'Seoul Market Fair' returns after 7 years, drawing 50,000 to Cheonggyecheon Plaza

About 50,000 people visited the 2026 Seoul Market Fair, held Sept. 24-25 at Cheonggyecheon Plaza, with participating vendors generating combined sales of 110 million won ($82,400), the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Sunday.

The Seoul Market Fair, returning for the first time in seven years, brought together 38 vendors from traditional markets — including Namdaemun Market and Baengnyeon Market — as well as alley commercial districts such as Sharosugil and Hoegiraggil.

Vendors showcased products representative of their markets and districts, ranging from tteokbokki, chicken skewers and mung bean pancakes to handmade Dubai Chewy Cookies, local specialties and handcrafted goods. Some vendors sold out their entire two-day stock ahead of schedule.

This year's event was built around the concept of "traditional market by day, night market by night." From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., vendors sold local specialties and street food from traditional markets and alley districts, while traditional performances and hands-on programs ran alongside. From 5 to 9 p.m., the Cheonggyecheon riverside hosted a night food market, live performances and DJ sets.

The food lineup spanned traditional market staples — tteokbokki, chicken skewers and mung bean pancakes — alongside motsu nabe, handmade Dubai Chewy Cookies, wild honey and handcrafted goods. More than 40 dining tables and 160 seats were set up along the Cheonggyecheon so visitors could eat on the spot.

An on-site satisfaction survey found that 90.5 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the event, while 94.3 percent said they intended to return.

About 8,000 people took part in a stamp tour, and roughly 3,500 joined hands-on activities including making mother-of-pearl grip holders and K-food keychains.

Park Gyeong-hwan, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Livelihood and Labor Bureau, said the fair confirmed that traditional markets have the competitive edge to be more than just places to shop — they can be destinations for food, culture and tourism. "We will continue to support efforts to bring vitality to markets and the surrounding alley commercial districts," Park said.