2026. 05. 16. / LIFE · 4 min read
Memorial Day Weekend, Ride Trains and Enjoy a Festival at Hwarangdae Railway Park — 2026 Nowon Train Village Festival
June 6–7 at Hwarangdae Railway Park, mini trains, RC cars, performances, and food trucks — a 2-day family festival
The Memorial Day weekend won't end as just another day off.
Nowon-gu is holding the 2026 Nowon Train Village Festival at Hwarangdae Railway Park on June 6–7.
Schedule & Venue
- Dates: Saturday June 6 ~ Sunday June 7, 2026
- Venue: Hwarangdae Railway Park (Nowon-gu, Seoul)
- Admission: Free for national merit recipients and one accompanying person (for Train Village viewing)
The opening ceremony is at noon on the 6th, held at the forest stage next to the Train Village and in front of the Gyeongchun Forest Gallery.
4 Stations
The festival grounds are divided into four zones.
Memorial Station is themed around the month of national patriotism.
The entrance tracks of the diorama gallery are decorated with Korean flag pinwheels, and there's a hands-on program where visitors make their own and plant them.
Experience Station is where train-loving kids' eyes light up.
Mini trains operate in the plaza in front of the Train Village, and there are RC car, RC heavy equipment, and model train operation experiences.
Keyring, pencil holder, and bookmark making; block stacking; face painting — all sorts of hands-on programs are packed in.
Train Village visitors can also participate in the Grand Exploration Bingo Game.
Source: Nowon-gu press release
Performance Station continues with timed performances at the forest stage on the east side of the Train Village.
From balloon shows, bubble shows, and circus acts to brass bands, pops-opera, and musical galas — a wide variety of genres.
Source: Nowon-gu press release
Food Station adds food trucks beyond the train café and restaurant, with snacks and drinks planned at 10,000 won or under.
Train Village Italy Hall Too
The Nowon Train Village Italy Hall, which opened in January this year, surpassed 69,000 visitors in just three months.
It features precise dioramas of Italian landmarks including the Colosseum, Venice, and Milan Cathedral.
Source: Nowon-gu press release
The Italy Hall visit can be combined with the festival since it overlaps with the festival period.
Heat Protection Is Also Covered
Considering the early June heat, cooling fog and water facilities will operate to reduce the heat index.
Forest-shaded picnic zones, shade structures, cold air fans, and air-conditioned indoor rest areas will be available.
Experience corners expected to draw crowds will operate on a pre-booking system to keep children from long heat exposure.
Why Hwarangdae Railway Park?
Hwarangdae Station was originally a surface station on the Gyeongchun Line. It opened in 1939, connecting Seoul's northeastern edge all the way to Chuncheon.
In 2010, the Gyeongchun Line was rerouted underground, and Hwarangdae Station quietly closed its doors after more than 70 years of service.
After the closure, Seoul City preserved the old station building, platforms, and several train cars in place and developed the site into a public park. Steam locomotives, diesel engines, and commuter carriages still sit on the original tracks. Today it has grown into a full railway-themed attraction complete with a miniature railway, train-themed cafés, and diorama exhibition halls.
It's not just a park — it's a living piece of railway history, which makes it a uniquely fitting backdrop for this festival.
Getting There
Public transport is by far the easiest option.
- Subway Line 6: alight at Hwarang-dae Station, then walk about 10–15 minutes
- Subway Line 6 or 7: Taegeung Station is another walkable option
The path from Hwarang-dae Station to the park follows the Gyeongchun Forest Trail — the old Gyeongchun Line right-of-way converted into a scenic walking path, perfect for soaking in the festival atmosphere on the way.
Parking is very limited. With festival crowds expected, public transport is strongly recommended.
If you're wondering where to go for the Memorial Day weekend, Hwarangdae Railway Park might be a pretty good answer.
Especially if there's a train-loving kid in tow.
