A Global Festival Blending Drones, Racing, Culture, and Tourism
The mega drone festival, 'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival,' will be held for four days from October 9 to 12 at the Pocheon Hantan River Ecological Landscape Complex.
The mega drone festival, 'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival,' will be held for four days from October 9 to 12 at the Pocheon Hantan River Ecological Landscape Complex. Photo by Pocheon City
'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival' is one of the events of the 'K-Drone to World Festival,' organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It serves as the main stage of a month-long, tour-style national brand drone festival taking place in Busan, Jeonju, Pocheon, and Namwon.
The highlight of the festival, the 'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival,' will feature Korea’s largest drone light show, DFL (Drone Football League) World Drone Racing, the National Drone Soccer Tournament, drone conferences and exhibitions, and a variety of other programs. In addition, there will be a World Food Culture Festival, Hantan River Camping Festa, and K-Music performances, offering a true fusion festival that combines drones with culture and tourism.
The 'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival' is held under the slogan, "Drone, Y-NOT? Beyond Imagination!" Inspired by the Y-shaped suspension bridge, a symbol of Pocheon Hantan River, the slogan combines the challenging message of "Why not?" The question "Why not?" conveys the idea that drones can overcome existing limits and make anything possible, while "Beyond Imagination" symbolizes the endless possibilities created through the convergence of technology, tourism, and leisure.
The Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival will offer a wide range of experiences, including the World Drone Light Show, DFL World Drone Racing, drone soccer, drone conferences and exhibitions, as well as the World Food Culture Festival, Camping Festa, and music performances, providing visitors with a variety of entertainment and unique experiences.
The highlight of the World Drone Festival is the 'World Drone Light Show.' A total of seven companies-five from overseas and two from Korea-will participate, presenting eight performances. The show will attempt to set a new domestic record with up to 6,000 swarm drones.
On the opening day, October 9, a collaboration stage will feature beatbox artists Beatpella House (Yellai, Wing, Hellcat, Huckle, Heath) and Korea’s largest swarm drone show, aiming to maximize the audience’s excitement.
The second day will feature a stage combining EDM and drone shows, while on the third day, the band Leenalchi and Korea’s largest swarm drone collaboration performance will present a new expression of Korean beauty that is gaining global attention.
This year’s World Drone Light Show was launched in earnest after Pocheon City was selected in March for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s '2025 Drone Demonstration City Project' in the drone leisure sports category. The Drone Demonstration City Project is a flagship policy of the Ministry to foster the drone industry ecosystem and implement citizen-oriented services by discovering and validating drone service models tailored to local characteristics and needs.
Accordingly, this drone light show has been planned as a "demonstrative festival model" that goes beyond a simple performance. Bold and innovative attempts have been prepared, such as the largest-scale light show in Korea with up to 6,000 drones and a dual performance format that launches drones simultaneously in two separate zones.
This experimental production is expected to both verify new possibilities in drone technology and provide citizens and tourists with an immersive experience at a world-class level.
In the Pocheon Hantan River Gorge, Korea’s first DFL World Drone Racing Championship will be held against the backdrop of a natural gorge. Domestically developed 1-meter-class drones will be used, and more than 20 professional athletes from 10 countries will participate. The explosive speed and precise control of these mega drones racing through the Hantan River Gorge will offer spectators a thrilling experience. Visitors can vividly experience drone racing across the gorge from the Y-shaped and Sky Suspension Bridges.
Additionally, a national drone soccer tournament will take place. About 400 participants, including semi-professional, university, defense league, general, and youth teams, will compete. An official drone soccer field will be set up at the venue, along with a sound system and professional commentators to enhance the on-site immersion for the audience.
Visitors can expect to experience a new kind of excitement and thrill, different from traditional soccer.
During the festival, a drone conference will be held over three days, exploring the present and future of the drone industry. On October 9, experts and industry professionals will gather to discuss "Plans to Revitalize Pocheon’s Drone Tourism and Leisure Sports Industry"; on October 10, "Development Strategies for the Northern Gyeonggi Drone Industry"; and on October 11, "Promoting the AI-Based Drone and Anti-Drone Industry," sharing the latest technology trends and industry development strategies.
A drone exhibition featuring various companies and organizations will also be held, allowing visitors to experience drones, equipment, and content incorporating cutting-edge technology. This will enable not only industry professionals but also citizens to see firsthand how drones are being applied across daily life and industry, and to witness the present and future of the drone industry.
To ensure even beginners can easily enjoy drones, a permanent hands-on program will be operated. Activities such as drone fishing, drone basketball, drone piloting experiences, and drone simulators will be available in a game-like setup, making drones accessible to everyone. There will also be participatory events such as drone photo shoots with the Y-shaped suspension bridge as a backdrop and face painting, enhancing visitor enjoyment. In particular, participants who complete the hands-on experiences will receive on-site certification (such as a hands-on drone certificate), providing a sense of achievement and special memories.
In addition to the drone programs, a variety of side events will be held. The World Food Culture Festival will offer a special culinary experience, allowing visitors and families to taste diverse foods from around the world.
There will also be a "Camping Festa" in collaboration with outdoor brand Kovea, creating a unique healing space where visitors can enjoy the autumn atmosphere and the drone festival. Visitors can enjoy camping and drone performances at the same time, making unforgettable memories.
During the day, a variety of performances by La Percussion, Jinjo Crew, Alive Show, Pocheon Citizen Orchestra, and the Tightrope Preservation Society will provide entertainment for visitors, while K-Music performances in the evening will further enhance the festival atmosphere. On the opening day, October 9, Lee Mujin, Jin Haesung, and Dynamic Duo will perform; on October 10, Kim Dahyun, Giriboy, and Hyolyn; on October 11, Soyou, Jang Minho, and Guckkasten; and on October 12, Lee Byungchan, Ulala Session, and Song Gain will take the stage, presenting a diverse lineup that spans generations and genres.
At the festival site, another signature event of the Hantan River, the 'Pocheon Hantan River Garden Festa,' will also be held.
The Hantan River Garden Festa will showcase autumn flowers such as lilies, gaura, and globe amaranth in full bloom across a vast 260,000-square-meter lava plain, offering visitors to the drone festival another source of inspiration. There will be community gardens designed by local garden artists, exotic tropical gardens, large animal topiaries, and more. Nighttime media content, including a giant media facade using columnar joints, LED lights on the Y-shaped suspension bridge, and aurora performances on the pond and lawn plaza, will create a fantastic autumn night in harmony with the drone festival.
Baek Younghyeon, Mayor of Pocheon, said, "This festival, where you can enjoy both the World Drone Festival and the Garden Festa, is a convergence festival that combines Pocheon's nature, technology, and culture, providing a special experience for both citizens and tourists. We will do our best to establish Pocheon as a global drone city and the top autumn tourist destination."
Meanwhile, admission to the 'Pocheon Hantan River World Drone Festival' is available with a Garden Festa ticket. The Garden Festa admission fee is 6,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for teenagers and children. Fifty percent of the admission fee is refunded as a local gift certificate, and Pocheon citizens can enter for free.
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