The Gimpo Book Festival is a reading festival held around Modam Library in Gimpo, just west of Seoul, and it is far more hands-on than the name suggests. As of the 2026 edition, it ran September 5–6: a book-concert eve on Saturday, then the main outdoor day on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with AI caricatures, robot activities, a book fair, picture-book author talks, a family magic show and a bubble show. Kids who don’t love books can start with the robots and drift naturally into the reading side.
Why the Gimpo Book Festival Is Different
The 2026 theme was “Books, a Lifelong Joy.” Gimpo framed it as a citizen festival asking what books and libraries mean in the age of AI. Outdoor booths, the book fair, an AI zone, talks and exhibitions ran together, so a child could browse a book, move a robot, watch a show and meet a picture book again, all in one day.
AI Caricatures and Robots First
The AI zone was the standout, with AI caricatures made from photos and robot programs. It’s worth heading there first before lines build.
It also opens a nice conversation: if AI can answer everything, why still read books?
11 a.m. Family Magic Show
The official opening at 11 a.m. included an audience-participation family magic show by national-team magician Ji Hye-jun in the library’s first-floor hall (11:00–12:10). It required advance booking and was fully reserved, so without a ticket, use the time for outdoor booths instead.
Afternoon Family History Book Concert
From 1 to 3 p.m., TV personality Seo Kyung-seok led a family history talk. History lands better with kids through stories than dates, so this suits curious elementary students, though booking was required.
Meet Picture-Book Authors
Picture-book authors Choi Hyun-ju, Ahn Sung-soon, Lee Young-lim and Lee Ruri met readers between 12:30 and 4 p.m. Meeting the person who made a book can stick with a child far longer than being told to read. Some sessions were pre-booked, so plan around walk-in activities and add what’s available.
Bubble Show Break
A bubble show in the afternoon gives kids a seated break between activities, which makes the festival easy even for little ones.
Let Kids Pick One Book at the Fair
Publishers, a library alliance and reading clubs ran booths from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Instead of choosing for your child, ask them to pick one book they want. There was also an outdoor reading lounge for a quiet break, and exhibitions on libraries in the AI age, Korean Picture Book Award winners, Park Kyung-ni’s 100th birth anniversary and local creative picture books.
Parking and Getting There
The venue is Modam Library, 118 Modamgongwon-ro, Gimpo. The nearby Unyang 2 public parking lot opened in February 2026, but the main day is busy and no festival shuttle was announced, so arrive at 10 a.m. or take the Gimpo Goldline to Unyang Station.
Our Family Route
10:00 AI zone and robots → 11:00 magic show (if booked) or book fair → 12:00 lunch and rest → 13:00 book concert or picture-book programs → 15:00 bubble show → 16:00 wrap up.
After the Gimpo Book Festival
After 4 p.m., walk the Han River wild bird ecological park, or head to La Venice canal walk for dinner. Gimpo Book Festival → wild bird park → La Venice is an easy, relaxed day.
FAQ
- Hours? The main outdoor day ran 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (September 6 in 2026).
- Where? Modam Library, 118 Modamgongwon-ro, Gimpo.
- First stop with kids? The AI zone and robot activities.
- Walk-in magic show? It was fully booked in advance; check on site.
- Parking? Library parking and Unyang 2 public lot; arrive early.
Dates, programs and prices in this guide are as of the 2026 edition. Check the official website for next year’s schedule before you go.
More Family Trips on Yans World
- Jeonju Book Festival with Kids: Book Games, Author Talks and a Hanok Village Walk
- Family Travel Recommendations and Exciting Experiences at Geumsan’s Great Camping Spots
- Places to Visit in Seoul with Kids: Hanwha 63 Aqua Planet Seoul Aquarium and Mermaid Show
Schedules and prices can change, so check the VISITKOREA official tourism site before you go.