Food Festivals in Korea

Korean towns and cities hold hundreds of local festivals, and a good share are built around a single food. They are a chance to taste a regional specialty at its source, but dates, venues and programs change from year to year. The timing below is typical, not a promise; check the organizer or VISITKOREA closer to your trip.

Autumn: kimchi and bibimbap

The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is described by VISITKOREA as the country's representative kimchi festival. It is held in late October or early November in Sangmu Citizens Park, and the program includes kimchi-making experiences, a large food court, kimchi competitions and exhibitions, with free admission. Gwangju's food culture is covered in Gwangju.

In Seoul, the Seoul Kimchi Festival celebrates kimjang, the communal making of winter kimchi that UNESCO inscribed in 2013. The city's English-language page describes the 2019 edition, held in early November at Seoul Plaza, where citizens mixed cabbage with seasoning and the kimchi was donated, alongside classes, a regional-products market and chef demonstrations. The format has varied in later years, so confirm the current schedule. Background: kimjang and kimchi types.

The Jeonju Bibimbap Festival is held in Jeonju in early autumn; VISITKOREA lists 2026 dates in early October at Deokjin Park, with hands-on programs and performances built around the city's signature dish. See Jeonju, bibimbap and the Jeonju food trip.

Winter: ice and trout

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Gangwon Province runs from about mid-January to early February. According to VISITKOREA, visitors drill holes through the ice to fish for mountain trout, try catching them bare-handed and take part in ice sledding and ice soccer. The page describes it as drawing over a million visitors a year; it does not list food, though catches are typically grilled or served raw on the spot. If you plan to eat raw fish, see hoe culture.

Early spring: snow crab

The Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival takes place in March at Ganggu Port. An Asia Economy report on the 2025 edition describes crab fishing games, a trap-fishing experience, and tents selling snow crab kimbap and tteokbokki. Kiosks at major booths were introduced to curb overcharging. For the crab itself, see daege and Yeongdeok.

Making the most of a festival

Festival grounds are crowded at peak times, so arriving early in the day is usually easier, and public transport is often simpler than driving at popular festivals. Many festivals combine eating with something to do, such as making kimchi or fishing, and the hands-on programs are often the most memorable part for first-time visitors. Local markets and restaurants near the venue are worth a visit once the crowds thin out. Programs for children and for foreign visitors are common, but language support varies.

Check before you go

Seafood festivals depend on the catch. The Korea JoongAng Daily reported in September 2026 that warm seas had cut gizzard shad and squid catches; organizers of Busan's Myeongji Market gizzard shad festival said they barely secured enough fish, and several squid festivals have been moved, suspended or dropped. Festival food can also be priced or portioned differently from a restaurant, so read the posted prices.

For markets that run all year, see traditional markets, and for a season-by-season plan, seasonal food travel.