Gyeryong Military Culture Festival
Oct 1 – Oct 5, 2026 · Happening now · Chungcheongnam-do
Overview
The Gyeryong Military Culture Festival is a major defense-themed cultural event held in Gyeryong, home to the headquarters of the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, and Air Force. First launched in 2007, the festival marks its 16th edition in 2026 and will run for five days from October 1 to 5. The festival opens with performances by top artists, followed by military band and honor guard shows and special performances by the Army performance team on the main and secondary stages and throughout the airstrip. This year will also feature the largest road parade in the festival’s history, along with a large-scale street parade involving some 700 participants, adding even more energy to the event. Visitors can take part in a wide range of hands-on military experiences, including military equipment and shooting activities, the Extreme Field Training Challenge, a Comprehensive Military Camp Experience, and VR and AR programs. The festival also offers history lectures, a special video pavilion with a 20-meter LED screen, a children’s theme park, and many other programs, making it a distinctive celebration of military culture for visitors of all ages.
Why go
This is Korea's largest defense-themed festival, held in Gyeryong, home to the headquarters of the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, and Air Force. The 2026 edition (its 16th) features military band and honor guard performances, a large-scale street parade with about 700 participants, and hands-on military experiences including equipment displays, shooting activities, and VR/AR programs. It's a rare chance to see Korea's armed forces up close in a festival setting rather than a formal ceremony.
Getting there from Seoul
Take a KTX or intercity train from Seoul to Daejeon (roughly an hour), then transfer to a local train or bus toward Gyeryong-si, as the venue sits around the Gyeryongdae runway outside the town center. A taxi from Gyeryong station to the festival grounds is the most straightforward last leg given the site's location near the military base.
Tips
- Carry photo ID, since the site is adjacent to a military base and security checks are possible.
- General admission is free, but some hands-on programs (equipment, shooting, camp experiences) charge separate fees.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, as activities are spread across open airstrip areas with little shade.
Best for: families, military history enthusiasts, photographers.
Program
Citizen-Participatory Themed Performance, Military Band & Honor Guard Performances, Navy·Air Force·Marine Corps Promotional Zones (Military Equipment and Shooting Experiences), Military Camp Experience Course (Shooting, Rappelling, High-Altitude Mock Tower, Survival Games, 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
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site