Geotjaing (걷자잉) is a free walking festival held on Geumnam-ro, a downtown road in Dong-gu, Gwangju, that closes to cars for the occasion. The final 2026 edition takes place on Saturday, November 7, from 13:00 to 18:00 on the roadway of Geumnam-ro 1-ga to 3-ga, between Jeonil Building 245 and Geumnam-ro Park. Traffic is blocked from 09:00 to 21:00 that day, so public transportation is your best option.
What Is Geotjaing, the Geumnam-ro Car-Free Street Festival?
The name blends a Korean dialect expression with the English present-progressive “-ing,” an invitation to walk and have fun along Geumnam-ro together. The event ties into Gwangju’s declared shift toward becoming a “Dae-Ja-Bo” (대자보) city, short for public transit, bicycles, and walking, and it champions both that shift and the response to the climate crisis. Downtown asphalt is handed over to pedestrians, with hands-on programs and cultural performances running on the road itself.
Geotjaing 2026 Schedule and Location
Seven dates were set for 2026, with no event in October. These are the details for the last one, on November 7:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full period | April 4 – November 7, 2026 |
| 2026 dates | 4/4, 5/2, 6/6, 7/4, 8/1, 9/5, 11/7 |
| Final event hours | Saturday, November 7, 2026, 13:00–18:00 |
| Road closure and bus detours | November 7, 09:00–21:00 |
| Event area | Roadway of Geumnam-ro 1-ga to 3-ga (Jeonil Building 245 to Geumnam-ro Park) |
| Main stage | In front of Jeonil Building 245 |
| Address | 245 Geumnam-ro (Geumnam-ro 1-ga), Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (전남광주통합특별시 동구 금남로 245) |
| Age limit | All ages |
| Organizer | Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City |
Each month this year was announced with its own theme:
| Month | Monthly program |
|---|---|
| April | Opening declaration ceremony (14:00–16:00), with an opening performance, a graffiti bus performance, and EDM Dae-Ja-Bo walking |
| May | Youth soccer tournament (14:00–17:00), teen basketball tournament (15:00–18:00) |
| June | Hoguk Bohun Kkochi Pieotseumnida (호국보훈 꽃이 피었습니다, 15:00–17:00), Mood Sunset Yoga Class (18:30–19:30) |
| July–August | Geumnam-ro Movie Night (20:00–22:00, once a month), Summer Festival (16:00–20:00, once a month) |
| September | Reading party “Bukgati” (북가티, 14:00–17:00), Humanities Golden Bell quiz (17:00–19:00) |
| November | Geotjaing Finale 2026: Year-End Awards Ceremony |
What to Do at the Geotjaing Finale on November 7
The headline program is “Geotjaing Finale 2026: Year-End Awards Ceremony.” Around it, organizers have announced an Ecological Transition Education Festival, free rental of modernization-era Korean costumes, a bicycle generator activity, the Chungjang K-Star Challenge final, chalk art, a flea market, and food trucks. Family recreation and a “Geotjaing memories” quiz fill out the main stage.
The grounds are divided into three zones:
| Zone | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Noljaing (놀자잉) | Ecological Transition Education Festival, hands-on education booths |
| Juryeoing (줄여잉) | Bicycle generator activity (making cotton candy), repair and education area, chalk art zone, ESG campaign, Chungjang shopping district brand discount sale (WHO.A.U, Shoopen) |
| Swijaing (쉬자잉) | Main stage (Geotjaing awards ceremony, performances, and more), guest book and photo zone, costume rental room, book exchange, rest area, operations headquarters |
For the full main stage timetable, see the attachment “메인무대 행사일정.jpg” in the Dong-gu notice.
Chungjang K-Star Challenge Final
Twelve teams compete in the Chungjang K-Star Challenge (충장 K-스타 챌린지) final from 15:00 to 16:30. Total prize money for the final comes to 8,700,000 KRW (~$6,500 USD), with an additional 600,000 KRW (~$450 USD) Shinhan Bank Head’s Award on top.
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Grand Prize | 3,000,000 KRW (~$2,200 USD) |
| Top Excellence Award | 2,000,000 KRW (~$1,500 USD) |
| Excellence Award | 1,000,000 KRW (~$750 USD) |
| Encouragement Award | 300,000 KRW (~$220 USD) × 9 teams |
| Shinhan Bank Head’s Award (additional) | 600,000 KRW (~$450 USD) |
Rewards for Taking Public Transportation
Show that you traveled the Dae-Ja-Bo way and you can receive Onnuri gift certificates (온누리상품권), handed out to the first 300 people each month. A Geotjaing passport and merchandise giveaway, plus a payback at the Geumnam Underground Shopping Center (금남지하상가), are also listed as events. Ask at the on-site operations headquarters for the exact conditions.
| Type | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 5,000 KRW (~$3.70 USD) Onnuri gift certificate | Used public transit, a bicycle, or walking on the event day + passport holder |
| Additional | 5,000 KRW (~$3.70 USD) Onnuri gift certificate | Two cumulative uses of public transit, a bicycle, or walking before the event day + passport holder |
Geotjaing Admission Fee
Geotjaing charges no admission.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free |
| Modernization-era costume rental | Free |
No prices have been announced for the flea market or food trucks.
How to Get to Geotjaing on Geumnam-ro
The nearest station is Munhwajeondang Station (문화전당역) on Gwangju Metro Line 1. Jeonil Building 245 is 3 minutes from Exit 4 of that station and 6 minutes from Exit 4 of Geumnam-ro 4-ga Station (금남로4가역).
From Seoul, Busan, and the Airports
| From | Transport | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul (Yongsan Station) | KTX to Gwangju Songjeong Station (광주송정역) | 1 hr 36 min to 3 hr 8 min | Standard seat 38,600 KRW (~$29 USD) |
| Gwangju Songjeong Station | Gwangju Metro Line 1 toward Sotae (소태) to Munhwajeondang Station | 23 min on the first train (05:34→05:57) | Transit card 1,250 KRW (~$0.90 USD), single-journey ticket 1,400 KRW (~$1 USD) |
| Busan (Busan Seobu Terminal, Sasang) | Intercity bus to Gwangju Bus Terminal, U-Square (광주종합버스터미널·유스퀘어), 24 runs a day | 2 hr 57 min | Deluxe 28,300 KRW (~$21 USD), premium 36,800 KRW (~$27 USD) |
| Incheon International Airport (T1) | Intercity bus to U-Square, 42 runs a day | 3 hr 42 min | Deluxe 43,500 KRW (~$32 USD), premium 54,400 KRW (~$41 USD); late-night deluxe 52,200 KRW (~$39 USD), late-night premium 65,200 KRW (~$49 USD) |
| Gimhae International Airport | Intercity bus to U-Square, 1 run a day (08:05→11:45) | 3 hr 40 min | Deluxe 28,100 KRW (~$21 USD) |
KTX times and fares follow the October 27, 2026 timetable. Intercity bus information comes from a private timetable, and the Busan and Incheon Airport fares are weekday adult fares, so check again before booking. The route from U-Square to the event site and express bus routes from Seoul could not be confirmed.
Taxi Fares
| Item | Fare (after the October 2025 increase) |
|---|---|
| Gwangju mid-size taxi base fare | 4,800 KRW (~$3.60 USD) for 1.7 km |
| Distance fare | 100 KRW (~$0.07 USD) per 132 m |
Estimated taxi fares from the terminal or stations to the event site could not be confirmed.
Buses and Parking on Event Day
City buses will not run between the Munhwajeondang Station stop and the 5·18 Democratization Movement Archives stop (5.18민주화운동기록관 정류장) on event day. Buses that normally travel from the Asia Culture Center through Geumnam-ro 3-ga detour toward Jeonnam Girls’ High School (전남여고).
Parking at Jeonil Building 245 is tight, and the venue asks visitors to come by public transportation. Nearby free parking lots for the day are listed in the attachment “행사당일 금남로 인근 무료주차장 현황.png” in the Dong-gu traffic notice.
Tips Before You Visit Geotjaing
- Take the subway. With the road closure and bus detours running from 09:00 to 21:00, Munhwajeondang Station is the simplest way in.
- Bring more than one way to pay. Payment methods at the flea market and food trucks have not been confirmed in official notices, so carry both a card and cash.
- Travel light. No luggage storage has been confirmed at the site, so if you have large bags, decide where to leave them before you set out.
- Have a translation app ready. English-language guidance has not been confirmed either, and an app will help you read program information.
- Stop by Jeonil Building 245 as well. Its 5·18 memorial space, Namdo Tourism Center, and Digital Information Library are open 10:00–19:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.
The official Instagram account is @walkinging_festa. For inquiries about the November event, contact the Transport and Environment Planning Team of the Dong-gu Office’s Pedestrian and Traffic Policy Division at ☎608-2906. The Korea Tourism Organization listing gives 062-413-2535.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Geotjaing, the Geumnam-ro car-free street festival, held?
The final 2026 edition is on Saturday, November 7, from 13:00 to 18:00. This year’s seven dates are 4/4, 5/2, 6/6, 7/4, 8/1, 9/5, and 11/7, with no event in October.
Is admission to Geotjaing free?
Yes, admission is free. The modernization-era costume rental is also listed as free.
How do I get there from Seoul, Busan, or the airports?
Take the KTX from Seoul and an intercity bus from Busan or the airports. From Seoul, ride the KTX from Yongsan Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station, then Metro Line 1 to Munhwajeondang Station. Intercity buses to Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square) run from Busan Seobu Terminal, Incheon International Airport T1, and Gimhae International Airport.
Until what time do the road closure and bus detours last on event day?
The road closure and bus detours last until 21:00 on November 7. They begin at 09:00, and during those hours city buses do not run between the Munhwajeondang Station stop and the 5·18 Democratization Movement Archives stop.
Where should I park when going to Geotjaing?
Public transportation is recommended over driving. Jeonil Building 245 says its parking space is limited. Nearby free parking lots are shown in an image attached to the Dong-gu traffic notice.
Can I use a credit card, or do I need cash?
Payment methods have not been confirmed in official notices. Admission is free, but if you plan to use the flea market or food trucks, it’s wise to carry both a card and cash.
When is the best time to go?
Time your visit around the programs you want to see. For the Chungjang K-Star Challenge final, aim for 15:00–16:30. Busy periods have not been confirmed in official notices.
Will the car-free street return to Geumnam-ro next year?
Nothing has been confirmed yet. Media reports describe a plan to move the event elsewhere starting next year because of complaints from merchants (falling sales and performance noise), with Dongmyeong-dong mentioned as a candidate. However, reports differ, with some saying that ending the Geumnam-ro event is “under review” and others saying it “has been decided,” and Dong-gu’s November notice makes no mention of a move.
