34 historic and cultural sites to open after dark Oct. 30–31 around Deoksugung Palace and Jeongdong

A nighttime view of Jeongdong following lighting improvements for the festival. [Jung-gu Office]
A nighttime view of Jeongdong following lighting improvements for the festival. [Jung-gu Office]

The red-brick facades of Baejae Hakdang and Jeongdong First Church, Jungmyeongjeon Hall where the fate of the Korean Empire was sealed, and the old legation buildings tucked between narrow alleyways — Jeongdong in Seoul's Jung-gu, a neighborhood layered with traces of modern history, will take on a new glow on the last nights of October.

Jung-gu announced Sunday that it will hold the 2026 Jeongdong Yahaeng festival around Deoksugung Palace and the Jeongdong area on Oct. 30 and 31. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

This year's theme is "Jeongdong, Dressed in New Light." The festival, previously held in spring, moves to autumn starting this year so visitors can stroll Jeongdong-gil at a leisurely pace and more fully savor the area's modern cultural heritage amid the cool evening air.

Jung-gu District Mayor Kim Gil-sung met with reporters Thursday on the Jeongdong street where the festival will be held and said the theme this year is light. "We want Jeongdong to shine not just during the festival but throughout all four seasons," he said.

The district has organized this year's Jeongdong Yahaeng around seven thematic pillars: night blooms (nighttime openings and performances), night paths (guided commentary tours), night history (historical experiences), night tales (street performances), night views (nighttime scenery), night bites (food offerings) and night market (an arts bazaar).

The festival opens on the first evening at 6:30 p.m. Friday in front of Junghwajeon Hall inside Deoksugung Palace. The four-member pop-opera group Poet will kick off the program with a set titled "Jeongdong, Opening the Light," followed by conductor Baek Yun-hak — known for his dynamic stage presence — and the Eum Orchestra, who will pair classical music with an energetic conducting performance.

A highlight of Jeongdong Yahaeng is that 34 historic and cultural sites — including art galleries, museums and religious institutions — open their doors after dark to welcome visitors. Those curious about the deeper stories of Jeongdong can join "Let's All Walk Around Jeongdong," a guided walk with cultural interpreters through key historic sites that traces the neighborhood's modern history in diplomacy, religion and education.

The festival also offers hands-on activities that go beyond sightseeing. Visitors can sketch the Jeongdong nightscape, assemble an acrylic mood lamp, or craft a small keepsake made from spent coffee grounds — inspired by the coffee that Emperor Gojong was known to enjoy.

Jung-gu has partnered with a local commercial district development organization to present food offerings featuring area businesses. Twenty restaurants in the Jeongdong area will take part in a discount event during the festival.

"Jeongdong is a museum in itself — every street holds a story from Korea's modern history," District Mayor Kim said. "We have prepared plenty to see, eat and enjoy, drawing fully on the charm of Jeongdong at night. We hope visitors will come, stroll through the autumn evening and make lasting memories."


ikson@heraldcorp.com