Gwacheon Performance Arts Festival

Starting out in 1997 as the World Madangguk Grand Festival, the Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival was Korea's first street theater festival. Held every September, it centers on high-quality outdoor and street performances from Korea and abroad, serving as a stage for artists at home and overseas to experiment. With international shows, domestic performances, and specially curated programs, the festival offers plenty to see, letting anyone enjoy a wide range of culture without any barrier to entry. Drawing more than 100,000 visitors each year, it has grown into one of Asia's leading festivals and is run as a citizen-driven event created together with the local community. Since 2023, it has gone by the name Gwacheon Performing Arts Festival (GPAF), focusing performances around open plazas to bring the experience closer to the people who attend.