'Banpo-daero Goes Musical': Seoripul Music Festival Draws 280,000 Visitors

For two days — Saturday and Sunday — a 900-meter stretch of Banpo-daero, normally a busy thoroughfare, was transformed into a sprawling outdoor music venue.

The 2026 Seoripul Music Festival drew 280,000 visitors amid the autumn atmosphere along Banpo-daero before wrapping up Sunday.

Now in its 11th year, the festival was held under the theme "Seocho is the Music," featuring performances spanning classical, jazz and K-pop. The opening night's "Classical Night" brought top-tier Korean musicians to the stage, including the Seocho Symphony Orchestra, soprano Hwang Su-mi and baritone Son Tae-jin. Members of the world-renowned LA Philharmonic added a special string quartet performance. The second night's "K-pop Night" kept the energy going with performances by Crying Nut, Jaurim and Lee Seung-yoon.

Interactive programs gave residents a chance to take part in the festivities beyond simply watching. Particularly popular was "The World's Biggest Sketchbook," in which the 10-lane Banpo-daero became a giant canvas where children and families drew freely with colorful chalk. The Seoripul Choir Festival and Seoripul Kids Classic were among the other participation programs that drew large crowds.

A collaboration with the globally recognized character Wally also drew attention. A 10-meter-tall Wally sculpture was installed at the festival grounds, and attendees took part in a mission event to find hidden Wally figures scattered throughout the venue.

The festival closed on a communal note. Inspired by last year's scene of sanitation workers tidying up the grounds, the "41st Stage" — a closing ritual — this year welcomed a resident volunteer group, who helped clean up the venue after the final performance and shared in the festival's last moments.

"This year's Seoripul Music Festival offered a richer blend of music and art — from a string quartet by members of the LA Philharmonic to the world-famous character Wally," Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su said. "I am grateful to everyone who came out to Banpo-daero to enjoy the music and art together. We will continue to build on Seocho's unique musical assets to create a festival that stays with residents for years to come."