Experience the "Origin of Local Culture" in Yangpyeong... Korea Local Culture Expo to Run for Three Days

A Showcase of Content from 232 Local Cultural Centers
Rich Program of Performances, Exhibitions, and Hands-on Activities on Yanggang Island

An event where you can see the current state of local culture, preserved and inherited by 232 local cultural centers nationwide, will be held in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

The '2026 Korea Local Culture Expo in Yangpyeong' will take place over three days from October 9 to 11 at Yanggang Island in Yangpyeong-gun.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and organized by the Federation of Korean Cultural Centers and the Yangpyeong Cultural Center, with the support of Yangpyeong-gun, this event aims to promote distinctive local cultures from across the country and share the value of cultural diversity.

The event will allow visitors to experience local culture firsthand through various content such as performances, exhibitions, hands-on activities, food, and flea markets. In particular, making use of Yanggang Island's natural scenery along the Namhan River, the venue will be arranged as an 'autumn cultural picnic', allowing the audience to relax on mats and enjoy the event.

On the 9th, the opening day of the expo, the first part of the 'Yangpyeong Local Culture People' stage, featuring local artists, will be held. In the evening, the opening ceremony will take place on Yanggang Island's special stage.

The Yanggang Chuita Band and the Yangpyeong Traditional Performance Troupe, both affiliated with the Yangpyeong Cultural Center, will perform on stage, joined by Korean dancer Won Mija, vocalist Lim Cheonghwa, and both the men's and women's choirs from the Yangpyeong Cultural Center. Following a variety of cultural and artistic programs, including a calligraphy guardian performance, the opening ceremony will conclude with fireworks.

On October 10, the second part of 'Yangpyeong Local Culture People' will take place, along with a special performance by Lee Nagyeong of the National Changgeuk Company. In the evening, the '6th Yanggang Island Arts Festival', in collaboration with the Yangpyeong Cultural Foundation, will be held under the theme 'Singing Your Time.'

The festival lineup includes Kim Changwan Band, Kim Hyunjung, Jo Jjaezeu, Hong Jimin, and local Yangpyeong artists, who will present a variety of performances.

On the final day, October 11, the 'Silver Culture Festival Performance' will be held, featuring 10 teams selected from across the country. The achievements of cultural activities by seniors nationwide will be shared on stage, followed by a closing ceremony and awards presentation to mark the end of the three-day official schedule.

The three-day schedule features different major programs each day—including the opening performance, stages by local artists, special performances, local festivals, and the Silver Culture Festival.

During the expo, a range of stage performances will be presented, including the musical 'Pechika', expanding the diversity of performance content.

There will also be exhibitions and hands-on programs introducing various aspects of local culture. Booths from cultural centers nationwide will showcase local specialties, and a special exhibition hall will share stories of the Federation of Korean Cultural Centers and the Yangpyeong Cultural Center.

In the outdoor area, the 'Yangpyeong Atelier' exhibition will be held, as well as the 'Yangpyeong Business and Experience Hall', introducing local companies and cultural assets to visitors. The 'Yangpyeong Flea Market', held in cooperation with the Munho-ri River Market, will add to the attractions and activities on offer.

At the 'Paldo Makgeolli Competition', visitors can sample Makgeolli from across the country and participate in on-site voting. The 'Silver Culture Festival Experience' will also showcase the achievements of seniors' cultural activities in various formats.

The Korea Local Culture Expo was first held as a pilot event in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province in 2022, then hosted in Donghae, Gangwon Province; Dong-gu, Busan; Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do; and other locations. This year, Yangpyeong was selected as the host, marking the first time the event is taking place at the county level.

All programs of the expo can be enjoyed by anyone free of charge. During the event, a shuttle bus will run between Yangpyeong Station and Mulan Gae Park to make it more convenient for visitors to get to the venue.

Kim Daejin, President of the Federation of Korean Cultural Centers, stated, "Local culture is not a fringe culture, but the origin of Korean culture. We will showcase the source that 232 local cultural centers have preserved, all in one place in Yangpyeong."

Choi Youngsik, Director of the Yangpyeong Cultural Center, commented, "It is very meaningful for the Yangpyeong Cultural Center, celebrating its 40th anniversary, to welcome families from cultural centers nationwide and all visitors. I hope this expo becomes an opportunity to showcase the history of the Namhan River, the unique cultural assets of Yangpyeong, and a vision of Yangpyeong's future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.