'Car-Free Day: Our Alley Gil-cnic' runs Saturday afternoon through evening, with a picnic zone, live performances by Oabe and Vivace, hands-on activities, street food and a flea market
Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul will host "Car-Free Day: Our Alley Gil-cnic," transforming the Jeonnong Baebongsan restaurant alley into a pedestrian-only street from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
The event is part of a project to reclaim urban road space as a cultural venue where residents and visitors can enjoy and experience the area together, featuring a range of programs and live performances.
The defining feature of "Car-Free Day" is the conversion of an existing road — through traffic controls and safety management — into a walkable cultural space that residents can use freely.
In front of the main stage, artificial turf will be laid out and furnished with camping chairs, picnic mats and beanbag sofas to create a campsite-like atmosphere in the heart of the city. The picnic zone is designed for families, couples and friends to sit back and relax while soaking up the festival atmosphere in a natural, unhurried setting.
Alongside this, the festival offers a variety of hands-on programs for residents of all ages. Under the theme "The Joy of Experience," activities include a pedal-powered cotton candy machine, tarot readings, photo-booth portraits and custom keycap making.
The highlight of the festival is the live performance lineup. Girl band Oabe — which counts trot singer Joo Hyun-mi's daughter among its members — and mixed-voice pop-opera group Vivace, known for their emotionally resonant sound, will both take the stage. The two acts are set to give audiences a memorable experience.
The street will also be lined with food booths run by local vendors and a flea market offering both flavors and finds. The food booths open at 12:30 p.m., ahead of the main program. A bubble show, street magic performances and retro arcade games round out the lineup, giving visitors of all generations something to enjoy.
The festival is also seen as a key test of a broader initiative to shift urban road space toward pedestrian culture, with organizers hoping it will help build public consensus around designating more car-free streets.
"With cars off the road, this will be a festival where diverse culture and hands-on experiences come together to breathe new life into our local community," Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said. "I hope everyone comes out with family, neighbors and friends to make happy memories."
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