German Village Oktoberfest
Oct 9 – Oct 11, 2026 · Gyeongsangnam-do
Overview
The German Village Oktoberfest is Namhae's representative cultural tourism festival, held based on the exotic scenery of the German Village and the historical significance of the Korean expatriate movement to Germany. The German Village is a community where overseas Koreans settled after returning from Germany, where they worked as miners and nurses during the 1960s and 1970s; it preserves the history of the lives of these workers and the exchange between Korea and Germany. Inspired by Oktoberfest, Germany's iconic beer festival, the festival features a variety of German-style food, beer, music, parades, and hands-on experience programs. In particular, by linking the history of the Korean expatriate movement to Germany and the identity of the German Village with the festival's content, it promotes the region's historical and cultural value and is evolving into a global cultural tourism festival that can be enjoyed by both domestic and international tourists.
Why go
The German Village Oktoberfest ties Namhae's German Village to the little-known history of Korean miners and nurses who emigrated to Germany in the 1960s-70s and later returned to settle here. The three-day festival reimagines Germany's Oktoberfest with German food, beer, music, parades, and hands-on experience programs set against the village's distinctive European-style architecture.
Getting there from Seoul
Namhae has no train station, so the usual route is an express or intercity bus from a Seoul terminal (such as Seoul Nambu or Central City) to Namhae Bus Terminal, roughly 4-5 hours depending on traffic and transfers. Travelers preferring rail can take the KTX to Jinju and continue to the German Village area by local bus or taxi.
Tips
- Admission to the festival is free, held daily from 10:00 to 21:30 across the three days.
- The venue is spread through the German Village area, so wear comfortable shoes for walking between food, music, and experience program spots.
- Since Namhae has no train station, confirm your bus schedule and return trip in advance, especially for the last bus back to major cities.
Best for: history enthusiasts, food and drink lovers, photographers, families.
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
Other festivals in Gyeongsangnam-do
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German Village Beer Festival
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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.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site