National heritage sites and cultural facilities open for nighttime visits across Seongbuk-dong on Friday and Saturday
Performances, guided tours, exhibitions and hands-on experiences explore the neighborhood's history under the theme 'There Is a Home in Seongbuk-dong'
The "2026 Seongbuk-dong National Heritage Night," hosted by Seongbuk-gu in Seoul and organized by the Seongbuk Cultural Center, will run for two days across Seongbuk-dong on Friday and Saturday.
Seongbuk-dong is a historic and cultural district dotted with national heritage sites and cultural facilities spanning the Joseon era through the modern period. Launched in 2017, the Seongbuk-dong National Heritage Night is the district's signature nighttime cultural event, inviting visitors to explore heritage sites after dark while enjoying performances, exhibitions, guided commentary and hands-on activities.
This year's theme is "There Is a Home in Seongbuk-dong." The Korean word "ga" woven into the theme carries multiple meanings — home, street and beauty — connecting the spaces of Seongbuk-dong with the people who once lived there and the art they left behind. The program is designed so visitors can stroll through the neighborhood and encounter the history and culture embedded in each location.
The event unfolds across Seongbuk-dong at a range of national heritage sites and cultural venues. Participating sites include the Hanyangdoseong city wall, Simujang — the former residence of Buddhist independence activist Han Yong-un — the former home of art critic Choe Sun-u, Seonjamdan altar, the former main building of the Korean Martyrs Beatification Congregation, and the Yi Jong-seok Villa. Cultural facilities joining the event include the Seongbuk Seonjam Museum, the Seongbuk Modern and Contemporary Literature Museum, the Woori Old Stone Museum and Yehyangjae. The signature program, "A Night Walk Through Memory," invites visitors to explore Seongbuk-dong's nighttime streets alongside cultural tourism guides who share the stories behind each site.
Performances and activities will fill Seongbuk-dong's autumn evenings. Stages will feature local residents, university groups and arts organizations, alongside a performance by a holder of a national intangible heritage designation and a classical concert titled "A Home Where Melodies Linger" by conductor Adriel Kim. A market and art fair featuring local artists and creators, as well as a variety of hands-on programs, will also be on offer.
The opening ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the main stage. Most programs are open for free-roaming attendance, though advance reservations are required for select hands-on activities, performances and guided tours. Full schedules and registration details are available on the official website for the 2026 Seongbuk-dong National Heritage Night.
Seongbuk-gu District Mayor Lee Seung-ro said he hopes the event will give residents and visitors a chance to share in "Seongbuk-dong's long memories and living art on an autumn night together," adding that the district will work hand in hand with local residents to raise awareness of the neighborhood's cultural heritage and build a festival that brings new energy to the community.
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