Suwon's Night Glows Red…Mayor Lee Jae-joon Declares 'Leap into K-Global Cultural Tourism Hub'

Mayor Lee Jae-joon of Suwon Special City announced on the evening of the 14th at the lighting ceremony for the '2026 Suwon National Heritage Night' held at Yongyeon, "With the occasion of the 2026-2027 Visit Year to Suwon, Suwon will leap forward as a 'K-Global Cultural Tourism Hub' sought by people around the world."

Hosted by Suwon Special City and organized by the Suwon Culture Foundation with sponsorship from the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Suwon National Heritage Night is a festival that allows visitors to stroll through and enjoy Suwon Hwaseong, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and surrounding cultural facilities on summer nights. Marking the 10th year of hosting this event, this year's festival runs for three days from August 14 to 16 under the theme 'The Tenth Night, Suwon Yeonyeong.'

Mayor Lee Jae-joon stated, "I hope tourists will enjoy the special summer night that can only be experienced in Suwon," and added, "Starting with the Suwon National Heritage Night, events including Suwon Hwaseong Media Art, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, King Jeongjo's Royal Procession, and the Gyeonggi Indie Music Festival will follow from September through October."

The 2026 Suwon National Heritage Night is organized around eight themed '8 Nights' programs including △night scenery (夜景) △night paths (夜路) △night history (夜史) △night paintings (夜畵) △night tales (夜說) △night markets (夜市) △night dining (夜食) and △night accommodations (夜宿), offering diverse experiences.

On the occasion of its 10th edition this year, the festival has significantly expanded its venue and participating organizations. The event space, which was previously concentrated around the Yongyeon area, has been expanded to include Hwaseong Haenggung Square and areas near Paldalmun Gate, allowing visitors to enjoy the nights of Suwon Hwaseong more diversely and broadly. Local artists will perform street performances throughout the event venues.

Detailed information about program-specific operating hours, venues, reservation guidance, and other matters can be found on the Suwon Culture Foundation official website (https://www.swcf.or.kr/?p=207) and the Suwon National Heritage Night SNS.