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Gwangju’s October Festivities

Gwangju News

 Chungjang Festival & Busking World Cup

By Chung Hyunhwa

October is a beautiful festive month with its cool and dry air after the heat and humidity of summer. Generosity is more abundant in this season of harvest. In Gwangju, too, there are several very important festivals coming, which you should not miss. One is the 21st Chungjang Festival and the other is the 3rd Gwangju Busking World Cup. These two events are organized by the Dong-gu District, but they are certainly for everyone. 

I remember the first time I experienced the Chungjang Festival. It was in 2018, right after I returned to Gwangju from a decade of living away. I went out at night just to check what it was like, but surprisingly, I found myself dancing on the middle of Geumnam Street later that night! There were multiple stages scattered across Chungjang and Geumnam Streets, each of which had a DJ attracting people with different tastes for music. The crowds around the stages would listen to the music, shouting to talk to each other, laughing with each other, and moving their bodies to the music. I felt free there, wandering between the dance parties on the car-free streets! The Chungjang Festival has great appeal to all generations through its variety in attractions. I hope you can find the time (or make the time) to go and check out the following, and become part of the big party. 

Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection 2024

Events not to miss

Opening Ceremony: “The Embers of Memories”

Oct. 2 (Wed.) 7–10 p.m.: Performances and a fireworks display at the main stage in the middle of Geumnam Street, between the Asia Culture Center (ACC) fountain and Geumnamno 4-ga subway station.

Daytime Events

Oct. 3–4 (Thu.–Fri.), 2–6 p.m. on Geumnam Street: Korea-China-Japan Boxing Battle and Baduk Competition

Oct. 4 (Fri.), 2–6 p.m.: Dance Challenge – Dance challenge to randomly played music from old dance music to K-pop. Geumnam Street 1-ga. 

Oct. 5–6 (Sat.–Sun.), 3–4 p.m.: The Best Road in Life – The wedding item shopping street in Gwangju, hosts “real” weddings for the couples who missed the chance for their own ceremony. Become their wedding guests and celebrate together! Chungjang Street 4-ga.

Oct. 6 (Sun.), 4 p.m.: The 3rd Gwangju Busking World Cup Final – Takes place at the stage near the ACC fountain.

Nighttime Events

Oct. 3 (Thu.), 7–10 p.m.: Emotional Concert of Memories – Various music performances for various generations. Main stage on Geumnam Street.

Oct. 4 (Fri.), 7–10 p.m.: Passionate Dance Night – Dancing at the main stage on Geumnam Street.

Oct. 5 (Sat.), 5:00–9:30 p.m.: 1500 Jang-gu (장구) Flash Mop & Fire Art Parade

 – A parade starting from Geumnamno 5-ga to the ACC. You can participate in the competition as a group of eight or more. Registration at the following link and QR code: http://recollection.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=ticket&wr_id=6#

Daily Events

Theme Street of Memories: All day on Geumnamno 1-ga. Culture displayed according to our five senses and the eras.

Sketchbook on the Street: All day onGeumnamno 2-ga. Games and trick-art paintings drawn on the street to provide a photo opportunity. You can leave your trace by your own street painting.

Memory Traveling Theater Group: In modern history, there were traveling theater groups called “Yurangdan (유랑단) performing in the marketplace. You will see them appear here and there on the streets of the festival venues, wearing quite noticeable costumes and makeup.  You will feel like you’re time-traveling back to those days.

Raon Festa Chungjang: A regular monthly event (usually the last Saturday) to revitalize the Chungjang commercial district. During this period, the Chungjang Night Market will open as well as the Korean Traditional Alcoholic Beverage Festival in open-air tents. On Friday the 4th, the Glitter City Music Party decorated with neon lights will be on Chungjangno 4-ga, and Big Sale will cover Chungjangno from 1-ga to 4-ga.

Oct. 2–5 (Wed.–Fri., 7–11 p.m.; Sat. 9:30–11:00 p.m.): Romance Fire – Night fire zone to enjoy fire pits and barbecues on Geumnam Street.

Closing Ceremony: “The Fire in Our Hearts”

Oct. 6, 7–9 p.m.: At the main stage on Geumnam Street. Various performances prepared by each of Gwangju’s five districts.

The 3rd Gwangju Busking World Cup 2024

he 3rd Busking World Cup is held at the same time as the Chungjang Festival. Thirty-two groups from 16 countries will be competing this year. The competition’s stage will be in front of the Asia Culture Center (ACC), near the fountain. The final is tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. on the 6th (Sun.). Information on more events at two different stages can be found at this QR code.

The Author

Chung Hyunhwa, originally from Gwangju, currently works for a horticultural company. She led the international eco-hike group Gwangju Hikers at the GIC in 2020 and 2021. Previously, she taught English at Yantai American School and Yantai Korean School in China and worked in school administration at Branksome Hall Asia in Jeju. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL from TCNJ in the U.S. and a license to teach Korean. She loves plants, birds, and repurposing items creatively.