"Experience the Majesty of Spring: The 2026 K-Royal Culture Festival"

- From a festival to watch to a festival to participate in... 24 programs capturing the unique character of each palace

Expansion of programs for international visitors... An inclusive festival reaching children and the socially vulnerable

Hosted by the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Korea Heritage Service (Acting Director Ahn Ho) and organized by the Korea Heritage Agency (President Lee Gui-yeong), the K-Royal Culture Festival Spring 2026 (hereinafter, the “Festival”) will take place for nine days, from April 25 to May 3, at Seoul’s five royal palaces—Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace—as well as Jongmyo Shrine.

Now in its 12th year, the Festival is South South Korea’s largest national heritage festival featuring traditional culture content set against the backdrop of the royal palaces. it drew a record-breaking 1.37 million visitors—the highest attendance to date—garnering significant attention from both domestic and international audiences.

The 2026 Spring K-Royal Culture Festival, themed “Palaces, Awakening the Arts,” will present a diverse array of programs centered on four key directions:

• Immersive experiences where visitors participate as protagonists within the performances;
• Art-specialized programs that highlight the unique historical identity of each palace;
• Expanded participation for international visitors and strengthened multilingual services;
• Enhanced inclusive programs designed for everyone to enjoy together, including children, the elderly, the socially vulnerable, and local small business owners.

At Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Festival will kick off with the Opening Ceremony (Apr. 24) at Heungnyemun Gate Square. Directed by Yang Jeong-woong, who served as the Artistic Director for the 2025 APEC Summit cultural events, the performance titled “Palaces, Awakening the Arts – Hyper Palace” will blend the modern sensibilities of K-content with the timeless aesthetics of the royal court.

Hosted by announcer Oh Jung-yeon, the program will begin with the National Dance Company of Korea’s Mongyudowonmu. It will also feature a wide range of performances, including “Ganggangsullae” by rapper Woo Won-jae and the Performance Arts Group of the Korea Heritage Agency, as well as a hanbok fashion show combined with gugak (Korean traditional music) EDM. Highlights will include a collaborative stage featuring Choi Hojong, winner of Mnet’s male dance survival program Stage Fighter, and Heo Yoon-jeong, an apprentice graduate in Geomungo Sanjo, a National Intangible Heritage tradition. The lineup will also include a joint performance by vocalist Choi Ye-rim and the Noah Children’s Choir, as well as a reinterpreted Bongsan Mask Dance performance by AIKI with HOOK. The finale will feature a media facade mapping show and Hyangamurak by the National Gugak Center, showcasing the essence of royal court dance.

Visitors can experience “A Time Travel, Gyeongbokgung (Apr. 25–29),” a large-scale immersive program that recreates the living history of the Joseon Dynasty. Additionally, “Royal Palace Daily Life (Apr. 25–29)” allows visitors to encounter various Joseon-era artists and artisans across the palace grounds: starting with the King’s morning audience at Geunjeongjeon Hall, and moving to the royal painters at Sujeongjeon Hall, as well as court musicians and seamstresses in the residential quarters.

In “Newcomers of Royal Palace (Apr. 25–29),” visitors can experience court culture more deeply from the bearers of intangible heritage. At the “Children’s K-Royal Culture Festival (May 1–3),” children can participate in hands-on career experiences, learning about Joseon-era professions such as royal physicians (uigwan), guards (gapsa), royal chefs (suksu), court historians (sagwan), and military bands (chwitadae), while also enjoying fusion performances that blend tradition with modernity.

The “A Stroll to Gyeonghoeru with Royal Court Musicians (Apr. 25–May 3)” program, designed for the socially vulnerable including single-parent families, offers a special opportunity to create lasting memories at the palace through activities such as playing traditional wind instruments and taking family portraits. Meanwhile, at Heungnyemun Gate Square, the “K-Heritage Market (Apr. 25–May 3)” will operate daily for nine days, featuring 23 booths with craftworks by bearers of National Intangible Heritage traditions and special exhibitions of Joseon royal tribute goods.

At Changdeokgung Palace, the Festival will present “Awakening the Morning Palace (Apr. 28–May 3),” a guided walking tour where visitors can enjoy the serene atmosphere of the palace in the early morning. Additionally, the nighttime program “The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon (Apr. 28–30)” will be offered. This multifaceted program recreates the year 1828, when Crown Prince Hyomyeong (posthumously King Munjo) prepared a banquet to celebrate the 40th birthday of his mother, Queen Sunwon. Participants will tour the major halls and the Rear Garden of Changdeokgung, directly experiencing and completing the performance process

In addition, the Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace will host a large-scale traditional arts performance for the first time, titled “Palace Concert – Taepyeongjiak  by 100 Artists (May 1–3)”. Against the backdrop of Injeongjeon at night, a cast of 100 performers, including students and faculty from Ewha Womans University, will present a majestic and magnificent Gugak concert featuring pieces such as Sujecheon, Taepyungga, and Arirang.

At Deoksugung Palace, programs have been prepared to showcase the music and culinary culture of the Korean Imperial Family. “The Royal Recreations Club (Apr. 25–May 3)” will take place at Jeonggwanheon, where visitors can enjoy special musical performances and experience the hobbies of Emperor Gojong, such as sports and tastings of Yangtangguk (the historical name for coffee). Additionally, “The Emperor’s Dining Table (May 1–3),” a gourmet talk show for international visitors, will be held at Jungmyeongjeon, offering a chance to taste the imperial banquet menu and learn about the history of royal cuisine.

In front of Jeukjodang Hall, the crossover Gugak performance “Deoksugung Pungryu” will be held at 4 PM on April 26, May 1, and May 2. Audiences can enjoy a wide variety of performances, ranging from exciting stages by young Gugak artists to Gugak A cappella and OST medleys.

At Changgyeonggung Palace, new programs centered on the daily lives of the King and Queen have been prepared. First, “Yeongchunheon, Spring Library (Apr. 27–May 1)” will be held at Yeongchunheon, which served as King Jeongjo’s personal reading space. Visitors can enjoy reading at individual desks while sipping royal tea, and at the Grand Greenhouse, they can participate in a hands-on activity to create their own traditional perfume sachets (hyangnang).

In Tongmyeongjeon, the Queen's living quarters, the program “The Queen’s Choice (Apr. 30–May 3)” will be offered. The experience begins with an audience-participation play where visitors meet the Queen under the guidance of a court lady, followed by an exhibition of National Intangible Heritage crafts and a workshop on traditional wrapping techniques using bojagi cloth.

At Gyeonghuigung Palace, the Korea Heritage Agency Arts Group will present the “K-Royal Culture Festival Gilnori (Traditional Performance Parade) (May 1)”. The parade will proceed from Heunghwamun Gate to Sungjeongmun Gate, featuring a vibrant lineup of traditional performances including the lion dance, Jindo drum dance, and pangut (communal ritual music and dance).

In observance of Jongmyo Week (Apr. 25–May 3), Jongmyo Shrine will host the “Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance (Apr. 28–30),” offering a rare opportunity to witness Jongmyo Jeryeak under the night sky. Recognized worldwide for its excellence and originality, Jongmyo Jeryeak was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2001.

The performance features a full ensemble of musicians and ilmuwon (dancers) performing in accordance with the traditional ritual procedures. To provide a more immersive and vivid experience of the majestic melodies and disciplined dance movements, the performers will notably face the audience during this special engagement.

In addition, a variety of on-site programs will be available for visitors to enjoy, including the “K-Royal Culture Festival Stamp Tour,” the “Royal Court Games Playroom” featuring the Festival’s volunteer group “Goong-ee Doong-ee,” and the “K-Royal Culture Festival Gilnori,” a traditional parade that winds through the historic palace grounds.

Reservations for pre-booking programs for the K-Royal Culture Festival Spring 2026 will begin at 12 p.m. on April 8. Programs will open sequentially, and reservations can be made through Ticketlink (www.ticketlink.co.kr). Programs for international visitors can be booked through Creatrip (www.creatrip.com).

For further information, visitors may refer to the official K-Royal Culture Festival website (kh.or.kr/fest) or our Instagram channels: @royalculturefestival_official (Korean) and @ royalculturefestival.global (International))

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency will continue to develop and operate a wide range of creative programs, ensuring that everyone can fully experience and appreciate the unique charm of Korea’s royal palaces and tombs.