'Vacation Enjoyed in the Middle of Gwanghwamun'... 3.22 Million Flock to Urban Summer Festival

The '2026 Seoul Summer Beach,' an urban summer festival held across Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-ro Park, has successfully concluded after drawing an impressive crowd of over 3.22 million visitors. The festival, now in its fourth year, ran for 21 days from July 20 to August 9, transforming the heart of Seoul into a vibrant summer retreat under the slogan 'Wave Summer, Play Seoul.'

This year's event offered a diverse range of attractions, including water play zones, sand play areas, and evening relaxation spots, alongside various food options. The 'Water Wave Zone,' featuring a popular water slide, saw consistent queues, while the 'Sand Agit' sand play area proved so popular that advance reservations were quickly filled, highlighting its appeal to families with young children.

Enhancements for this year included extended operating hours until 10 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the festival into the evening. A 'Play Market Zone,' comprising a flea market and food trucks, was introduced to offer shopping and culinary experiences. Collaborations with entities such as the Busan Tourism Organization, ABC Mart, and Dongsuh Foods also enriched the festival's offerings.

Special night programs catered to adult visitors on Fridays and Saturdays. Fridays featured 'Silent Wave,' a silent disco experience using wireless headphones, while Saturdays offered the 'Wave Lounge,' a photo zone decorated with lights, tubes, and bubbles. The Seoul Tourism Foundation implemented safety measures, including capacity limits per session and water quality checks, and adjusted outdoor booth operations during heatwaves to ensure a secure and enjoyable environment for all attendees.

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We hope that citizens and tourists enjoyed Seoul's summer coolly and specially in the city center.