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Following Strange Signals into Youths’ Cultural Universe: “2026 Jakdang Festa” to Be Held

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that it will hold “2026 Jakdang Festa,” a youth culture festival, for two days on May 16 and 17 at Cheongnyeon Jakdangso, Busan’s representative youth cultural space.

Now in its sixth year in 2026, the festival will be held under the theme “Following Strange Signals into Youths’ Cultural Universe.” The event is designed as a space for exchange where young people from different walks of life can gather together to share their experiences and concerns while discovering new perspectives.

Young communities and creators from across Busan actively participated in every stage of the festival, from program planning to operation. In particular, all three floors of the BNK Art Cinema venue will be utilized to present distinctive programs including exhibitions, performances, markets, and workshops, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.

On the outdoor space of the first floor, visitors can enjoy “Jakdang Market,” featuring young creators, “Milky Way Stage,” a live music performance series by young musicians, and “Docking Station,” a talk program.

On the second floor, the BNK Art Gallery will host an interactive exhibition created in collaboration with artists, allowing visitors to reflect on their personal concerns and emotions.

On the third floor at Cheongnyeon Jakdangso, experimental project booths and tarot counseling programs for young people will be operated. In addition, the art workshop program “Following the Hitchhiker” will feature a variety of hands-on experiences led by local creators, including parade instrument making and mother-of-pearl crafts.

“Jakdang Festa” is an open festival freely accessible to all Busan citizens at no cost, allowing people of various generations, including young people, to enjoy the event together. However, some advance registration programs are limited to participants aged 18 to 39, and applications can be submitted through Google Forms (https://bit.ly/jakdang2026).

Detailed information and participation guidance are available on the Cheongnyeon Jakdangso website (www.jakdangso.kr) and Instagram account (@jakdangso_busan), or by phone at 051-711-2980.

Meanwhile, Cheongnyeon Jakdangso, which opened in February 2021, has become one of Busan’s representative youth cultural spaces where visitors can experience and engage in a wide range of cultural and artistic programs. More than 30,000 people visited the venue last year alone.

In 2026, various youth cultural and arts programs are being operated, including the Youth Jakdang Academy, Youth Culture Jakdang Forum, support programs for young artists’ exhibitions, youth programmer initiatives, Music Lounge Omangaji Jakdang, and support for youth community activities.

Kim Gui-ok, Director General of the Youth and Industry-Academia Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “We hope this festival will become a space for communication where young people in Busan can express their daily lives and concerns through culture while sharing vibrant energy together with citizens.” Kim added, “We will continue striving to build a youth cultural ecosystem where young people’s creative activities can continue and grow together with the local community.”