Sept. 18, 2-6 p.m. at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza — Policy, counseling and hands-on zones plus performances by young artists
Dongcheongnet involved from planning to operation — District mayor to hold one-on-one talks, lawn and camping zones set up
Dongdaemun-gu will hold the "2026 Dongdaemun-gu Youth Festival" at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 18, marking Youth Day, a legally designated commemorative day.
The festival will be held under the slogan "Youth Who Lead, Dongdaemun That Delivers." It captures the image of young people leading trends and change through new challenges and ideas, along with Dongdaemun-gu's vision of a future in which youth capabilities and passion translate into tangible achievements and regional change.
Dongcheongnet, Dongdaemun-gu's youth policy participation group, took part in planning and running the festival. The district gathered input from young people from the planning stage onward, letting them help set the event's slogan and shape the hands-on programs, expanding youth involvement throughout the process.
The venue will feature a policy information zone where visitors can learn about youth policies, startup support projects and youth activity spaces all in one place. It will introduce key projects of the Unicorn Youth Startup Center. It will also provide information on how to use Dongdaemun-gu's flagship youth spaces, including the Seoul Youth Center Dongdaemun and the Youth Employment Academy.
Customized counseling spaces will also help young people work through real concerns. These include tarot card sessions on career and relationship worries, personal color diagnosis useful for interviews and self-introductions, and legal consultations on everyday issues such as housing and labor.
A range of hands-on programs will also welcome visitors, including a workshop for making personal perfumes, a one-day class on blending tea leaves and herbs, and a four-cut photo booth.
The festival will also introduce a new one-on-one conversation space where District Mayor Choi Dong-min sits down with young people to discuss concerns about jobs, careers and relationships. Running from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the space is designed to let young people speak directly with the district mayor about worries they might not otherwise easily share.
The stage will host performances by young artists. Starting with a fusion Korean traditional music pre-show at 1 p.m., the lineup will continue with DJ sets, university club performances and singer-songwriter performances of original music through 5:30 p.m.
The district will turn the area in front of the stage into a lawn zone and camping zone, furnished with bean bags and parasols, where visitors can relax. The space is designed to let young people and local residents enjoy the performances and unwind in an atmosphere reminiscent of camping in the middle of the city.
"Young people are the key players who will lead the future of the region," said Choi Dong-min, Dongdaemun-gu district mayor. "Dongdaemun-gu will listen to the voices of young people and become a reliable partner that grows together with them." He added, "I hope this festival will be a time for young people to connect with one another and recharge, and an opportunity for local residents to grow closer to the younger generation."
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