Residents will take off their shoes and walk together along the sea at a festival on Ilgwang Beach in Gijang-gun, Busan. Gijang Social Welfare Centre, which is part of the Gijang County Urban Management Corporation, will hold the 2026 Only You Barefoot Walking Festival with the Only You residents’ community at Ilgwang Beach from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 7 November. The event is being held for the second time, following last year’s festival.
Line dancing opens the festival, followed by wellness movement to wake up the body and barefoot walking by the sea
The festival will begin with a line-dancing performance by residents and an opening act by a youth dance team. Next comes wellness movement: a chance for everyone to loosen up and awaken stiff bodies to music, with all participants moving together. The final programme is a barefoot walk together against the backdrop of the sea at Ilgwang Beach.
Walking barefoot on the sand naturally draws attention to the feel and temperature beneath your feet, the sound of the waves and the breeze. This simple act of focusing the mind on each step and sensation resembles the starting point of walking meditation. For people who find it daunting to sit quietly and focus only on their breathing, or who spend most of the day in front of a screen or at a desk, moving the body first can be a much easier way in.
Yoga and singing bowl meditation require advance booking; stalls offer aromatherapy, health tea and more
A range of activities will run alongside the main event. Advance booking is required for yoga and singing bowl meditation. Other stalls will offer salt bath-salt making, face painting, barefoot footprint printing, health tea, tarot cards and aromatherapy.
Yoga may suit those who want to relax while moving, while those who prefer to rest quietly may enjoy meditating to the sound of singing bowls. Some people find it easier to unwind through the senses, with scents and tea. The festival’s appeal lies in the chance to try out several approaches on one beach and discover what kind of rest works for you.
A healthy beach festival organised and run by residents: meditation comes to the neighbourhood
The festival has been organised to encourage residents to adopt healthy habits through barefoot walking, spend time with their neighbours and foster a healthy community culture. Only You has taken charge of everything, from preparation to delivery. Rather than residents attending an event organised by an institution as guests, this is a festival where residents take the lead and welcome their neighbours.
Meditation and wellness are moving beyond specialist centres and retreat houses into neighbourhood beaches, welfare centres and local groups. When experiences that begin simply and close to home become part of everyday life, more people can discover meditation for the first time.
Sports towels for 300 barefoot-walking participants; apply via the QR code on the event poster
A commemorative sports towel will be given to 300 residents taking part in the barefoot walk. Details on how to participate, and how to book yoga and singing bowl meditation in advance, are available via the QR code on the event poster. For other enquiries, contact Gijang Social Welfare Centre.
Event: 2026 Only You Barefoot Walking Festival
Date and time: Saturday 7 November 2026, 2pm–4pm
Venue: Ilgwang Beach, Gijang-gun, Busan
Organisers: Gijang Social Welfare Centre (part of the Gijang County Urban Management Corporation), Only You residents’ community
Programme: Line dancing and youth dance team performance, wellness movement, barefoot walking
Additional activities: Yoga, singing bowl meditation (advance booking required), salt bath-salt making, face painting, barefoot footprint printing, health tea, tarot cards, aromatherapy
Keepsake: Sports towels for 300 residents taking part in the barefoot walk
Applications: QR code on the event poster
Enquiries: Gijang Social Welfare Centre
Press enquiries: fare3041@naver.com