[Hot Issue] “Jazz Festival 2026 Seoul Jazz Festa” at Yeouido Hangang Park—A Jazz Festival for Everyone

Seoul’s biggest free jazz festival will light up the night of May—“2026 Seoul Jazz Festa” hits Yeouido.

A lineup of top domestic and international artists... Showcasing the true essence of “K-Jazz”

With the warm spirit of spring fully in bloom in May, “Yeouido Hangang Park” is swept over by an overwhelming wave of jazz melodies. “Korea Jazz Association” officially announced on the 16th that it will hold “2026 Seoul Jazz Festa”, a large-scale music festival, at the Water Light Plaza Wonder Stage in Seoul Yeouido Hangang Park on May 2. This event is a prestigious annual festival commemorating “International Jazz Day” designated by UNESCO (April 30), and this year it opens to the public with full free admission in connection with “2026 Seoul Spring Festival.”

The lineup gracing the stage is second to none. Kicking things off is “Woong San,” a jazz diva who represents Korea, followed by “Park Juwon,” the magician of gypsy guitar, and his gypsy band. Also taking part are top musicians such as “Richman And Groove Nice,” who helped raise the profile of so-called K-blues in the United States, “Yong Lee And The Prodigal Sons,” who blurred the line between rock and jazz, and “Lee Jungsik,” a master of the Korean jazz saxophone—each delivering high-caliber performances.

More than just performances—A venue for complex cultural arts

In addition to music performances, a variety of supporting events designed to satisfy every sense of visitors were meticulously planned.

• “Open Jazz Workshop”: A platform for sharing knowledge that thoughtfully blends jazz with the humanities

• “Jazz Playground”: An experiential program where attendees play instruments themselves to feel the essence of rhythm

• “Mi & Pet”: A social program shining a light on environmental and ecosystem issues through the medium of music

The past, present, and future of Korean jazz

In addition, a youth artist discovery project to shape the future of Korean jazz, “Jazz Rookie Contest,” and the “Festa Legacy Award”, which honors senior music figures who devoted their entire lives to the jazz world, will be held concurrently—highlighting the value of a festival that connects generations. In particular, the organizers expressed official thanks to the Jeong Heon-jae Foundation, which has sponsored “Jazz Park”, a core birthplace of Korean jazz since 2002, and further added meaning by naming the event day “Jazz Park Day.”

Woong San, the head of the “Korea Jazz Association,” defined the event by saying, “It is the most meaningful stage where the past and present of Korean jazz intersect and provides talented young musicians with an opportunity to take a new leap forward,” and emphasized, “Through this festival, we hope the public will directly experience the messages of true artistic harmony and solidarity that transcend generations and genres.”