Korean Folk Village Ghost Festival: Gwisinsaba Gwisinnori (귀신사바 귀신놀이) Guide

👻 Play with Ghosts, Korean-Style


Cheonyeo gwishin (traditional Korean ghost) roaming at Korean Folk Village during the Ghost Festival (Gwisinsaba Gwisinnori), daytime scene
A performer as a cheonyeo gwishin (처녀귀신) wanders the Folk Village — a signature moment of the fall Ghost Festival where visitors play games and take photos with “ghosts.” ^^

Hello~ I'm Hangeulia ^-^

Every fall, Korean Folk Village (한국민속촌) transforms into a playful yet spooky festival: Gwisinsaba Gwisinnori (귀신사바 귀신놀이). From mid-September to early November.

It’s like Korea’s own Halloween — but more playful, interactive, and rooted in Korean folklore. Perfect for families, friends, or anyone who loves chills mixed with laughter ^^

This guide is for first-time visitors who want a fun, not-too-scary fall festival — with a few optional “hardcore” scares on the side ^^

Event Overview

  • Season: Mid-September – Early November
    *Dates vary each year — check the official site for this season’s schedule.
  • Time: Afternoon until night
  • Location: Folk Village grounds, special ghost zones
  • Tickets: Included in general admission (some activities may have small extra fees)


💜 What to Do at the Ghost Festival

From playful missions to hands-on crafts and photo zones, here’s how visitors actually enjoy the Ghost Festival.

1. Ghost Missions & Games

So what do you actually do at the festival? Start with the missions — they’re the heart of Gwisinsaba Gwisinnori ^^

Each mission gives you a special mark (a small plastic token). Collect them all and trade them later for a spooky little prize ^^ Here are some of the highlights:

1) Silent Bell Challenge (금줄놀이)

Step into the forbidden zone lined with ropes and bells. Make it all the way to the end and discover the hidden spell — but don’t let the bells ring more than three times, or the ghosts will catch you!


2) Dice of Fate (말놀이)

Choose Up or Down, then spin the roulette to set a target number. Draw three wooden horse pieces and add their numbers. If you chose Up, your total must be higher than the roulette number. If you chose Down, your total must be lower than the roulette number.


3) Rubbing Stone Puzzle (비석치기)

Bring four marks to qualify. Use paper and pencil to make a stone rubbing of the carved patterns on a stele hidden in the village. It feels half archeology, half ghost quest!


2. Special Performances & Encounters

After you’ve collected a few marks, it’s time to meet the ghosts in real life — performances and roaming characters start to appear.

1) Ghost Tag (귀신 술래잡기)

Join live-actor ghosts in a hilarious tag game where you can only move a set number of steps (e.g., if the ghost takes four steps, you can take five). It’s pure audience-participation fun, perfect for kids and adults alike.

💛 Tip: wear sneakers, not sandals — you might end up running a little ^^


2) Haunted Houses

Want hardcore scares? Don’t miss Hyeolan Sigwi (혈안식귀) and Salguiok (살귀옥). These mission-style haunted houses are legendary. 👉 Read my full guide here: Complete Haunted Houses Guide


3. Hands-On Experiences

*Extra fees may apply

  • 💀 Ghost Makeup & Costumes – Transform into a spooky ghost with pro makeup or rent a costume.
  • 🎭 Wooden Doll Craft – Carve and decorate your own talisman doll to take home.
  • 🔮 Safety Bracelet Workshop – Make a traditional bracelet said to ward off evil spirits.

4. Photo Zones

  • 👀 Eyes on Me (시선집중) – Step into a creepy set where dozens of eyes follow your every move.
  • 📸 With the Ghosts (귀신과 함께) – Take selfies with roaming ghosts—some cute, some scary, all fun ^^


💜 Daytime Fun & Nighttime Chills

And here’s the fun part: the vibe changes completely after sunset.

Colorful lanterns lighting up Korean Folk Village at night
By 7 PM, lanterns light up and the Folk Village turns magical with a mix of romance and eerie chills ^^

If you’re coming with kids, the daytime is perfect for playing ghost missions and fun games. It’s bright, lively, and full of family-friendly activities.

By 7 PM, the lanterns light up and the Folk Village glows with a mix of romantic beauty and eerie chills. Snack on 회오리감자 (tornado potato) or 소떡소떡 (sausage & rice cakes), chase roaming ghosts, then end your night with the 8 PM Yeonbun (연분) performance. 완전강추 ^^ For more details on the Yeonbun show, check out my full review post here!



💜 Full Schedule at a Glance (Sample Schedule)

Category Program Time Days Location
Mission
(미션)		 Silent Bell Challenge (금줄놀이) 12:00–18:00 / 12:00–21:00 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Folk Village No.16
Dice of Fate (말놀이) 12:00–18:00 / 12:00–21:00 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Pavilion next to Experience Zone
Rubbing Stone Puzzle (비석치기) 12:00–18:00 Daily Folk Village No.15
Complete the Face (눈·코·입) 16:00–21:00 Fri–Sun & Holidays Folk Village No.32
Open the Door (문 열어라) 16:00–21:00 Fri–Sun & Holidays Folk Village No.17
Special
(스페셜)		 Ghost Tag (귀신 술래잡기) 16:30 / 20:40 Fri–Sun & Holidays Vacant lot next to No.37
Strange Forest (이상한 숲) Always Daily Folk Village grounds
A Strange Ghost (이상한 귀신) 12:00–18:00 / 12:00–21:30 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Throughout Folk Village
Bo-eun Shrine Ritual (보은제단) 12:00–18:00 / 12:00–21:30 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Front of Experience Zone
Haunted Houses
Hyeolan Sigwi & Salguiok		 13:00–21:00 (break 16:00–17:00) Fri–Sun & Holidays Behind Nae Ja-won
Experience
(체험)		 Ghost Makeup (분장체험) 12:00–17:00 / 12:00–19:30 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Front of Experience Zone
Costume Rental (의상체험) 12:00–18:00 / 12:00–20:00 Mon–Thu / Fri–Sun & Holidays Experience Zone
Wooden Doll Craft (목인형 만들기) 12:00–18:00 Daily Experience Zone & Pavilion next to No.33
*Pavilion runs Fri–Sun only
Safety Bracelet Workshop (호신팔찌 만들기) 12:00–18:00 Daily Experience Zone
Photo Zone
(포토존)		 With Ghosts (귀신과 함께) Always Daily Next to Experience Zone
Eyes on Me (시선집중) Always Daily In front of Folk Village No.53

Note: All schedules are tentative and may change due to weather or park operations. Please confirm on-site or check the official website for the latest updates ^^



💜 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Ghost Festival scary?

Most activities are playful and family-friendly. For intense scares, try the separate haunted houses like Hyeolan Sigwi or Salguiok.

Do I need a separate ticket?

The festival is included in general admission, but some hands-on experiences may have small extra fees.

What’s the best time to visit — day or night?

Daytime is great for kids and missions. Nighttime feels more atmospheric with lanterns, roaming ghosts, and cooler weather.

Can I enjoy it without speaking Korean?

Yes. Many activities are visual and staff often guide you through simple steps. You can also follow signs and observe other players.

Is it okay to come in costume?

Yes — and it’s part of the fun. If you want, you can also try paid makeup/costume experiences on-site.

What should I wear?

Wear sneakers and comfy clothes. You may walk a lot and join short games, especially in the late afternoon and evening.



💜 Final Thoughts

While Salguiok & Hyeolan Sigwi bring hardcore fear, the missions and games of Gwisinsaba Gwisinnori are playful, interactive, and family-friendly. It’s like stepping into a Korean Halloween—part spooky, part festival, and 100% memorable. If you’re in Korea this fall, don’t miss it. Bring friends, bring your camera (where allowed), and maybe… bring your courage too! 😉


With love,
한글리아 ^^



❤ Official Info
The details in this post were cross-checked against the official 👉 Korean Folk Village website
For the latest updates on schedules, tickets, and seasonal events, please check their site before your visit!



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