Movies, concerts and even silent disco top program of 2024 Hangang River Festival

Ready to spend your summer holiday by the Han River? The 2024 Hangang River Festival will begin in Seoul on Friday, featuring movie screenings, concerts and leisure activities hosted by the city government.

People watch a movie while floating on a tube in the Han River in an undated photo provided by the Seoul city government on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Ready to spend your summer holiday by the Han River? The 2024 Hangang River Festival will begin in Seoul on Friday, featuring movie screenings, concerts and leisure activities hosted by the city government.

The three-week festival, running through Aug. 11, offers 20 programs across nine Hangang parks. Thirteen of these programs are available for free or at affordable prices ranging from 1,000 won to 9,000 won ($6.5).

Hangang swimming pools in Jamwon, Yeouido and Nanji will remain open until 10 p.m. through Aug. 11 for a fee of 5,000 won.

A midsummer night’s concert, dubbed the Summer Music Picnic, will feature bands, dance performances and traditional Korean music at Yeouido Hangang Park's floating stage in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, on Aug. 2 and 3. The concert is free for all visitors.

People watch a performance near the Han River in an undated photo provided by the Seoul city government on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

During the Hangang Music Splash program, a swimming pool at Nanji Hangang Park in Mapo District, western Seoul, will transform into a musical oasis with starry night views on Aug. 8 and 9, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event requires an admission fee of 3,000 won, with reservations available through the city government’s public booking system starting Tuesday. Up to 400 visitors can book their spots each day.

The Hangang Silent Disco Party will be held every weekend during the festival from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at two Hangang parks. The party will take place at the music fountain of Ttukseom Hangang Park in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, on Saturdays and under Mapo Bridge near Yeouido Hangang Park on Sundays. Participants will enjoy music through wireless headphones. The participation fee is 9,000 won, bookable through the Silent Disco’s website. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The festival will also feature movie screenings at three Hangang parks on Aug. 3 and 4.

Seoulites can enjoy movies while floating on tubes at Jamsil Hangang Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, during the Hangang Cinema Splash on Aug. 3 and 4. An admission fee of 3,000 won is required for adults, with no bookings needed. "Take Off" (2009) and "The Blind Side" (2009) will be screened at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

On the same dates, movie screenings will also be held at Mangwon Hangang Park in Mapo District, western Seoul, where visitors can watch movies from a floating boat or their cars. "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022) will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and "Exit" (2019) on Sunday. Only 25 teams can book to watch movies from the boat through the city government’s public service reservation system.

At the BTS Jimin Forest in Jamwon Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, visitors are invited to watch "Mamma Mia!" (2008) and "Music and Lyrics" (2007) at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

A family races on a boat made of recycled materials on the Han River in an undated photo provided by the city government on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The last week of the festival will be family-friendly. On Aug. 10 and 11, families can create unique boats from recycled plastic bottles and cans and race them on the river. Reservations are required through the city government’s website.

Circus performances will also take place at the moonlight square of Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, at 8 p.m. on Aug. 10 and 11.

According to the city government, leisure activities such as yacht tours and kayaking at Sebit Island near Banpo Hangang Park will be offered at 20 to 30 percent discounts during the festival.

The city government said free trials for leisure activities will be offered to up to 240 children and multicultural families participating in the festival through local children's centers and the Seoul Foreign Resident Center.

For more information about the festival, visit the city government’s website and social media pages.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]