INCHEON — Gyeongwonjae by Walkerhill, a five-star hanok hotel in Songdo International City, has opened its grounds to the public for a two-day autumn festival.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is holding the "2026 Neighborhood Tour: Gyeongwonjae by Walkerhill" citizens festival across the hanok hotel grounds for two days, from the 14th to the 15th, to mark Incheon Citizens' Day and the agency's founding anniversary. After drawing about 1,000 residents and tourists last year, this year's edition has been organized as an urban festival blending tradition and modernity, with an added emphasis on citizen participation and partnership with the local community.
One section of the venue was set aside as a marketplace to widen sales channels for local farmers, social enterprises and small business owners. At the "Fair Trade Market for Shared Growth" in the parking area near Yeongbin Madang, agricultural and specialty products from Incheon were on display, grown by Ongjin Cheongjeonghae, the Jumundo Local Food Cooperative and the Ganghwado Garim Farm agricultural corporation. Booths run by social enterprises and craft cooperatives also took part, including lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the Im Chung-hyu Lacquer and Mother-of-Pearl Research Institute, along with Soobun, Sagaksori and Bon's Bojagi. At Daon Madang and Yeongbin Madang, a food-pairing event featuring local alcoholic beverages such as Soseongju, Yeonmijeong Winery and Incheon Beer alongside dishes prepared by Gyeongwonjae chefs drew a steady stream of visitors.
Hands-on programs for families were held throughout the hotel. A program that invited 50 elementary school students from underprivileged backgrounds offered career exploration through hotelier job experiences and a dessert-making cooking class. At Yeongjeop Madang, visitors could pose for photos with hanbok models and at a traditional wedding photo zone, while a folk games area offered tuho, yut, jegichagi and top-spinning. A wellness yoga class at Hanok Madang and a Pink Ribbon campaign in partnership with the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation were also held.
The festival closes with a cultural performance on the evening of the 15th. Starting at 6 p.m. on a special stage at Yeongbin Madang, a hanbok fashion show will open the program, followed by a concert combining classical and jazz ensembles to bring the festival to a close.
"The Gyeongwonjae citizens festival was designed so that residents can experience the atmosphere of a hanok hotel up close and enjoy a range of cultural offerings together," said Kim Jong-chul, commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. "We will work to establish Gyeongwonjae as a cultural space open to citizens and as a tourism hub that grows together with the local community."