Upcoming Events – April 2026

MUSICALS                                       

“Kinky Boots”

• Dates: April 4–5, 2026 (Sat.–Sun.)
• Times: 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
• Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater Tickets & Info: Interpark
• Overview: An uplifting, high-energy musical featuring spectacular performances and an exciting score.

Family Musical: “Pororo and a Mysterious Journey”

• Dates: April 25–26 (Sat.–Sun.)
• Times: 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., & 4:00 p.m.
• Venue: Gwangju May 18 Memorial Cultural Center, Democracy Hall
• Tickets & Info: Interpark, Naver, Yes24
• Overview: A popular family-friendly musical, perfect for a fun day out with children.

CONCERTS                                       

ACC Brunch Concert Plus: The Writer’s Playlist, Kim Young-ha

• Date: April 29 (Wed.)
• Times: 11:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: Asian Culture Center (ACC), Art Theater 2
• Tickets & Info: Advance reservations: ACC website, or call 1899-5566
• Overview: Experience the musical world of author Kim Young-ha through his personal stories and The Writer’s Playlist.
  

Gwangju Symphony Orchestra Regular Concert: “Leningrad”

• Date: April 10 (Fri.) Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
• Tickets & Info: Yes24 or call 062-613-8241
• Overview: Conducted by Lee Byung-wook and performed by soprano Hong Hye-ran, this is a high-quality classical stage where you can enjoy Shostakovich’s magnificent Symphony No. 7.

Beethoven & Rachmaninoff

• Date: April 15 (Wed.) Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
• Performers: Pianists Ilya Rashkovskiy and Sergei Tarasov, Conductor Yoon Seung-up, and the Millennium Symphony Orchestra
• Tickets & Info: Interpark or call 02-6292-9370
• Overview: A magnificent concert featuring the masterpieces of two legendary composers, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, delivering the true essence of classical music. The performance showcases iconic works such as Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and “Piano Concerto No. 5: Emperor,” alongside Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” and various other piano arrangements.

EXHIBITIONS                                   

Children’s Experience Center’s New Permanent Exhibition: Our Home, Asia

• Dates: December 3, 2025 – Dec 31, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Location: Children’s Experience Center, Children’s Cultural Center (B1) at the Asian Culture Center (ACC)
• Admission: All ages welcome. (Note: Adults must be accompanied by a child, and children must be accompanied by an adult guardian to enter.)
• Tickets & Info: ACC website (www.accf.or.kr) or call 1899-5566

Asian Story Map: The Road of One Thousand and One Nights

• Dates: Until December 31, 2026
• Times: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Extended to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays & Saturdays, Closed on Mondays)
• Venue: Asian Culture Museum (B4), Asian Culture Center
• Admission: Free
• Overview: Step into the magical world of the Arabian Nights and discover the fascinating journey of these timeless tales through interactive exhibits.

PERFORMANCES                            

Mongyu Dowonmu: “Dance of the Dream Journey to the Land of Peach Blossoms”

• Dates: April 3–4 (Fri.–Sat.)
• Times: Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 3:00 p.m.
• Venue: Arts Theater 2, Asian Culture Center (ACC)
• Tickets & Info: ACC official website (www.accf.or.kr) or call 1899-5566
• Overview: Ascend with winding and profound steps into a dreamlike utopia in “Mongyu Dowon,” a mesmerizing performance by the National Dance Company of Korea.

2026 National Theater of Korea Madang-nori: “Hong Gil-dong Is Coming”

• Dates: April 8–11 (Wed.–Sat.)
• Times: Wed. & Sat. 3:00 p.m.; Thu. & Fri. 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: Arts Theater 1, Asian Culture Center (ACC)
• Tickets & Info: ACC official website (www.accf.or.kr) or call 1899-5566
• Overview: An exhilarating Madang-nori (traditional Korean outdoor performance) where K-hero Hong Gil-dong gives corrupt officials a refreshing lesson, delivering a delightful mix of laughter and satire.

Science Magician’s Secret Notebook: “Experiments That Changed the World”

• Dates: April 5, 12, 19, & 26 (Sundays)
• Time: 2:00–2:50 p.m.
• Venue: Sangsang Hall, Gwangju National Science Museum
• Tickets & Info: On-site tickets for non-participating seats (automated ticket booth in front of Sangsang Hall on the day) or call 062-960-6142
• Overview: An interactive, storytelling performance that combines science experiments and magic to help audiences learn science in a fun and easy way.

FESTIVALS                                      

2026 Mokpo Yudal-san Spring Festival

• Dates: April 4–5 (Sat.–Sun.)
• Time: 12:00–5:00 p.m.
• Location: Yudal Mountain, Mokpo City
• Overview: A picturesque spring festival where you can enjoy a relaxing picnic surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom and vibrant spring flowers on Yudal Mountain.

Wando’s Cheongsan-do Slow Walking Festival: “Feast of Rapeseed and Green Barley”

• Dates: April 1–30
• Location: Cheongsan Island, Wando County
• Overview: Throughout April, the island transforms into a vibrant landscape covered in yellow rapeseed (canola) flowers and green barley, making it an ideal retreat for a leisurely coastal walk in the spring breeze. Key highlights include walking the 11 courses of the Slow Trail and enjoying the “Spring Waltz” concert.

The 46th Jindo Mysterious Sea Road Festival

• Dates: April 17–20 (Fri.–Mon.)
• Location: The Mysterious Sea Road in Gogun-myeon, Jindo Island
• Sea-Parting Times & Tips
  • Parting time changes daily, usually occurring between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
  • Arrive at least one hour before the scheduled parting time.
  • Wear rain boots or waterproof shoes for walking on the seabed.
  • The seabed path remains open for only about one hour.
• Overview: As one of Jeonnam Province’s premier festivals, this event offers a chance to witness the awe-inspiring sea-parting phenomenon, famously known as the “Miracle of Moses in Korea.” Visitors can walk along the revealed ocean floor and savor a variety of delicious local specialties.

2026 Hwasun Spring Flower Festival

• Dates: April 17– 26 (Fri.–Sun.)
• Time: 3:00–9:00 p.m. (Main evening events)
• Location: Kkotgang-gil (Flower River Trail) and Namsan Park area in Hwasun-eup
• Overview: Themed “Spring Flower Night Walk,” this festival features beautifully illuminated night landscapes. Highly recommended is visiting around sunset to stroll along the enchanting, flower-lined night trails.

Compiled by Amy Park.

Amy Park is a program officer for Asian Legal Resource Center (ALRC Korea) based in Gwangju. She helps build the organization’s foundation and supports new efforts in human rights advocacy and resource sharing.