South Korea is welcoming autumn with a vibrant array of cultural festivals and events across multiple provinces, offering visitors everything from spectacular flower displays to traditional music performances and culinary experiences. These seasonal celebrations showcase the country's rich cultural heritage while providing unique opportunities for both locals and tourists to engage with Korean traditions.
The 18th Jeongeup Gujulcho Festival stands as one of the season's most spectacular natural displays, running from October 14-26 at Gujulcho Provincial Garden in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province. Timed to coincide with the peak of autumn, this festival features Asia's largest colony of Gujulcho flowers, which blanket an impressive 150,000 square meters of mountain forest. Visitors can immerse themselves in a breathtaking sea of purple blossoms that create a stunning contrast against the backdrop of serene pine groves and crystal-clear mountain streams.
The Jeongeup festival offers an extensive program of activities designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. The event features live concerts, educational lectures, local product markets, hands-on craft workshops, and photography contests that capture the natural beauty of the flowering landscape. For those seeking more adventurous experiences, paid activities include scenic flower train rides through the garden and exhilarating zipline adventures that provide aerial views of the colorful floral carpet below. Admission to the festival is reasonably priced at 7,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for teenagers, and 3,000 won for children.
Meanwhile, in Seoul, the historic Changdeokgung Palace is hosting a unique cultural experience through October 23 with the opening of Changdeokgung Yakdabang, the royal medicine tea room. This special program allows the public to step inside the historic royal pharmacy and experience traditional Korean wellness practices rooted in Joseon-era philosophy. The concept is based on the ancient Korean belief that food and medicine share the same therapeutic origins, creating a holistic approach to health and well-being.
Guests at Changdeokgung Yakdabang can choose between two carefully curated dessert sets: Hobakran or Baeran, each featuring traditional royal delicacies such as candied bellflower root, pressed persimmons, and jujube confections. These authentic treats are paired with a selection of herbal teas, including ginger and jujube, ginseng and goji berry, refreshing mint and cinnamon, or the distinctively Korean omija (five-flavor berry). The complete experience is available for 15,000 won per person, providing an affordable glimpse into royal culinary traditions.
Music enthusiasts can celebrate Korea's rich musical heritage at the Yeongdong Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival, which continues through Saturday in Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province. This festival honors the remarkable legacy of Park Yeon, known by his pen name Nangye, who is revered as one of Korea's "Three Great Masters of Music." The event serves as a comprehensive showcase of Korean classical music traditions, bridging the gap between historical and contemporary musical expressions.
The Yeongdong festival presents a diverse range of musical performances that span from traditional Korean music to innovative modern fusion concerts. Visitors can enjoy gugak busking performances that bring classical music to the streets, along with special parades that celebrate the musical arts. The festival emphasizes hands-on cultural engagement through workshops where participants can learn about traditional Korean instrument crafting and even try their hand at performances. Adding to the cultural richness, the event coincides with the Yeongdong Wine Festival, creating a unique combination of traditional music and local wine culture.
For culinary adventurers, the Hongseong Namdang Port Shrimp Festival in Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province, runs through October 20, celebrating Korea's premier destination for autumn shrimp. Namdang Port has earned recognition as the country's top spot for seasonal shrimp harvesting, attracting food lovers from across the nation who come to savor the clean, rich flavor of daeha, or giant shrimp. The festival transforms the port into a lively celebration of marine cuisine and local culture.
Festival participants at Namdang Port can engage in entertaining hands-on experiences, including bare-handed shrimp catching competitions and shrimp peeling contests that test both skill and speed. The event features live performances, cultural shows, and singing contests that create a festive atmosphere throughout the port area. A vibrant night market extends the celebration into the evening hours, while visitors can also enjoy spectacular sunset views over the water and impressive water fountain shows that illuminate the harbor.
Rounding out the autumn cultural offerings, the Sejong National Arboretum is presenting its annual nighttime opening through Saturday, providing visitors with a romantic and illuminated garden experience unlike any daytime visit. This year's nighttime event features significantly enhanced lighting displays that transform key areas of the arboretum into magical landscapes, including the Four Seasons Greenhouse, Festival Plaza, and the Korean Traditional Garden in Sejong.
The Sejong National Arboretum's evening program includes weekend cultural events that take place every Saturday at 7:30 p.m., featuring orchestra performances, traditional Korean music festivals, open-air cinema screenings, and immersive story-based shows that blend nature with artistic expression. The nighttime garden experience is accessible with modest admission fees of 2,500 won for adults, 2,000 won for teenagers, and 1,500 won for children, making it an affordable family-friendly cultural destination that celebrates both natural beauty and artistic creativity.
