Hangang Summer Festival returns with more excitement

By Kang Seung-woo

The Hangang Summer Festival has kicked off, turning Seoul's riverside parks into fun-packed destinations.

Founded in 2013, the annual fete held along the Han River has established itself as the flagship summer event in the capital, drawing more than 10 million people every year thanks to its wide range of entertainment, according to the city government.

They include water sports, film screenings, circuses, concerts, camping, dancing, night markets and ecological programs.

This year, the 31-day event from July 20 to Aug. 19 will have 80 events and programs under three themes: Cool Hangang, Fantastic Hangang and Hangang Together. The city introduced 38 new programs this year, 27 of which were devised by citizens.

Making the event more attractive, 70 percent of the entire programs, or 59, can be enjoyed for free.

The Hangang Project Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government has organized the seasonal festival in cooperation with civic organizations and private support groups.

“The festival has returned with various programs to entertain visitors. We hope all of them will have unforgettable summer memories in the event,” said Yoon Young-chul, head of the Hangang Project Headquarters, adding they expect 12 million people this year, up from 11.5 million last year.

Cool Hangang focuses on water leisure programs such as Hangang Playground, Hangang Water Fight Festival and Hangang Paper Boat Competition.

Hangang Playground is the most notable program, in which visitors can enjoy 10 water leisure activities, such as kayaking, canoeing and water biking. It will be available until the end of the festival near Paradise Quay on Yeouido. Fees vary depending on each activity.

The water fight program is where participants fight each other with balloons and water guns. It is a two-day event that will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 4 and 5 at Nanji Hangang Park, and costs 11,000 won ($9.7) per person.

The paper boat racing is an event in which people build their own boats out of cardboard boxes to cross the Han River. People can sign up either online or on-site and the fee is 50,000 won per team. It will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Aug. 10 to 12 at Jamsil Hangang Park.

The Fantastic Hangang is about concerts, films and performances.

The Hangang Fire Dancing Festival, among others, is a performance by the world's best fire dancing artists, and also features fireworks. It will take place at 5 p.m. through 10 p.m. on July 28 and 29 at Banpo Hangang Park. The event is free and attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

It also offers outdoor Hangang Jazz Festival with “Jarasum Jazz” in front of the man-made Sebitseom island at Banpo Hangang Park at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 15.

The Hangang Under the Bridge Film Festival, available for free at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday during the festival period, takes place at Cheonho, Ttukseom, Yeouido and Mangwon parks.

The Hangang Starlight Small Theater features various performances, exhibitions and experience programs at 3 p.m. through 10 p.m., Aug. 10 to 12 at Yeouido Hangang Park.

Hangang Together is focused on rest, theenvironment and ecology.

Its flagship program is Hangang Night Walk 42K that starts in the evening and ends in the early morning. It is divided into three courses: 42 kilometers, 25 kilometers and 15 kilometers.

It is a one-day event on July 28 at Yeouido Hangang Park and the entree fees depend on the distances: 40,000 won for the longest course, followed by 35,000 won for the mid one and 30,000 won for the shortest.

Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market@Hangang is another that visitors should not miss out on.

The night market is open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday at both Yeouido and Banpo parks and visitors can enjoy food from around the world, shop for unique handmade accessories and watch various cultural performances.