Running Friday through Oct. 25 at Gilbit Neighborhood Park and Seongbuk Gilbit Library
Bookshelves and rest areas set up across the park for reading, performances and hands-on activities
An outdoor library is coming to Seongbuk-gu, where visitors can browse books amid autumn foliage and enjoy performances with their families.
Seongbuk-gu in Seoul will host the "2026 Second-Half Seongbuk-gu Outdoor Library — Books Color the City" from Friday through Oct. 25 at Seongbuk Gilbit Library and Gilbit Neighborhood Park.
The outdoor library, which drew an enthusiastic response from residents when it debuted last spring, returns for the autumn season. More than 3,000 titles — including new releases and books curated by librarians — will be placed throughout the park, along with comfortable seating where visitors can settle in and read. Guests can turn pages under the shade of trees or take in performances and hands-on activities at their leisure.
A highlight of this edition is a special book exhibition on "AI and Future Change," a theme chosen by residents themselves. The display invites visitors to explore how society may evolve through reading, and on select dates the Seoul AI Foundation's "Seoul AI Companion Bus" will be on hand, offering AI experience programs where visitors can engage with new technology firsthand.
An opening ceremony will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage, featuring a celebratory performance by the Department of Performing Arts at Seokyeong University and hands-on events prepared by community organizations partnering with Seongbuk Gilbit Library. Throughout the run, the park will also host balloon magic shows, bubble performances and jazz concerts.
The final weekend — Saturday and Sunday — will spotlight Chinese culture in collaboration with the Chinese Cultural Center in Korea, featuring traditional Chinese art performances, a book and picture-book exhibition, and traditional cultural experiences. Visitors can also collect stamps at various spots around the venue.
The outdoor library will be open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays, and only some areas will be available Tuesday through Thursday. Performance and activity schedules vary by date and are subject to change depending on weather. Full details are available on the Seongbuk Gilbit Library website.
Seongbuk-gu District Mayor Lee Seung-ro said the outdoor library has returned for autumn with an even richer lineup of programs after receiving strong support last spring. "I hope this becomes a time for families and neighbors to read together, enjoy culture and find a little breathing room in their everyday lives," he said.
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