The 2026 Book Forest festival runs Saturday at Officer Housing Complex 5 in Yongsan Park, featuring four themed zones — performance, hands-on activities, reading and exhibitions — with programs for all ages
Seoul's Yongsan-gu will host the 2026 Book Forest (Book For Rest) festival Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Officer Housing Complex 5 in Yongsan Park. The event is organized by the Yongsan-gu Facilities Management Corporation and the district's public libraries.
This year's festival is themed "Play and Rest with Books," aiming to expand the joy of reading through performances and hands-on activities while giving visitors a relaxed space to read outdoors in the park.
The venue is divided into four zones: a performance forest, an experience forest, a reading forest and an exhibition forest. The festival is designed as an open literary gathering where children, seniors and everyone in between can join programs suited to their interests, enjoy books and connect with neighbors.
The performance zone will feature resident-led nanta drumming, dance and choir performances, along with brass jazz, magic, bubble and balloon shows, and a picture-book family musical. The mix of music, storytelling and live entertainment is intended to give families a memorable outing.
Particularly for young readers, the festival will include a meet-and-greet with Kang Hyo-mi, author of the children's book "Ddongbokki Halmeom," as well as a reading quiz competition where children can test their knowledge of books they have read.
The experience and exhibition zones will be run jointly by local libraries and partner organizations. Programs range from book-themed crafts and AI and robot digital activities to children's rights and volunteer programs, catering to a wide range of ages. A picture-book exhibition and a display shelf presenting books through the theme of taste are also planned.
The reading zone will be set up as a comfortable outdoor reading space furnished with bean bag sofas and chairs. A book-sharing event and a Bookstart program will give residents a chance to connect through reading. Visitors can pick up a book and unwind between performances and activities, and food trucks will be on site to add to the festive atmosphere.
The festival is open to all on a walk-in basis on the day (the reading quiz competition excluded). For more information, visitors can check the official Yongsan-gu Book Forest blog or contact Yongsan Kkumnamu Library. Three Yongsan district public libraries — Kkumnamu, Cheongpa and Yongmaru — will be closed Saturday and Sunday to accommodate festival preparations and operations.
Yongsan-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae said he hopes the festival will help children discover the joy of reading and give adults a moment of rest amid their busy lives. "We will continue to broaden the culture of reading so that residents can easily access books and culture close to home, drawing on our libraries and diverse cultural resources," he said.
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