Gangwon
Seorak Cultural Festival
설악문화제
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This edition has ended. These dates describe the past event; a future edition has not been confirmed on this page.
This event has ended. The information below describes the past event.
Plan your visit
- Dates
- –
- Venue
- Sokcho Expo Grass Square and Seolak Rodeo Street area
- Address
- Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sokcho Expo 72 (Joyang-dong)
- Admission
- Free
- Organizer
- Sokcho-si, Sokcho Cultural Foundation
- Operating hours
- 10:00 ~ 21:30 (Korean original)
- Program
- 1. Main Program - Opening Ceremony and Celebration Performance: The grand opening declaration of the 61st Seolak Cultural Festival and a congratulatory live stage by legendary vocalist 'Yoon Soo-il' and emotional diva 'Yeom Yu-ri' - Seolakso Traditional Ritual: A modern visualization of the long-standing local ritual wishing for the peace of the nation and region (Mountain God Ceremony, Three Gods Joint Ceremony, Ancestor Ceremony, Sending God Ceremony) - Regional Representative Traditional Performances: Invitation performances of Sokcho's unique intangible heritage including 'Sokcho Lion Dance', 'Domeun Nongyo', 'Dondolra-ri', and 'Sokcho Arirang' - Seolak Rodeo Street Parade: A large-scale street march and site-specific street performances by professional art groups from across the country and residents, youth, and multicultural teams from 8 districts coming together - Closing Ceremony and Fireworks Show: A splendid finale fireworks show and a closing concert featuring renowned vocalists 'Geomi', 'Solji', and trot prince 'Shin Seung-tae' 2. Participation and Competition Programs - National Song and Dance Competition : Passionate vocal and dance finals competition featuring 12 teams that passed the preliminaries - Sokcho Survival Quiz Show : A scholarship quiz competition for adults and youth themed around Sokcho and the Seolak Cultural Festival - Sokcho Citizens' Harmony Hanma-Dang : Traditional and modern sports events open to all visitors and a competition among residents from 8 districts - Sokcho Citizens' Harmony : A traditional sports tournament using target boards among 8 districts and citizen participation - Stage of Passion Go! : Relay performances by citizen clubs representing 8 districts of Sokcho 3. Planning and Outdoor Performances - Our Stage Go!: Special invited performances by 7 middle and high school youth clubs and the trending K-POP boy group 'YOUNITE', and fusion traditional music 'Dodeu-ri' - Seolak Fringe Festival: Street art performances such as busking, mime, and magic that engage closely with the audience - Special Family Performance : A fantastic balloon and magic performance for children and family audiences 4. Experience and Side Events - Local Culture Experience Zone (around 25 districts): Craft, traditional culture, and art experience booths enjoyable for all ages - Dream Tree Playground & Moms Lounge: A children-only air bounce playground and a resting/nursing space for families with infants - 61st Anniversary History Promotion Hall of the Seolak Cultural Festival: Exhibition of 61 years of historical records and operation of an official merchandise zone - Culinary Connection: Operation of a food zone linked to the 2026 Sokcho Food Festival 5. Pre-Events - Seolak Mountain Climbing Competition : A 500-person walk along the autumn Seolak ridge path from Seolhyang Park to Dalma Peak (635m) leading to So-Park - Seolak Mountain Forest Music Concert: A folk healing concert held in the embrace of Seolak in conjunction with the climbing competition (Featuring: Shin Hyun-dae)
Page updated . Dates and availability can change; confirm with the organizer before travelling.
Festival location
Sokcho Expo Grass Square and Seolak Rodeo Street area
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sokcho Expo 72 (Joyang-dong)
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About the festival
The Seolak Cultural Festival is a representative local cultural festival of Sokcho that has continued since the first Seolak Festival in 1966. It is a festival that encompasses the history and culture centered around Seolak-san, as well as the lives and stories of the citizens of Sokcho. This year, marking its 61st edition, the theme is 'Seolak, Together in Color,' reflecting on the traditions and history of the past 60 years, and taking a step further as a festival where citizens and tourists participate together to create new stories. While inheriting the identity of the long-standing Seolak Cultural Festival, it aims to present a new version of the festival through diverse programs that allow citizens to become the protagonists and participate directly. In particular, it will reflect on the historical significance of 'Seolakso Temple,' which has been the central ritual of the festival since the first Seolak Festival, and will be organized to help citizens and tourists understand and empathize more easily by adding explanations and storytelling to traditional rites. Additionally, the 'Seolak Climbing Competition,' which inherits the mountain culture that started the Seolak Cultural Festival, will feature the Seolak-san climbing competition on the non-open trail of Dalma-bong and a Seolak-san music concert, allowing participants to enjoy the beautiful autumn of Seolak. The representative program of the festival, the 'Street Parade,' will be a citizen harmony parade in which local residents, clubs, schools, and cultural and artistic organizations participate directly. The festival will take place on the stage of Rodeogeo-ri, where citizens of all generations and regions come together, offering the joy of the Seolak Cultural Festival that goes beyond just watching to actively creating and participating. Alongside this, various cultural and artistic performances, including citizen harmony programs such as 'Sokcho! Cheerful Sports Day,' performances by local arts organizations, fringe performances, and club festivals, will be held at the Sokcho Expo Lawn Square. Programs that the whole family can enjoy, such as local cultural experiences and children's playgrounds, will also be prepared, and the 'Seolak Rodeo Street Revitalization Project' and 'Sokcho Cultural City Gourmet Week' will be linked to enrich the joy of the festival even more. The Seolak Cultural Festival, which has continued for 61 years, is now starting a new time and story.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization · TourAPI · TourAPI 1718491
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