"Come to Seonyudo Station This Weekend," Yeongdeungpo-gu Turns the Area into a Cultural and Arts Festival Hub

Around "Street for Walking" near Seonyudo Station, Oct. 24-25
Seonyudowon Festival, October at Seonyu, and more

A series of autumn festivals combining performances, street arts and community events will take place this weekend around Seonyudo in Seoul. Yeongdeungpo-gu, headed by District Mayor Jo Yujin, announced on October 21 that it will hold the Yeongdeungpo Seonyudowon Festival and “October at Seonyu” over two days starting October 24, at Seonyudo Park and along “Street for Walking,” near Seonyudo Station.

Citizens watch a chamber music performance seated in front of an outdoor stage at the Yeongdeungpo Seonyudowon Festival, held at Seonyudo Park last year. Photo provided by Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Now in its third year, the Seonyudowon Festival takes its name from the meaning of Seonyudo, “an island where immortals once roamed,” and is set against the natural scenery of Seonyudo Park. The opening performance will take place at 6 p.m. on October 24 on the main stage in the park’s lawn plaza. The lineup includes singer John Park, the youth orchestra Dream Orchestra Yeongdeungpo, and the five-member jazz band Tune Around.

On October 25, performances will continue with indie band Sanmanhan Siseon, a folk concert by Kim Sawol, a classical performance by the YDPCF Ensemble, and a jazz performance by the Golden Swing Band. Street performances featuring jazz, traditional Korean music, circus acts and tightrope walking will also take place throughout the festival.

Hands-on programs will include writing family mottos, drawing on round fans, making postcards and taking free commemorative photos. The festival will also feature the Yeongdeungpo Flea Market, with 120 participating vendors; Seonyudo Bird Walks, where visitors can explore habitats with expert birders; and Seonyu Yoga.

On the route to the park, the 10th annual “October at Seonyu” will be held. Along a 300-meter stretch from Exits 2 and 3 of Seonyudo Station to the back gate of Dangsan Elementary School, residents, artists, schools and small business owners will put on busking and orchestra performances. Other activities and events will include bracelet-making, a daycare center bazaar, a snack-sharing bazaar sponsored by Lotte Wellfood, a kids’ cafe and pet caricatures. Food stalls will offer craft beer, chicken skewers, kimchi pancakes, vegan food and more. Vehicle traffic on this stretch will be restricted from 5 a.m. on October 24 until 9 p.m. on October 25.

Before that, the 11th Traditional Shop Festival will be held for two days starting October 23 around the Seonyudo Station Alley-Type Shopping District, near Exit 6 of Seonyudo Station. Yeongdeungpo-gu’s first alley-type shopping district is home to a concentration of long-established shops that have operated for decades. During the festival, participating shops will sell signature menu items at discounted prices and hold a giveaway for customers who shop at participating stores.

A Yeongdeungpo-gu official said, “This weekend, the area around Seonyudo will be transformed into a festival venue filled with things to see, do and eat. We hope many people will come and enjoy autumn in Yeongdeungpo.”

At last year's Yeongdeungpo Seonyudowon Festival. Provided by Yeongdeungpo-gu.

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