Daejeon Jung-gu North Festival

A weekend when the back alley of the former South Chungcheong Provincial Office becomes a library

Seonridangil in Jung-gu, Daejeon is usually a quiet alley behind the former South Chungcheong Provincial Office. It is a street like a hidden hot spot in downtown Daejeon, with cafes and restaurants converted from old houses scattered among low-rise buildings from the 1960s to 1980s. But during the Book Festival, this whole alley turns into an outdoor library. I visited because I was curious about the sight of books spreading out onto the alley floor and benches, and the scene of books, a market, and a small stage lining the back street of the former provincial office in Seonhwa-dong was quite impressive.

This festival is a reading culture festival hosted by Jung-gu, Daejeon. It first debuted at Temiore in 2024, and in 2025 it was held across two stages: the Seonridangil outdoor library and the main event at Woorideul Park, under the theme "Chapter 1, The Existence of Each Other." In 2026, it continues with "Chapter 2, The Connection of Each Other." It is a place where local writers, bookstore owners, and small library people meet through books, so rather than a large tourism festival, it feels more like a humanities walk following the stories of the neighborhood.

A day starting from Exit 4 of Jung-gu Office Station

Getting there is simpler than you might think. Take Daejeon Metro Line 1 and get off at Jung-gu Office Station, then come out from Exit 4; it is a 4 to 5 minute walk to Seonridangil behind the former South Chungcheong Provincial Office. If you are coming from Daejeon Station or the Complex Terminal, you can also take Bus 201 and get off at the Jung-gu Office Station stop. I arrived at Daejeon Station by KTX and reached it after just two subway stops, which was convenient because there was almost no transfer. By the way, Jung-gu Office Station is not a busy station, so the station area is fairly quiet, and there is no need to worry about the route being crowded.

The alley itself is not large, so there is no need to keep checking a map. The outdoor library ran from daytime until evening, and the 2025 Seonridangil event operated from around noon until 8:00 p.m. I arrived late in the afternoon and walked through the alley as the sun was setting, and when the landscape lighting came on, it had a completely different atmosphere from daytime. Even though the night program ended around 8:00 p.m., the Jung-gu Office Station subway and city buses were still running, so getting home was not difficult.

The program is best enjoyed like this:

• The "Booksing" stage, created together by a human library and musicians — a mix of lectures and music, so it is nice to stop by and listen as you pass
• Children's puppet theater — if you are with kids, make sure to catch it at the scheduled time
• Book market and secondhand market booths — fun for browsing and buying local bookstores, publishers, and goods
• Experience programs such as handwriting stamps and pop-up books
• The humanities "Book Alley Tour" that walks through alleys and spaces related to books

If you do not know Korean, an alley walk is still enjoyable, but the lectures are a bit different

To be honest, this festival is not an event designed for foreign tourists. The book talks and human library lectures are all held in Korean, and no English interpretation or separate guide app was confirmed. So it may be difficult to follow the lectures fully. However, walking through the outdoor library, looking around the market booths, and listening to the stage music do not require much language. I had enough fun just browsing local independent publications and chatting with booth vendors using gestures.

Payment generally works by card, as is typical in downtown Daejeon these days, but some independent bookstores or souvenir booths may prefer cash or bank transfer. It is a good idea to bring a small amount of cash. Admission is free. Since there is a lot of walking, comfortable shoes are the right choice, and because it is an autumn event, bring a light outer layer for the cooler evening. For restrooms, you can use nearby public buildings such as the Jung-gu Office, but since this is an alley festival, it is better to take care of it at the station beforehand rather than expect large convenience facilities. Be sure to check the official Jung-gu Office notice again for the exact operating hours and program schedule on the day.

For people who like books, alleys, and quiet travel

Even when there is no festival, Seonridangil has a cluster of cafes and restaurants renovated from old houses, so after seeing all the programs, it is nice to finish with a cup of coffee nearby. Daejeon is also famous for Sungsimdang bread, so you can combine it with a stroll through downtown Daejeon. Rather than expecting flashy sights or a huge stage, this is a festival for people who want to slowly enjoy the texture of an old alley and the smell of books. If you like quiet travel, local vibes, and books, I would strongly recommend walking through this alley in downtown Daejeon in the fall.