The historic Sangnim Forest in Hamyang will be transformed into a nighttime cultural venue this September as the 2026 Hamyang Sangnim Night Festival takes place from September 18 to 20.

Held at Sangnim Park and Choi Chi-won History Park, the event is organized as part of the Cultural Heritage Administration’s heritage program and is hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Hamyang County, with the Hamyang Cultural Center serving as organizer.

Under the theme “A Thousand Years of Breath Flowing in the Moonlight,” the festival will celebrate the history and natural beauty of Sangnim through a variety of evening programs.

Sangnim Forest, designated as a Natural Monument, was created more than 1,000 years ago by the scholar Choi Chi-won during the Unified Silla period to help protect the area from flooding. Today, it is regarded as one of Korea’s best-preserved historic forests.

Visitors will be able to join guided nighttime walking tours exploring the forest’s history, legends, and landmarks. Guides will share stories behind local folklore, including the tale of the “forest without snakes” and the unique yeonriji, or conjoined trees that have grown together despite having separate roots.

The festival will also feature illuminated displays throughout Sangnim Forest and Choi Chi-won History Park, creating a scenic backdrop for evening strolls.

A traditional-style night market, operated with the participation of local residents and merchants, will offer food, handmade goods, and local products.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu

Kunsan Air Base