Heungbu Festival
Oct 9 – Oct 11, 2026 · Jeollabuk-do
Overview
The 34th Heungbu Festival is a traditional local festival held by Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, themed around the classic novel Heungbujeon. With brotherly love, repaying kindness, sharing, and good fortune as its common themes, it is held for three days around Gwanghallu-won, from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, 2026. Under Namwon's municipal ordinance, the festival day of the Heungbu Festival is designated as Namwon Citizens' Day, and the festival, originally held on Jungyangjeol — the 9th day of the 9th lunar month — has had its timing adjusted over the years according to circumstances. Under the slogan 'Heungbu Festival, With Citizens, Together with Small Business Owners,' this year's festival is marked by expanded participation from the local business community and small merchants. At Gwanghallu-won, the festival features the Heungbu Specialty Market, which recreates Heungbu's birth home, thatched-roof booths selling specialty agricultural products from Jirisan, and the K-Food Road, where visitors can sample food from Namwon's small business owners; the Heungbu Jackpot Store Challenge, linked with shops in the old town center, and the Golden Gourd Bursting event, in which large gourds 6 to 8 meters tall are burst open, add further highlights to the festival. In addition, programs blending tradition and modernity — including Joseon-era occupation experiences, a traditional science festival, a performance reinterpreting the Battle of Namwon Fortress during the Jeongyu War, the changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) Heungbujeon, the Namwon Nongak (Farmers' Music) Competition, and a traditional wedding experience — are helping establish the festival as a stay-and-experience event connecting Gwanghallu-won with the old town center.
Why go
The Heungbu Festival is Namwon's 34th annual celebration of the classic Korean folktale Heungbujeon, centered on themes of brotherly love, repaying kindness, and sharing good fortune. Held around the historic Gwanghallu-won garden, it combines traditional performances like changgeuk and a farmers' music competition with hands-on experiences such as Joseon-era occupation activities and the dramatic Golden Gourd Bursting event.
Getting there from Seoul
Namwon lies on the Jeolla Line, so ITX-Saemaeul or Mugunghwa trains from Seoul's Yongsan Station run directly to Namwon Station. Express buses to Namwon Bus Terminal are also an option from Seoul's Central City or Nambu bus terminals. From either station, Gwanghallu-won and the festival grounds are a short taxi or local bus ride away.
Tips
- The festival runs Friday to Sunday, October 9-11, 2026, centered on Gwanghallu-won — book Namwon lodging ahead since it's designed as a stay-and-experience event linking the garden with the old town center.
- Don't miss the Golden Gourd Bursting event and the changgeuk performance of Heungbujeon, the festival's signature tributes to the original folktale.
- Visit the Heungbu Specialty Market and K-Food Road for Jirisan agricultural products and food from Namwon's small business owners.
Best for: families, culture enthusiasts, foodies, photographers.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site