A festival bringing together popular street food and specialty goods from traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts across Seoul will open this month. By day, visitors can take in the atmosphere of a traditional market, and in the evening the site transforms into an outdoor night market combining food and live performances.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 18th that it will hold the 2026 Seoul Market Fair around Cheonggye Plaza in Jongno District on Oct. 24 and 25. It is the first time in seven years that the city has staged its flagship traditional market fair. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both days.
About 40 vendors will take part, drawn from traditional markets including Namdaemun Market, Baengnyeon Market and Daejo Market, as well as neighborhood commercial districts such as Sangbong Meokja Alley and Sharosu-gil. Visitors can sample tteokbokki, sweet and crispy fried chicken, tacos and other dishes on site, while regional specialties such as seasoned laver and native honey, along with crafts and household goods, will also be on sale. Local favorites on the lineup include fried chicken from Sineungam Market in Eunpyeong District, snow-cheese tteok-galbi from Baengnyeon Market in Gangbuk District and tteokbokki from Gongdeok Market in Mapo District. A dining area with about 40 tables and 160 seats will be set up along the Cheonggyecheon stream so visitors can eat what they buy on the spot.
The fair is split into a daytime market and an evening market, divided at 5 p.m. The daytime market, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers hands-on programs including making mother-of-pearl hand mirrors and K-food keyrings, caricature drawing and face painting. Fusion gugak and traditional performing arts are scheduled for Oct. 24, followed on Oct. 25 by mask dance and samulnori percussion, then a K-pop performance.
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the mood shifts to the evening market, where night views, food and cultural performances come together. A live moonlight DJ show will run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, filling the autumn night along the Cheonggyecheon with music. Visitors can watch the performances while eating and capture memories of the festival.
A policy information pavilion will also be set up at the venue, providing guidance on fire mutual-aid insurance for traditional markets, the Seoul Pay+ payment service and guarantees and funding support for small business owners. A stamp tour offering souvenirs to visitors who stop by three or more designated booths will be held, along with a large roulette event. Vehicle access will be restricted on parts of Cheonggyecheon-ro on both the north and south sides during the event.
The city plans to place QR codes at the venue linking to information on traditional markets, aiming to turn the festival into actual visits to the markets after it ends.
"We hope this gives residents a chance to discover the appeal of a new market and gives merchants a chance to meet more customers, bringing energy to local commercial districts," said Park Kyung-hwan, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Public Livelihood and Labor.