Boardinghouse Town, Lot No. 1
Nov 6 – Nov 8, 2026 · Chungcheongnam-do
The 2026 edition ran Nov 6 – Nov 8, 2026. 2027 dates have not been announced yet; this page is updated automatically when the organizer publishes them. Check the official site for the latest.
Overview
The boarding house culture that has long stood as part of Gongju's educational heritage is more than just a form of housing — it is a cherished memory holding the learning and friendship of youth, along with the warm sentiment of the local community. Boardinghouse Town, Lot No. 1 reinterprets the history and meaning of this boarding house culture in a modern way, offering a variety of attractions where visitors can directly experience and connect with the past. Through a nostalgic gogo-jang (disco hall), the festival revives the heat of the music and dance that young people once enjoyed in that era, and visitors can also taste foods and snacks reminiscent of the warm meals served at boarding houses. In addition, a school uniform experience program is designed to let visitors feel the excitement and fresh emotions of student days. Through these experiences, both citizens and visitors to Gongju can engage all five senses with the local value and sentiment embedded in boarding house culture, and enjoy a new opportunity to share a fading cultural heritage in a fresh way.
Why go
Boardinghouse Town, Lot No. 1 revives Gongju's historic boarding house culture through a retro gogo-jang dance hall, boarding house-style food, and a school uniform experience. It's a nostalgic, sensory way to engage with a fading piece of local educational heritage rather than a typical sightseeing stop.
Getting there from Seoul
Take an express or intercity bus from Seoul (e.g. Seoul Nambu Terminal or Dong Seoul Terminal) to Gongju Intercity Bus Terminal, a trip of roughly 1.5–2 hours. Alternatively, KTX service runs to Gongju Station on the Honam high-speed line, though the station is outside downtown and requires a taxi or local bus to reach Banjuk-dong.
Tips
- Confirm exact festival hours and fees locally, as these aren't listed in the official overview.
- Book transport and any nearby lodging early since this is a short, single weekend (Nov 6–8, 2026) event.
- Wear comfortable, flexible clothing if you plan to try the school uniform experience or dance hall activities.
Best for: history enthusiasts, families, nostalgia/retro fans, photographers.
Other festivals in Chungcheongnam-do
Daejeon
Yuseong Ondal
Aug 14 – Dec 11, 2026
Yuseong Ondal, a new charm of Yuseong Hot Springs, is a stay-based tourism revitalization program that offers those seeking a comfortable pause from their tiring daily lives a special rest they can enjoy while staying. This event is filled with a variety of programs, including the Yuseong Healing Yoga Class at the Lawn Square of Gyeryong Spatel, which combines aromatherapy and tea ceremony for a true five-senses relaxation experience, and the Yuseong Onbit Outdoor Cinema, where visitors can enjoy immersive movies on a large screen with wireless headsets while feeling the cool breeze. In addition, the Biryongjae Small Concert takes place in the front yard of Biryongjae, a former presidential villa, offering beautiful melodies spanning all generations, from vocal music and classical to film scores, along with the Run Along Gapcheon Challenge, an ongoing, always-open program where participants can run along the beautiful waterway of Gapcheon to Yuseong Hot Springs District for health and vitality. Furthermore, a mobile pop-up truck promoting Yuseong Hot Springs' brand 'Yu-on' is on hand, and program participants are given coupons that can be used at hotels, cafes, bakeries, and other businesses within Yuseong Hot Springs District, adding warm vitality to the local economy. For detailed schedules and program applications for Yuseong Ondal, which offers a clean, vitalizing and relaxed day at Yuseong Hot Springs, visitors can easily proceed through the official website (yu-on.com).
Daejeon
Citywide Energy Walk Festival
Nov 15, 2026
The Citywide Energy Walk Festival is an eco-friendly energy participation program organized to commemorate the 2026 Daejeon World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-9). It is an event where participants can walk together through downtown Daejeon in the fall, experience the value of energy and the environment firsthand, and reflect on a sustainable future.
Reach travelers heading to Chungcheongnam-do: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site