Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival

The 2026 Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival celebrates Yeoju's traditional culture and history, harking back to a time when local specialties such as rice and sweet potatoes were shipped from Jopo Quay as tribute offerings to the royal court during the Joseon dynasty. Highlights include the Royal Tribute Parade, Bibimbap with Cast-Iron-Pot-Cooked Yeoju Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato Guinness, Wish Paper Trail, and Nakhwanori, along with local produce markets, food stalls, traditional cultural activities, and performances. Visitors can also sample a wide range of locally grown produce and enjoy hands-on programs and family-friendly activities inspired by traditional culture. After sunset, nighttime programs such as Nakhwanori give the festival a different atmosphere. Bringing together the best of Yeoju’s local produce, traditional culture, hands-on experiences, and lively entertainment, the festival offers a memorable taste of autumn in Yeoju.

The Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival (23–25 October 2026) marks Yeoju's history as a Joseon-era tribute port, where local rice and sweet potatoes were shipped from Jopo Quay to the royal court. Highlights include a Royal Tribute Parade, bibimbap made with cast-iron-pot-cooked Yeoju rice, a roasted sweet potato contest, a wish paper trail, and the after-dark Nakhwanori rope-and-fire display, plus local produce markets and hands-on traditional activities.

Yeoju sits southeast of Seoul and is reachable by KTX or ITX-Cheongchun on the Gyeonggang Line from Cheongnyangni (or Seoul) Station to Yeoju Station, with a short taxi or local bus onward to the festival grounds at Silleuksa Temple Resort. Intercity buses to Yeoju also run from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal for those who prefer the bus.

Bibimbap with Cast-Iron-Pot-Cooked Yeoju Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato Guinness, Royal Tribute Parade, Wish Paper Trail, Yeoju Heunam-ri Twin Dragon Rope Tug-of-War, Yeoju Bondu-ri Nakhwanori