Royal Culture Festival. · 2026 · Historical listing

Next edition

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Information for this edition

Dates

Oct 7, 2026 — Oct 11, 2026

Place

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, located at 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Admission at the time

Paid (separate entrance fees apply for each palace)

Published hours at the time

It varies depending on the program

Facts last checked

2026-10-11

First preserved here

2026-10-05

Published programme

The Royal Culture Festival is Korea’s largest national heritage festival, held each spring and autumn at Seoul’s five palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung—and Jongmyo Shrine. Palace-based performances, exhibitions, activities and re-created ceremonies present Korean traditions. Hosted by the Korea Heritage Service and organised by the Korea Heritage Agency, this year’s 12th festival has the theme ‘Palaces Awaken the Arts’, expanding the palaces beyond heritage viewing into stages for experiencing the roots of K-culture. The spring 2026 festival recorded its highest attendance, with around 725,000 visitors. For autumn, daytime exhibitions, tours and activities focus on palace spaces and history, while expanded evening performances and experiences use the palace buildings and natural scenery, offering a different experience from spring. At 17:00 on Tuesday, October 6, the day before opening, a special KBS2 Immortal Songs — 2026 Royal Culture Festival performance celebrates the start of the autumn festival at Gyeongbokgung’s Heungnyemun Square. Under the same theme, performances ranging from traditional Korean music to K-pop are intended for all generations. Admission to this performance is free, and audience applications can be made on the official KBS Immortal Songs website.

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