Travel
Experience the magic of Korea’s Jinju City: A summer of festivals and nighttime tours
haps Magazine Korea
August 7, 2024
(Image: Jinju City)
Jinju City invites tourists to experience an unforgettable summer with a variety of festivals and tour programs designed to showcase the vibrant nighttime culture of the region.
From mesmerizing media art displays to mouth-watering culinary tours, Jinju offers a diverse array of attractions and events throughout August.
2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinjuseong
Running through August 25, the ‘2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinjuseong’ event transforms the historic Jinjuseong with stunning media and digital technology. Under the theme ‘Onsemiro Jinjuseongdo,’ visitors can enjoy media façades, mapping shows, and IT-enhanced night views that bring the rich history of Jinjuseong to life.
2024 Jinju M2 (Music & Media) Festival
The ‘Jinju M2 Festival,’ taking place on August 9-10 at Namgang Dunchi, is the city’s premier summer festival. Attendees can enjoy performances from floating audience seats, various food zones, beer zones featuring ‘Jinju Jinmaek’ made with local wheat, and DJ EDM parties. While floating seats are reservation-only, general seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2024 Jinju Cultural Heritage Night Tour
From August 15-17, the ‘Jinju Cultural Heritage Night Tour’ offers a rich program of performances, exhibitions, and interactive experiences centered around the Jinjuseong area. This year’s theme, ‘Jinju Seongdo,’ includes a dramatic performance of a military commissioner inspecting Jinjuseong, building on previous years’ narratives.
Nighttime Tourism Programs
To further enrich the nighttime experience, Jinju City has curated several tour programs:
Okbong Tour: Explore cultural sites like Okbong Cathedral and Yeonhwasa, and learn about Jinju’s modern history at the Pomok Store Site. Tours run for 2 days and 1 night on August 9-10, 14-15, and 23-24.
Yesterday Delicious Tour: A night food walking tour featuring Jinju’s culinary delights, including traditional foods and local restaurants. Held every weekend from August 10-25, this tour also includes unique cultural experiences like the Chokseokru Tea Ceremony and the Namgang Cruise Kim Si-min Experience.
Night Michelin Tour: A night bicycle tour along the Namgang River, featuring visits to Jinjuseong, the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Exhibition Hall, and local food tastings. This tour includes bicycle rental and accommodation, running from August 17 to September 22 on weekends for 1 night and 2 days.
Reservations for these tours can be made via the official Jinju Night Tour Instagram (@river_night_jinju).
Namgang Starry Night Picnic and Candlelight Concert
The popular ‘Namgang Starry Night Picnic,’ which ran every Saturday night from May to June, will return in August after a brief hiatus. Visitors can enjoy picnics with local snacks and Jinju Jinmaek while watching busking performances against the scenic backdrop of Namgang, Dwibyeori, and Namgaram Starlight Road. The picnic will continue until September with diverse performances and events.
Capping off the summer events, the ‘River Night Jinju Candlelight Concert’ will be held on August 31 at the Railroad Culture Park’s Baeknyeon Madang. This classical music event, part of the ‘South Korea Night Valley’ tour, promises an enchanting evening of candlelight and inspiring music, free for all to enjoy.