Traditional markets by day, outdoor night markets by night... Seoul Market Fair returns after 7 years

[Financial News] Traditional-market foods and specialties from across Seoul will be available in one place, and an outdoor night market offering performances and food after dark will set up at Cheonggye Plaza. As the Seoul Metropolitan Government develops traditional markets into hubs for nighttime spending and cultural activities, the event will let people enjoy market nightlife in the heart of downtown.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 18th that it will hold the 2026 Seoul Market Fair on the 24th and 25th around Cheonggye Plaza. The city’s flagship traditional-market fair is being held for the first time in seven years and will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This year’s event will be held under the theme “Traditional Markets by Day, Outdoor Night Markets by Night.” From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the “Day Market” will offer traditional-market products and traditional-culture activities; from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the “Night Market” will feature nighttime food and cultural performances.
The event is also linked to the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s policy to boost the nighttime economy. Last July, the city outlined a policy direction that links transportation, safety, cultural and tourism content, and support for small businesses to promote nighttime spending. In particular, since October, it has been promoting nighttime food-and-culture festivals at 23 traditional markets and shopping districts across 12 autonomous districts. The aim is to expand traditional markets from daytime shopping destinations into places where people can enjoy food and culture in the evening as well.
Around 40 businesses from traditional markets, including Namdaemun Market, Baengnyeon Market and Daejo Market, and neighborhood commercial areas, including Sangbong Meokja Alley and Sharosu-gil, will take part. They will sell a variety of foods, including tteokbokki, dakgangjeong and kebabs, as well as agricultural and fishery products, local specialties, traditional crafts and household goods. An area with about 40 tables and a total of 160 seats will also be set up along Cheonggyecheon.
The Day Market will offer six hands-on programs, including making mother-of-pearl phone grips and hand mirrors, making K-food key rings, caricatures and face painting. Fusion Korean traditional music and traditional performance arts will be presented on the 24th, while mask dance, samulnori and K-pop performances will take place on the 25th. The “Live Moonlight DJ Show” will begin at 7 p.m. on the 25th.
A policy information center for traditional markets and small businesses will also be open. It will offer consultations on support for enrolling in traditional-market fire mutual aid insurance, Seoul Pay+, and guarantees and funding for small businesses. Public-participation programs, including a stamp tour and a large roulette event, will also be held.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will create a webpage with information on traditional markets and promote links to them using QR codes, encouraging festival visitors to visit traditional markets and neighborhood commercial areas in person.
The goal is to encourage people to visit markets they discover at the event and turn one-time spending into lasting customer relationships.
Vehicle traffic will be restricted on some sections of both the south and north sides of Cheonggyecheon-ro from 6 a.m. on the 24th until midnight on the 25th, during the event.
Park Gyeong-hwan, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s People’s Livelihood and Labor Bureau, said, “I hope this will give citizens a chance to discover the appeal of new markets, offer merchants an opportunity to meet more customers, and bring fresh vitality to local commercial areas.”


[email protected] Lee Seol-young Reporter