The arrival of spring brings 'Family Month' into full bloom. Here's where to go.

Peak spring arrives in May, or "Family Month" in Korea, when the calendar fills with days celebrating loved ones, starting with Children's Day on May 5 and Parents' Day on May 8.

A family takes a photo at the International Horticulture Goyang Korea festival held at Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on April 26. [YONHAP]

Peak spring arrives in May, or "Family Month" in Korea, when the calendar fills with days celebrating loved ones, starting with Children's Day on May 5 and Parents' Day on May 8.

With several public holidays scattered throughout the month, it's the perfect time to get outside and spend time with family. Across the country, botanical gardens burst into color, themed parks and museums come alive with events and festivals spill into parks, offering countless ways to enjoy the season together.

Nature in full bloom

For those looking to experience nature at its most vibrant, gardens are a natural starting point. Woori Flower Botanical Garden in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, showcases more than 1,100 plant species year-round, with an indoor garden in the style of a hanok (traditional Korean house) as its defining centerpiece. The space also features serene walking paths and play areas for children, making it enjoyable for the whole family.

Woori Flower Botanical Garden features a hanok-style indoor garden [GYEONGGI PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT]

Within the capital, Seoul Botanic Park in Gangseo District, western Seoul, offers an expansive alternative. Spanning over 500,000 square meters (124 acres), it features four themed zones, including "forest," "lake" and "wetlands," and its standout 28-square-meter (301-square-foot) greenhouse housing plants from 12 cities representing tropical and Mediterranean climates.

For a deeper dive into nature, Hwadam Forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, has become one of the most sought-after spring destinations in recent years. The 165,000-square-meter forest is home to 16 themed gardens and more than 4,000 plant species, with magnolia, azalea and cherry blossoms in full bloom. A monorail winds through the forest for those who prefer a more relaxed visit. Reservations are required, and weekend slots fill quickly.

A themed garden of azaleas and birch trees at Hwadam Forest in Gwangju, Gyeonggi [HWADAM FOREST]

With pets now part of the family for many, Yongin Birch Forest in Gyeonggi is hosting a spring flower festival that welcomes both visitors and their pets. Featuring tulips, lakeside views and small animals like sheep and rabbits, the space keeps visitors engaged, while open picnic areas and occasional live performances make it an ideal picnic spot.

Beyond individual destinations, the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute is hosting month-long programs across major sites in celebration of "Family Month." At Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in North Gyeongsang, a spring festival runs from Friday to Monday, offering hands-on activities such as plant potting and scavenger hunts for children. Sejong National Arboretum extends its experience into the evening with its "Night Garden" until May 31. The Korea National Arboretum of Native Plants will host a "Flower Week" event from May 15 to 25, focusing on Korea’s rare plant species.

Themed parks and family attractions

Theme parks and attractions remain a go-to for family outings.

A MapleStory-themed attraction at Lotte World in Songpa District, western Seoul [LOTTE WORLD]

Lotte World is bringing together popular characters this spring, offering nostalgia for adults and immersive experiences for children. Its theme park has been transformed with MapleStory characters, featuring themed attractions and food and beverage offerings. The aquarium partnered up with beloved Cookie Run characters, while visitors can also take in Star Wars-themed experiences at Seoul Sky, located on floors 117 to 123 of Lotte World Tower.

Everland also joins with its "Ever Kids Club," offering 10 themed programs for children aged 5 to 8, including animal care, cooking and art. While children take part in guided one-hour sessions, parents can enjoy their own downtime.

Citizens watch a traditional performance at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi, on May 6, 2025. [YONHAP]

For a more traditional experience, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi, offers a glimpse into Korea’s past while still delivering plenty of fun. The site is currently hosting a festival themed around the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), "Welcome to Joseon," with hands-on activities such as creating Joseon-style names and certificates of identity. A steady lineup of performances from folk music to theatrical shows runs throughout the day. On Fridays and weekends, evening openings transform the village with lantern-lit streets, while a performance blending traditional music and dance with modern multimedia keeps it lively late into the night.

A season of festivals

Spring festivals are bringing an extra layer of excitement to already appealing destinations.

A poster for Festival BomBom hosted by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture [SEOULMETROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoul’s citywide "Festival Bom Bom" unfolds across Nodeul Island, Seoul Forest and Seoseoul Lake Park, blending music, exhibitions and family-friendly programs. Highlights include a stage at Seoul Forest on Friday featuring soundtracks from classic films and animations, "Tok Tok," a children- and family-focused arts festival held Saturday and Sunday offering a 5-meter-tall (16-foot-tall) Pinocchio parade, outdoor performances and interactive programs. A large-scale circus festival is also set for Monday and Tuesday, with additional musical performances at Nodeul Island from Wednesday to May 9.

Meanwhile, the ever-popular picnic spot, the Han River, is offering leisure programs with its "Hangang River Festival: Spring," held from Saturday to May 10. At Ichon Hangang Park, a theater stages a reinterpretation of a traditional children’s song, while a "stroller parade" invites families to walk a 1.2-kilometer (0.75 mile) forest path with strollers on May 9 and 10. Visitors can also join silent yoga sessions on May 9.

Visitors take in the blooms at the International Horticulture Goyang Korea festival held at Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on April 26. [NEWS1]

But nothing highlights spring quite like flower festivals. The International Horticulture Goyang Korea festival is running at Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi, until May 10. Combing indoor displays with expansive outdoor gardens, including "Garden of the Time Traveler," this year's event blends floral design with storytelling and digital elements.

Hwasun County in South Jeolla has extended its "Spring Flower Festival" through May 10 following strong public popularity. The "2026 Geochang On Spring Festival" will take place from May 14 to 17 in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang, bringing together the Geochang Arimia Flower Festival, the Geochang Wild-simulated Ginseng Festival and a barefoot walking event into one integrated spring celebration.

Something educational

Palace guard changing ceremony with costume heads is held in front of Gwanghwamun in 2025 [KOREA HERITAGE SERVICE]

Why not have fun and learn about history at the same time?

Korea's museums and palaces are offering discounts and special programs for family outings in May. Up to two guardians per child aged 12 and younger will be offered free entry for four Seoul palaces - Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu - as well as Jongmyo Shrine, royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty and the Tomb of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) on Children's Day. Foreigners are eligible as well.

On the day, the usual palace guard changing ceremony held in front of Gwanghwamun will be done by guards wearing cartoon-like costume heads at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A hands-on program recreating the Joseon-era military recruitment test will also be offered three times on the Children's Day. Application can be done online and on site on the day.

At the National Museum of Korea, photo zones created in partnership with Kakao Friends — where its perky characters are reimagined with traditional motifs such as baekja (white porcelain) — will be set up across the museum grounds from Saturday to Tuesday.

A fusion traditional music performance will be held on Saturday, followed by a range of kid-friendly programs on Children's Day, including a pierrot balloon art show.

Poster for various family-friendly programs being held in May at the National Museum of Korea [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA]

BY WOO JI-WON, JIN EUN-SOO [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]