Gungjung Cultural Festival

The Royal Culture Festival is Korea's largest heritage festival, held every spring and fall across Seoul's five grand palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung) and Jongmyo Shrine. Using the palaces as its stage, the festival showcases Korean traditional culture through performances, exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and reenactments of royal ceremonies. Hosted by the Korea Heritage Service and organized by the Korea Heritage Promotion Institute, this year marks the festival's 12th edition, themed 'Palace, Awakening Art.' It aims to expand the palaces beyond heritage sightseeing spots into cultural and artistic stages where visitors can experience the roots of K-culture. The spring 2026 edition drew a record 725,000 visitors, the highest ever. This fall's festival makes the most of the season by expanding daytime programs focused on the palace spaces and history—exhibitions, tours, and hands-on activities—while at night, performances and experiences set against the palace halls and natural scenery offer an experience distinct from spring. On October 6 (Tue), the day before the opening, a special commemorative concert, KBS2's 'Immortal Songs – 2026 Royal Culture Festival Special,' will be held at 5 p.m. in Heungnyemun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace. Under the theme 'Palace, Awakening Art,' the show brings together traditional Korean music and K-pop for audiences of all generations. Admission is free, and you can apply to attend via KBS 'Immortal Songs' official website.