Starting Thursday at Gocheok Golmok Market, events roll out across four venues through late October, featuring night markets, a hanbok runway and more
Guro-gu will host a series of autumn festivals at four traditional markets and shopping streets across the district this month, combining street food, cultural performances and hands-on experiences.
The events are designed to draw residents and visitors to local markets and boost spending in the district's commercial areas. Kicking off Thursday at Gocheok Golmok Market, the series will continue at Gaebong Jungang Alley Shopping Street, Guro Market and Gocheok Neighborhood Market, with each venue offering its own distinct program.
Gocheok Golmok Market opens the series with "Gocheok Bam Masil — Taste and Romance Come Alive," running Thursday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature street food stalls, a romantic alley pojangmacha (outdoor drinking tent) and family-friendly activity programs.
On Oct. 23 and 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Gaebong Jungang Alley Shopping Street will host the third edition of its late-night food festival. Highlights include performances by local artists, character-shaped cotton candy, a lucky-draw event and a draft beer cocktail-making workshop, alongside food and beer sales. Customers who shop at participating stores on either day will receive Onnuri gift vouchers based on the amount they spend.
On Oct. 24, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Guro Market will stage the fourth Guro Market Hanmaek Grand Festival — "Hanbok ON, Guro Market Runway." Residents and university student models will don hanbok and present the market's signature products on a runway stage. The event will also offer a traditional doenjang-making workshop and a food zone, along with purchase perks and a prize draw.
On Oct. 31, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Gocheok Neighborhood Market will hold the "New Home Gogo Night Market." The event will feature a makgeolli booth, cultural performances, shopping benefits and a prize draw, giving visitors a wide range of food and entertainment options.
The district plans to use the events to highlight the character of each market and shopping street, and to support efforts to turn visitor foot traffic into actual purchases at local stores.
"Traditional markets and alley commercial districts are the backbone of the local economy, deeply tied to residents' everyday lives," Guro-gu District Mayor Jang In-hong said. "I hope many people will visit their nearby markets and shopping streets, enjoy what they have to offer, and help breathe new energy into the local economy."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
