As South Korea's representative night festival and a "Global Festival" designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the "2026 Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival" grandly opened on October 3 and will run for 16 days until October 18, unfolding a feast of light across the Namgang River, Jinju Fortress, and the Jinju Daecheop Historical Park.

Under the theme "River of History, Embracing Peace," this year's festival adds cutting-edge technology and participatory content to traditional lanterns reflecting Jinju's history and heritage. Centered around 70,000 lights illuminating the Namgang River and Jinju Fortress area, a rich array of exhibitions, experiences, and performances combine to offer domestic and international visitors a special autumn night.

The opening kicked off with the citizens. At 6:30 PM that day, the "Township and Neighborhood Symbol Lantern Street Parade," starting from Cheonsugyo Bridge, proceeded through Gongbukmun Gate and Jinjuseo Bridge to the Street of History in Manggyeong-dong. Leading with lanterns symbolizing 30 townships and neighborhoods, citizens created vibrant performances using LED costumes and glowing accessories, injecting festival energy into the downtown area.

In particular, the "Lantern-Lighting Ceremony" held at 7:30 PM at the Manggyeong-dong special stage further heightened the opening excitement. As the 70,000 lanterns across the Namgang River and Jinju Fortress simultaneously lit up, a magnificent spectacle of light unfolded along the river and fortress walls.

At 8:00 PM, 1,300 drones took off into the night sky, painting the night sky by forming Jinju City characters "Hamo" and "Ayo." In addition, fireworks erupting over the Namgang River spread across the water illuminated by the lanterns, bringing the opening atmosphere to its peak.

The "Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival" originates from the floating lanterns sent down the Namgang River during the Battle of Jinju Fortress in the Imjin War in 1592, used as military signals and to send regards to family outside the fortress. This year, these historical meanings were translated into modern light art, expanding the content into a participatory and stay-type festival enjoyed together by citizens and tourists.

◆ Lanterns on the River, Drones in the Sky... A Larger Stage of Light

This year, "Water Lanterns" increased from 135 sets last year to 165 sets. Various themed lanterns, including ▲Our Writing, Our Mind: Modern Art, ▲Aesthetics of Tradition, and ▲Marriage of the Century, unfold their own stories along the Namgang River.

"Land Lanterns" also expanded to about 1,200 pieces to illuminate various parts of the festival venue: ▲Joseon Entertainers around Chokseokru Pavilion, ▲K-Style Wind (Liquor) Culture in the Jungyeong of Jinju Fortress, ▲Space Theme Park on the Sinan-dong Embankment, and ▲"K-Culture" at the Railroad Culture Park. Each space's unique exhibition draws visitors' footsteps. At the Somangjinsan Yudeung Theme Park, character lanterns from 14 cities and counties in Gyeongsangnam-do welcome visitors with friendly appearances.

The "Drone Light Show" grew in scale from 950 units last year to 1,300 this year. The shapes of Hamo, Ayo, and the Phoenix unfold Jinju's stories in three dimensions using the night sky as a stage. The "Water Fireworks" also increased launch sites from 5 to 7, producing a wider and richer scene.

The "Drone Show" is scheduled to take place on October 10 and 17 following the opening day, and the "Fireworks" on October 9 and 17 at 8:00 PM. On October 10, Citizens' Day, a 300-unit "Lettering Mini Drone Show" engraving citizens' stories into the night sky will also be presented.

◆ Conversing with Lanterns, Solving Historical Missions... A Festival Completed by Visitors

This year's festival goes a step beyond the joy of viewing into experiences where visitors move, create, and communicate.

The "AI Interactive Hamo & Ayo Lanterns" at the Jinju Daecheop Historical Park listen closely to visitors' words. Recognizing Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese voice inputs, they converse in real time and react by moving their necks and arms. In the media experience utilizing projection mapping and motion-sensing technology, scenes of fish jumping up in response to visitors' movements unfold.

At Jinju Fortress, visitors become the protagonists of the story. Developed in cooperation with the Korea Tourism Organization based on the historical story of the Battle of Jinju Fortress, the outdoor escape room mission tour "Guardians of Jinju" is a program utilizing QR codes and AI chatbots to solve missions throughout the fortress. Operating in Korean and English, it allows domestic and international tourists to enjoy it together.

New programs making their debut this year—such as ▲LED Hanbok Experience, ▲Making Hanji Lanterns, ▲Making Wearable LED Headbands, and ▲Challenge! Yudeung Golden Bell—add vitality to the festival. The "AI-Based K-POP Dance Experience" utilizes motion-recognition technology to provide a stage where youth and family visitors can dance and enjoy themselves.

Representative experience events such as hanging wish lanterns and making/floating lanterns continue. Wishes of visitors gather in the wish lantern tunnel, and handmade lanterns carry hope down the Namgang River. On the pontoon bridges, visitors can walk on the water and appreciate the lanterns up close, while on cruise boats, they can tour the night view of the Namgang River with explanations from cultural commentators.

The "Yudeung Day & Night Run," which physically enjoys the scenery of the Namgang River, is scheduled for October 6, 8, 13, and 15. During the day, families accompanied by strollers roam the Namgang riverside, and at night, participants run along the glowing night view, discovering another charm of the festival.

◆ Art and Hallyu Join In... Jinju Downtown Becomes a Festival Stage

Starting October 9, the "75th Gaecheon Arts Festival" and the "2026 Korea Drama Festival" join in, filling Jinju's autumn with the passion of art and Hallyu.

The "75th Gaecheon Arts Festival" presents 56 events including art competitions, performances, and exhibitions. The representative event, the "19th National Costume Parade Contest," will be held on October 10 at 12:00 PM in the downtown section connecting Jinju Fortress Gongbukmun Gate, Insa Square, and Jungang Square. A total of 30 teams and about 1,700 participants will take part, adding diverse attractions and festival vitality to every street.

The "Korea Drama Festival" welcomes Hallyu fans with ▲Korea Drama Awards, ▲KDF Concert, and ▲Drama Exhibition & Experience Programs. On the Jangdae-dong Namgang Embankment, the KDF Concert will continue every day from October 9 to 17 at 8:30 PM. Drama set experiences, art exhibitions themed around dramas, and AI short-form dramas containing Jinju's scenery also await visitors.

Jinju City plans to link the exhibitions, experiences, and performances of the three October festivals with local tourism resources so that tourists can stay longer and enjoy Jinju's charms, leading their footsteps to vitality in the local economy.

◆ More Joy, Convenient Movement... Creating a Safe and Pleasant Festival Venue

Jinju City, together with related organizations such as police and fire departments, operates a 3-way festival integrated control center and puts effort into on-site safety management. Surveillance CCTVs have been expanded to 63 units to check venue conditions in real time, and digital measuring devices are utilized on the four pontoon bridges crossing the Namgang River to manage simultaneous capacities.

On days when visitors concentrate due to drone shows and fireworks, temporary one-way traffic will be implemented on major passageways to disperse the crowds. On-site measures have also been prepared, such as installing temporary boardwalks on riverside walking paths against rain and organizing drainage sections.

To reduce traffic congestion, 36 temporary parking lots with 11,360 spaces have been secured. Free shuttle bus 7 routes will operate for a total of 9 days including Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, supporting convenient travel from major boarding points such Innovation City, Jinju Station, and the Public Stadium to the festival venue.

Price, weight, origin labeling, and a fixed-price system will be applied to food booths. A "one-strike out system" suspending business upon detection of rip-off pricing will be implemented to create an environment where tourists can enjoy food with peace of mind.

During the festival period, Jinju Fortress and the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Exhibition Hall will be open free of charge. Operating hours are also extended until midnight and 11:00 PM, respectively, allowing visitors to leisurely enjoy Jinju's night.

A Jinju City official said, "As many tourists are expected to visit the festival venue, please actively use public transportation and free shuttle buses, and citizens are kindly requested to visit on weekdays if possible. We hope you will enjoy Jinju's autumn where light, history, cutting-edge technology, and Hallyu harmonize, and feel the message of peace and hope."

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