Lamb Skewers, Grilled Beef Entrails, Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Skewers... Daegu Seomun and Chilseong Night Markets Open

Open Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Until November

The 'Seomun·Chilseong Night Market,' beloved as a nationwide night tourism hotspot, will officially reopen on the 27th after a roughly three-month winter break.

This year, Seomun Night Market will operate from March to December, and Chilseong Night Market from March to November, both open three days a week: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Last year, Seomun Night Market was open three days a week, while Chilseong Night Market operated five days a week. However, this year, both markets unified to a three-day schedule to focus operational resources on days with higher visitor traffic and enhance service quality. In 2025, Seomun Night Market was open Friday to Sunday, and Chilseong Night Market operated on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Seomun Market, Chilseong Market Night Market Promotional Material

The operating hours are from 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays.

A total of 36 stall operators (26 at Seomun, 10 at Chilseong), selected through a rigorous screening process, will infuse Daegu's nights with a gourmet festival. The line-up includes new operators introducing innovative flavors and veteran vendors recognized for excellence last year, each offering differentiated menus that highlight the unique characteristics of each market to captivate visitors’ palates.

Seomun Night Market, a hotspot among young tourists, will feature trendy menu items such as stir-fried octopus with butter, lamb skewers, grilled beef entrails, Cabbage-yaki, and Gochujang Bulgogi Tacos, targeting the tastes of Millennials & Gen Z as well as international visitors.

Chilseong Night Market, emphasizing its role as a downtown healing space, has strengthened its offerings of family-friendly dishes such as steak, shrimp tempura, chicken skewers, patbingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert), and hot dogs, catering to its main customer base of family visitors.

The markets are also transforming into multifaceted cultural spaces filled with experiences beyond just food. Initiatives like a 'Flea Market' featuring local handicraft artists and a children's economic experience program called 'Byeolbyeol Children's Market (Chilseong)' amplify participatory content for the whole family to enjoy.

Cultural performances will further enhance the romantic atmosphere of the night markets. From March 27 to 29, the opening week, local artists, including indie bands and acoustic groups, will hold celebratory performances. At Chilseong Night Market, a 'Visible Radio' program will be offered, providing visitors with interactive entertainment experiences.

Regular performances will be held every week throughout the season (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Seomun Night Market will host a variety of shows—including busking and dance performances—from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while Chilseong Night Market will run performances from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition, special seasonal events are planned, such as the '9th Seomun Song Festival' in July and the 'Chilseong Night Beer Festival' in August, offering visitors refreshing entertainment during the summer heat.

In particular, Seomun Night Market, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will further enhance its cultural content with a special commemorative event. Chilseong Night Market will expand its stay-type content by utilizing newly installed beam projectors for sports broadcasts and movie screenings.

The Daegu city government is also focusing on improving safety management and visitor convenience to accommodate large crowds. Alongside annual upgrades such as replacing old wiring and facility maintenance, this year’s plans include painting the Chilseong Night Market bridge piers, installing shade canopies on stairs, and replacing the walls of old Mongolian tents to create an even more comfortable environment for visitors.

Meanwhile, Seomun Night Market has established itself as an essential stop for both domestic and international tourists thanks to its size, diverse cultural offerings, and vibrant scenery. Chilseong Night Market, with its riverside setting and romantic night view, is gaining recognition as a premier healing destination for families and couples. Both night markets were selected among the 'Top 100 Nighttime Destinations in Korea,' and last year, they surpassed 1.4 million annual visitors.

Kim Jeonggi, Acting Mayor of Daegu, stated, "The vibrancy of Seomun Night Market and the romance of Chilseong Night Market are among Daegu's greatest assets. This year, we will continue to offer a variety of enjoyable experiences to tourists from across the country and abroad, making the night markets a festival space where everyone can savor the unique tastes and charms of Daegu."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.