From antiques to K-food: Four days of tradition come alive in Insadong

Jongno-gu will bring together the full breadth of Insadong's traditional cultural heritage this October.

The 39th Insadong Traditional Culture Festival — billed as the "2026 Insadong Antique & Art Fair" — runs Thursday through Sunday at Insa Art Plaza, Annyeong Insadong and other venues across the Insadong district.

Organized by the Insadong Traditional Culture Preservation Society, the festival centers on an opening ceremony, an antique fair, a tea and crafts expo and an art fair, rounded out by gugak street performances, traditional mounting demonstrations, K-food experiences and a young artists' ceramics exhibition — offering something for visitors of all ages.

The four-day program kicks off Thursday at 1:30 p.m. with a large-scale calligraphy performance, followed by a celebratory stage show and the official opening ceremony at 2 p.m.

The basement and first floors of Insa Art Plaza will host the Antique Fair, described as South Korea's first large-scale antique fair of its kind and now in its fifth year. Visitors can browse traditional Korean antiques — including vintage instruments, ceramics, furniture and jewelry — alongside rare collectibles sourced from abroad.

The second floor of the same building will hold the Art Fair, where traditional works including minhwa folk paintings are displayed alongside pieces by emerging artists. Gallery docent tours will also run throughout the Insadong area.

The third and fourth floors of Insa Art Plaza and the Annyeong Insadong plaza will host the Tea and Crafts Expo, showcasing traditional teas, tea sets and handcrafted goods from across the country. A special invitational exhibition, the Geumdang Tea Gathering, is also among the highlights.

Throughout the streets, gugak busking performances, traditional mounting demonstrations, K-food tastings and a young artists' ceramics show will keep the neighborhood buzzing. Hands-on activities are woven throughout, giving visitors the chance to participate rather than simply observe.

Jongno-gu District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong said he hoped the festival would serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the value of Korea's traditional culture and arts. "Beyond preserving tradition, I expect this to strengthen the competitiveness of traditional cultural businesses in the area and shine a spotlight on the unique cultural identity that makes Insadong what it is," he said.