The Sincheon Picnic Mat Music Festival began in Daegu, one of the hottest cities in Korea during the summer, to provide citizens with relief from the summer heat in the form of fun music performances. The music festival has been held annually since 2007 and is a source of excitement for citizens exhausted by the heat of the urban summer. The music festival’s Korean name (translated as “Sincheon Picnic Mat Music Festival: Escape the Heat!”) reflects the aim of the event to help citizens forget about the summer heat—even if just for a short while—as does the fact that the music festival is purposely held during some of the hottest days of the summer.

The event is hosted each year in the Sincheon riverside area (south end of Jungdonggyo Bridge) between late July and early August. The first day of the event features opening performances by artists of diverse genres, making sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. On the second day, the Sincheon Picnic Mat Singing Contest is held. The contest is open to anyone who likes to sing or has a special talent they would like to share.

This year, to create a festive mood before the music festival, busking performances will be held for five days before the official opening date. Through heat-dispelling events like the Ice Challenge and Cooling Fog, the music festival not only provides high-quality music but also fun ways for citizens to cool themselves off in the summertime heat.