Gangbuk-gu in Seoul will host a summer night festival called "Gaori Starlight Lounge" at the Gangbuk Arts and Culture Center plaza on Aug. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. to boost the Gaori alley shopping district, district mayor Jeong Chang-su announced.
The Gaori alley shopping district is a commercial area along Samgaksan-ro stretching from Gaori Station toward the National Rehabilitation Center. The district organized the event to raise awareness of the Gaori shopping district among residents and to support local merchants by boosting sales and strengthening the district's competitiveness.
The festival grounds will feature the "Gaori Starlight Night Market," with restaurants from the Gaori shopping district setting up stalls to cook and sell a variety of dishes and snacks showcasing each establishment's specialty. Adults who spend above a set amount at the food booths will receive a free draft beer after age verification.
A "Starlight Busking" stage will add to the summer night atmosphere. A DJ booth will play music suited to the outdoor dining setting, while a lounge area with soft lighting will give residents a place to relax. A "Starlight Playground" offering games and hands-on activities for children will also be set up, making the event welcoming for families.
A "Starlight Payback" cashback promotion will run alongside the festival to encourage spending at local businesses. From Aug. 1 through Aug. 29, shoppers who make purchases at stores in the Gaori alley shopping district or at the festival's food booths can verify their receipts on-site to receive a 50 percent refund in digital Onnuri gift vouchers. The cashback is limited to one redemption per person, up to a maximum of 30,000 won ($21), and the benefit will close early once supplies run out. For further details, contact the commercial district revitalization team at Gangbuk-gu's local economy division.
"The Gaori Starlight Lounge is a local shopping district festival where residents can enjoy a relaxed summer evening alongside food prepared by the merchants themselves," district mayor Jeong said. "I hope many residents will discover the diverse charms of the Gaori shopping district and find reasons to come back."
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