Seoul Winter Music Festival Opens on January 19, Expands into a Comprehensive Cultural Event

The Seoul Winter Music Festival 2026 (SWMF), which will bring the warm atmosphere of winter to Seoul through classical music performances, will open on January 19.

Now in its second year and hosted by Seoul Music Management, this year’s SWMF is themed "Warm Air" and will be held at major venues in Seoul, including the Seoul Arts Center and Jeongdong 1928 Art Center, through January 31.

"Warm Air" refers to a flute playing technique that uses warm breath blown at low pressure and slow speed to achieve a rich resonance and precise pitch. SWMF expands this concept as a musical symbol, aiming to offer audiences an experience that brings warmth to their senses and daily lives during the cold winter through music.

At its inaugural edition last year, SWMF drew attention for its rare focus on world-class woodwind musicians. This year, for the first time among domestic classical music festivals, a creative director has been appointed, and the festival will be expanded into a comprehensive cultural event encompassing performances, exhibitions, interactive experiences, and educational programs at some of Seoul’s most iconic cultural spaces, including the Seoul Arts Center, Jeongdong 1928 Art Center (a historical complex cultural space and Seoul’s Treasure No. 20 with a 100-year history), and Duksung Women’s University Jongno Campus. Kim Myunghee, CEO of Social Classic Cooldiga, will serve as creative director.

Major performances include the opening concert "Mozart’s 270th Birthday Celebration Concert" on January 27 at Jeongdong 1928 Art Center, the "Warm Air" concert on January 30 at the IBK Chamber Hall of the Seoul Arts Center, and the closing concert and competition final on January 31. World-renowned flutist Patrick Gallois, along with Henrik Wiese, Philippe Berrod, Vitor Fernandes, Philippe Younte, Chae Jaeil, Park Jieun, and other internationally active musicians and leading Korean artists, will participate. The festival will focus on woodwind instruments such as flute, clarinet, and oboe, showcasing the deep appeal of classical music harmonized with the winter atmosphere.

In addition, from January 19 to 31, the "Warm Air Experience," an interactive space where audiences can experience classical music in daily life, will be operated at the first-floor gallery of Jeongdong 1928 Art Center.

At the Warm Air Experience, visitors can stay, listen, write, draw, and knit while immersing themselves in music, enjoying rest and recovery through engagement. In addition to ongoing exhibitions, daily performance programs will be held during the festival. The entire first-floor gallery space will be transformed into a "digital detox" environment, featuring live performance music from SWMF, the scent of "Warm Air," and the Cooldiga Library for focused reading. Audiences can experience the warmth (Warm Air) of the space in their own way, whether through listening to classical music, reading, copying texts, drawing, or knitting. The exhibition space will also feature original works and books by artist Lee Janghee, who has documented the passage of time in Seoul; "Paper Muse" works by paper artist Gu Seul; "Warm Air" scents created by fragrance artist Han Seohyeong; and a collection of poems by poet Na Taejoo. From Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., anyone can visit for free (advance reservation required) and enjoy a "one-hour vacation" in a space filled with music, fragrance, books, and exhibitions. Individual supporters of SWMF (Warmer, for donations of 20,000 won or more) will receive one curated book from the Cooldiga Bookstore and a Warm Air Soup Set (cashew nut soup, bread, and lemon tea or coffee, prepared by the Vital Vibe chef) once per person. Talk concerts will also be held, featuring flutist Park Jieun (January 20), bestselling author Ogrim (January 22), fragrance artist Han Seohyeong (January 23), and Park Jongwook, producer of "One-Minute Classic" (January 24).

The SWMF Academy and International Competition for next-generation musicians will also be held. As SWMF aims to be an audience-participatory festival, the opening and closing performances on January 27 and 31 at Jeongdong 1928 Art Center will be held as photo days with artists, accompanied by refreshments and catering. Audience members celebrating their birthdays in January will receive a birthday cake (one cake voucher per person) and a special birthday performance by the artists before the concert.

Detailed schedules and performance information for SWMF can be found on the official website and social media channels.