Gwanak Gang Gamchan Festival Marks 10th Anniversary, Opens Oct. 16... at Nakseongdae Park and Surrounding Area

Through October 18 under the theme “Tomorrow, Gang Gamchan: Opening the Future”
Featuring Seol Minseok’s talk show, a youth concert, an aerial fireworks performance, and more

Gwanak-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Junhee), announced on the 12th that it will hold the 2026 Gwanak Gang Gamchan Festival, its signature history and culture festival, from October 16 to 18 at Nakseongdae Park and around Nakseong Kkotdeul Garden.

Gwanak District Mayor Park Junhee and promotional staff pose for a commemorative photo after the “2026 Gwanak Gang Gamchan Festival pre-event” (Eodiseona Gang Gamchan) on the 6th. Provided by Gwanak District.

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the festival will be held under the theme “Tomorrow, Gang Gamchan: Opening the Future.” The theme connects the ideals that the young Gang Gamchan dreamed of a thousand years ago with the future visions of young people and citizens today. More than 208,000 people visited last year’s festival, which received a visitor satisfaction score of 85.4 and was rated “Very Excellent” in Seoul’s district-level brand festival assessment. According to a big data analysis report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the festival generated economic and social spillover effects for the region estimated at around 10 billion won.

This year, the district has expanded the festival grounds to include Nakseong Kkotdeul Garden, which was developed in March as a garden-style cultural and relaxation space. The garden will host an archive exhibition looking back on the festival’s 10-year history, a children’s art contest, the Inheon Arts Festival, and an archery experience at Gwanakjeong, among other events.

Permanent hands-on programs will run throughout the three days, including “Goryeo Market,” featuring 12 local restaurants and neighborhood bakeries; “A Tour of 21 Neighborhoods,” which transforms the existing parade into hands-on activities showcasing the distinctive character of each neighborhood; and “Byeolbyeol Playground,” which reimagines the Battle of Gwiju as eco-friendly play activities.

On October 16, the first day of the festival, events will begin with a memorial ritual for General Gang Gamchan at Anguksa Temple and the Inheon Calligraphy Contest. The “Chungnam Youth Art Festa” will follow at 3 p.m., and the “Youth Dream Concert,” featuring hip-hop duo Dynamic Duo and rapper SINCE, will take place at 7 p.m. The “Nakseongdae Night Star Gathering” will also be held in partnership with Seoul National University’s observatory, where visitors can observe the constellations in the legend of the general’s birth and hear historical commentary.

On October 17, the second day, history instructor Seol Minseok will host the “Gang Gamchan Talk Show,” followed by the “Challenge! Golden Bell Quiz Show,” open to the whole family. At 7 p.m., the festival’s signature 10th-anniversary program, “Gang Gamchan Comes from the Stars & Aerial Fireworks Performance,” will take the stage. The original theatrical production reimagines the legend of Nakseongdae’s formation against the backdrop of a futuristic space station.

Scenes from the 2025 Gwanak Gang Gamchan Festival, held last year. Photo provided by Gwanak-gu.

On October 18, broadcaster Jo Chunghyun will host the “Citizens’ Pungnyu Festival,” featuring singer Kim Dahyun and 15 finalists. The festival will conclude with the “Everyday Arts Festival,” where Gwanak-gu community arts groups and residents will present performances and exhibitions throughout the streets.

“Over the past 10 years, the Gwanak Gang Gamchan Festival has carried on the historical value of General Gang Gamchan through citizen participation and culture and the arts, establishing itself as Gwanak’s signature brand,” District Mayor Park Junhee said. “By combining history with youth arts and cutting-edge future technologies, we will help it grow into a history and culture festival representing Korea.”

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