Held June 20–21 at Choan Mountain Hydrangea Garden and Yeomgwang High School's outdoor amphitheater, the festival features performances by singers Jang Sa-ik and Tei, hydrangea photo zones, food stalls and flower sales
Seoul's Nowon-gu, led by District Mayor Oh Seung-rok, will host the 2026 Choan Mountain Hydrangea Festival at Choan Mountain Hydrangea Garden and the outdoor amphitheater of Yeomgwang High School.
The district established Choan Mountain Hydrangea Garden in 2023 after restoring a stretch of woodland damaged by illegal dumping and unauthorized farming. The garden holds about 11,000 plants across 20 varieties — including Annabelle, Endless Summer and star hydrangeas — which bloom in succession to create a rich floral landscape. A waterfall and ecological pond complement the natural setting, and nighttime lighting extends the experience: visitors can enjoy bright, colorful blooms by day and a scenic night view after dark.
The festival runs June 20–21, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, as the garden reaches peak bloom. Visitors can look forward to live performances, food stalls and photo zones, making it the district's signature early-summer flower festival.
Six photo zones are set up throughout the festival grounds, including a hydrangea arch walkway, an elephant family topiary zone and a hydrangea waterfall display. A horticultural hydrangea photo zone will also be open from June 13 through June 28 — before and after the main festival dates — adding even more to see.
A wide variety of food will be on offer. Food booths and food trucks will sell samgyeopsal barbecue, tteokbokki and desserts. A flower sales booth will carry hydrangeas and more than 30 other varieties of seedlings and potted plants.
The festival's highlight is its lineup of cultural performances. On the first day, June 20, singer Jang Sa-ik will take the stage with a 30-piece Western symphony orchestra. On the second day, June 21, singer Tei will perform his signature hits to keep the energy going. Busking acts and pop-jazz performances are also planned to heighten the early-summer night atmosphere.
To help visitors beat the heat, the district will install shade canopies at the Hydrangea Garden picnic area and the outdoor amphitheater lawn, and will run cooling fans and misting systems along the walkways. A thousand sun visors will be distributed to visitors, and pest control will be carried out in advance to ensure a comfortable experience.
The district will also coordinate with police and the fire department, and will station an ambulance and safety personnel on-site. Sinchang Middle School's athletic field will serve as a temporary parking lot, and visitor guidance signage will be updated throughout the area.
Through seasonal flagship events — including the spring azalea festival on Bulam Mountain, the early-summer Choan Mountain Hydrangea Festival and the autumn Nowon Moonlight Walk — the district is strengthening its brand as a city where nature and culture come together.
"The Choan Mountain Hydrangea Garden represents the flowers of Nowon's summer," said Nowon-gu District Mayor Oh Seung-rok. "I hope everyone comes to this beautiful space in full bloom and creates a special early-summer memory."
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