German Village Beer Festival
Oct 9 – Oct 11, 2026 · Gyeongsangnam-do
Overview
The 14th Germany Village Beer Festival is a flagship cultural tourism festival of Namhae-gun, held based on the exotic scenery of German Village and the historical significance of Koreans who were sent to work in Germany. German Village is a village where Korean expatriates who were dispatched to Germany in the 1960s-1970s to work as miners and nurses settled after returning to Korea, and it preserves the history of these dispatched workers' lives and the exchange between Korea and Germany. Modeled after Oktoberfest, Germany's leading beer festival, the festival features a variety of German food, beer, music, parades, and experience programs. In particular, by connecting the history of workers dispatched to Germany and the identity of German Village with the festival's content, it promotes the region's historical and cultural value, and is developing into a global cultural tourism festival that both domestic and international tourists can enjoy together.
Why go
The German Village Beer Festival is Namhae-gun's flagship cultural tourism event, now in its 14th edition, set against the distinctive European-style houses of German Village. Modeled on Oktoberfest, it combines German food, beer, music, and parades with the real history of Korean miners and nurses who worked in Germany in the 1960s-70s and later settled in this village.
Getting there from Seoul
Namhae has no KTX station of its own, so the most common route is KTX to Jinju or Suncheon, then a local bus or taxi onward (roughly an hour) to Namhae. Direct express buses also run from Seoul's Nambu Bus Terminal to Namhae, taking around four to four and a half hours.
Tips
- Namhae is rural with limited lodging, so book accommodation well ahead of the festival dates.
- Early October evenings can turn cool, so bring a light jacket for outdoor festival hours.
- Pair the festival with a walk through German Village itself to see the history of the dispatched workers who settled there.
Best for: beer lovers, families, culture enthusiasts, photographers.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site