Gwangju Kimchi Festival
Oct 23 – Oct 25, 2026 · Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Overview
*The information below is based on the 2025 festivals. Details for the 2026 festivals will be updated as they become available.*The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is Korea’s representative kimchi festival, offering a variety of kimchi products for purchase and the chance to taste various kimchi dishes. Highlights include the “Thousand People’s Table” featuring diverse kimchi cuisine, a competition to discover kimchi masters, and a kimchi experience school with a range of engaging programs.
Why go
The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is Korea's representative kimchi festival, with free admission and a chance to taste and buy a wide range of kimchi products. Highlights include the Thousand People's Table food court, a kimchi master chef competition, a kimchi-making experience school, and cultural performances.
Getting there from Seoul
Take the KTX from Seoul Station or Yongsan Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station, a journey of roughly two hours. From there, take a taxi or local bus to Sangmu Citizens Park in Seo-gu. An express bus from Seoul's Central City Terminal to Gwangju is also an option, though it takes longer, around 3.5-4 hours.
Tips
- Admission is free, so budget instead for food and kimchi purchases
- The festival runs 10:00-20:00, so plan for an afternoon or evening visit
- Arrive hungry to try the Thousand People's Table food court
Best for: foodies, families, cultural travelers.
Program
Kimchi Making Experience,Thousand People’s Table (Food Court), Gwangju Kimchi Star Chef Food Show, Cultural Performances, Kimchi Exhibition, Etc.
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 Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026
Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival takes place along the themed walking paths next to Yeongsangang River with a range of walking programs and photo spots.
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Earthen Vessels: Stories of Our Lives
Jul 29 – Oct 25, 2026
Earthen Vessels: Stories of Our Lives is a special exhibition held at the National Gwangju Museum. By looking back at earthenware, a type of pottery which has been at the core of our daily lives for a long time, we can encounter the practicality, aesthetic sense, and the stories contained in the earthenware that has been passed down through tradition. This exhibition showcases over 300 artifacts, including a ribbed bottle and large jars excavated from the Cheonghaejin site in Wando.
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection
Oct 7 – Oct 11, 2026
The Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection is Gwangju’s largest signature festival, originating on Chungjang-ro in Dong-gu. Built around the universal theme of memories, it is Korea’s first festival of its kind, bringing together people of all generations and backgrounds. Geumnam-ro and May 18 Democracy Square, the festival’s main venues, hold profound significance in the history of democracy. They symbolize not only remembrance of the past but also Gwangju’s journey toward a hopeful future. Recognized for its excellence, the festival has been designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as both a Cultural Tourism Festival and an Honorary Cultural Tourism Festival. It has also gained international recognition through consecutive honors at the Asia’s Pinnacle Awards and Gwangju’s designation as a World Festival City. Looking ahead, the festival aims to grow into a truly international event through collaboration with the Asia Culture Center, embracing the cultures and shared memories of Asia. In doing so, it strengthens Gwangju's role as a leading cultural city of Asia and provides a meaningful platform for communication and harmony through culture.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site