The opening festival of Seoul Festa 2023 takes place at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southeastern Seoul, April 30, 2023. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Seoul Festa 2024, an event where participants can enjoy and experience the beauty, tastes and excitement of the capital city, is scheduled to kick off on May 1.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced, Monday, that the festival will take place in two locations in the city center — Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square — and will run for six days until May 6.

Marking its third anniversary this year, Seoul Festa has arranged programs not only for Seoul citizens but also for people worldwide to enjoy the city's culture.

The main poster for Seoul Festa 2024 / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Under the theme of "Enjoy All That Seoul," encapsulating the essence of experiencing everything the city has to offer during the spring season, Seoul Festa will showcase the diverse charms of Seoul, including its food, culture, art and scenery.

The opening party marking the beginning of the festival is set to take place at Seoul Plaza from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will feature K-pop groups and performance teams.

In addition, from May 1 to 3, Seoul Plaza will transform into various party zones.

Starting with the opening party, the plaza will host programs such as tea and coffee tastings and performances inspired by Korean drama soundtracks on May 2. A K-pop dance challenge party, where citizens and influencers can participate in dance battles and challenges is scheduled for May 3.

Gwanghwamun Square will be transformed into a huge performance venue and playground zone, offering diverse programs and events open for everyone to participate in.

The Seoul Style Road, comprising six zones showcasing Seoul's culture, fashion, beauty and cuisine, will be accessible throughout the festival period.

Participants can engage in traditional Korean games like "dakji," a card-flipping game, in the activity zone, and enjoy Korean food, snacks and desserts in the food zone. People also have the opportunity to buy products from the city including souvenirs. Additionally, the beauty zone will offer styling experiences including hair, nail and makeup sessions.

On May 4, the Seoul Road Show is scheduled to be held at Sejong-daero in central Seoul. The place will be transformed into a grand stage for performances, inviting people to join in painting activities and collaborative performances.

At Noeul Park in western Seoul's Mapo District, a picnic zone will be set up where attendees can enjoy Korean-style barbecue, local delicacies and specialties over two days from May 4 to 5.

The barbecue zone will offer people chances to purchase fresh meat and grill it on-site. Reservations must be made in advance, and the zone operates during specific time slots three times a day — 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Individuals can sign up via the Seoul Festa website.

Alongside the barbecue zone, people can enjoy a diverse range of Korean-style barbecue dishes made by renowned chefs and influencers. Furthermore, there will be a marketplace offering Korean beef and agricultural goods sourced from across the nation at affordable prices.

Seoul Culture Square, comprising various experience zones, is installed at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul during Seoul Festa 2023. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Moreover, the park will be filled with a variety of different food and attractions, including a gourmet talk show on May 4, a sunset concert and street performances on May 4 and 5.

Throughout the festival, a total of 18 events comprising both the public and private sectors will take place across Seoul, including the Myeongdong Festival from Thursday to May 6, a drone light show on the Han River from Friday to May 6, Seoul Circus Festival from May 4 to 5 and the K-Royal Culture Festival from Friday to May 5.

The city government aims to position Seoul as a tourist destination that visitors will want to return to by offering various opportunities and experiences during Seoul Festa 2024.

"Seoul Festa is a representative spring festival in Seoul, providing an excellent opportunity to experience the city's culture and charm in one place," said Kim Young-hwan, the director general of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the city government.

Detailed information regarding programs and events at each major location of Seoul Festa 2024 will be provided at seoulfesta.com and @seoulfesta_official on Instagram.