Seoul’s Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival returns for 8-week run along Han River

(Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Seoul will once again close Jamsu Bridge to traffic and open it to pedestrians for the “2026 Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Festival,” running every Sunday from April 26 to June 14.

The eight-week event transforms the bridge and nearby Banpo Hangang Park into a space for walking, performances, and public activities.

Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown into a regular seasonal event, drawing millions of visitors since its launch in 2022.

This year’s program expands both one-off attractions and ongoing activities, with a mix of performances, exercise sessions, markets, and rest areas spread across the bridge.

Each week features a different main event. Opening day begins with a morning walking and running program covering a roughly 2-kilometer route across the bridge.

Other scheduled highlights include a large-scale parade, live music performances, a public sports day, a group guitar performance, outdoor film screenings, and a yoga session tied to International Yoga Day in June. A water-themed event is also planned as temperatures rise.

Alongside these rotating programs, visitors can expect a consistent lineup of food trucks, flea markets, and interactive zones.

Expanded play areas and photo spots have been added this year, including large-scale inflatable attractions and hands-on activities designed for both children and adults.

The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic every Sunday from late morning through the evening, with traffic controls and detours in place. Organizers advise using public transportation due to expected congestion in the surrounding area.

More information, including schedules and participation details, is available on the festival’s official website (www.festa-ddooddoo.com) and Instagram (@ddooddoo_festa).

USAG Yongsan