The Danghyuncheon stream, usually a place for walking, transforms into an art exhibition space as the sun sets. This autumn evening, you might consider choosing light as your destination for a stroll.
From October 16th to November 8th, 2026, for a period of 24 days, visitors can enjoy approximately 30 light art installations created by 24 teams of Korean artists, free of charge, along a 1.3 km section of the Danghyuncheon stream.
Nowon Moonlight Stroll is a nighttime public art festival held along the Danghyeoncheon ecological stream, featuring lanterns and light sculptures. During the day, this area is a familiar living space for residents, but in the evening, it transforms into an exhibition space, making the stream itself a rather impressive side hustle.
A “New Moon” installation will appear on the Danghyuncheon walking path.
The theme of the 2026 exhibition is “New Moon,” and it will feature works that address climate change, ecosystems, peace, coexistence, and the well-being and solidarity of all. The exhibition area extends approximately 1.3 km, from Danghyun 1 Bridge near Junggye Station on Line 7 to Yangji Bridge.
Every day, from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, the light sculptures are illuminated. In addition to exhibitions of art lanterns and light sculptures, weekend cultural and artistic performances, community art programs involving residents, and moonlight guide programs are also offered. This festival is not just about quietly viewing the artworks; its focus is on a space where artists and local residents create and explain the works together.
The Nowon Moonlight Stroll began in 2014 as the “Nowon Lantern Festival” and was held in the spring until 2019. From 2020, it adopted its current name and began being held in the fall. Danghyeoncheon is an urban ecological stream that underwent a restoration project for five years and six months beginning in December 2007, so at this festival, the stream’s everyday life and public art meet along a single route.
A light that illuminates not Cheonggyecheon, nor the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), but a river.
While both the Seoul Light Festival and the Nowon Moonlight Stroll share the feature of free light sculpture exhibitions, the Seoul Light Festival focuses on urban tourist destinations such as Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon, while the Nowon Moonlight Stroll centers around the Danghyuncheon ecological stream walking path and community participation programs.
While the Seoul Light DDP focuses on media art installations on the exterior walls of a large building, the Nowon Moonlight Stroll event features an exhibition of lanterns and light sculptures along the river. While the Seoul Botanical Garden Light Festival emphasizes the botanical garden space and seasonal landscapes, this event prioritizes community participation through public art and riverside pathways.
Here, an interesting difference arises. Instead of seeing a large building or a wide plaza at a glance, you must slowly move from one artwork to the next. In this way, the act of walking becomes part of the viewing experience.
It can be enjoyed at a walking pace, from children to parents.
When accompanied by children, you can follow the riverfront walking path to see the lanterns and light sculptures in sequence, and on weekends when cultural and artistic performances are held, it is good to enjoy both the exhibitions and the performances. The works created with community participation also provide an opportunity for children to think about the process of creating a work of art.
When visiting with parents, it is advisable to check the walking routes near Danghyun 1 Bridge to find routes with ramp access. Walking slowly along the riverside promenade while listening to the explanations of the moonlight tour guides can enhance the experience. The relatively flat outdoor walking paths and free admission help reduce the burden, and providing places to sit and rest along the way will make the walking time much more comfortable.
For couples and friends, a walking route that allows you to observe the light and sculptures reflected on the water surface after sunset is a good option. For individuals, you can view the artworks at your own pace without assigned seating or a set viewing order. When preferences differ, it can be quite enjoyable to each choose one artwork that you like.
This is a method for evening walks inspired by the artwork.
From the Junggye Station direction, enter towards Danghyeoncheon and walk along the artworks towards Yangji-gyo from Danghyeon 1-gyo. Instead of trying to see all the artworks at once, appreciating them in accordance with the flow of the walking path will make the experience less monotonous, as the artworks and the riverside scenery will alternate.
To see the light sculptures clearly, it is better to observe them after the sun has set sufficiently, rather than immediately after they are illuminated. If you are taking pictures, find a spot where the Danghyuncheon stream and the artwork are visible in the same frame. You can also take pictures of the same artwork immediately after sunset and then when it is completely dark, and compare the changes in the light.
To fully appreciate this event, consider examining the difference between typical sculptural displays and resident-made artworks by seeking out community art installations created with resident participation. Programs that include explanations, such as the Moonlight Tour, require separate registration, so please distinguish them from the general exhibitions that do not require reservations.
During evenings on the opening weekend and during performances, the area may be crowded. If you prefer a quiet stroll, it is best to avoid those times. The outdoor walking path is 1.3 km long, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring warm outerwear.
Connect Nowon during the day and Nowon at night.
During the day, visitors can explore the natural and ecological spaces at the Bulamsan Butterfly Garden, followed by an evening “Nowon Moonlight Stroll.” Both locations share the common theme of ecology, but one offers a view of nature itself, while the other presents a reinterpretation of nature through light.
Nowon Danghyunmaru is a waterfront cultural rest area located around the Danghyuncheon ground fountain plaza, where visitors can relax while enjoying views of Danghyuncheon and Bulamsan from the observation deck, or utilize the cafe. It is a good place to take a short break before or after an exhibition, and the Gyeongchun Forest Path offers an alternative option for a green walk with a different atmosphere with an atmosphere different from Danghyuncheon.
This autumn nighttime event, held from mid-October to early November, allows visitors to experience both the river’s everyday daytime landscape and the illuminated art installations along the waterfront after sunset. As it is an outdoor evening event in October and November, warm clothing is recommended.
When entering through Junggye Station, please do not take parking lightly.
The address is 1322-70, Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, located in the Danghyuncheon area of Sanggye-dong. You can access it by taking Exit 1 or 6 of Junggye Station on Subway Line 7 and heading towards Danghyun 1 Bridge, or by taking Exit 3 of Sanggye Station on Subway Line 4 and walking to the Danghyuncheon exhibition area.
There is no dedicated parking area for the event venue. While nearby parking options such as the underground parking lot of Inje University Sanggye Baek Hospital are suggested, availability and fees must be confirmed separately. It is more convenient to use the subway and walk, especially during weekend evenings.
In the exhibition area, the use of bicycles and electric scooters is restricted. If you are with a stroller or someone who has difficulty walking, it is recommended to use the ramp near Danghyun 1 Bridge, near Junggye Station, instead of the stairs.
The exhibition is free and does not require reservations. Guided tours are available upon separate request.
General exhibitions are free and can be viewed without a reservation. Guided programs, such as the Moonlight Tour, require a separate registration.
During the event period, the exhibition will be open every day without any regular closures. Even if it rains, the exhibition will remain open, but some programs or on-site operations may be modified depending on the weather conditions.
Start your journey with a light pace, aiming to arrive at the designated time for the illumination.
The Nowon Moonlight Stroll event will be held daily from October 16th to November 8th, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. The opening and lighting ceremony is scheduled for October 16th, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 7:10 PM.
For inquiries, please contact 02-2289-3461 or 02-2116-7143. The website is moonlightwalk.kr. When visiting between mid-October and early November in the evening, please bring warm outerwear. Instead of using the parking lot, consider walking from Junggye Station or Sanggye Station.
