Gwangmyeong Madang Theater Festival × Korea Madang Theater Festival

Gwangmyeong Madang Theater Festival X Korea Madang Theater Festival will be held from September 11 to September 13, 2026, around Gwangmyeong Civic Stadium at 20 Sicheong-ro (Cheolsan-dong), Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, with free admission. As of the final update on August 26, 2026, it has not been announced whether advance reservations are required; only free admission has been confirmed. Now in its third year since its first edition in 2024, this year's festival differs from the 35th Korea Madang Theater Festival in 2025, which featured 28 programs, by presenting about 30 domestic madang theater and outdoor theater works, 21 solo theater works, and four teams in the National Citizens' Madang Theater Festival alongside the 36th Korea Madang Theater Festival.

Three Years in 2026: How the 36th Edition Changed the Numbers on Stage

The 2026 festival marks the third year of the Gwangmyeong Madang Theater Festival and the 36th Korea Madang Theater Festival. About 30 domestic madang theater and outdoor theater works, international entries, and 21 solo theater works are scheduled, so it is best to choose your viewing order by checking the titles of the works.

Citizen participation can also be seen in the numbers. The program includes Gwangmyeong Citizens' Madang Theater and four teams in the National Citizens' Madang Theater Festival. The organizers are the Gwangmyeong Cultural Foundation and the Korean Madang Theater Association. The 35th edition in 2025 was announced in advance as featuring 28 performance, experience, and participation programs, with more than 30 teams from 13 cities nationwide, while the 34th edition in 2024 featured 36 works from 15 cities nationwide. Because the counting units for works and programs differ, the figures from the three editions should not be simply added together.

300 Meters from Exit 3 of Cheolsan Station to Gwangmyeong City Hall Parking Lot

As of the 2026 information check, the official directions state that visitors should travel about 300 meters from Exit 3 of Cheolsan Station toward Gwangmyeong Civic Center. Since the event area address is 20 Sicheong-ro (Cheolsan-dong), it is safer to enter both Gwangmyeong Civic Stadium and the address into a map app.

The public transportation information for Gwangmyeong Civic Center lists buses 504, 6616, 101, 11-2, 12, 17, 2, 22, 27, and 6638. Parking at Gwangmyeong City Hall is paid: 500 won for the first 30 minutes, followed by 300 won for every additional period of up to 10 minutes. The same information recommends using public transportation because of traffic congestion.

Temporary shuttle services and traffic controls during the 2026 event period have not been announced. Since daily closing times and the last train have also not been published, it is safest to make a provisional plan assuming that a same-day trip is not possible and adjust your return train plans once the timetable is released.

Three Days of Choosing from About 30 Works and Nine Fire Sushi Pieces

The approximately 30 works scheduled for 2026 are expected to include not only madang theater and outdoor theater but also fusion gugak, circus, street performances, and international entries. The opening program is a street procession, while the closing programs are Dansimjul Nori and Daedong Nori.

Between performances, there will be a food market, the Art Market Flea Market held with Saenggibalral Culture House, and forums and roundtable discussions. Traditional-play experiences and art-market activities are also planned, providing options for periods when you have not decided which performance to watch.

As of the final update on August 26, 2026, food prices are 10,000 won for nine fire sushi pieces, 4,000 won for sausage-and-rice-cake skewers, 4,000 won for old-fashioned hot dogs, 4,000 won for handmade sausages, and 4,000 won for tornado hot dogs. Dakgangjeong is listed at 10,000 won for a small serving, 13,000 won for a medium serving, and 17,000 won for a large serving.

Churros cost 4,000 won, tornado potatoes 5,000 won, old-fashioned tteokbokki 5,000 won, and glutinous rice sundae 6,000 won. Black pork belly rice bowls cost 10,000 won, grilled black pork belly 12,000 won, and chicken skewers are listed at 5,000 won for each of the salt, teriyaki, and spicy flavors. However, these prices are for reference only and may change at the venue; whether card, cash, or mobile payments are accepted has not been announced.

Travelers Who Need Information That Remains Unavailable Before the 36th Edition

The daily performance timetable for 2026, exact times for major works, time-specific crowd levels, and operating, cancellation, and refund policies in case of rain have not yet been announced. Whether English-language information or interpretation will be provided has also not been confirmed, making it difficult to assess in advance the language demands of the forums and roundtables or how the traditional-play activities will be explained.

Information on wheelchair and stroller accessibility, restroom locations, rest areas, and cleanliness and safety operations has also not been confirmed within the publicly available information. Travelers who want only quiet indoor viewing may find the outdoor theater and street-performance format around Gwangmyeong Civic Stadium unsuitable, while those who have difficulty returning late may face complications if they finalize accommodation before checking the closing time and last train.

Before departing on September 11, 2026, check the timetable and operating announcements on the official Instagram account gmcf_festival, and confirm any remaining inquiries by calling 02-2621-8853.

• Are the approximately 30 works and 21 solo theater works in 2026 the same number? — The official information presents the two categories separately, so do not simply add them together; check the schedule for each work.
• What should visitors look for at the closing performance? — The closing programs are announced as Dansimjul Nori and Daedong Nori.
• How much should be budgeted for food at the venue despite free admission? — Nine fire sushi pieces are listed at 10,000 won, while sausage-and-rice-cake skewers and hot-dog varieties start at 4,000 won.
• How do visitors get from Cheolsan Station to the event area? — Official directions indicate traveling about 300 meters toward the civic center from Exit 3 of Cheolsan Station on Line 7.