Ganghwa Starlit Night Tour

Ganghwa Starlight Night Tour will be held from September 4 to 5, 2026, around Yongheunggung Park in Gwancheong-ri, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City, and admission is free. It operates daily from 18:00 to 22:00, but as of August 30, 2026, it has not been announced whether advance reservations or ticketing are required. For the 8th edition in 2025, the “Six Nights” theme and activities such as traditional rice-cake making and traditional lantern making were announced in advance, while this year’s information includes astronomical observation, an AI photo booth, and snapshot photography as separate supplementary programs. Since the 2026 edition has not yet opened, the information below is based on the publicly available schedule and programs.

Ganghwa Starlight Night Tour expanded from the 2025 “Six Nights” theme to an AI photo booth in 2026

The advance information for the 8th edition in 2025 presented a “Six Nights” theme combining nighttime tales, nighttime history, nighttime routes, nighttime scenery, nighttime food, and nighttime markets, with performances, exhibitions, and a food market scheduled together. The 2026 information lists singer performances, a parade, a flea market, walking programs, snapshot photography, astronomical observation, an AI photo booth, and caricature experiences, making this year’s photography- and observation-based activities particularly noticeable.

The publicly announced parade details also differ by edition. In the 8th edition in 2025, a marching band and students from Ganghwa Elementary School’s orchestra were scheduled to parade on the first day, but in 2026 only the inclusion of a parade has been announced, and the participating teams have not yet been named. In 2025, traditional rice-cake making, traditional lantern making, Sochang scarf dyeing, and making night-tour key rings and bracelets were scheduled; this year’s information lists traditional rice-cake making, Sochang dyeing, and lantern making.

An itinerary after 18:00 centered on Gwancheong-ri 405 and Yongheunggung Park

The 2026 main venue is Yongheunggung Park, located at 405 Gwancheong-ri, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City. The event area is not limited to a single park; it connects the cultural heritage sites and cultural facilities of Ganghwa’s old downtown, including Ganghwa Anglican Cathedral, Yongheunggung, and the Goryeo Palace Site.

As of August 30, 2026, travel time from the nearest major city to the venue, walking distance from stations and terminals, temporary shuttle buses, traffic controls, the location of temporary parking lots, and parking fees have not been announced. Enter “Yongheunggung Park” and “405 Gwancheong-ri” into a map app, and check separately how you will travel home after the 22:00 closing time. The closing time is confirmed as 22:00, but no last-departure information is available, so the current recommendation is to postpone a same-day-trip plan and calculate your return time after transportation notices are released.

Programs for the 2026 nights, choosing between Roy Kim and Kim Na-young

On the first day, September 4, 2026, Roy Kim, Maijin, Shin Ye-young, and local performance teams will appear on stage. On the second day, September 5, Cheon Rok-dam, Kim Na-young, and local performance teams will perform. Since detailed performance times by date have not yet been announced, it is best to decide how to divide your time between your preferred singer and the walking programs after the detailed timetable is released.

In addition to the stage performances, this year’s list includes a parade, flea market, walking programs, snapshot photography, astronomical observation, an AI photo booth, traditional rice-cake making, Sochang dyeing, lantern making, caricature experiences, and street performances. The list combines activities involving explanations, such as lectures, history experiences, and walking tours, with activities whose participation methods have been announced, such as photography, the AI photo booth, astronomical observation, and food booths. However, whether foreign-language signs, leaflets, or interpretation will be provided in 2026 has not been announced.

Reference prices at the food booths and food trucks are 5,000 won for Cola Pop M, 10,000 won for Cola Pop 2XL, 5,000 won for tornado potatoes, 4,000 won for sausage-and-rice-cake skewers, 6,000 won for tacos, 10,000 won for okonomiyaki, 4,000 won for iced Americano, 6,000 won for fruit juice, and 3,000 won for sikhye. These are reference prices from the 2026 information and may change at the venue; payment methods such as cards, cash, and mobile payments have not been confirmed.

Unanswered questions about the Ganghwa Starlight Night Tour, including after the 22:00 closing

Although this year’s operating hours and free admission have been confirmed, as of August 30, 2026, the performance times by date, whether advance reservations are required, and the operating, cancellation, and refund policies in case of rain have not been announced. The available public information also does not confirm the locations of restrooms, information booths, or luggage storage, nor accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers. Travelers using mobility aids should therefore revise their routes after the venue layout is released.

For travelers who want to quietly tour cultural heritage sites, the event format—with performances, a parade, and street performances continuing from 18:00—may not be suitable. People who need English guidance may also face limitations in understanding the event because language support has not been confirmed. Travelers who find late-night travel difficult should consider both the 22:00 closing and the unpublished last-departure information when booking accommodation. Before departure, contact the event inquiry number, 070-4814-0634, to check notices about advance reservations, rainy-weather operations, transportation, and accessibility; confirm your date once detailed times for your preferred performances are published.

• Which day should I visit to see Roy Kim perform? — Roy Kim, Maijin, Shin Ye-young, and local performance teams are scheduled for September 4, 2026.
• Will astronomical observation and lantern making be held this year? — Astronomical observation and lantern making are included in the 2026 supplementary program list.
• How much should I budget for food? — Reference prices include 3,000 won for sikhye, 4,000 won for sausage-and-rice-cake skewers, 5,000 won for Cola Pop M and tornado potatoes, and 6,000 won for tacos and fruit juice.
• What is the difference between the 8th edition in 2025 and this year’s event? — In 2025, the “Six Nights” theme and activities such as traditional lantern, Sochang scarf, key-ring, and bracelet making were announced in advance; in 2026, the AI photo booth, snapshot photography, and astronomical observation are presented as separate programs.