Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo Festival
Oct 9 – Oct 11, 2026 · Gyeongsangnam-do
Overview
The Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo Festival is a festival that Hapcheon County, Gyeongsangnam-do, first held in 2023 to promote its local Korean beef brand, Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo, and has continued every autumn since, marking its fourth edition this year. Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo is a Korean beef brand that has been jointly operated by Hapcheon County and the Hapcheon Livestock Cooperative since it was registered as a brand with the Korean Intellectual Property Office in 1999; it is produced by feeding cattle a specialized feed containing loess (hwangto) for more than 16 months, resulting in tender meat and rich flavor that consumers favor highly. The festival has been hosted and organized by the Hapcheon Livestock Industry Cooperative with the sponsorship of Hapcheon County, and it is notable that the number of visitors and sales have steadily grown with each edition. The 1st festival, held in October 2023, drew about 30,000 visitors, and the 3rd edition in 2025 drew about 79,000 visitors over three days, recording sales of 1.2 billion KRW, growing into one of Hapcheon's representative brand events. Given this trend, the 4th festival is being held with the accumulated experience of previous editions, so it can be seen as an event likely to be run on an expanded scale and with an expanded program compared to previous editions.
Why go
This festival celebrates Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo, a local Korean beef brand jointly run by Hapcheon County and the Hapcheon Livestock Cooperative since 1999, raised on a special loess-based feed for over 16 months for extra-tender, flavorful meat. Now in its 4th year, the event has grown fast, with the 2025 edition drawing about 79,000 visitors over three days, so expect a lively, well-attended food event rather than a small local gathering.
Getting there from Seoul
There is no direct KTX line into Hapcheon, so the easiest options are an intercity/express bus from Seoul (Central City or Seoul Nambu Terminal) directly to Hapcheon Bus Terminal, or a KTX to Dongdaegu followed by a connecting bus. From Hapcheon Bus Terminal, the festival venue on Munhwa-ro in Hapcheon-eup is a short taxi or local bus ride away.
Tips
- Arrive hungry and plan to sample Hapcheon Hwangto Hanwoo, the festival's main draw
- Expect large crowds, especially on weekend days, given recent editions have drawn tens of thousands of visitors
- Confirm current bus schedules in advance, as rural intercity bus frequency to Hapcheon can be limited
Best for: foodies, families, local culture.
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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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go.