Suncheon Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival
Oct 24 – Oct 25, 2026 · Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Overview
At Suncheon Naganeupseong, which has preserved over 600 years of history and tradition, the 31st Suncheon Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival will be held from October 24 to 25, 2026, under the theme 'Nagan (樂安): Building Joy, Connecting Generations.' At Naganeupseong, where Joseon-era fortress walls, government offices, and thatched-roof villages come together, people of all ages can enjoy the charm and excitement of traditional culture.
The procession marking the arrival of the Nagan magistrate, which announces the start of the festival, along with the gate guard changing ceremony and the mounted general's night patrol ritual, recreate the appearance of a Joseon-era walled town. A rich lineup of programs unfolds, including the community Baekjung Nori performed together with residents, fortress wall building, tightrope walking, traditional martial arts, the Kim Bin-gil changgeuk (Korean traditional opera), pansori, and gayageum byeongchang (gayageum zither performance with singing). In addition, the 'Nagan 樂 Festa,' featuring popular songs and more, offers a lively stage that brings generations together.
Participatory events such as the grand tug-of-war, ssireum (Korean wrestling) and arm-wrestling competitions, and yutnori, along with a variety of hands-on programs including making traditional hopae (identification tags), straw craft, and archery, are also offered. Visitors can enjoy the special pleasure of a festival that connects the past and present, together with local food.
Why go
Naganeupseong is a rare walled town that has preserved its Joseon-era fortress walls, government buildings, and thatched-roof houses for over 600 years, and this festival brings that setting to life with historical reenactments. Highlights include the Nagan magistrate's arrival procession, gate guard changing ceremony, and mounted general's night patrol, alongside pansori, gayageum performances, and traditional games like ssireum and tug-of-war.
Getting there from Seoul
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Suncheon Station (roughly 3 hours), then a local bus or taxi to Naganeupseong in Nagan-myeon, which is a separate area outside central Suncheon. An express bus from Seoul's Central City Terminal to Suncheon's bus terminal is a direct alternative, also followed by a local bus or taxi to the venue.
Tips
- Arrive in the morning to catch the magistrate's arrival procession and gate guard ceremony at the start of the day's events.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the village streets and fortress walls involve uneven, traditional surfaces.
- Check bus schedules between Suncheon Station/terminal and Naganeupseong in advance, as service to the village can be infrequent.
Best for: history buffs, families, photographers, culture enthusiasts.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Suncheon Food & Art Festival
Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026
The Suncheon Food & Art Festival is a festival where food and art come together as one, held every fall as Suncheon City's signature festival. Citizens, local small business owners, and artists all take part together, turning the old downtown area — including Jungang-ro, Culture Street, and Nammunteo Square — into a single festival ground across the entire city center. At the food market, distinctive snacks made with local ingredients are sold, while the art market offers drawing, calligraphy, and various hands-on craft experiences, along with plant interior decor, woodworking, fabric goods, and other handicrafts for sale. During the festival, the Jungang-ro area is run as a car-free street, filled with a variety of street performances, exhibitions, and hands-on experience spaces, giving visitors a diverse range of sights, food, and fun.
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
Seomjinggang Interntional Experimental Arts Festvial
Sep 22 – Oct 30, 2026
The Seomjinggang International Experimental Arts Festival is a traditional art festival that takes place in Gokseong, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. The festival invites over 100 artists from around the world, and "seeks to explore the philosophical, ecological, and artistic meanings and values encapsulated by the river."
Gwangju & Jeollanam-do
2026 Carbon Neutrality Soil Revival Expo
Oct 23 – Oct 25, 2026
This is a participatory expo that expands the value of Gurye's clean soil and eco-friendly agriculture into exhibition, hands-on experience, gourmet food, performances, and win-win content, allowing visitors to naturally understand and practice the meaning of carbon neutrality by seeing, walking on, touching, and tasting the soil. It sought to turn the broad challenge of responding to climate change and practicing carbon neutrality into the everyday, life-close theme of 'soil and agriculture,' encouraging understanding and voluntary participation from county residents and visitors alike. In addition, centering on Gurye's clean soil and eco-friendly agriculture, it built expo content unique to Gurye by linking Korean wheat, local agricultural specialty products, policies for returning to farming and rural life, and the tourism resources of Jirisan and the Seomjingang River. Moving beyond a viewing-oriented event centered on thematic exhibits, it was organized so that visitors could directly experience the value and importance of soil through participatory programs combining walking, hands-on experiences, gourmet food, performances, sales, and overnight tourism. Through this event, the organizers aim to contribute to revitalizing the local economy and creating community value by building a cooperative system in which local farmers, related organizations, businesses, cultural and artistic figures, and residents take part as both content providers and event operators.
Reach travelers heading to Gwangju & Jeollanam-do: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site