Tied to King Jeongjo's royal procession on Oct. 4 (Sunday) — traditional performances, folk games, food market and more at Nodeulnaru Park … 'Yongyangbongjeojeong Heritage Tour' also on offer … two sessions of expert cultural commentary on the history of King Jeongjo's royal procession
Dongjak-gu will host the "Dongjak Traditional Culture Festival" at Nodeulnaru Park on Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event is tied to the urban procession of King Jeongjo's royal parade and will be held at Nodeulnaru Park, the procession's arrival point, giving residents a chance to experience a wide range of traditional culture in the heart of the city.
A variety of hands-on activities and traditional games will be on hand for the whole family.
Craft booths will offer traditional mask soap-making, mother-of-pearl mood lamp assembly, dancheong-pattern keyring making and spinning-top making, while folk game areas will feature archery, jegi-chagi (Korean hacky sack), giant yutnori and tuho (arrow-toss), promising nostalgia for adults and fun for children.
The main stage will also host a lineup of performances to delight the eyes and ears.
Highlights include Bukcheongsajannoli — a lion dance to ward off misfortune and lift spirits — a fusion gugak band that reinterprets traditional melodies in a contemporary style, and a traditional martial arts demonstration showcasing the spirit of the Korean people.
Alongside this, a heritage tour tied to Yongyangbongjeojeong — a historic site connected to the story of King Jeongjo's procession — will also be available.
The tour will run twice, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with a professional cultural tourism guide. Each session accommodates 50 participants through advance registration.
Residents wishing to participate can apply through the Dongjak-gu Office website (integrated reservation system) or by scanning the QR code on the event poster.
A standing history commentary program at Yongyangbongjeojeong also runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy in-depth historical commentary on weekdays outside the festival.
A special segment called "Ask the Dongjak Magistrate" (12:40–1 p.m.) will also be featured, with Dongjak-gu District Mayor Ryu Sam-young appearing in the costume of a Joseon-era "hyeongam" (county magistrate) to interact directly with residents.
The segment is a special edition of the district mayor's regular "on-site open office" program — held every Monday and Wednesday — in which he goes out into the community to meet residents. The magistrate costume adds a playful twist and a warmer, more approachable atmosphere to the exchange.
A traditional food market will also operate throughout the day to satisfy visitors' every sense. Those with further questions may contact the Dongjak-gu Office's Culture Policy Division.
"This event was prepared with deep reflection on the rich historical significance of Yongyangbongjeojeong and King Jeongjo's royal procession — both precious historical assets of our district," District Mayor Ryu said. "I hope everyone who visits will enjoy the diverse traditional experiences, performances and food, and take home cherished memories of a beautiful autumn day."
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