Jeongdong Culture Night 정동야행
Every year in late May or late Oct
2026 edition
Source: Jung-gu notice on the 2026 festival (Seoul Shinmun, Aug 25, 2026)
About
A night festival on the Deoksugung stone-wall road and in the Jeongdong area, run by Jung-gu. Jung-gu started it in 2015 as Korea's first night heritage festival.
Through 2018 it was held every May and October. Seoul city then ran it, and it returned to Jung-gu in October 2023. In 2025 about 35 historic and cultural sites opened, including the British Embassy and Jungmyeongjeon.
The 2025 festival had seven programs: night openings and performances at heritage sites, a Jeongdong-gil experience program, street performances, guided history walks, night lighting, food and an art market.
Good to know
- The season changes: 2025 was in May (May 23–24) and 2026 is in autumn (Oct 30–31). Check which one you are visiting for.
- In 2025 the hours were 18:00–22:00 on Friday and 14:00–22:00 on Saturday. The 2026 hours were not in the notice we checked.
- The 2026 theme is "Jeongdong, wearing new light" (정동, 새로운 빛을 입다).
How busy is Gwanghwamun
Live crowd level for the area, and a normal week. It does not show the festival crowd itself.
Eat here
Memil guksu
Buckwheat noodles in an anchovy-kelp broth, made from 100% buckwheat.
Memil mukbap
Buckwheat jelly over rice.
Memil jeonbyeong
Buckwheat crepe rolled around a filling.
Sources
Checked Oct 16, 2026. Dates can change, so check the notice before you go.