Goyang City: "Year-Round Festivals and Expos"... Advancing as a Global Hub for Culture and Industry

Goyang to Host Year-Round Festivals and Expos in 2026
Full Lineup Revealed: From Flower Expo to Drone Expo
Groundbreaking for IP Cluster and Major Infrastructure Upgrades
Strengthening the City Brand with Drone and Urban Air Mobility Expo

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is set to transform the entire city into a grand festival venue and a hub for future industries as it welcomes the new year of 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse (Byeong-o-nyeon).

According to Goyang Special City on January 2, the city has planned a variety of unique events for this year, including the Goyang International Flower Expo, which drives the growth of the floriculture industry, and various festivals held at the historic Haengju Fortress. In addition, the city is drawing attention with news of groundbreaking ceremonies and reopenings for major infrastructure facilities, signaling significant changes to the urban landscape.

2025 Goyang International Flower Expo. Provided by Goyang Special City

Enhancing the City Brand with Themed Festivals: Flowers, History, Nightscapes, and Art

Goyang’s 2026 will begin with a vibrant celebration of flowers. In April, Ilsan Lake Park will host the 'Goyang International Flower Expo,' a signature event for South Korea, under the theme 'Flowers, Coloring Time.' This year’s expo is expected to further solidify the city’s status as a global floriculture hub through the K-Flower Garden and large-scale themed gardens.

In October, the 'Goyang Autumn Flower Festival' will feature outdoor gardens and floral exhibitions tailored to the season, offering visitors another way to enjoy the beauty of autumn.

At Gangmae Seokgyo Park in Deogyang-gu, flower fields will be created with different blooms in spring and autumn. Covering approximately 27,000 square meters, the park will be filled with canola flowers in May and cosmos flowers in October, providing visitors with a place to relax and recharge. In addition, local specialty product sales and food markets will be held to help boost the regional economy.

Meanwhile, at the historic Haengju Fortress, the 'Goyang Haengju Cultural Festival' will take place in May to commemorate the spirit of victory from the Battle of Haengju. The festival will feature unique content such as a reenactment of the Haengju Battle stone-throwing event, various citizen participation programs, and a drone fireworks show.

In October, the 'Haengju is Art' event will be held in the Haengju Fortress area, which is also renowned for its nightscapes. The event will present seven different night tourism programs that combine history, art, and citizen engagement.

Additionally, the 'Goyang Lake Art Festival,' held in September at Ilsan Lake Park, will continue its reputation as Korea’s leading street art festival. The festival will offer themed performances that blend popularity and artistry, along with a wide array of attractions and entertainment for visitors.

2025 Goyang Haengju Cultural Festival Fireworks. Provided by Goyang Special City

Food, Lifestyle, and Future Industries Take Center Stage in Goyang... Makgeolli, Furniture, and Drone Expos to Be Held

The city is also looking forward to distinctive events. In October, the 'National Makgeolli Festival' will be held at Ilsan Culture Square. As the city of Gawaji Rice, Goyang will promote the value of local breweries and support the expansion of the traditional liquor industry into K-Food.

In June, the 'Goyang Furniture Expo,' the leading furniture and living exhibition in the Seoul metropolitan area, will be held at KINTEX. The event will showcase domestic and international brand furniture, home appliances, and interior and lifestyle goods, all available for purchase at reasonable prices on site.

In November, KINTEX will host the third annual 'Drone and Urban Air Mobility Expo.' This event will bring together domestic and international companies to share the latest technologies and policy trends in drones and urban air mobility (UAM), featuring technology presentations, industry seminars, and experience zones for citizens.

In August, the Goyang Flower Exhibition Hall will host events such as 'Goyang Destination Week' and 'Content Universe Korea,' which will focus on the development of strategic industries such as MICE, AI, and content industries that are tailored to the region.

Bird's-eye view of the IP Convergence Content Cluster. Provided by Goyang Special City

Evolving Urban Infrastructure... Content Cluster and Community Centers, Transformation of Libraries and Botanical Gardens Anticipated

In the first half of this year, construction will begin on the 'IP Convergence Content Cluster.' Since being selected in 2021 as the nation’s only city to establish such a cluster through a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism competition, the city has been steadily advancing administrative procedures. The cluster, which will be located in the Daehwa-dong area, will be a four-story complex with a total floor area of 5,192 square meters, serving as a hub for the entire content supply chain-from securing IP to distribution and commercialization.

In March, a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the Wondang Complex Community Center. The center will be built on a 6,381-square-meter site donated through the Wondang District 4 housing redevelopment project and will include one basement floor and four above-ground floors. The center will also house the relocated Wondang Library and a family center.

Meanwhile, in February, the Daehwa Library will reopen after completing renovations. As part of a green remodeling project, the library underwent upgrades beginning in July of last year, including the replacement of windows and exterior finishes and the installation of additional heating and cooling systems to improve the building’s energy performance. The improvements are expected to provide a more comfortable environment for local residents.

A representative of Goyang Special City stated, "2026 will be a year in which Goyang maximizes its value by integrating its rich cultural assets and future industrial capabilities," adding, "We will create a city where citizens feel a sense of pride, energized by year-round vibrancy."