Songpa-gu, Unique Neighborhood Festivals Continue to Celebrate Autumn

Munjeong 2-dong, Garak Bon-dong, Jamsil 7-dong, Seokchon-dong, Jamsil 3-dong, Bangi 1-dong, Jamsil 6-dong and more: From festivals reflecting local history and tradition to sports events inheriting the spirit of the 88 Olympics, 'Diverse'

Jamsil 6-dong Cheerful Sports Day

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) has prepared a venue to introduce the unique culture of the area while holding distinctive festivals and events in each neighborhood to bring residents together and enjoy the autumn season.

First, Munjeong 2-dong will hold the ‘3rd Munjeong Culture Valley Moonlight Busking & Green Moon Market’ for two days starting from the 12th at the sunken plaza in front of Exit 3 of Munjeong Station. This year, the event is planned to be richer and more diverse by hosting the ‘Songpa Eum Market’ with social economy enterprises and the ‘Green Moon Market,’ a flea market for resource recycling, together.

On the same day, the ‘6th Garakgol Songdeokbi Festival’ will be held at Biseokgeori Park in Garakbon-dong. It holds special significance as it embodies the history and tradition of the area. There are a total of 11 Songdeokbi (merit commemorative stones) in Biseokgeori Park, which were gathered from various places around Songpa-gu and placed here when the park was established in 1988. To honor this, the festival was voluntarily planned by local residents and will showcase various attractions from 3 PM to 8 PM on the 12th.

Buryeom Village, the old name of Jamsil 7-dong, has a custom where residents have regarded mulberry trees as the village guardian deity and held a ritual (Dongje) on the 1st day of the 10th lunar month every year to promote harmony. To commemorate this, the ‘2023 Buryeom Village Autumn Concert’ will be held from 3 PM on the 12th at the Asia Park Amphitheater. The event will feature performances by the Ajoo Elementary School orchestra and invited singers, creating a space for communication and harmony among residents of various age groups.

In Seokchon-dong, known as ‘Dolmari,’ the ‘10th Seokchon-dong Residents’ Day Festival’ will take place from 2 PM on the 13th around the Seoul Seokchon-dong Ancient Tombs. The first part of the festival, ‘Seokchon-dong Superstar,’ is a stage where residents participate and showcase their talents freely. Following the Residents’ Day ceremony in the second part, the third part will be an ‘Autumn Concert’ featuring various genres of music to soothe the hearts of local residents on an autumn evening.

A music-themed festival is also not to be missed. The ‘Jamsil 3-dong Autumn Concert with Residents,’ which captures the seasonal atmosphere, will be held starting at 4:30 PM on the 13th at the former Songpa YMCA indoor gymnasium. The program begins with a classical vocal performance by ‘Mura Foreman’ and continues with diverse stages suitable for the autumn mood, including fusion gugak (traditional Korean music), folk songs, and yodeling.

Bang-i 1-dong stands out by making the region’s specialty products the theme of its festival. The ‘Bangitgol Bottle Gourd Festival’ is a representative local festival with deep history and tradition. It started in 2003 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Every autumn, the festival’s tradition is upheld through the enthusiastic participation of local residents who gather with love and care under the hanging bottle gourds.

Bangitgol Bottle Gourd Festival

In Songpa, a city of sports born from the 1988 Seoul Olympics, sports festivals are also essential. The ‘3rd Jamsil 6-dong Cheerful Sports Day’ will be held from 2 PM on the 20th at the Jamsil 6-dong Sports Park. The event features childhood favorite sports such as cooperative ball bouncing, shoe archery, ttakji (Korean paper tile) flipping, and territory claiming games. It is expected to be a joyful and meaningful communication space where participants relieve stress through various physical activities and share warmth with neighbors.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “As autumn arrives, various neighborhoods are hosting rich and distinctive festivals. I hope many people participate and spend time communicating and harmonizing with fellow residents.”