Travel
Jinju to light up summer nights with heritage festivals at Jinju Fortress
Haps Magazine Korea
July 12, 2026
Jinju Fortress (Photo by Jinju City/courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Jinju will once again transform its historic fortress and old downtown into a vibrant nighttime destination this summer with two major heritage festivals celebrating the city’s history through light, art, and cultural experiences.
The 2026 Jinju Fortress Media Art Festival will run from August 14 to September 6, bringing large-scale digital art installations and projection mapping to Jinju Fortress and Jinju Battle Historic Park.
This year’s theme, “Gaonnuri, Jinju Fortress,” will combine history with modern media technology through immersive light displays, interactive exhibits, projection mapping, and photo zones spread throughout the fortress.
Jinju is the only local government in Korea to be selected for the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Media Art Project for three consecutive years.
The festivities will continue with the 2026 Jinju Heritage Night Festival from September 3 to 6, expanding into both Jinju Fortress and the surrounding old downtown.
This year’s event adopts the theme “Secret Royal Inspector: A Night Visit to Jinju Fortress,” featuring guided walking tours, cultural performances, interactive exhibitions, night markets, food stalls, flea markets, camping experiences, and family-friendly activities inspired by Korea’s historical secret royal inspectors.
Many programs are organized around the festival’s signature “Eight Nights” concept, including illuminated heritage sites, historical storytelling, performances, local food, markets, and overnight tourism experiences.