Festivals run Saturday and Sunday at Seokchon Market, Pungnap Market and Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street, each with its own flavor — craft beer, night market and a world-trip theme
Songpa-gu in Seoul will host food and culture festivals at three local commercial districts — Seokchon Market, Pungnap Market and Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street — Saturday and Sunday, aiming to inject new energy into neighborhood businesses this autumn.
The festivals were organized and will be run directly by local merchants' associations, with food, performances and hands-on programs tailored to each district's character, in hopes of drawing more residents to neighborhood shops.
Seokchon Market will hold a craft beer festival over both days, showcasing 11 varieties of craft beer alongside food from market vendors. The stage lineup includes youth busking acts — a jazz band and singer-songwriters — as well as performances by local clubs and a residents' singing contest.
A children's zone tied to the city's Seoul-type kids' cafe project will offer an air zip line, track bounce and trampoline, along with face painting and a mock shopping experience. Visitors can also take part in a roulette event and receive discount coupons for venue tours to encourage spending within the market.
Pungnap Market will hold its fourth night market of the year on Saturday, buoyed by strong resident turnout at previous editions. Market vendors will run their own food stalls, and the program includes DJ sets and trot music performances, as well as instant photo booths, bubble play and traditional games for families.
Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street will host the second Munjeong-dong Rodeo World Trip Festival on the same day, held in conjunction with Munjeong 1-dong Community Day. Cultural activities will include pétanque — the traditional French lawn-bowling sport — Polaroid photography, caricature drawing and French-themed sticker tattoos.
Eight food trucks, oak barrel dispensers and outdoor standing tables will create an open-air dining area, with trot music and musical performances rounding out the program.
Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said he hoped the festivals would give residents a chance to enjoy diverse food culture in their own neighborhood and provide local merchants with a boost. "We will continue working to help residents and business owners together bring vitality to the local economy," he said.
Festival hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Seokchon Market, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Pungnap Market, and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street.
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