Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival

The Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival is one of Seoul’s premier historical and cultural festivals, held in Gwanak—a city steeped in history—to honor the patriotic spirit and heroic achievements of General Gang Gam-chan, the hero of the Battle of Gwiju. The Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival is one of Seoul’s premier historical and cultural festivals, held to honor the patriotic spirit of General Gang Gam-chan, the renowned military commander of the Goryeo Dynasty, and it is also Gwanak District’s flagship festival, created and enjoyed by its residents. The Gang Gam-chan Festival was launched in 2016 as a merger of the “Gwanak Mountain Azalea Festival”—Gwanak District’s premier traditional cultural festival, which has been held since 1998—and the “Nakseongdae Inheon Ritual,” a memorial ceremony that has been held since 1988. The Gang Gam-chan Festival carries on his legacy by offering a variety of programs that reflect our modern lives, set against the backdrop of cultural heritage sites imbued with the general’s spirit—such as Nakseongdae, where General Gang Gam-chan is said to have been born at the spot where the fourth star of the Big Dipper, Mun-gok-seong, fell; Inheon-dong, named after the general’s posthumous title; and Seowon-dong, home to a pavilion where the general frequently stopped on his journeys to and from Songdo—all cultural heritage sites imbued with the general’s spirit. The festival carries on his legacy by offering a variety of programs that reflect contemporary life. “Tomorrow Gang Gam-chan” begins in the third week of October. As it approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, the Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival—Seoul’s premier Goryeo history and culture festival that embraces K-culture—is taking a new leap forward by expanding its content to become a sustainable, mutually beneficial festival that bridges generations and revitalizes the local community.

Main Programs - Resident participation programs such as “21: A Tour of Our Neighborhood,” the “Citizens’ Cultural Festival,” and the “Gang Gam-chan Talk Show” with lecturer Seol Min-seok - Cultural and arts programs such as the main performances “Nakseong Yeonhui” and “Byeolbyeol Stage” - Programs to revitalize the local economy, such as the “Goryeo Market” and “Byeollando 21” - Education-related programs, such as “Little Gang Gam-chan,” “Byeolbyeol Playground,” and the “Nakseongdae Night Star Gathering”