Cheonan Book Festival
Oct 9, 2026 · Chungcheongnam-do
Overview
The Book Festival is Cheonan Public Library's flagship reading festival, blending reading, hands-on experiences, and play, held together with libraries, book clubs, bookstores, publishers, and other reading-related organizations. It runs as a reading culture event for the whole community to enjoy, featuring meet-the-author sessions, performances, experience booths, side events, and an outdoor library. This year's event takes place at the Sunken Plaza of Cheonan Samgeori Park, with an opening ceremony, an awards ceremony for avid readers, a family musical performance, and an ensemble performance. At the outdoor library, visitors can relax and read under the autumn sunshine. The event also includes meet-the-author sessions with Han So-gon, author of "Gochujang Errand," and Lee Seo-su, author of "Dance Anyway," both selected as Cheonan's 2026 Book of the Year. In addition, visitors can enjoy a variety of reading-related activities at 16 experience booths and 13 bookstore and publisher booths. Admission is free.
Why go
This is Cheonan Public Library's flagship one-day reading festival, held outdoors at Cheonan Samgeori Park with an opening ceremony, family musical and ensemble performances, and an outdoor library where visitors can read in the autumn sunshine. Author talks feature Han So-gon ("Gochujang Errand") and Lee Seo-su ("Dance Anyway"), alongside 16 hands-on experience booths and 13 bookstore/publisher booths. Admission is free.
Getting there from Seoul
Cheonan is reachable by KTX from Seoul Station to Cheonan-Asan Station in well under an hour, or by regular/ITX train or Seoul Subway Line 1 directly to Cheonan Station (slower but one-seat). From either station, take a local bus or taxi to Cheonan Samgeori Park (Dongnam-gu, Samnyong-dong) where the festival's Sunken Plaza is located.
Tips
- This is a single-day event on October 9, 2026, so confirm the date before traveling.
- Admission is free, but author talks and performances may have limited capacity, so arrive early for popular sessions.
- The festival is outdoors, so dress for autumn weather and bring something to sit on at the outdoor library area.
Best for: families, book lovers, readers.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Chungcheongnam-do
Chungcheongnam-do
Cheonan World Dance Festival
Oct 1 – Oct 5, 2026
Since its debut in 2003, the Cheonan World Dance Festival has grown into one of Korea’s major dance festivals, with a history spanning more than two decades. It has been designated a Cultural Tourism Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism eight times and selected as a Regional Representative Performing Arts Festival for six consecutive years. Since 2020, it has also been recognized as an Honorary Cultural Tourism Festival. The festival has received the highest rating in Chungcheongnam-do’s “One Signature Festival per City/County” evaluation for two consecutive years. The Cheonan World Dance Festival 2026 will take place from October 1 to 5, 2026. Highlights include the National Dance Competition, International Dance Competition, and Street Dance Parade, along with a variety of other dance programs. Held at Cheonan Stadium and Cheonan Samgeori Park, the festival transforms the heart of the city into a vibrant celebration of dance, bringing together performers and audiences from Korea and around the world.
Chungcheongnam-do
2026 Ppangppang Day Cheonan
Oct 17 – Oct 18, 2026
Cheonan's signature bread festival, 'Ppangppang Day Cheonan,' is back! Held from October 17 (Sat) to 18 (Sun) around Cheonan Sports Complex, 'Ppangppang Day Cheonan' brings together a wide variety of delicious Cheonan breads in one place.
Chungcheongbuk-do
Cheongwon Life Festival
Oct 2 – Oct 11, 2026
Since 2008, the Cheongwon Life Festival has been a leading festival built around the theme of eco-friendliness. It promotes the Cheongwon Life brand, premium agricultural products made all the more brilliant by pure nature, and offers visitors a wide range of sights through themed exhibitions, diverse hands-on experience events, and cultural performances. It also strives to provide growing students with an educational venue where they can experience the present and future of agriculture and a variety of cultures. In addition, it creates a space for exchange where local farmers and consumers can meet and communicate directly, widely promoting the excellence of local agricultural products and the value of eco-friendly farming, and through a variety of programs that families can enjoy together, it deepens understanding of agriculture and rural life. Furthermore, by offering opportunities to experience healthy food and the importance of sustainable agriculture, it spreads the public value of agriculture, establishing itself as a representative festival of Cheongju-si that contributes to revitalizing the local economy and developing rural culture.
Reach travelers heading to Chungcheongnam-do: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site