This event has ended. The 2026 Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival ran September 12–13, 2026, according to the Seoul Culture Portal. This page is kept as an archive of the 2026 program and should not be used for current booking or visit planning. For upcoming events, use Seoul’s current cultural-events listings. Last verified: September 15, 2026.

To find events that are still underway or scheduled next, browse the current events in Korea hub.

Festival dates and hours rechecked September 9, 2026. Detailed program and booking information checked September 8. All times are Korea Standard Time (KST).

The 2026 Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival took place at Namsangol Hanok Village on September 12–13, 2026. Entry and performances were free; some craft workshops charged a fee or required advance booking. Saturday included an evening theater performance, while Sunday’s festival ended at 5 p.m. Official event listing.

The two days had different schedules, and some activities required reservations. Visitors could also attend without a booking to watch performances and craft demonstrations.

In this guide

• Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival: Dates and Hours
• What Does “Intangible Cultural Heritage” Mean Here?
• Selected Performance Times
• Craft Workshops: Fees and Booking
• A Free Makgeolli Class for International Visitors
• Suggested Saturday and Sunday Plans
• Getting to Namsangol Hanok Village
• FAQ
• Official Information and Photo Credits

Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival: Dates and Hours

The festival took place on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday offered an evening performance; Sunday was the daytime program. The venues were Namsangol Hanok Village and Seoul Namsan Gugakdang, the traditional performing arts theater in the village grounds. Official dates and hours.

Craft sessions run on their own daytime schedules. Saturday’s 9 p.m. closing time does not mean workshops operate all evening; choose your session before deciding when to arrive.

A two- to three-hour visit is a planning suggestion, not a fixed tour length. Add the full workshop duration if you reserve a class.

What Does “Intangible Cultural Heritage” Mean Here?

“Intangible heritage” refers to practices and skills passed between generations, such as singing, dance, and craft techniques. Seoul’s 2026 announcement lists 31 heritage disciplines across the festival’s performances, demonstrations, and activities. Official announcement.

The performances and craft demonstrations take place within the same village, so you can combine them without traveling to another attraction.

Selected Performance Times

Performances are spread between Cheonugak Madang, the outdoor performance area, and Namsan Gugakdang, the theater. The official program lists free admission on a first-come basis. Arriving a little early is sensible if a particular performance is the reason for your visit; a free event still has limited space.

Saturday’s choices include Gyeollyeon Taekkyeon martial arts, Hallyangmu dance, and Madeul Nongyo farming songs. The table below lists selected performances, not every festival activity.

Times are Korea Standard Time, checked against the official performance timetable on September 8. Programs may change.

Sunday overlap: the theater program ends at 4:30 p.m., while Supyogyo bridge-treading starts outside at 4 p.m. You cannot watch both in full.

Craft Workshops: Fees and Booking

Workshops take place in different hanok houses. Save the house name and booking time, and show both to a staff member if you need directions.

At Yun Taek-yeong Jaesil, Saturday options include a mother-of-pearl hand mirror and a fan painted with the sun, moon, and five peaks motif. The archive photo below shows a different fan design from the 2024 festival.

Selected workshops at Yun Taek-yeong Jaesil:

For booking links, open the official craft and tasting page and select VENUE 2 · 윤택영 재실. Check remaining places before planning around a class; a listed session is not proof that seats remain.

Without a workshop reservation, you can visit the craft displays and demonstrations instead.

A Free Makgeolli Class for International Visitors

Gangseo-gu makgeolli making is offered specifically for foreign visitors on Saturday, September 12. The official listing describes an introduction to makgeolli’s history and production, followed by making it yourself. Sessions begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., last about one hour, and are free with advance registration. The venue is Cheonugak Madang. Official program — select VENUE 6 · 천우각 마당.

You can apply through the organizer’s registration form, which has English labels to help you fill it out. Each session is listed for eight people; remaining places are not confirmed by this guide. Confirm your place with the organizer before planning the rest of your day around the class.

For adult visitors who’d like to try other traditional Korean drinks, head to Okin-dong House for the tastings: Seoul Songjeolju and Hyangonju are listed for Saturday, and Samhaeju for Sunday. These take place separately from the makgeolli class at Cheonugak Madang. Tasting details and location — select VENUE 1 · 옥인동 가옥. The organizer lists this location, while Seoul’s press release names Min House; confirm the day’s tasting location at the festival information point.

Suggested Saturday and Sunday Plans

For a Saturday visit with a workshop, reserve your chosen session first. A 1 p.m. class could leave you time afterward to explore the other houses and make your way toward the 4 p.m. Madeul Nongyo performance. If the evening theater program appeals to you, leave room for a proper break and dinner before the 7 p.m. start. The afternoon and evening performances are separate commitments, not one continuous program.

For Sunday, arriving around lunchtime would let you look around the craft area before the 2 p.m. Songpa bridge-treading performance. Afterward, choose between more time with the displays and one of the later performances. If you reserve a 3 p.m. workshop, let that be your main afternoon activity; it will conflict with part of the performance schedule.

Traditional games and a stamp tour run around the grounds. Ask the information point how to join. Official activity overview.

Getting to Namsangol Hanok Village

Take Subway Line 3 or 4 to Chungmuro Station, then leave through Exit 4. Seoul’s event notice describes the walk to the village as about three to five minutes. Search for 남산골한옥마을 in your map app, or save the address 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. Having the Korean name ready is helpful if you want to show someone where you’re going. Directions.

Once you arrive, check the festival map before heading to your first activity. The outdoor stage, theater, and individual houses are separate locations, so allow a little extra time to find your way. If this is one of your first subway trips in Seoul, our Seoul Subway Guide walks you through the journey in more detail.

Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking between the houses and may spend some time standing at the outdoor stage. Keep your booking details handy on your phone, and follow the staff’s guidance about removing shoes when entering a house. A translation app is useful for a quick question about where to go or when a session starts.

FAQ

Can I visit without booking anything?

Yes. General admission is free, and the performance page lists first-come admission. Reservations matter for particular workshops, especially those marked advance-only. You can plan a visit around performances and displays if you prefer to keep the day flexible.

Is everything free?

Entry and performances are free, while workshop fees vary. The examples above range from free sessions to a ₩40,000 mother-of-pearl workshop. Check the individual listing before booking so you know both the fee and how much time to allow.

Do I need to speak Korean?

English guidance is not confirmed for every program. Ask before booking a hands-on class if you need instructions in English. The makgeolli session is specifically for foreign visitors, but that label alone does not establish the language used throughout the class.

What if it rains or the schedule changes?

If rain is forecast, check the official notices before heading out, especially if you’re coming for an outdoor performance. You can also contact the festival team at 1800-4746 about schedule changes or a booking.

Could I add another festival afterward?

For an evening option after Sunday’s daytime program, see our Seoul Light DDP 2026 Fall guide. Check the September 13 show times and allow time for dinner and travel between venues.

For a manageable first visit, choose one performance and leave time for the craft displays. Add a workshop if its time and reservation requirements fit your plans.

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Official Information and Photo Credits

Detailed schedules and booking instructions were checked on September 8, 2026; festival dates and hours were rechecked against Seoul’s notices on September 9. Use the organizer’s latest pages for changes and availability.

• Festival website — current program, contact details, and notices.
• Performance timetable and craft/tasting program — individual times, venues, fees, and reservation links.
• Seoul’s official event notice — festival hours and subway approach.
• Seoul Culture Portal’s English listing — event dates and admission information.
• 2026 Seoul press release — heritage disciplines and festival overview. For tasting locations and contact details, this guide follows the current organizer website.
• All three photographs show the 2024 festival, supplied in Seoul Metropolitan Government’s 2025 English press release, “Celebrate the 2025 Seoul Intangible Culture Heritage Festival at Namsangol Hanok Village.” They are used under the English site’s default KOGL Type 1 policy for press releases, with attribution.