Busan Hosts the 2026 Peak Time Festival

Chungcheongnam-do and Gongju City are organising the fourth national youth festival, the 2026 Peak Time Festival, scheduled for 12 September at the Geumgang Sinkan Park area. Bringing together around 20,000 young people from across the country, the event aims to celebrate Youth Day by offering participants a space to share their dreams and concerns, enjoy music and culture, and take a break from their busy daily routines.

Festival Background and Planning

Now in its fourth year, the Peak Time Festival stands out because young people were directly involved in the planning stages. A festival planning group consisting of 15 youths from four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region has participated in organising programmes and planning the event since last April, ensuring that the perspectives and interests of young people are reflected throughout.

The slogan for this year's event is "Whole Me, Turning On My Time," which carries the meaning of pausing busy daily routines, focusing on oneself, enjoying the present, and preparing for new challenges. Following a public contest, Gongju City was selected as the host location. The festival area is not limited to Geumgang Sinkan Park but extends into the Gongju old downtown area, connecting the city's historical and cultural contents with the youth festival.

Performances and Youth Programmes

Opening at 1:00 PM with an opening choreography performance by a local artist team, the festival features performances by youth artists from around the nation. A talk concert featuring comedians Shin Yun-seung and Jo Su-yeon allows youths to share stories and concerns they encounter in everyday life.

As evening approaches, a music festival takes over. N.Flying, Car, the garden, Kwon Jin-ah, and Omo are scheduled to perform on stage, filling the autumn night in Gongju with music. Additionally, a youth-friendly city proclamation ceremony celebrating Gongju City's designation and a drone show are prepared. Approximately 80 experience and promotional booths are installed at the venue to run programmes in which visitors can directly participate.

Job Planning Day and Future Technologies

To address practical career and employment concerns among youth, the event operates 'Job Planning Day'. Mentors from large corporations and public institutions participate to assist with career exploration and job design while providing various employment support services. Experience programmes that allow visitors to directly experience future technologies such as the metaverse, virtual reality (VR), and physical AI are also operated, expanding the scope of the festival from culture and performances to a comprehensive youth festival encompassing career paths, employment, and future industries.

Linkages with Local Events and Eco-Friendly Initiatives

Connections with local events held across Gongju City are strengthened. These include 'Baromarket' where local agricultural products can be found, the 'Youth Policy Relay Forum', the Gongju City Library's 'Book Festival' and '2026 Book Fair', and the '2026 O-My-God Junggoje' held at the Gongju Hanok Village.

The festival places weight on eco-friendly operations. Multi-use containers and artificial intelligence recycling robots are introduced to reduce disposable product usage. Campaigns for lifestyle carbon neutrality—such as providing drinking water using automatic washing cups, using tumblers, and taking trash back home—are promoted with direct visitor participation.

Practical Tips

• Date: 12 September

• Location: Geumgang Sinkan Park area and Gongju old downtown, Chungcheongnam-do

• Transport: Shuttle buses operate to connect Geumgang Sinkan Park and the Gongju old downtown.

• Convenience Facilities: A total of 3,000 spectator seats, rest areas, and shade tents are prepared for visitor convenience. Souvenir events are also conducted for those who made advance reservations on Naver.

• Admission: The festival has no separate participation qualifications and is open to everyone.

• Inquiries: Detailed information regarding the event can be checked through the official Peak Time Festival social media channels and the Chungnam Youth Portal.

Source

https://www.newskorea.ne.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21279