Ureuk Cultural Festival

The 54th Ureuk Cultural Festival will be held from October 8 to October 11, 2026, at Chungju Tangeum Park and Chungju Cultural Center, located at 26 Namhangang-ro, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (Geumneung-dong). Admission is free in 2026, and the publicly available information does not confirm whether advance reservations are required. While the 53rd festival in 2025 operated more than 70 programs under the theme “Together, Closer,” the 2026 festival will feature the slogan “Embrace Tomorrow’s Chungju in Ureuk’s Resonance” and a newtro concept inspired by the 1980s and 1990s, with programs built around the themes of song, dance, and music, along with citizen-participation activities.

From the 1971 Ureuk Arts Festival to the 54th Newtro Festival

The Ureuk Cultural Festival, which began as the Ureuk Arts Festival in 1971, places the artistic spirit of Ureuk, the master of music, song, dance, and instrumental performance, at the center of the festival. The official information provided does not confirm the schedule or detailed stage lineup for the 53rd festival in 2025.

The number of programs, detailed performances, and visitor count for the 53rd festival in 2025 cannot be confirmed from the official 2026 information provided. Unlike the previous year’s theme, the 54th festival in 2026 adopts the slogan “Embrace Tomorrow’s Chungju in Ureuk’s Resonance,” featuring the opening performance “Ureuk: NEXT_The Future Ureuk Dreamed Of” and the closing performance “Ureuk’s Resonance: Song, Dance, and Music.”

Calculating Your Return Time from 26 Namhangang-ro, Chungju Tangeum Park

Chungju Tangeum Park and Chungju Cultural Center are both listed as venues at 26 Namhangang-ro, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (Geumneung-dong). The official information provided does not confirm the 2026 performance hours or opening ceremony time.

The 2026 information does not provide the nearest station or terminal, walking distance to the venue, bus or shuttle routes, temporary parking lots, or parking fees. Since there is insufficient information to calculate the last departure or travel time from major cities, it is safest to assume that returning to another city after attending a performance will not be possible as a day trip. Before departing, confirm your route by calling 043-847-1565.

A Schedule Adding Ureuk 99 Seconds and the Youth School Uniform Salon to the Three Pillars of Song, Dance, and Music

The 2026 song theme includes the Ureuk Song Festival, the classical performance “Back Then, Our Songs,” the Ureuk Jungwon Choral Festa, and the National Singing Class Harmony Festival. Under the dance theme, visitors can enjoy the Ureuk Street Dance Festival and the Young Artists Project “Choi Ga-hyeon...Walking the Dance Path.” The music theme features the traditional music performance “Ureuk, Report to King Jinheung” and the Chungju Pungmul Festival.

The citizen-participation stages also have distinctive names: “Tone-Deaf, Rhythm-Deaf, Pitch-Deaf! The Three-Deaf Singing Contest,” “Ninano Excitement! Chopstick Competition,” “Challenge! Ureuk 99 Seconds,” the citizen singing contest “Ureuk Microphone,” and “The Starry Ureuk Tearoom.” This creates a clear distinction between schedules for quietly watching performances and those for actively participating.

Beyond the performances, there will be art, photography, poetry-and-painting, and calligraphy exhibitions; the National Student Music Competition; the Chungcheongbuk-do Jungwon Student Art Skills Competition; and the Gangsu Essay Contest. At the Nostalgic Playground, Youth School Uniform Salon, bingo games, and song, dance, and music art classes, visitors can experience creative works by local young people and artists and participate directly. A market selling Chungju agricultural and specialty products and local foods will also operate. Prices and whether cards or cash will be accepted at the market have not been disclosed.

Information Gaps Remaining After the 22:00 Performances in 2026

The detailed times by date and the venue assignments for each program cannot be confirmed from the publicly available information. Rain-operation and cancellation policies, wheelchair and stroller accessibility, and whether English information and interpretation will be provided are also unknown. These three points may constrain travel planning.

Travelers who only want to enjoy quiet exhibitions should divide their time to avoid participatory stages such as the Ureuk Song Festival and citizen singing contest. Travelers who require English information should avoid making the festival the centerpiece of their itinerary until language support is confirmed. Those traveling with wheelchairs or strollers should also verify the walking routes between the two venues in advance, while travelers who may have difficulty returning after the 22:00 performances should plan to include overnight accommodation.

Before departing on October 8, call 043-847-1565 to confirm the daily timetable, venue layouts, rain-operation policy, transportation, and accessibility information all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What time does the opening performance begin on October 8? — The opening ceremony time and performance hours cannot be confirmed on the official page.
• Which stage should I choose among song, dance, and music? — Song includes the Ureuk Song Festival and Choral Festa; dance includes the Ureuk Street Dance Festival; and music includes “Ureuk, Report to King Jinheung” and the Chungju Pungmul Festival.
• What can I do with the newtro concept? — The Nostalgic Playground, Youth School Uniform Salon, bingo games, and song, dance, and music art classes are scheduled.
• Can I buy Chungju specialties at the festival venue? — A market selling Chungju agricultural and specialty products and local foods will operate, but prices and payment methods have not been disclosed.