5 km and 10 km 'Mind Run,' youth vocal and band competition featured

3-on-3 basketball, women's dodgeball, creative dance finals also on program

All events free and open to public except Mind Run, which requires registration

A poster for the 2026 Seoul Youth Festival. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A poster for the 2026 Seoul Youth Festival. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold the 2026 Seoul Youth Festival at the Culture Madang area of Yeouido Park on Oct. 17, drawing an expected crowd of 10,000. Running from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event will feature a 5 km and 10 km run called the Mind Run, a youth vocal and band competition, finals in 3-on-3 basketball, women's dodgeball and creative dance, and 45 hands-on experience booths — bringing sports, music, culture and policy activities together in one venue.

Last year's edition was held at Seoul Children's Grand Park and drew more than 14,000 participants.

This year's festival is organized around the theme "Youth Energy ON, Filling Seoul with Our Colors," with challenge, encouragement, participation and recovery as its guiding keywords. Activities will be spread across four arenas — Baekho, Jujak, Cheongnyong and Hyeonmu — named after the four guardian spirits in the Seoul Metropolitan Government's mascot series "Haechi and Soul Friends," with each arena dedicated to running, music, sports and policy experiences, respectively.

The Baekho Arena will host the Mind Run under the theme "When I need strength of mind, I run." Participants will take on 5 km and 10 km courses to experience the meaning of challenge and completion. A companion "Mind Run Care Zone" will offer mental health screenings and consultations led by psychiatrists from the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, giving participants a chance to reflect on their mental well-being and learn healthy coping strategies.

The Jujak Arena will open with the festival's launch ceremony, followed by the finals of the Youth Music Festival — a vocal and band competition. Organized in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Music Center, the stage will feature 20 acts in total: 10 vocal acts and 10 bands, each presenting original music and performances. Top performers will be offered opportunities to produce a music track and take part in future performances.

The Cheongnyong Arena will see youth who advanced through regional qualifying rounds compete in sports and dance. Participants selected from four districts — southeast, northeast, southwest and northwest Seoul — will face off in the finals of 3-on-3 basketball, women's dodgeball and creative dance, with winning teams receiving the Seoul Mayor's Award.

The Hyeonmu Arena will serve as an interactive space where young visitors can explore Seoul city policies and other information relevant to youth. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, city-run youth facilities and related organizations will participate, introducing policies on youth, education and health through 45 promotional experience booths.

All programs at the 2026 Seoul Youth Festival are free and open to youth and the general public, with the exception of the Mind Run, which requires advance registration. Details on the event and how to register for individual programs are available on the Cheongnyeon Mongddang website.

Lee Hae-sun, director general of lifelong education at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said the festival is "a celebration where young people run, sing, compete and cheer each other on, sharing their energy together," adding that she hopes it will be "a time for youth to gain confidence in new challenges and grow together through sports, music, culture and hands-on experiences."


ikson@heraldcorp.com