Seongju County Wraps Up 2026 Seongju Chamoe & Life Culture Festival, Promising to Return Next Year

The “Falling Fireworks of Life” Moves Hearts at Ichon Riverside in Seongbak Forest

From the “Life Theme Plaza” to “Seed Island”

Content That Unites Generations Earns Unprecedented Praise

The “2026 Seongju Chamoe & Life Culture Festival,” which highlighted Seongju County’s signature chamoe (Korean melon) and the noble values of the culture of life, successfully concluded its four-day journey to enthusiastic acclaim from tourists.

This year’s festival attracted global attention even before it began. By broadcasting a large-scale promotional video on the electronic billboards of Times Square in New York, the festival took its first step toward becoming a world-renowned event. As a result, during the festival period, visitors from across the country flocked to Seongju, solidifying its status as a true representative regional festival.

2026 Seongju Chamoe & Life Culture Festival Finale
[Photo by Seongju-gun]

In particular, this year’s festival was designed around the unique themes of “chamoe” and “life” so that people of all ages could enjoy it. Interactive experiences and educational entertainment were significantly enhanced, earning high praise for providing deep satisfaction to both local residents and tourists alike.

The main programs throughout the festival featured a well-structured lineup, beginning with the grandeur of tradition, followed by exciting cultural performances, and culminating in spectacular nighttime attractions.

On the first day, the festival opened with the “Royal Procession for the Enshrinement of the Placenta Chamber of King Sejong’s Prince,” a majestic reenactment of Joseon royal rituals that adorned the streets of Seongju-eup, setting the stage for a harmonious blend of tradition and unity.

Next, in the “Seongju People’s Harmony Day” program, local residents and tourists came together as one, heating up the festival grounds with a sense of community.

On the second day, the “Proclamation of Life” ceremony was held, reminding everyone of the preciousness and sanctity of life and amplifying the atmosphere on site. That evening, the opening concert featured top-class vocalists such as Baek Z Young, hip-hop legends Dynamic Duo, and trending trot singer Park Seojin, uniting all generations and filling Seongbak Forest with passionate excitement.

The third day was the festival’s highlight. During the day, the “Seongju Marble” mission experience, which encouraged exploration throughout Seongju, and the sweet “Light and Love of Life Concert” added vibrancy to the event.

As night fell, the “Falling Fireworks of Life,” presented for the first time this year, unfolded along the Ichon Riverside of Seongbak Forest. Traditional charcoal-powder fireworks lit up the night sky and reflected off the river, creating a cascade of starlike spectacles that left visitors deeply moved and awestruck.

On the final day, the “Chamoe Song Festival,” which showcased the talents and passion of people from across the country, and the traditional communal game “Byeolmoi Tug-of-War,” which carried on Seongju’s heritage, brought everyone together in harmony. The festival concluded with a dazzling fireworks display, promising to return even greater next year.

The spatial layout was meticulously planned, rivaling that of a theme park and maximizing the festival’s appeal as a family- and child-oriented event.

First, the historical exhibition hall “Seongju Where Kings Lived,” located in the [Life Theme Plaza], conveyed the rich history of Seongju with the immersive quality of a film.

Additionally, the aromatic “Chamoe Healing Park” in one corner of the plaza became the most popular photo spot throughout the festival, thanks to its beautiful landscaping. In the lively “Chamoe Lounge,” where visitors could directly participate and have fun, entertaining events such as the on-site “Chamoe Flash Auction” and the unique “Chamoe Fishing” took place continuously, delighting attendees.

At [Seed Island], a specially designed area for families with children, various educational contents such as the “Life Exploration Center” and “Seed Stadium” were provided, garnering great response.

Especially on the weekend, dynamic activity games like “Chamoe Hardness!” and “Chamoe Flower Has Bloomed” received explosive reactions from children with their thrilling execution. The water bikes operated along the Ichon Riverside offered families a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenic waterside views and refreshing breezes.

Moreover, rest areas thoughtfully arranged for the comfort of visitors were highly praised.

The [Welcome Terrace], which greeted guests at the festival entrance, along with the tranquil “Life Trail” created along the Seongbak Forest path, were highlighted as healing spaces for modern people.

The “Seongbak Forest Time-Out” program, where visitors could lie back in lounge chairs and relax amid lush greenery, and the “100 Steps for the Birth of Life” experience, where one could walk while listening to calming prenatal music through headsets, provided true relaxation and comfort for those weary from their daily routines.

The chairperson of the Seongju-gun Festival Promotion Committee stated, “This year’s festival was more ambitious than ever, allowing all generations to enjoy and appreciate Seongju’s pride—sweet chamoe and the precious culture of life. In particular, thanks to the enthusiastic support and high civic spirit shown by residents and tourists, as well as the public debut of the falling fireworks, the festival ended successfully. We promise to return next year with an even more innovative and improved festival.”

P, a visitor from outside the region, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of hands-on activities and food. One small regret is that, as an outsider, I found it hard to find my way around, so it would be even better if guide signs were installed next year. Still, it was a memorable festival, and I look forward to next year.”

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