The ‘2026 Seoul Summer Beach’ will be held around Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-ro Park from July 20 to August 9. [Photo = Yonhap News]

An oasis has arrived at Gwanghwamun Square. [Photo = Seoul Metropolitan Government]

As we reach late July and early August—the hottest period of the summer—a special cooling retreat has opened in the heart of Seoul. From July 20 to August 9, the '2026 Seoul Summer Beach' will be held across Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-ro Park.

Now in its fourth year, this event is completely free of charge! Anyone can visit without burden and fully enjoy a refreshing summer. Thanks to word-of-mouth, the event has been a massive hit, drawing approximately 1.46 million visitors over 21 days last year.

From Water Slides to Refreshing Water Buckets

This year’s festival site is divided into three main zones, allowing visitors to enjoy water play, relaxation, and food all at once. The most eye-catching area is the ‘Water Wave Zone,’ where you can experience both thrills and coolness.

"It doesn't get cooler than this." [Photo = Yonhap News]

The 'Sand Hideout,' a sand playground created by filling an air dome with 20 tons of sand. [Photo = Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Sand Hideout [Photo = Reporter Im Yo-hee]

This zone features a thrilling 8-meter-high giant water slide, a 40-meter-long swimming pool, and a water bucket that provides an instant cooling splash. Adjacent to it is a bounce pool with shallow water, ensuring that even young children can enjoy the retreat with peace of mind.

In the ‘Play Wave Zone,’ which boasts a resort-like atmosphere, visitors can find the ‘Sand Hideout.’ Created by filling a 12-meter-diameter air dome with 20 tons of sand, this indoor sandbox offers a romantic getaway that makes you feel like you are at an actual beach in the middle of the city.

To ensure a pleasant environment, the ‘Sand Hideout’ operates on a capacity-controlled system, with 9 sessions per day (50 people per session). Each session accommodates 30 people via online pre-registration, while 20 spots are available for on-site registration. Pre-booking opens sequentially every week, and the reservation link can be accessed via the official Seoul Summer Beach Instagram account.

No trip is complete without good food. In the ‘Play Market Zone,’ you can browse charming summer accessories prepared by local small business owners and satisfy your hunger with a variety of snacks from food trucks.

From Fountain Shows to Cultural Performances and Book Vacations

Beyond the water facilities, the landmark floor fountains of Gwanghwamun Square also shoot out cooling jets of water. The fountains at three locations—Myeongnyang Fountain, Hangeul Fountain, and Tunnel Fountain—operate from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays, and until 6:00 PM on weekends and public holidays.

A child playing in the Tunnel Fountain. [Photo = Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Around the Hangeul Fountain, amenities such as free changing rooms, drying facilities, and shelters to escape the heat are available for visitors.

In addition, cultural performances are scheduled to fill the midsummer nights with charm. For three days, from July 31 to August 2, a variety of stages—including magic performances, upbeat songs, and sweet instrumental music—will be held for two hours each day starting at 5:00 PM, adding to the romance of the summer nights.

There will also be citizen-participation events linked to the ‘Garden of Gratitude,’ which honors contributing nations. Visitors can enjoy small prizes and fun through a ‘Mission Bingo’ event, where participants must complete at least 3 out of 9 missions (such as riding the slide or visiting a food truck), and a ‘Decibel Challenge,’ where visitors must shout “Thank you!” after visiting the garden to exceed a target decibel level.

‘2026 Seoul Summer Beach’ is open daily from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and amenities are available from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For safety reasons, the floor fountains may stop operating during heavy rain or strong winds.

The ‘Gwanghwamun Book Yard,’ where visitors can enjoy an indoor book vacation in air-conditioned comfort. [Photo = Reporter Im Yo-hee]

Meanwhile, in the ‘Gwanghwamun Lounge,’ an indoor space connected to Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), the ‘Gwanghwamun Book Yard’ is available, where visitors can escape the heat and enjoy a refreshing indoor "book-cation" in air-conditioned comfort.

The Gwanghwamun Book Yard is typically an "outdoor library without walls" project run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, serving as a healing cultural space in the city where visitors can lie on beanbags and enjoy reading with the backdrop of Mt. Bugaksan and Gyeongbokgung Palace. However, during the peak heat (July–August), only the indoor lounge is operated.

This summer, let’s beat the heat at Gwanghwamun Square, where cooling water jets, diverse events, food, and reading all come together.

Reporter Im Yo-hee