Korea Festivals

Mokpo Port Festival

Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026 · Gwangju & Jeollanam-do

Mokpo Port Festival
Mokpo Port Festival. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Overview

The 2026 Mokpo Port Festival will take place from October 16 to 18 around Mokpo Port and Samhakdo Island. The festival invites visitors to journey through time and experience the history and culture of Mokpo Port through the Traditional Pasi, which recreates the excitement of a full catch and bustling seafood auctions, and the Modern Pasi, which offers experiences of the shops, streets, and everyday culture of the modern-era docks. Highlights include “Pasi: A Full Catch!”, which recreates the arrival of a stow-net fishing boat, the lively Pasi Auction Show, Retro Dockside Street, and Fish Market Street. These unique Mokpo experiences unfold throughout the festival grounds. Visitors can also enjoy Mokpo’s seasonal seafood, hands-on activities for families and local residents, and a variety of performances. Together, these programs bring the atmosphere of Mokpo’s historic port into the present, offering a memorable way to experience the city’s past and present in one festival.

Why go

The Mokpo Port Festival brings the history of Mokpo's historic port to life through the Traditional Pasi (recreating a full catch and bustling seafood auctions) and the Modern Pasi (shops, streets, and everyday dockside culture). Visitors can watch the Pasi Auction Show, stroll Retro Dockside Street and Fish Market Street, and sample the city's seasonal seafood alongside hands-on activities and live performances.

Getting there from Seoul

Mokpo is the southern terminus of the Honam KTX line, so a direct KTX from Yongsan (or Yeongdeungpo) Station takes roughly 2.5–3 hours. Express or intercity buses also run from Seoul's Central City/Express Bus Terminal to Mokpo Bus Terminal, taking around 4 hours. From Mokpo Station or the bus terminal, a local bus or taxi covers the last few kilometres to the port and Samhakdo Island festival grounds.

Tips

  • Admission is free, so no advance tickets are needed.
  • Festival hours run 12:00–21:00, so an afternoon-into-evening visit works well.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the festival spans outdoor areas around Mokpo Port and Samhakdo Island.

Best for: seafood lovers, families, photographers, history buffs.

Program

“Pasi: A Full Catch!”, Pasi Auction Show, Fish Market Street, Squid & Prawn Grill, Retro Dockside Street, Wish Glass Fishing Floats, Dockside Fashion Show, Music Café

  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Mokpo Port Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Other festivals in Gwangju & Jeollanam-do

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