"The Festival Season Has Arrived"... Seoul Buzzes with 'Free Festivals' Everywhere

If You Know the Festival That Suits You, You Can Enjoy It Properly

On the 31st, the opening day of the Insadong Antique & Art Fair, a traditional culture festival in Insadong, a Hanbok and Modern Hanbok parade is taking place on the streets of Insadong, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

As September marks the beginning of autumn, various parts of Seoul city are bustling with festivals. From diverse performances such as exhibitions by young artists, DJing shows, and percussion art festivals to food festivals where visitors can enjoy market food and craft beer, the content and venues of these festivals are varied. With the COVID-19 infectious disease classification downgraded from level 2 to level 4, similar to influenza (flu), the burden on citizens hesitant to participate in festivals has also eased.

‘Antique & Art Fair’ in Insadong

Jongno-gu is hosting the ‘2023 Insadong Antique & Art Fair’ from August 31 to September 18. At the Tea & Craft Expo held until September 4, visitors can experience traditional teas from various regions and enjoy a special exhibition by Yeonpa Shin Hyun-cheol, a master of Gwangju royal ceramics who has dedicated 40 years to researching traditional black porcelain (黑磁).

From September 7 to 11, visitors can appreciate the ‘Insadong Antique Fair,’ which features special exhibitions capturing the beauty and essence of Najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware) and Juchil crafts. From September 14 to 18, the ‘MZ×New Media Art Fair’ follows, showcasing works by young artists from various galleries in Insadong and universities such as Seoul National University, Hongik University, Ewha Womans University, Sookmyung Women’s University, and Sungkyunkwan University. Special exhibitions by celebrities such as Kim Chang-wan of Sanullim and Kang Rina of Haetbitchon, as well as webtoon artists, are also arranged.

‘Dudream Festival’ ? High-quality Percussion Performances All Free

Yangcheon-gu will hold the percussion culture festival ‘Seoul Dudream Festival 2023’ on September 16?17 at the Yangcheon Culture Hall performance venue and plaza. Co-hosted and operated by the Yangcheon Cultural Foundation and the percussion ensemble ‘Karos Percussion Ensemble,’ this festival offers a unique experience that breaks down the boundaries between daily life and art by combining percussion with film music, opera, resource recycling crafts, and hands-on activities for residents.

On the 16th, the main theater will present ‘Film Music and Karos,’ a performance featuring percussion ensemble arrangements of familiar movie themes such as Mamma Mia, Aladdin, and Pirates of the Caribbean. The collaboration includes rarely seen instruments like bandoneon and oboe, creating rich tonal colors. On the same day, the Sunflower Hall will host the ‘Matinee Concert,’ a daytime music event enjoyed with a cup of coffee, and the outdoor plaza will feature street percussion performances called ‘Street Percussion.’

On the 17th, the ‘Opera Viewed Through Percussion’ performance will showcase top domestic vocalists including soprano Kim Ju-yeon, mezzo-soprano Kim Ju-hee, tenor Shin Sang-geun, and baritone Park Eun-yong, along with the ‘Maestro Opera Choir,’ presenting a new art genre through the collaboration of opera arias and percussion. Yangcheon-gu has invited Son Yuri, team leader of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, as a work commentator for opera beginners.

All performances are free of charge. Those wishing to attend ‘Film Music Karos,’ ‘Opera Viewed Through Percussion,’ or the ‘Matinee Concert’ must make advance reservations on a first-come, first-served basis via the Yangcheon Cultural Foundation website and collect their tickets at the venue starting one hour before the performance.

The '2023 Gangbuk Maekbaek Festival' features participation from over 10 companies nationwide, including Suyu Handmade Beer (Gangbuk-gu), Hwasu Brewery Gangbuk Branch (Gangbuk-gu), Sinchon Beer (Namyangju-si), Kkik Beer Company (Namyangju-si), SevenBrew (Hoengseong-gun), and Art Monster (Gangnam-gu). The photo shows the Uicheon Yeoul Market scene on the 25th of last month. (Photo by Gangbuk-gu)

Hungry? Come to the ‘Gangbuk Baekmaek Festival’

Gangbuk-gu has prepared the ‘2023 Gangbuk Baekmaek Festival’ for all generations to enjoy. The event will be held briefly but intensively from September 8 to 9, from 4 PM to 9 PM, around the Baeknyeon Market area. This festival, aimed at revitalizing traditional markets, is named ‘Baekmaek’ because it offers over one hundred kinds of food and more than 50 types of craft beer around Baeknyeon Market and the Uicheon stream area.

The festival venue stretches about 600 meters from Baeknyeon Market to Ssanghan Bridge over Uicheon. The Baeknyeon Market area will create a club atmosphere targeting the MZ generation and other young people. The ‘Baeknyeon Market Hip Stage’ will feature DJ performances by famous EDM DJs such as DJ Jayp, DJ Frog, and DJ Windy. Craft beer and food will be sold in the Baeknyeon food zone and local food zone.

The Ssanghan Bridge area along Uicheon is a family-friendly space. Here, experience booths will offer activities such as making beer soap, beer-shaped candles, and beer cup recycled flowerpots. At 8 PM, the festival will conclude with a finale concert featuring singers like Tattles, Jeon Tae-ik duet, Jo Moon-geun Band, and Band Zoo. The approximately 120-meter road section near Ssanghan Bridge residential area will be set up as a ‘Pojangmacha (street food stall) zone.’

The festival is free to enjoy, but drinks and snacks are not free. During the festival preparation period, Gangbuk-gu and the Baeknyeon Market Merchants Association plan to prepare over one hundred delicious and affordable dishes priced under 10,000 KRW, through cooking practice and training by Chef Jeon Hyun-jin, a Japanese cuisine expert from a five-star hotel and professor in the Department of Culinary Arts at Korea Polytechnic University.

Rich Lineup Including Eunpyeong Youth Festival and Sinchon Global University Culture Festival

Eunpyeong-gu will hold the ‘1st Eunpyeong Youth Festival’ from September 9 to 12 to support young people. The opening ceremony on the 9th at the Eunpyeong Culture & Arts Center will feature invited singer The Ade (formerly Acoustic Collabo), performances by young artists and clubs, youth awards, video contest awards and screenings, and events. Side events include a young artists exhibition (artworks and goods events), Youth JOB Market (job fair, hair & makeup show, and personal color diagnosis), and youth artist busking (samulnori, singer-songwriter, balloon art, magic bubble show). From September 10 to 12, the Eunpyeong Youth Film Festival will be held at Lotte Cinema Eunpyeong branch.

Seodaemun-gu will host the ‘Sinchon Global University Culture Festival’ from September 14 to 17 around Yonsei-ro, Star Plaza, Myeongmul Street, and Changcheon Culture Park in the Sinchon area. The festival will involve domestic university students, international students, embassy officials from various countries, and visitors from home and abroad.