Five Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul to Host Royal Culture Festival from April 25

Scene from last year's Royal Culture Festival opening ceremony.

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The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Heritage Promotion Agency will host the "2026 Royal Culture Festival" from April 25 to May 3 at Seoul’s five major palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung) and Jongmyo Shrine. This is the nation's largest cultural heritage festival, showcasing traditional cultural content using the royal palaces. Last year, the festival drew a record-high 1.37 million visitors.

The opening ceremony will be held in advance on April 24 at Heungnyemun Square in Gyeongbokgung Palace. Director Yang Jung-woong, who produced cultural events for the APEC Summit, will present a stage that combines K-content and royal aesthetics. Highlights include the National Dance Company's "Dream Journey to the Peach Blossom Land," a performance of "Ganggangsullae" by rapper Woo Wonjae and the National Heritage Promotion Agency’s Art Troupe, and a Hanbok fashion show accompanied by traditional music (gugak) EDM. There will also be a joint performance by Heo Yoonjeong, a master of the geomungo sanjo (an intangible cultural heritage), and dancer Choi Hojong; a reinterpretation of Bongsan Talchum by dancer Aiki; a media facade mapping show; and the National Gugak Center’s "Hyangamurak."

Last year, the royal culture festival 'Gyeongbokgung Palace Royal Newcomers.'

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At Gyeongbokgung Palace, highlights include "Gyeongbokgung Time Travel" (April 25-29), which recreates daily life in the Joseon Dynasty royal court; "Royal Newcomers," an experience with intangible cultural heritage transmitters; and "Royal Daily Life Reenactment" (all April 25-29), featuring palace artists from Geunjeongjeon Hall to the queen's quarters. From May 1 to 3, the "Children's Royal Culture Festival" will offer hands-on experiences of Joseon-era professions and a variety of performances blending tradition and modernity. Throughout the festival, there will also be "Gyeonghoeru Outing" events for socially marginalized groups, such as single-parent families, and the "K-Heritage Market," which sells national intangible heritage crafts.

At Changdeokgung Palace, visitors can enjoy the early morning exploration "Waking Up the Morning Palace" (April 28-May 3) and nighttime immersive experiences. "Dance of the Moon with Crown Prince Hyomyeong" (April 28-30) allows visitors to follow the prince as he prepares a banquet across the rear garden to celebrate his mother, Queen Sunwon's birthday in 1828. From May 1 to 3, the "Royal Palace Concert - 100 People's Taepyeongjiak" will see 100 Ewha Womans University students and professors perform Sujecheon, Taepyeongga, and Arirang in Injeongjeon Hall.

At Deoksugung Palace, the "Royal Hobby Society" (April 25-May 3 at Jeonggwanheon) features coffee (yangtang-guk) tastings and music performances, just as Emperor Gojong enjoyed, while "Emperor’s Table" (May 1-3 at Jungmyeongjeon) offers foreign visitors a royal banquet experience. In front of Jeukjodang Hall, "Deoksugung Pungnyu" will be staged at 4 p.m. on April 26 and May 1 and 2, featuring performances by Millennials & Gen Z singers, gugak a cappella, and OST medleys.

Last year, the royal culture festival 'Deoksugung Emperor's Table.'

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At Changgyeonggung Palace, "Yeongchunheon Spring Library" (April 27-May 1) allows visitors to enjoy reading and palace tea tasting in King Jeongjo’s reading quarters, Yeongchunheon, while "The Queen’s Taste" (April 30-May 3 at Tongmyeongjeon) offers an interactive theater experience combined with bojagi (wrapping cloth) craft workshops. At Gyeonghuigung Palace, a parade and performances such as lion dance, Jindo drum dance, and pungmul will take place from Heunghwamun Gate to Sungjeongmun Gate on May 1.

At Jongmyo Shrine, the "Jongmyo Jeryeak Night Performance" will be held in the evening from April 28 to 30. The orchestra and dancers will perform facing the audience, allowing visitors to experience the majestic melodies and dance up close.

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