Halloween In Korea: A 2025 Guide For Foreigners

Halloween in Korea is a must for anyone who wants to experience the country’s creative side while getting closer to its culture. It’s a chance to see how Korean people mix global trends with their own unique style, from spooky café themes to K-pop-inspired costumes. For language learners, it’s the perfect moment to hear real conversations, pick up new expressions, and feel what modern Korean life is all about.

In this post, I’ll share how to say “Happy Halloween” in Korean, how locals celebrate the holiday, and the key Korean words and phrases you’ll want to know. Whether you’re planning to explore Seoul’s nightlife or just curious about how Halloween feels in Korea, this guide will help you join the fun with confidence.

What Is Halloween In Korean?

The word for “Halloween” in Korean is 할로윈 (hallowin). It’s a direct loanword from English, so it sounds very similar when spoken aloud. You’ll hear it often in conversations, store ads, and event posters during late October.

Here are a few example sentences:

• 이번 주말에 할로윈 파티에 갈 거예요.
  I’m going to a Halloween party this weekend.
• 아이들이 할로윈 코스튬을 입었어요.
  The kids wore Halloween costumes.

Besides “할로윈,” Koreans often use a few other related words and phrases around this time of year. You might hear 핼러윈데이 (haelleowin-dei), which means “Halloween Day,” or see 할로윈 축제 (hallowin chukje), meaning “Halloween festival.” English words like “costume” or “party” are also commonly mixed into Korean sentences, showing how Halloween has become a trendy and global celebration in Korea.

How To Say Happy Halloween In Korean?

The easiest way to say “Happy Halloween” in Korean is 해피 할로윈! (Haepi hallowin!). It’s a fun, direct translation that most Koreans use, especially among friends or in social media posts. Since it borrows both words from English, it sounds almost identical — just with a Korean accent.

You can use it just like you would in English:

• 해피 할로윈! 즐거운 밤 보내요!
  Happy Halloween! Have a fun night!
• 친구들한테 해피 할로윈이라고 인사했어요.
  I said “Happy Halloween” to my friends.

Do They Celebrate Halloween In Korea?

Yes, Koreans definitely celebrate Halloween, though it’s not an official holiday. Over the past decade, it has become one of the most popular events among young people, especially in big cities like Seoul and Busan. You’ll see themed parties in clubs, cafés decorated with pumpkins and ghosts, and people in creative costumes flooding the streets of neighborhoods like Itaewon and Hongdae.

While kids don’t usually go trick-or-treating from house to house, schools, language academies, and theme parks often host their own Halloween events. For many Koreans, it’s less about spooky traditions and more about dressing up, taking photos, and having fun with friends.

When Does Korea Celebrate Halloween?

Korea celebrates Halloween on October 31st, just like the rest of the world. The difference is that celebrations often stretch across the entire weekend if the date falls near Friday or Saturday. Many bars, clubs, and cafés plan special events days in advance, turning it into a full “Halloween week.”

Shopping districts and amusement parks like Lotte World and Everland start putting up decorations as early as mid-October, and you’ll find Halloween-themed drinks, desserts, and merchandise everywhere. By the time October 31st arrives, the festive spirit is already in full swing.

Halloween Activities In Korea

Costume Parties

Costume parties are the heart of Halloween in Korea. From university campuses to rooftop bars, people love showing off creative, funny, or scary looks. Many Koreans go all out with makeup and props, often inspired by K-dramas, horror movies, or trending characters. Popular spots like Itaewon and Hongdae turn into massive outdoor parties where everyone can join in and take photos.

Some of the most popular costumes are:

Halloween Sales and Events

Shops and malls across Korea jump into Halloween mode with themed sales and limited-edition products. You’ll find orange-and-black packaging everywhere, from coffee chains like Starbucks to beauty stores like Olive Young. Department stores and online retailers often run Halloween promotions, offering discounts on costumes, snacks, and even K-pop merch.

If you do decide to shop around during this time, take note of the following words:

Café and Restaurant Themes

Cafés in Korea are famous for going all-in on seasonal themes, and Halloween is no exception. Many decorate with cobwebs, candles, and pumpkins while offering special drinks like pumpkin lattes or ghost-shaped desserts. These cafés are perfect for photos and social media posts, making them especially popular among students and young adults.

Want to go on a food trip? Remember these Korean words below!

Theme Park Celebrations

Major amusement parks such as Everland and Lotte World host huge Halloween festivals each year. Visitors can enjoy haunted houses, themed parades, and performances featuring both Korean and Western-style Halloween characters. Families and couples alike visit these parks to soak up the festive atmosphere.

Here are some of the most popular Halloween events you can find across the country:

• Everland’s Halloween Parade Party – One of Korea’s biggest Halloween parades with music, costumes, and glowing floats.
• Lotte World’s Halloween Horror Festival – A mix of haunted houses, live shows, and actors dressed as zombies wandering around the park.
• Zombie Run Festival – A fun, interactive race where participants “run for their lives” from zombies in a themed obstacle course.
• Yongin’s Korean Folk Village Halloween – A cultural twist on Halloween where traditional Korean ghosts and folk tales come to life in nighttime performances.

Decorations and Street Scenes

Neighborhoods and commercial areas come alive with Halloween decorations. Streets in Seoul’s nightlife districts are filled with glowing pumpkins, skeletons, and neon lights. While not every home decorates, public places, schools, and shops make sure the Halloween spirit feels alive everywhere you go.

Common Korean Words For Halloween

Once October rolls around, you’ll see and hear plenty of Halloween-related words around Korea. These words are useful for recognizing event signs, joining conversations, or just understanding what’s happening around you during the holiday season.

Halloween vocabulary blends both Korean and borrowed English terms, making it easy for learners to recognize and start using. If you want to keep learning natural Korean expressions, watching shows and Korean dramas on Lingopie is a great way to do it. You’ll see how real Koreans speak during holidays, parties, and everyday life — all while improving your listening and vocabulary in a fun, immersive way.

Learn Korean This Halloween With Lingopie

If you want to keep learning in a fun and natural way, Lingopie is the perfect place to start. You can watch real Korean shows, dramas, and movies with interactive subtitles that help you pick up vocabulary and expressions just like locals use them. Instead of memorizing words, you’ll absorb the language through stories, characters, and cultural moments — including ones just like Halloween in Korea.

So grab your pumpkin latte, turn on a spooky K-drama, and say it with confidence: 해피 할로윈! (Haepi Hallowin!)