The Seoul Garden Festa is a pop-up store festival held in the different attractive parks of Seoul. As part of the city’s deregulation policy (allowing business activities in parks), Seoul has created a festive space where visitors can enjoy pop-up stores (markets, food trucks) alongside cultural events, something that hasn’t been available in parks before. The Seoul Garden Festa, running throughout April and the beginning of May, will allow visitors to enjoy the spring season in parks filled with spring flowers like cherry blossoms, tulips, and daffodils, while enjoying fun content.

© Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Garden Festa will take place in five different parks of the capital: Seoul Forest, Namsan Park, Dream Forest, Seonyudo Park, and Seoul Botanic Park. his event is packed with fun things to see and do, including pop-up shops, food trucks with tasty treats, potted plants, and handmade crafts. It also features activities like the open-air "Book Garden," busking performances, and gardening programs. With the theme "A Healthy Chapter of My Life," each park will showcase pop-up stores offering something different, creating a visually exciting experience.

This year’s festival is the first to apply a new policy that eases restrictions on commercial activities in parks, allowing vendors and small businesses to operate during cultural and arts events. Normally, sales in city parks are restricted, but this change will help increase park usage and support local businesses.

The festival kicked off at Seoul Forest, a top cherry blossom spot, on April 5th and 6th with the theme "Healthy Garden." Visitors can enjoy pop-up stores selling plants, gardening tools, and crafts, along with food trucks offering churros, hot dogs, and more. There are also photo zones with beautiful flower beds and a chance to relax in the Book Garden.

© Namsan Park

Next, on April 12th and 13th, the festival will move to Namsan Park with the theme "Healthy Body, Healthy Mind". There will be ten pop-up stores selling self-care and lifestyle products, along with an outdoor library, yoga classes, and a garden concert. Namsan Park offers great views of the city, making it a perfect spot for a healthy lifestyle experience.

© Dream Forest

On Saturday, April 19th and 20th, the festival will take place at Dream Forest, a family-friendly park, under the theme "Healthy Time". There will be over twenty pop-up stores with toys and products for kids, plus food trucks, an outdoor library, and a garden concert. This will be a great spot for families to enjoy together.

© saysching

On Saturday, April 26th and 27th, the festival moves to Seonyudo Park under the theme "Healthy Earth". Set in a former water treatment plant turned eco-park, the event will feature about twenty eco-friendly pop-up stores, a garden concert, and an outdoor library that reflect the park’s sustainable focus.

© Seoul Botanic Park

On Sunday, May 4th and 5th, the festival will wrap up at Seoul Botanic Park with the theme "Bookful Picture Books." It’s a special event for kids, featuring markets with books, toys, and stationery, an outdoor library, and food trucks selling baked goods and cotton candy. It’s a great way to end the festival with a fun experience for children visiting the park.

© Seoul Metropolitan Government

No matter which park you visit, the Seoul Garden Festa is a perfect way to enjoy the beauty of spring while exploring the city’s parks and supporting local businesses. It's also a fantastic opportunity for foreigners to experience Seoul at its most vibrant, with the city’s parks in full bloom and a lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy activities alongside locals, from relaxing in the open-air Book Gardens to taking part in fun hands-on programs. Plus, the festival offers a chance to try some of the best Korean street food, such as crispy hotteok (sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts), savory tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and mandu (Korean dumplings). Whether you're indulging in a freshly grilled corn on the cob or trying a sweet and salty churro, the festival is the perfect way to dive into Korean culture while enjoying a spring day in the heart of Seoul.