From September 25 to October 3, 2025, Gangnam will pulse with culture, flavor, music, and art. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gangnam-gu with GN Festival — a nine-day extravaganza of K-culture, K-food, fashion, concerts, marathons, and traditional performances.
Gangnam Festival 2025 in Korea: Gangnam’s Ultimate K-Culture Celebration – Overview
Gangnam Festival 2025, branded as HEY! Gangnam, transforms the district into a living stage. With ten signature programs spanning food, fashion, performance, music, and community events, the festival invites locals and visitors alike to dive into the heart of modern Korean culture.
The festival features these major programs:
Gourmet Journey & K-Culture Zone
Fringe Performances
Gangnam Fashion Festa × C.at Work Festa
Opening Ceremony & Vision Proclamation
Yeongdong-daero K-POP Concert
HEY Gangnam Family Concert
Maru Park Music Picnic
KBS Open Concert
HEY Gangnam International Peace Marathon
HEY Bongeun Temple SanSa Concert
Each program highlights a different facet of Gangnam’s identity — from street food and global cuisine to rooftop runways, marathon routes, and sacred temple stages.
Day-by-Day Lineup & Highlights of Gangnam Festival 2025
Day 1(Sept 25): Gourmet Journey & K-Culture Zone
🍽️ Gourmet Journey & Food Zones
K-FOOD Zone: Sample authentic Korean traditional dishes.
GLOBAL-FOOD Zone: Taste international cuisines from around the world.
Signature Gangnam Brands: Try local favorites like Hojokban, Dosan Bunsik, Clappizza, PUOS, and more—brands originating in Gangnam.
Food Trucks (8 zones): From street-style K-food to Western, Japanese cuisine, desserts, and both alcoholic & non-alcoholic cocktails—something to satisfy every palate.
🎭 K-Culture Experience Zone
Gyeongju Hwangnam Bread tasting corner
Creative & Trendy Zones: RYU, Artist Bottle Club
Vehicle Exhibition/Experience: MINI Kolon Motors
Photo Experiences: Photoism instant photo booth, 360° photo zone
Beauty & Fashion Demos: Brands including Odesilk, LAKA, Toms offering hands-on experiences
These zones let you engage with the latest in K-Culture trends and create memorable moments.
👉 Why this matters: Day 1 sets the tone — not just spectacle but immersion.
📌 Tips:
Arrive early to beat the crowd.
Bring a camera — photo ops everywhere.
Wear comfy shoes.
Days 1–4 (Sept 25–28): Fringe Performances: Spontaneous Art Across the City
From September 25 to 28, Fringe shows breathe life into Gangnam — streets, squares, even moving trucks.
🏙 Gangnam Square Fringe Schedule
Every day at Gangnam Square, you’ll find a lineup of eclectic performances:
Sept 25 (Thu):
12:00 — Road fashion show & K-POP cover dance
13:00 — Mime (Cultural Content Research Institute)
14:00 — Jazz band (Ash Band)
18:30 — Tightrope show (Namchangdong)Sept 26 (Fri):
12:00 — Band + tap dance (Jazz Step Village)
13:00 — K-POP dance (Astel)
14:00 — Pop busking (U-ing)
18:00 — HEY Gangnam DJ ShowSept 27 (Sat):
12:00 — Korean traditional band (Granada)
13:00 — Popera (Noel)
14:00 — Random play dance (audience participation)Sept 28 (Sun):
12:00 — B-boying (Fusion MC)
13:00 — Rock ballad (Dongheon)
14:30 — Taekwondo demonstration
🚚 Mobile Acts on Wheels: HEY Gangnam Express
Think performances that move. The HEY Gangnam Express uses wing-body trucks to bring shows to different neighborhoods in Gangnam.
Sept 26 (Fri):
09:30 — Yeongdong Market
11:00 — Gangnam Senior Plaza
12:30 — Gangnam Senior Welfare Center
15:30 — Hasang Welfare Center for the Disabled
16:30 — Gaepo-dong Station
17:00 — Apgujeong Rodeo
18:00 — Deukgol Neighborhood Park
Sept 27 (Sat):
11:00 — Yangjae Station
12:00 — Motgol Hanok Children’s Library
13:30 — Lotte Department Store (Hanti Station)
15:00 — Seonjeongneung Entrance
18:30 — Garosu-gil
Day 2 (Sept 26) — Grand Opening: Vision Proclamation & Ceremony
At 7:00 PM on September 26, the Opening Ceremony & Vision Proclamation will take center stage in front of COEX. This moment marks the formal kickoff of GN Festival 2025 — and it’s no ordinary opening. – COEX Plaza
The event celebrates 50 years since Gangnam-gu’s establishment, inviting attendees to reflect on the past five decades and look ahead to the next 50 with renewed vision.
It begins with a samulnori procession by Hanullim, followed by a dazzling display of line rockets, laser beams, and special effects.
Then, 250 performers unite in the mass choir singing the theme song “2070 Gangnam”, and the symbolic “Light of 2070 Gangnam” will be lit to officially open the festival.
A highlight: 50 local citizens, selected through prior application, will join the stage — embodying the theme “toward the future of 2070 Gangnam with the community”.
Performers include Kim Sohyun (musical actor), Tei (singer), Dance Nori Youngjae Arts Troupe, Gangnam Children’s Choir, K-arts dance troupe, King of Connection b-boys, and more — blending video, music, and choreography for a multimedia spectacle.
Day 2–4 (Sept 26 – 28): Gangnam Fashion Festa × C.at Work Festa
Running from September 25 to 28, the Gangnam Fashion Festa × C.at Work Festa reinvents fashion as performance. This hybrid event fuses K-fashion, K-POP energy, and gourmet elements into runway spectacles unlike any typical catwalk.
Fashion Meets Multimedia: Leading Korean fashion houses like ZAGAE, YYYY, NIBGNUS, NYXX, MELLY AND ROSE, ORLEANS STORE, SUPER LONELY, and ERER will present collections enriched with music, media art, and live performance elements.
Continuous Runway & Open Stages: From midday to night, the runways and open stages will maintain the momentum, punctuating the event with powerful visual and sensory experiences. The interplay of fabric textures and lighting, captured in a single camera frame, is designed to define the spirit of current Gangnam.
Schedule Highlights (Sept 25–28):
Sept 25: 12:00 — K-POP Road Fashion Show at Gangnam Square Plaza
Other days: Various runway & open stage times culminating in evening showcases
Venue: COEX — specifically, Shinhan Card Atrium (1F piloti special stage)
This fashion festival isn’t just about watching clothes walk by — it’s about immersing yourself in the trendsetting pulse of Gangnam, where fashion, sound, visuals, and even taste come together in an integrated show.
Day 3 (Sept 27): Yeongdong-daero K-POP Concert
19:00 – 22:00 | In front of COEX on Yeongdong-daero
The pinnacle of GN Festival 2025 arrives on September 27 (Saturday) with the Yeongdong-daero K-POP Concert, running from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This grand outdoor concert transforms Yeongdong-daero (in front of COEX) into a dazzling stage of Hallyu spectacle.
Expect performances from top K-POP acts with devoted fanbases — BTOB, SF9, Fifty Fifty, nSSign, Baby Don’t Cry, and more. The legendary group god will return to close the show with a powerful finale.
A whopping 47-meter wide stage, synchronized lighting, special effects, and state-of-the-art LED media screens will elevate each act’s performance.
Thousands of fans singing along in unison, a sea of light sticks shining in the night — this evening will mark a legendary moment for Yeongdong-daero.
Note: The concert is for audiences aged 15 and older. Zones B and C may experience view obstructions, and special screens will be used to maintain visibility.
Venue: COEX East Plaza & Yeongdong-daero (in front of COEX)
⚠ Audience 15+. Zones B & C may have view obstructions.
Day 3 (Sept 27) Evening: Maru Park Music Picnic
19:00 | Gaepo-dong Maru Park
On Saturday, September 27, at Gaepo-dong Maru Park, the Maru Park Music Picnic will color the autumn evening with a diverse lineup from classical music to Korean traditional (gugak), nostalgic acoustic guitar performances, and trot.
Part 1 opens with energetic performances by young gugak (traditional Korean music) artists. With the female tightrope master Seojuhyang, a creative “changga” (song) based on the Guryong Mountain legend, and ensembles like Samhyun Yukkak and folk percussion, the stage will emanate Korea’s tradition and vitality.
Part 2 will be a grand orchestral set by the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra. Featuring soprano Lim Sun-hye and tenor Kim Hyo-jong, they will perform opera arias and musical numbers, offering a refined classical feast that enchants the audience.
Part 3 brings a nostalgic acoustic guitar session with Jo Young-nam and Yoon Hyung-ju (of Cessibong era), bridging generations with shared emotion and resonance.
Part 4 (Finale) closes with a special performance featuring trot singer Oh Yoo-jin and Shin Yoo, blending their clear vocals and deep emotional tones.
In this setting where nature and music intertwine, the Maru Park Music Picnic invites attendees to share the romance and profound resonance of an autumn night.
Venue: Gaepo-dong Maru Park
Day 4 (Sept 28): HEY Gangnam Family Concert
19:00 – 22:00 | COEX East Plaza & Yeongdong-daero
Venue: COEX East Plaza & Yeongdong-daero (in front of COEX) Visit Gangnam+2코엑스+2
On the final evening of the festival, Sunday, September 28, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the HEY Gangnam Family Concert will light up the COEX East Plaza and Yeongdong-daero. This concluding concert brings beloved voices from past decades together for a shared celebration of music across generations.
The lineup features iconic artists from the 1990s and 2000s:
Lee Jae-hoon (Cool) — a voice that defined an era
Lim Chang-jung — a versatile entertainer balancing ballad and dance
Kim Chang-yeol (DJ DOC) — a major name in Korean hip hop
R.ef — legendary dance duo known for hits like “Farewell Formula (이별공식)”
Kim Min-jong — emotional balladeer and actor
Kim Hyun-jung — a powerful diva voice
Diva — a girl group icon with charisma and strong vocals
Space A — a mixed group popular in the ’90s known as “the sexy man” group
True to its name, this “Family Concert” brings together artists who combine mass appeal and live performance energy. As the crowd sings along to nostalgic hits, generational lines fade — and the stage and audience become one. Visit Gangnam+1
🎟 Viewing & Ticket Notes
The concert is for ages 15 and above. Visit Gangnam
Zone B and Zone C may have obstructed views due to staging constraints. To reduce inconvenience, relay screens will be provided. In particular, Zone C faces side placement challenges, so viewers should consider that when booking. Visit Gangnam
Day 7 (Oct 2) — KBS Open Concert: Light Up the Night
On Thursday, October 2, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, KBS Open Concert will be held at the Jamwon Han River Park (Sinsa-Jamwon zone), serving as one of the grand closers of the GN Festival.
Celebrating Gangnam-gu’s 50th anniversary, this concert combines diversity in genre with broad appeal — a musical celebration that bridges generations.
With the open river setting and night skyline, the concert offers a special stage where music and scenery blend.
Artists like Hye Eun Yi, Baek Ji-young, ZAZA, Soyou, Peppertones, and others will perform, delivering a mix of mainstream and standout acts.
The performance will be broadcast on KBS1 TV on October 26, meaning the concert reaches audiences beyond the live event.
Venue: Jamwon Han River Park, Multipurpose Stadium (Sinsa-Jamwon zone)
Day 8 (Oct 3) Morning: HEY Gangnam International Peace Marathon
On Friday, October 3, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the HEY Gangnam International Peace Marathon takes center stage as the festival finale — a celebration not only of athleticism but of unity.
This is the 22nd edition of the marathon, conveying peace through running as its most direct and powerful expression.
Choose from four race categories: Full, Half, 10 km, or 5 km. About 10,000 participants are expected to join.
Runners aiming for records, everyday joggers, families, and groups of friends all come together to enjoy the city in motion. Post-race, awards and prize drawings enhance the festive energy.
A celebrity chef food festival and related side attractions turn this into more than a race — it’s a full day of movement, flavor, and community.
Location: Bongeunsa-ro (in front of Samseong 1-dong Community Center)
Day 8 Evening (Oct 3) — HEY Bongeun SanSa Concert
As part of the festival’s climactic close, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on October 3 (Friday), the HEY Bongeun SanSa Concert takes place at Bongeunsa Temple — a fitting finale set in one of Seoul’s most historic temples.
Expect a genre-spanning program — from traditional music and classical numbers to popular songs — all performed in the peaceful, sacred setting of Bongeunsa.
Lineup highlights include Song Changsik, Kim Chang-wan Band, Ali, and Seodo Band — artists who bridge generations and musical styles.
Against the temple’s quiet backdrop, these performances aim to evoke emotion, reflection, and resonance.
This stage marks the final act of GN Festival 2025, where tradition, music, and seasonal ambiance meet under the night sky.
🚇 How to Get There
Main Venues: COEX K-POP Plaza, Yeongdong-daero, Bongeunsa Temple, Gaepo-dong Maru Park, Jamwon Han River Park.
COEX & Yeongdong-daero (Opening, K-POP Concert, Family Concert)
Subway: Samseong Station (Line 2, Exit 5/6) → 5 min walk
Alternative: Bongeunsa Station (Line 9, Exit 7) → directly connected to COEX
Bus: Take lines 146, 301, 401, 9407 to COEX/Trade Center stop
Bongeunsa Temple (SanSa Concert)
Subway: Bongeunsa Station (Line 9, Exit 1) → 3 min walk
Right across from COEX, easy to find
Gaepo-dong Maru Park (Music Picnic)
Subway: Gaepo-dong Station (Line 3, Exit 3) → 10 min walk
Bus: 461, 407 to Gaepo-dong stop
Jamwon Han River Park (KBS Open Concert)
Subway: Jamwon Station (Line 3, Exit 4) → 7 min walk to the riverside
Tip: Bring a picnic mat for riverside seating
👉 General Tip: Use public transport. Roads around COEX and Yeongdong-daero will be blocked for large events, and parking is very limited.
Tips for Gangnam Festival 2025 Goers
Plan by zones & times — many events overlap
Arrive early for headline concerts
Comfortable shoes & charger = must
Camera ready 📸
Concert zones B & C → obstructed view; rely on relay screens
Public transport > car (parking limited)
Check daily maps/apps for updates
🎯 Closing Thoughts on Gangnam Festival 2025
In conclusion, Gangnam Festival 2025 is not just another local event but Seoul’s largest autumn celebration of food, music, fashion, and culture. From the dazzling Yeongdong-daero K-POP concert to the serene Bongeunsa Temple finale, the festival connects tradition and modernity in the heart of Gangnam. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Korea or a long-time resident, Gangnam Festival 2025 offers an unforgettable journey into the vibrant spirit of the city.
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💬 Which program excites you most at Gangnam Festival 2025? Share in the comments below!