'Journey of Imagination Begins...' Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival Opens September 18

Gwacheon City will host the '2026 Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival (GPAF)' from September 18-20 at Gwacheon Citizens Plaza and surrounding areas of the Gwacheon Citizens Hall.

This year's festival theme is 'Risen Memories, A Time When the Journey of Imagination Begins.' The festival will implement an imaginary city through 'GPAF City 2.0,' an expanded version of the 'GPAF City' concept unveiled last year. In particular, the festival space has been expanded and a new 'GPAF Village' has been created, allowing audiences to experience the festival as if traveling through a single city.

This year will feature over 50 performances across 6 spaces within the festival grounds. Visitors can freely move throughout the venue and enjoy performances of various genres according to their preferences. The opening ceremony will feature a fusion stage blending tradition and modernity and dynamic aerial performances to kick off the festival, while the closing ceremony will celebrate the three-day journey with a large stage and fireworks show.

Citizen participation programs are being strengthened. The parade featuring both professional artists and citizens will allow on-site audiences to participate as well, and performances by the 'Gwacheon Assembly Show' and 'Gwacheon Youth Clubs' will have local artists and citizens take the stage themselves.

Additionally, all generations will be able to experience the festival through children's space-themed experiences and activities such as 'Chalk Road' and 'Log's Memory Storage.' At the 'Flea Market' featuring participating creators and local businesses, unique products and artworks will be showcased, while the 'Farmers Market' will introduce local agricultural products and food, offering audiences a refreshing experience. The festival will also feature food zones where local Gwacheon restaurants can showcase diverse cuisines, and businesses selected as 'Gwacheon City's Best Restaurants' will participate and present special menus. Additionally, the Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival will continue its eco-friendly reputation by using reusable containers for the fourth consecutive year and will launch commemorative items created through collaboration with local businesses.

Gwacheon Mayor Shin Gye-yong stated, "The Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival is a cultural festival unique to Gwacheon where citizens and audiences directly create the festival's story," and added, "I hope you will take a break from everyday life and experience new imagination and joy."

The 'Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival' is hosted by Gwacheon City and organized by the Gwacheon Culture Foundation. Since changing its name from 'Gwacheon Festival' in 2023, it has won the 'Korean Festival Content Awards' for three consecutive years, earning recognition for both artistic quality and public appeal. Detailed information about the festival can be found on the Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival website (www.gcfest.or.kr).