Suncheon's 'Weekend Square' festival promises cashback rewards for local shoppers

At Sindaecheon Grass Square

Suncheon will host the "2026 Urban Liberation Road, Weekend Square" event over two days — Saturday and Sunday — at the Sindae public parking lot (1996 Sindae-ri, Haeryong-myeon) and the surrounding Sindaecheon area in the city's Sindae district.

The event, the second in the series following last month's edition in Yeonhyang-dong, aims to connect changes in new-town spaces and local commercial activity through culture, offering residents a summer getaway in the heart of the city.

The festival's signature "grass road" — a symbol of the Urban Liberation Road concept — will transform everyday streets in the Sindae district into a stretch of green.

Ordinary roads will become car-free public squares, and soap bubbles will drift across the grass road, creating a whimsical scene for visitors of all ages.

Entertainment will be plentiful throughout the festival.

On Saturday, the program opens with a magic performance and an aerobics session called "Haebang-robics" led by broadcaster Kim Hye-seon alongside residents, followed by a "Summer Liberation Party" featuring Suncheon's representative dance team Mapeu and a DJ set — all designed to shake off the summer heat and everyday stress.

On Sunday, residents take center stage at "Suncheon's Got Talent" before singer 10CM closes out the festival with a headline performance.

Popular content creator "Dancing Gomdol" and a local shuffle-dance club for people in their 40s and 50s will also join in, energizing the streets with performances and short-form video content.

During the festival, the Sindae public parking lot area will be transformed into a "Liberation Playground" where children can run freely. Family-friendly programs will also run throughout, including four-cut photo booths and photo zones featuring Suncheon's mascot character Lumittungi.

A city cultural affairs official said the city plans to significantly expand its cashback program during the event, refunding 5,000 won to shoppers who spend 30,000 won ($21) or more at nearby stores and 10,000 won for purchases of 50,000 won or more, creating a cycle in which the festival's energy flows into the local economy.