridges, and the city skyline, making it well suited to hosting massive crowds.

Can foreign tourists attend?

Yes — no tickets are required. Anyone can watch for free from the park, nearby bridges, or the riverbank, making it easy for international visitors to join in.