Korea Festivals

Iksan Gukhwa Festival

Oct 23 – Nov 1, 2026 · Jeollabuk-do

Iksan Gukhwa Festival
Iksan Gukhwa Festival. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Overview

The Iksan Gukhwa Festival is held every year from late October to early November. The festival features an outdoor chrysanthemum exhibit, city agricultural hall, cultural performances, music fountain and much more as well as food.

Why go

The Iksan Gukhwa Festival celebrates the chrysanthemum season with a large outdoor flower exhibit, displays at the city's agricultural hall, cultural performances, and a music fountain, plus food stalls. It's a good pick for anyone wanting an autumn flower festival with free admission.

Getting there from Seoul

Take the KTX from Seoul (Yongsan Station) to Iksan Station, a ride of roughly 1.5-2 hours on the Honam Line. From Iksan Station, Iksan Central Sports Park is a short taxi or local bus ride away.

Tips

  • Admission is free, and the festival runs 10:00-21:00, so an evening visit lets you catch the music fountain after dark.
  • Late October to early November is peak chrysanthemum bloom, so weekends can be busy.
  • Combine the flower exhibit with the cultural performances and food stalls for a full day out.

Best for: families, photographers, flower lovers.

  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Iksan Gukhwa Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Other festivals in Jeollabuk-do

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    Iksan 10 Million Chrysanthemum Festival

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    A flower festival representing autumn, the Iksan 10 Million Chrysanthemum Festival, known for its massive chrysanthemum sculptural works, will color Iksan with the scent of ten million chrysanthemums in 2026 under the theme "GLOW IKSAN, Shining Anew Like a Jewel." Fragrant chrysanthemum gardens, distinctive large-scale sculptures, and floral works depicting Iksan's history and cultural stories fill the festival grounds, presenting a special autumn scene. Visitors can enjoy a wealth of sights and activities, including the nation's largest chrysanthemum garden, a special chrysanthemum bonsai exhibition, cultural performances, a music fountain, and various hands-on experiences and events. When the sun sets, the festival grounds transform into a different scene. Dazzling light sculptures and nighttime scenery blend with the chrysanthemums to create a fantastical night garden, while fireworks lighting up the night sky add excitement and emotion to the festival. Iksan, where flowers, history, culture, and light come together, shines anew like a jewel this autumn. By day, visitors can stroll through a fragrant autumn conveyed by ten million chrysanthemums, and by night, they can make special memories amid a dazzling landscape of light. This autumn, experience the most beautiful journey that ten million chrysanthemums have to offer, in Iksan.

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    NS Food Festa

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    NS Food Festa is Korea's leading food culture festival, held in Iksan, a city renowned for its cuisine. Created jointly by NS Home Shopping and Iksan City, this festival goes beyond a simple food event to become a comprehensive food culture festival combining the nation's largest cooking competition with a variety of culinary experiences. On site, visitors can see the creative recipes presented by top chefs from across the country, as well as taste and purchase fresh local agricultural and livestock specialties at reasonable prices. In particular, the 'Gourmet Tour' program, which lets visitors vividly observe the cutting-edge food production process at Harim First Kitchen inside the festival grounds, offers visitors a unique source of enjoyment. In addition, the festival features cooking shows by celebrity chefs, a variety of interactive events, and cultural performances the whole family can enjoy together.

Festivals: Jeollabuk-do

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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site