Imsil N Cheese Festival
Oct 8 – Oct 11, 2026 · Jeollabuk-do
The 2026 edition ran Oct 8 – Oct 11, 2026. 2027 dates have not been announced yet; this page is updated automatically when the organizer publishes them. Check the official site for the latest.
Overview
The Imsil N Cheese Festival celebrates the story behind Imsil cheese. That story began in 1967, when Father Didier t'Serstevens (Korean name: Ji Jeong-hwan), a Belgian priest, started out in Imsil with just two goats. After years of trial and error, he succeeded in producing Korea's first cheese. Rooted in this history and its spirit of perseverance, the festival has grown into one of Korea’s leading cheese festivals. It offers visitors from Korea and abroad a wide range of hands-on activities and attractions featuring Imsil N Cheese, while promoting it as one of the country’s flagship cheese brands. One of the festival’s signature programs is "Stretch, Stretch! Make Your Own Cheese," a large-scale group activity where participants stretch and share cheese together. Exhibitions, lively competitions, and a variety of food programs add to the fun, creating a festival that engages all five senses. The festival is also shaped by the local community, with residents playing an active role in bringing it to life. This strong community involvement makes it more than just a tourist event, giving it a genuine sense of shared celebration.
Why go
This festival in Imsil-gun celebrates the origins of Korea's first cheese, traced back to 1967 when Belgian priest Didier t'Serstevens (Ji Jeong-hwan) began making cheese with just two goats. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities such as the signature "Stretch, Stretch! Make Your Own Cheese" session, plus pizza-making and fondue tastings, alongside exhibitions and competitions run with strong involvement from the local community.
Getting there from Seoul
Imsil-gun is in Jeonbuk-do; the most direct option is an intercity/express bus from a Seoul bus terminal to Imsil Bus Terminal. Alternatively, take a train on the Jeolla Line toward Imsil Station (note this route is served by ITX/Mugunghwa-class trains rather than KTX). From either the bus terminal or train station, a short local bus or taxi ride reaches the Imsil Cheese Theme Park, Cheese Village, and the Imsil-eup festival area (50 Doin 2-gil).
Tips
- Festival hours run 09:00–18:00; general entry is free, but some hands-on programs (cheese making, fondue, pizza-making) charge separate fees.
- The festival spans three connected areas (Theme Park, Cheese Village, Imsil-eup), so budget time to move between them.
- Arrive early for popular hands-on programs like the group cheese-stretching activity, as these draw crowds during the festival dates.
Best for: families, food lovers, cultural heritage.
Program
Stretch, Stretch! Make Your Own Cheese, Imsil N Cheese Rice Pizza Making, Dessert Fondue with Aged Cheese, Whey Foot Bath
Photos
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