K-Drone Festival
Oct 19 – Oct 23, 2026 · Gangwon
Overview
In connection with the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, this event introduces government policies and major support programs for developing core drone technologies and fostering the drone industry, and promotes the achievements and future vision of the drone industry to the public through exhibitions.
In addition, to raise public interest in and awareness of the drone industry, a drone light show (19th, Monday) and a drone delivery demonstration (22nd, Thursday) will be held, and the event is composed of content that the whole family can enjoy together through various exhibition and hands-on programs.
Why go
This event showcases Korea's drone industry and related government support programs through exhibitions and hands-on programs, timed alongside the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress. Highlights include a one-off drone light show and a drone delivery demonstration, making it a good stop for anyone curious about drone technology. The program is built to be enjoyed by the whole family, not just industry visitors.
Getting there from Seoul
The fastest option is the KTX (Gyeonggang Line) from Seoul Station to Gangneung Station, a trip of roughly 2 hours. Express buses to Gangneung also run from Seoul's Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, taking around 2.5–3 hours. From Gangneung Station or the bus terminal, a local taxi or bus can get you to the Ponam-dong area on Surigol-gil.
Tips
- The drone light show is only on Monday, Oct 19, and the drone delivery demo is only on Thursday, Oct 22 — time your visit if you want to catch either.
- No venue, hours, fees, or organizer details were specified for this event, so confirm the schedule with official sources before heading out.
- Since the festival ties into the Gangneung ITS World Congress, expect exhibition content alongside the hands-on programs — allow extra time to see both.
Best for: families, drone/tech enthusiasts, photographers.
Other festivals in Gangwon
Gangwon
Gangneung Bread-Baking Village, Ojuk
Oct 9 – Oct 11, 2026
The 2nd Gangneung Bread Festival is a hands-on gourmet festival where visitors can enjoy Gangneung's distinctive breads together with the tranquil atmosphere of Ojuk Hanok Village. It will be held for three days from October 9 to 11, 2026, at Ojuk Hanok Village, where visitors can find a variety of breads presented by local bakeries and confectioneries all in one place. At the festival venue, in addition to bread exhibitions and sales, a variety of attractions will be offered, including hands-on programs, performances, and events that people of all ages can enjoy. The festival space is also richly designed so that visitors can stroll through the hanok village tasting bread, and create photos and memories together with family, loved ones, and friends. Held under the theme 'Following the Scent of Bread Around the Hanok Village,' this festival aims to promote Gangneung's bakery and confectionery culture and create a place where local businesses and visitors can come together. It is a festival where visitors can enjoy delicious bread, a traditional space, and cultural content all at once in Gangneung in autumn.
Gangwon
Gangneung Noodle Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026
The Gangneung Noodle Festival is a leading food festival held in Gangneung, a city of noodles where noodle dishes such as jang-kalguksu, makguksu, jjamppong, and gamja-ongsimi-kalguksu are more beloved than in any other region. Through 2025, it was known and loved as the Gangneung Noodle Festival; for its 5th edition in 2026, the event has been renamed the Gangneung Guksu Festival — guksu being the native Korean word for noodles — to feel more familiar to the public and to reflect the region's character in a broader way. In 2026, it will run for four days from October 15 to October 18 along Wolhwa Street, featuring a food zone where visitors can taste Gangneung's various noodles, along with a wealth of related sights and activities, offering a chance to experience noodle flavors ranging from Gangneung's famous restaurants to hidden spots tucked away in back alleys. With a variety of hands-on experiences, exhibitions, competitions, cooking shows, and other activities, visitors can fully enjoy the golden autumn of 2026 right here on Wolhwa Street.
Gangwon
Gangneung Coffee Festival
Oct 21 – Oct 25, 2026
The Gangneung Coffee Festival traces its roots to the everyday memories created around the coffee vending machines at Anmok Beach and to the café and roasting culture cultivated by local coffee artisans. Since it began in 2009, the festival has grown into a celebration of Gangneung’s distinct identity, connecting the city’s natural scenery, everyday culture, and local businesses. Residents, merchants, coffee professionals, and visitors come together to enjoy coffee and share stories about Gangneung through programs that bring together the humanities, arts, and local culture. A simple cup of coffee enjoyed by the sea has grown into a culture shared by the entire city. Today, the festival is a living cultural asset of the region, reflecting Gangneung’s history, the tastes of its people, and the pride of its community.
Reach travelers heading to Gangwon: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site