Royal Culture Festival 2025 Begins

Royal Culture Festival Becomes Part of Everyday Life in Spring Celebration

The 2025 Royal Culture Festival, hosted and organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the Korea Heritage Service, will open with a grand opening ceremony on April 25, followed by nine days of festivities from April 26 to May 4 at Seoul’s five major palaces — Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung — and Jongmyo Shrine.

The opening ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 25 at Heungnyemun Square in Gyeongbokgung Palace under the theme “It’s a Flower!” The multimedia performance will combine traditional Korean arts with digital technology.

Performers include the National Gugak Center, the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre, and the Korea Heritage Service’s arts troupe. Musical actress Kim So-hyun and pansori singer Kim Jun-su are also scheduled to appear.

This year’s festival emphasizes “enjoying tradition as part of daily life,” expanding the number of programs available without advance reservations.

It also includes tailored programs for children, seniors, foreigners, and socially disadvantaged groups, offering a participatory experience for all.

At Gyeongbokgung, the program “Time Travel, Sejong” invites visitors to become royal apprentices and explore King Sejong’s legacy through hands-on activities such as traditional confectionery, crafts, court dance, and painting.

Visitors can also enjoy historical reenactments and a special nighttime program, “Midnight Time Travel.”

Changdeokgung presents “Waking Up the Palace Morning,” where visitors can stroll the grounds and hear stories about the palace’s history. Some sessions are tailored for international guests, including one hosted by French broadcaster Fabien Yoon.

The program runs from April 30 to May 4, twice daily, and requires advance reservation.

Deoksugung’s Junmyeongjeon debuts “The Emperor’s Table,” a royal banquet experience for foreign guests.

The program is a culinary talk show introducing the food culture of the Korean Empire. It runs May 1–3 with two sessions per day, and reservations are required.

Changgyeonggung features the “Gogung Manjeong” crafts exhibition, set across key palace halls such as Myeongjeongjeon and Haminjeong.

It showcases works by designated national intangible heritage holders and modern artisans.

The exhibition is open to the public without reservations from April 26 to May 4.

Additional highlights include the Children’s Royal Culture Festival, Spring at Gyeonghoeru honoring independence patriots, Royal Playroom, and the Royal Parade, offering a wide range of experiences for both domestic and international audiences.

The 2025 Royal Culture Festival is expected to offer rich opportunities for all visitors to enjoy and immerse themselves in the historical and cultural treasures of Korea’s royal heritage.

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