A huge crowd of swimmers converge on a swimming pool along the Han River to beat the heat during the Hangang Summer Festival. Visiotrs have alrady surpassed the 10 million mark.

Visitors enjoy a performance, a part of the Hangang Summer Festival. (Photos: SMG)

The Hangang Summer Festival, which runs from July 15-Aug. 21, is a “must” for everyone in Seoul who want to check out some of the 80 programs that are loaded with fun and excitement.

All designed in accordance with the “Han River for Play and Arts” to cool off from the summer heat, some events include the river and others take place in the sand. 

Seoul City has boasted that people don’t have to travel abroad to escape the summer heat, as they can do it right on the mighty Han River, with loads of cool and exotic activities.

The festival is intended to give everyone an opportunity to see and participate in events to forget the scorching summer heat, as the programs are put together under some major themes, including Cool Han River, the Emotionally Moving Han River, and the Han River for Rest and Fun. Events include a fashion show, fire work dance, 150 meters water slide, jazz concerts, movie viewing under bridges, night marathon and camping. 

The summer festival on the Han River first kicked off in 2013 and more than 9 million people have enjoyed the summer event every year on average, with last year’s festival attracting a record 11 million people to solidify The Hangang Summer Festival as a key event in Seoul.

The events total well over the 65 that were held last year. There are 31 brand new ones. 25 programs, or 30 percent of the total events, were initiated with the participation of the residents of Seoul, with young residents taking charge of their operations as if the festival were a “citizen-led event.”

About 15 percent of the events consist of civilian-led events designed to uncover the “hidden mythical elements” that are associated with the history of the Han River. 

The events related to the river are made up with food, goods for sale, things to look at, and others that are for tourists, so that the famous river and its surrounding areas to make the festival a global event. The Shan River Photo Contest is will make the festival more exciting, with 3.4 million won in prize money to be won by the best photos on the festival.

Seoul City’s Han River Project Headquarters outlined 16 “must see” events; 

1. Han River Summer camping; 

2. Han River Street Performance Festival; 

3. Film Festival under Bridge; 

4. Han River Water Fight 

5; Han River Paper Boat Race 

6; Han River Night Walk 42 Km; 

7. Slide the City; 

8. A Summer Night Jazz; 

9. Han River Food Trucks (100 Vans); 

10. Han River Run (Electrodash); 

11. Han River Moon Circus;

12. Han River Traditional Sun Set Beam Party Ground; 

13. Han River Blanket Film Festival; 

14. Han River Bicycle Tour; 

15. Wakeboard World Series;

16. Seoul Story Fashion Show.