[May 22–24] Top 9 Festivals & Pop-ups to Check Out in Seoul This Weekend

The Seoul Jazz Festival (Seojafe) always delivers a lineup that’s second to none.

As soon as the lineup for this year’s Seoul Jazz Festival was announced, it sent music fans across the country into a frenzy.

This is because the historic first-ever Korea performances by Janelle Monáe—who has conquered both the acting and music worlds with her unparalleled artistry—and five-time Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batistehave finally been confirmed.

Whoever is in charge of booking acts for the Seoul Jazz Festival is a true pro—I’d practically bow down to them.

Not only does it feature an impressive international lineup, but the domestic artist lineup is also solid.

From hip-hop godfathers Epik Highto Hyukoh with his unique sensibility, CNBLUE—the main act of the band Boom— and theever-reliable Jikjae, the lineup boasts a clean and spectacular lineup with not a single weak link.

With a packed lineup of musicians who will captivate your eyes and ears, you’ll be faced with the happy dilemma of deciding which stage to head to all weekend long.

The “Peak Festival,” unfolding on the lush green lawns of Nanji Hangang Park, has assembled a lineup more solid than any other festival, relying solely on the talent of domestic musicians.

Headliners include some of Korea’s most iconic bands and musicians—such asJaurim, 10CM, and NELL— whose names alone make your heart race and whose opening notes instantly make you start singing along.

If you asked music lovers to fill in the blank below, it’s a sure thing that everyone would get a perfect score.

‘Under this beautiful blue sky, _________’
‘Do you love spring that much, _____’
‘I still hear your voice, and I still _____’

If you want to feel the catharsis of singing at the top of your lungs with tens of thousands of people while enjoying the cool early summer breeze along the Han River, the place to go is the Peak Festival.

Performances by Lee Mu-jin, So Su-bin, 10CM, and Jeokjae—all for free?!

It sounds too good to be true, but it’s actually happening at the “2026 Seoul Garden Festival.”

Held in conjunction with the Seoul International Garden Expo currently taking place at Seoul Forest, this festival offers a special musical experience on an early summer afternoon at the outdoor stage surrounded by lush greenery.

On Saturday, May 23, Lee Mu-jin and So Su-bin are scheduled to take the stage, followed by 10CM and Jeokjae on Saturday, May 30.

However, reservations are limited and fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to check availability before you go!

Even if you missed the advance reservations, there are still walk-in tickets available and plenty of free, ongoing programs, so there’s more than enough reason to head to Seoul Forest this weekend.

CJ has grown into a company that dominates a nation’s consumer culture, spanning the cultural, food, and beauty sectors with brands like Olive Young, CGV, and Bibigo.

The ‘CJ Cultural Foundation,’ established to support creators in the fields of popular culture and the arts, has now celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Those who have spent as long as it takes for a child to grow up and go to college discovering hidden gems in the shadows have set up a truly massive 20th-anniversary pop-up store in Seongsu-dong.

You’ll have the chance to meet hot musicians discovered by the foundation—such as Shin In-ryu, Yoon Machi, and Beomjin—and purchase special limited-edition merchandise. In addition, special sessions are planned where you can interact with lead actors from popular musicals such as <The Goddess Is Watching>, <Hongryeon>, and <Rah Hest>. What’s more, once the sun goes down, an exciting DJ party featuring Kim Deutdol, Jung Won-young, and others is set to take place.

The lineup is so packed that you’ll wonder, “Who throws a birthday party this grand?”

The “Seoul Morning Coffee Club,” which has successfully led Seoul’s morning club culture, offers the hottest way to wake up on a weekend morning.

The artists who have delivered fresh excitement every weekend are returning this weekend on an even more special and grand scale.

…because it’s teaming up with Disney to present an unprecedented collaborative event. Throughout the weekend, a diverse lineup of programs—blending Disney’s charm with the Morning Coffee Club’s energy—will fill each day to the brim.

The lineup is packed with daily programs, starting with “Coffee Chat” on Friday evening—a gathering to share inspiration—followed by “Morning Rave” on Saturday morning, a dance party set to Disney music that’ll get your heart racing, and ending with “Pop-up Cinema” on Sunday, where you can enjoy classic animated films with a cup of coffee. If you’re an “early bird” who doesn’t want to waste your weekend sleeping in, don’t miss out on this weekend infused with Disney magic.

“Isn’t this DJ amazing?”—that’s the message my friend sent me along with a Reel featuring DJ Ethan Ko.

They deliver an exhilarating sound that masterfully blends K-pop and pop, making it impossible not to move your body.

As soon as I saw the video, I promised my friend, “We have to go there no matter what when we visit Korea!” And sure enough, they’re finally coming to Korea this weekend.

If you want to let go of your stress by simply dancing without a care in the world, head out this weekend to catch his DJ set.

On a hot summer day, enjoy an open-air DJ party outdoors, sunglasses on and a cool plastic cup in hand.

This weekend, the trendy concept store “LLEGE” in Yongsan is hosting an open-air party featuring a lineup of talented DJs.

The festival runs continuously from day to night throughout the weekend.

DJ Ethan Ko, whom we introduced earlier, is also on the lineup for this party.

If you want to soak up the hip and free-spirited energy of early summer with every fiber of your being, head to Yongsan this weekend.

The beautiful melodies of classical music echoing through Gwanghwamun Square.

There’s a common misconception that classical concerts are difficult, stuffy, and something you can only experience in exclusive venues with high ticket prices and a steep barrier to entry. But this weekend, you can enjoy these world-class performances outdoors—and for free, no less.

Unfortunately, due to the festival’s overwhelming popularity, advance reservations for seated viewing have already closed. But there’s no need to be disappointed. This weekend, simply stepping into Gwanghwamun Square will allow you to fully enjoy the majestic and beautiful melodies filling the open plaza. Head to Gwanghwamun to savor a free early summer night of classical music.

And a 10-day culinary extravaganza taking place at 15 locations nationwide!

FromFrench master chef Frédéric Anton, holder of three Michelin stars, toChef Kang Min-guof Mingles—the only restaurant in Korea to receive three Michelin stars in both 2025 and 2026.

Twenty-nine of the world’s most renowned chefs have come together, transcending borders, united solely by their exceptional culinary skills.

The lineup of chefs is even more impressive than that of *The Black and White Chef*.

A “taste” fair born from the hands of these chefs—the unmissable Seoul Food Festival opens this weekend.

Check out the websitehere for more details.