In Seoul, audiences will feel the vibrations of classical music surrounded by orchestra performers, while Jeju will host a brass music festival. In Busan, performances will celebrate the history and tradition of local theater, and both Seoul and Miryang will feature veteran actors alongside youth on stage. Korean dancers active on international stages will meet aspiring dancers in Eumseong, and vibrant traditional music will resonate with audiences in Bongdam, Gyeonggi Province.
The Arts Council Korea (ARCO) held a press conference on June 16 at the Artist House in Daehangno, Seoul, to introduce the first lineup of the 2026 ARCO Summer Festival, showcasing seven performing arts festivals. This year, the participating festivals will be presented in two phases.
The first lineup, taking place in July and August, includes the following festivals: the Busan Theater Festival, the Blue and Evergreen Theater Festival, the Exit 1 Theater Festival, the July Festival, the Jeju International Brass Festival, a special performance featuring overseas dance stars shining a light on Korea, and the Vibrant Traditional Music Festival. These events will be held across various locations, including Daehangno in Seoul, Busan, Miryang, Eumseong, Jeju, and Hwaseong.
These seven festivals are characterized by their barrier-free approach, bringing together different generations, regions, and genres in a collaborative spirit. Audiences will have the opportunity to closely experience the charm of performing arts, feeling the breath of actors, musicians, and dancers.
The July Festival will run from July 1 to 31 at the Artist House in Daehangno. This music festival aims to minimize the distance between the stage and the audience. This year’s theme is "20th Century French Music," featuring a total of 11 composers, including Debussy, Ravel, and Messiaen, throughout the month. Notably, both the opening and closing performances will feature an orchestra, allowing 40 musicians and up to 50 audience members to share the same space. Attendees will enjoy a unique experience, feeling as if they are surrounded by the performers while listening to the music.
Kang Sun-ae, director of The House Concert, stated, "Audiences will be able to see the performers' sweat. Since all performances will be viewed from the floor, they can feel the vibrations of the music not just with their ears but with their bodies as well."
The special performance featuring overseas dance stars will kick off on July 29 at the Eumseong Cultural Arts Center, followed by shows on August 1 and 2 at the Naru Art Center in Seoul. Korean dancers active abroad, including Yoon Seo-hoo (Paris Opera Ballet), Choi Soo-jung (Leipzig Ballet), Jung Seo-hyun (Dresden Semperoper Ballet), and Yang Jong-ye (Dairakudakan Butoh Company), will participate in these events.
Kim Ja-young, production manager, noted, "Thanks to the active cooperation of the dancers, we can perform in culturally underserved areas. We are also preparing a program where aspiring dancers recommended by Eumseong County will share the stage with overseas dance stars."
In the theater sector, various generations will participate together. The Busan Theater Festival will take place from July 1 to 26 at various venues across Busan, featuring a diverse array of programs, including an international directors' showcase, a children and youth theater festival, and international forums and joint performances.
The Blue and Evergreen Theater Festival (July 4 to August 2 at the Seoul Theater Creation Center and Seoul Theater 2020) and the Korea Youth Theater Festival in Miryang (August 4 to 16 at the Miryang Arirang Art Center) will showcase performances featuring veteran actors over 70 years old alongside young talents. The Exit 1 Theater Festival will run from July 8 to August 30 at the Free Theater in Daehangno, presenting accessible and high-quality plays such as "Audience Abuse," "Monument," and "Cherry Blossom Graduation."
The Jeju International Brass Festival, a leading international music festival centered on brass instruments in Korea, will take place from August 7 to 15 in Jeju, while the Vibrant Traditional Music Festival, which conveys the liveliness and authenticity of traditional music, will be held from August 28 to 30 in the cultural hub of Bongdam, Gyeonggi Province.
ARCO will also host an opening event and preview week ahead of the festivals. The preview week for Season 1 will run from June 19 to 20 at the ARCO Arts Theater, Studio Darak, and the surrounding area of Marronnier Park. The opening event on June 19 will feature a music theater performance of "The Soldier's Tale" from the July Festival, along with other notable works from last year.
Lee Beom-hun, chairman of ARCO, stated, "The ARCO Summer Festival connects excellent performing arts festivals from across the country, allowing audiences to enjoy a variety of festivals more closely and richly this summer. We aim to widely promote the unique charm and regional characteristics of the participating festivals and create opportunities for more audiences to visit the festival sites."
More details can be found on the official website and Instagram.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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