Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul will host the 2026 Jongno Hanbok Festival on Friday and Saturday, with royal parades, fashion contests and live traditional music. Launched in 2016 by Jongno District, the annual event has grown into an autumn cultural fixture. This year’s theme is Hanbok x Gukak, pairing Korean dress with traditional music. The program includes an opening parade, a Hanbok Contest and outdoor exhibitions.
Tourists in hanbok take photos of the royal guard changing ceremony at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Aug. 30. Yonhap
Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul will serve as the venue for the 2026 Jongno Hanbok Festival on Friday and Saturday, featuring royal parades, fashion contests and live traditional music in central Seoul.
Launched in 2016 by Jongno District, the annual event has evolved into a major autumn cultural fixture, drawing locals and global tourists to celebrate hanbok — Korea’s traditional attire, recognized for its flowing silhouettes and vibrant colors.
This year has the theme "Hanbok x Gukak," explicitly pairing the visual structure of Korean dress with live performances of traditional Korean music. Organizers designed the multisensory program to showcase the heritage garments alongside traditional instrumental arrangements rather than static displays.
