The dates, venue and fee of each festival's newest edition, its program and where the information comes from. Where two sources give different values, both are shown.
2026 Modern History Museum Special Exhibition 'The Path Where Liquor Flows'
Dates
August 12 (Wed)–November 8 (Sun), 2026
Venue
Modern History Museum
Organizer
Modern History Museum
Program
In 4 parts: household liquor once brewed in homes, the liquor tax ordinance and changes in brewing under Japanese rule, liquor whose ingredients changed after liberation, and local liquor brewed again in Gunsan today.
Also covers Gunsan's brewing industry, which grew along with rice distribution and rice milling at Gunsan Port.
2026 Gunsan March 1st Movement 100th Anniversary Memorial Hall Special Exhibition 'Records Left After the Hurrahs'
Dates
2026. 9. 29. – 11. 29.
Venue
Gunsan March 1st Movement 100th Anniversary Memorial Hall
Organizer
Modern History Museum
Program
A 3-part exhibition that uses court rulings and prison records to trace the independence activists who were put on trial and jailed after Gunsan's March 1st Movement (1919).
Part 1: the Security Law and Publication Law used for repression. Part 2: court rulings on Gunsan's March 1st Movement. Part 3: prisoner registers, sentence execution registers and prison records of the time.
2026 GO! Gunsan Island and Sea Delicacies (last session this year)
Dates
November 13 (Fri)–November 14 (Sat), 2026, 1 night and 2 days
Venue
Around Munyeodo Island, Gogunsan Islands
Organizer
Gunsan City (Tourism Promotion Division)
Program
Participants: 25 tourists who live outside Gunsan. Apply October 28–November 3 with the QR code in the notice on Gunsan City's official social media (Facebook, Instagram). It may close early.
Day 1: digging for oysters and clams and trying trap fishing, a clam pancake cooking class, 'Island Village Table' and 'Island Food Party', and a 'Food Talk' with residents.
Day 2: 'Island Healing Pat Walk (plogging)' on the Munyeodo Island coast, making natural-dye souvenirs, and making seafood knife-cut noodle soup together.
2026 Gunsan Fireworks Festival 'Coloring the Gunsan Night'
Dates
November 14 (Sat), 2026
Time
20:00 (about 30 minutes)
Venue
Gunsan Inner Harbor waterfront park area (behind the Modern History Museum)
Address
49-2 Jangmi-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Organizer
Gunsan Culture and Tourism Foundation
Program
A multimedia fireworks show over the water, set to music for about 30 minutes against Dongbaek Bridge and the sea at the mouth of the Geumgang River. There are no ceremonies such as congratulatory speeches.
The viewing area has about 10,000 seats.
Staged in the order 'Fireworks of History', 'Fireworks of Hope' and 'Fireworks of Coexistence', telling the story of General Choe Mu-seon's victory at the Battle of Jinpo in the late Goryeo period.
There are no food or vendor booths in the venue. Lodgings and restaurants that join extended night hours will be announced on the foundation's official channels.
For the first time it is held in spring, not in summer (August). The dates match May 1, the day Gunsan opened as a port in 1899.
Selected in the Korea Heritage Service's '2027 National Heritage Night Tour' competition, the event continues for a 12th year (total project budget 650,000,000 won).
Plans to add more participatory programs in which the area's younger generations, from children to university students, and citizens explain national heritage.
Other editions: 2026 Gunsan National Heritage Night Tour (11th), August 14 (Fri)–August 16 (Sun) and August 21 (Fri)–August 22 (Sat), 2026, 5 days in total, Around 5 national heritage sites in the old downtown: the former Joseon Food Corporation, the former South Joseon Electric Company, the Japanese-style House in Sinheung-dong, Haemanggul Tunnel and the Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building · 2025 Gunsan National Heritage Night Tour (10th), August 22–23 and August 29–30, 2025 (4 days), Former Joseon Food Corporation and other national heritage sites in the old downtown
Their newest edition, a year or two ago, began within the next three months of the year. This year's dates are not in our data yet; the cards below give each edition as it was.
2026 9th Mailbox Street Handwritten Letter Festival
Dates
October 31–November 1, 2026, two days
Venue
Around Gunsan Mailbox Street
Organizer
Gunsan City (Urban Regeneration Division)
The festival is led by the landscape agreement committee of Mailbox Street residents. This year's festival is the 9th.
Program 3
Activities: writing slow postcards, trying on Mailbox Street character costumes, and making mailbox eco bags.
Performances: cultural events, including the 'Art Bus' stage of Jeonbuk State.
Winning entries from the earlier 'Handwritten Letter Festival Postcard Writing Contest' and 'The Mailbox I Draw Contest' hang here and there along the street.
Usually: The 2026 (9th) festival is scheduled for October 31 (Sat)–November 1 (Sun).
Other editions: 2025 8th Gunsan Mailbox Street Handwritten Letter Festival, September 26–27, 2025, 2 days, Around Gunsan Mailbox Street (Gunsan Post Office area) · 2024 7th Gunsan Mailbox Street Handwritten Letter Festival, Gunsan Mailbox Street
2026 'ON the Plaza' Picnic Concert 'Halloween Concert'
Dates
October 31 (Sat), 2026
Time
18:30
Fee
Free (no booking)
Venue
Outdoor plaza of the Gunsan Arts Center
Organizer
Gunsan Municipal Arts Company
Contact
063-454-5556 (Gunsan Municipal Symphony Orchestra office)
Program 3
Conducted by Lee Myeong-geun, principal conductor of the Gunsan Municipal Symphony Orchestra.
Program: soundtracks from the films 'Psycho' and 'Schindler's List', a medley from the musical 'The Phantom of the Opera', and songs such as 'When Autumn Comes' and 'The Forgotten Season'.
An outdoor concert you listen to sitting on a picnic mat.
First day (October 30): an opening ceremony at 19:00, followed by performances by local artists, a magic show and Korean traditional music.
Booths: 11 teams of local merchants and 2 teams of Geumho School graduates, with demonstrations of specialty products made from Gunsan ingredients.
'Gaekju Sanghoe Pop-up Exhibition': introduces '1899 Gaekju Sanghoe', a joint brand modeled on the merchants of modern-era Gunsan, and its participating shops.
On-site events tied to the 'Donghaeng Festival' of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, as part of the 'Street of Taste, Mannidan-gil' project (one of the ministry's promising alley commercial districts).
2026 2nd Cuttlefish and Beer Party with Gaptori on the Last Night of October
Dates
October 30–31, 2026, two days
Venue
Gunsan Beer Port (146-24 Haemang-ro)
Organizer
Gunsan City (Fisheries Policy Division)
Program 4
Food and drinking snacks made with Gunsan cuttlefish, and just over 20 kinds of Gunsan craft beer.
7080 songs and acoustic busking on both days.
Discounts: 10% on all craft beer items, and up to 30% on vacuum-packed cuttlefish products.
Hands-on and participation events and a prize draw. Social media event participants get Gaptori goods (keycaps, eco bags).
Usually: The 2026 (2nd) edition is scheduled for October 30 (Fri)–October 31 (Sat).
Other editions: 2025 Cuttlefish and Beer Party with Gaptori on the Last Night of October, October 31 (Fri)–November 1 (Sat), 2025, 2 days, Gunsan Beer Port, 1st floor (146-24 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si)
2026 Gunsan World Climbing (WORLD CLIMBING) Para Series and Asia Series
Dates
October 29 (Thu)–November 1 (Sun), 2026, 4 days
Fee
Free admission to all competitions
Venue
Gunsan Climbing Center (46 Solkkoji 1-gil, Soryong-dong)
Organizer
International Federation of Sport Climbing (World Climbing) and Korea Alpine Federation (hosts); Jeonbuk State Alpine Federation (organizer)
Program 3
Schedule: October 29 Para Series lead qualifiers, October 30 finals / October 31 Asia Series boulder qualifiers, and speed qualifiers and finals / November 1 boulder semifinals and finals.
Athletes: Para Series, 27 countries and 294 people / Asia Series, 14 countries and 169 people.
The center was upgraded to international standards this year: a new 4-lane speed wall, a longer lead wall, and new indoor lead and speed walls.
The navigation address is '17 Baengnyeongwangjang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk' (official website, directions page).
Program 8
20 booths (traditional Chinese restaurants in Gunsan, chef collaborations and more) sell meat spicy noodle soup, seafood spicy noodle soup and other dishes.
Every Chinese food booth sells spicy seafood noodle soup and black bean noodles in 0.5-serving portions.
Guest chefs (per the official website pop-up): Mikael October 9–11, David Lee October 9, Lee Mi-yeong October 10.
Hands-on activities: Steel Delivery Box Three Brothers, Bubbling (Wish) Spicy Noodle Soup, Beat the K-Tourism Island, and Pick the K-Tourism Island.
In the evening, the 'Spicy Noodle Soup Restaurant' opens, with performances.
Performance program: bands, magic and more.
Transport and parking: take city bus 1, 2, 5, 9, 11 or 14 and get off at Baengnyeon Square. Use the Baengnyeon Square public parking lot or the temporary parking lots.
Food tour information that pairs the festival with the nearby Spicy Noodle Soup Street.
Usually: Gunsan City holds it every year.
Other editions: 2025 Gunsan Spicy Noodle Soup Festival, Around Baengnyeon Square
Part 1, ceremony, 16:00–17:00 at the Gunsan City Hall auditorium: Citizens' Medal and Model Citizen Award presentations and more.
Part 2, 'Starlight Concert', 19:00–20:20: city arts troupe, citizen performances and guest singer Ko Yu-jin.
Part 3, 'Starry Night Fireworks Show', 20:20–20:35: fireworks set to music.
5 fireworks viewing spots named by Gunsan City: Mulbit Bridge Plaza, the far end of Mulbit Bridge, the Waterside Stage, the Eunpa Lake Park soccer field and Byeolbit Bridge.
From 18:30 to 21:00, left turns from Eunpa Junction into the Eunpa Lake Park access road are blocked (going straight is allowed). Public transit is recommended.
6 temporary parking areas. Hanwon Convention parking lot: 210 spaces. Miseong-ro roadside: 100 spaces. Eunpa Lake Park Parking Lot 1: 213 spaces; Parking Lot 2: 83 spaces. Roadside between Parking Lot 2 and the inline skating rink: 87 spaces. Inline skating rink (Eunpa Resort Area): 26 spaces.
Other editions: 2024 62nd Gunsan Citizens' Day Celebration, Around Gunsan Wolmyeong Sports Complex
Gunsanhang 1981 (12 Naehang 1-gil), all floors and rooftop
Organizer
Gunsan Culture and Tourism Foundation
Program 3
Session 1: an exhibition of books chosen by local independent bookstores, an interview booth and reading party, beanbag reading and sea meditation, and a rooftop sunset reading concert.
Session 2: body shape measurement and slow running, singing bowl and scent meditation, and rooftop sunset yoga.
Advance registration on the Gunsan Culture and Tourism Foundation website (Session 1 by September 11, Session 2 by October 2), with some on-site registration.
Other editions: 2026 Gunsanhang 1981 Take-It-Easy Day, Session 1 'Quiet That Records Me', September 12 (Sat), 2026, from daytime until sunset, Gunsanhang 1981 (12 Naehang 1-gil), all floors and rooftop
On October 6, 2026, Gunsan City announced 155,000 visitors in 2026 (57% from outside the city, counted by Jeonbuk State).
Program 9
Opening day (October 2): Navy band and honor guard performance, a 'Global Modern Flash Mob' depicting 1930s Gunsan, a theme video and an opening performance.
'Time Travel Concert' lineup: October 2 Lyn and Hi-Key, October 3 Shin Ye-yeong and AtHeart, October 4 Jeong Seo-ju and Yada.
'All of Us, March 5 Hurrah': daily at 15:05, visitors join in reenacting Gunsan's March 5 independence movement.
Participation missions: '1919 Korean Flag Raising Operation', 'Take It! Mission Pay Phone', 'Collect Time' (trade the time you collect for souvenirs) and 'Find the K-Tourism Island'.
Performances: 'Gunsan Port Night Pier Concours' (a contest of modern-era music and dress), the street shows 'Street Yard', 'Global EDM', 'Stage Redcon', Howon University's 'K-Culture Performance' and Kunjang University's 'World Folk Costume Fashion Show'.
Around the Modern History Museum and Baengnyeon Square: 'Eat and Play Snacks', the 'Value-Packed Flea Market', and the '2026 Gunsan Bread Festa' with local small businesses.
Road closure: Daehak-ro is fully closed from the Old City Hall intersection to the Inner Harbor intersection, from October 1, 00:00 to October 6, 06:00. Some city bus routes take detours.
Shuttle buses run on 2 routes daily, 09:00–21:00, every 30 minutes (last bus 19:00 on the final day). Route A: Wolmyeong Sports Complex main gate, Lotte Mall, Intercity Bus Terminal, Modern History Museum, Seafood Center. Route B: Kunsan National University east gate, Eunpa Lake Park, Citizens' Culture Hall, Gunsan Sangil High School, Jungang intersection.
Outlying parking lots linked to the shuttles: Wolmyeong Sports Complex, next to the probation office, Eunpa Lake Park and Kunsan National University.
Other editions: 2025 Gunsan Time Travel Festival, October 9 (Thu)–October 12 (Sun), 2025, 4 days, Around the Time Travel Village zone, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State · 2024 Gunsan Time Travel Festival, Former City Hall Square and around Time Travel Village · 2023 Gunsan Time Travel Festival, Former City Hall Square and around Time Travel Village · 2022 Gunsan Time Travel Festival, Around Time Travel Village
Gunsan Eco-Friendly Agriculture Association (organizer)
Program 3
Producers sell Gunsan eco-friendly produce (rice, mushrooms, melons, lettuce, green onions and more) directly.
Activities (first come, first served): eco-friendly rice cakes coated in bean powder and bar rice cakes, kimchi and mushroom pickle making, mood lamps and woodworking, balsam nail dyeing, and flower tea.
280 booths from 125 companies: camper vans and trailers, camping gear, meal kits and ready-to-eat food.
'Saemangeum Camping Festival' (50 teams of camping clubs and the public, 2 nights and 3 days) and the family 'Saemangeum Camping Olympics' (firewood Jenga, tent pitching).
Stargazing, fireworks, and 'ALL Festa in Gunsan', a relay of performances by local artists.
The 'Saemangeum Local Festa' takes place at the same time.
The alley party on September 27, 2025 offered 10 artist-led activities, puppet and magic shows, and a stamp tour.
Program 3
Resident artists' activities: pottery (Areum Pottery), close-up magic show and magic class (1 Meter Magic), traditional games and picture-book scene drawing (Raon Ieum Culture Brokerage), fan pouch making and trying on a traditional hat and outer robe (Aolda Korean Clothing).
Miniature play 'A Very Special Trip' (Sum): three shows at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00, 8 people per show, at the Mallaengi Village cinema.
Linked with Gunsan Book Fair 2026: a comics market, 'Comics House' talks and a comics reading room (Ppiyak Ppiyak Books, Story Yard).
Usually: It is held several times a year. Gunsan City's event board has notices for April, May and June, October (2 times), November and December 2024, and September and October 2025. No official notice states a fixed schedule.
A one-day festival in the Chowon Photo Studio alley (Chowon Photo Studio is a filming location of 'Christmas in August').
Self-service 3-shot memory photo booth, retro game zone, flea market and stage performances.
Awards ceremony of the 5th 'Gunsan Christmas in August Short Film Festival': 1–3 minute entries showing filming locations of movies and dramas shot in Gunsan (2026 call for entries July 8–August 7 (7.8–8.7), ages 19 and over).
A promotional event that previews the Gunsan Time Travel Festival in October.
Usually: August 25 (Sun), 2024 – every year on the Saturday or Sunday of the week that includes August 25 (Around Chowon Photo Studio, Jeonbuk State)
Other editions: 2025 Christmas in August Alley Festival, Around Chowon Photo Studio · 2024 Christmas in August Alley Festival, Around the Chowon Photo Studio · Christmas in August Alley Festival, August 25 (Sun), 2024 – every year on the Saturday or Sunday of the week that includes August 25, Around Chowon Photo Studio, Jeonbuk State
It was first held in 2024. The 2nd edition in 2025 had 140 teams.
Gunsan City announced that 13,930 people came over the two days in 2026.
Program 5
Book market: 204 teams of creators, independent publishers and neighborhood bookshops from Korea and abroad (11 teams from overseas, including Japan, Indonesia and China).
A zine section, and 'Gunsan Village', where Gunsan publishers and bookshops gather.
'Text Buffet' participatory exhibition (294 works in 10 fields), and exhibitions of book designers, comics, zines and dummy books.
The independent comics market 'Comics House' (20 teams from Korea and abroad) ran for the first time at the Mallaengi Village Story Yard.
Author talks: Kim Geum-hui (novelist), Yozoh (musician), Park Hae-cheon and others.
2026 National Heritage Media Art at the Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building and more: 'Nine Flourishing Views of Gunsan Embracing Light'
Dates
August 28 (Fri), 2026 (opening 20:00) – September 20 (Sun); 21 days; closed every Monday
Time
19:30–22:30 (closed Mondays)
Venue
From the Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building through the Inner Harbor History and Culture Space (Inner Harbor railway) to the Former Joseon Bank Gunsan Branch (opening ceremony: Gunsan Inner Harbor parking lot)
Organizer
Gunsan City (Culture and Arts Division)
Program 3
9 media art courses: Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building, Modern History Museum, museum fountain, Modernization Street, Inner Harbor railway, Former Japanese 18th Bank Gunsan Branch, Baengnyeon Square, Former Joseon Bank Gunsan Branch, and the Sky of Gunsan.
Videos of citizens' faces and daily lives gathered through a public call, objects made from bale silage and old railroad ties, and the participation of graffiti artist Lee Jong-bae (Staz).
After the opening ceremony, a docent tour by the general director (Kim Seong-tae, professor at Howon University).
Other editions: 2025 National Heritage Media Art, Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building, Around the Former Gunsan Customs House Main Building (including the former Joseon Bank and the former Japanese 18th Bank)
2026 3rd Daeya-myeon Saechangi Lotus Yard Community Festival
Dates
2026. 8. 22.
Venue
Around Saechangi Bridge Lotus Park on the Mangyeong River (Daeya-myeon)
Organizer
Daeya-myeon Saechangi Lotus Yard Community Festival Promotion Committee
Program 3
Performances by residents' self-governance program groups, in the lotus yard that residents tend.
Making paper lotus mood lamps and lotus fans, traditional games and yut nori.
Lotus leaf rice and lotus leaf tea tasting, and a residents' singing contest.
Other editions: 2025 2nd Daeya Saechangi Lotus Yard Festival, Special stage at Korea Map Park on the Mangyeong River (around Sinchon and Sinchang villages)
Performances by local artists and audience events set against the West Sea sunset.
A closing fireworks show.
2025 lineup: percussion and other performances, a DJ party, a 'Sunset Gazing Contest', fireworks, and the 'Pat Pat' plogging event at Seonyudo Beach on July 25–27.
Other editions: 2025 Seonyudo Island Summer Sunset Festival, Seonyudo Beach · 2024 Seonyudo Island Summer Sunset Festival, Seonyudo Beach
The focus is 'Gunsan Malt' craft beer, made from 100% Gunsan barley. Taking part: 4 Gunsan breweries and 6 local beer makers that use Gunsan Malt. There are also 6 beers from overseas partner cities: Yantai and Qingdao (China), Takamatsu and Kagoshima (Japan), New Taipei (Taiwan) and Tacoma (US).
16 blues bands, including Kang San-e Band, Kim Jong-seo Band, Kim Gyeong-ho Band and Sinchon Blues.
About 30 Gunsan restaurant booths and 5,000 table seats.
You get beer in exchange for beer vouchers (bought by card or cash) or 5,000 won Gunsan Love Gift Certificates.
Pets may enter in a cage or a stroller.
19 public and temporary parking lots nearby (140 spaces in front of Jinpo Marine Park, 140 at the former police station, 105 under Dongbaek Bridge, and more).
About 40 temporary Culture Nuri Card merchants.
Usually: Every year around June 20 / Friday, Saturday, Sunday (3 days) (Around the Modern History Museum parking lot, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State)
Other editions: 2025 4th Gunsan Craft Beer & Blues Festival, Around the Modern History Museum · Gunsan Craft Beer & Blues Festival, Every year around June 20 / Friday, Saturday, Sunday (3 days), Around the Modern History Museum parking lot, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Barley fields near the Miseong-dong Administrative Welfare Center (main stage: around 371 Gonghang-ro)
Organizer
Gunsan Kkongdang Barley Festival Committee (host); Gunsan Farmers' Organizations Council and Miseong Agricultural Banjeon Research Society (organizers)
Contact
063-454-5232 (Rural Support Division, Gunsan Agricultural Technology Center)
Gunsan City counted about 30,000 visitors over the 3 days in 2026.
Program 5
Theme: 'Barley and Spring, the 21st Story'. It is a farm festival built around Gunsan's specialty white waxy barley.
Paths between the barley fields and photo spots with barley field views.
Children's rural culture activities and booths from local experience farms (up to 7).
Kkongdang Barley Singing Contest: preliminaries April 24, 16:00–18:00; finals April 26, 14:00–16:00 (main stage).
Street performances, a sharing market of local residents and people who have moved to the countryside to farm, and local produce sales.
Usually: Every year in May (Field in front of International Culture Village (10 Imsa-gil), Miseong-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State) · In 2025 (April 24–27) and 2026 (April 24–26) it was held in April.
Other editions: 2025 20th Gunsan Kkongdang Barley Festival, Barley fields in Miseong-dong · Gunsan Kkongdang Barley Festival, Every year in May, Field in front of International Culture Village (10 Imsa-gil), Miseong-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Full course 60,000 won, 10 km 40,000 won, 5 km 25,000 won, Half and Half (1 team of 2 people) 90,000 won, full-course team race (1 team of 4 people) 240,000 won, Couple Run (10 km, 1 team of 2 people) 80,000 won
Venue
Start and finish at Gunsan Wolmyeong Sports Complex (Wolmyeong Sports Ground); course runs through Gunsan (the full course goes via the Geumgang Estuary Bank and Napo area)
It began as a national race in 2004, and the 2026 race was the 20th. Gunsan City announced about 12,000 participants from 9 countries in 2026.
The race website is www.gunsanmarathon.com. The address gsmg-marathon.com in Gunsan City's festival information did not load.
Program 5
Events: elite full course (international men; domestic men and women), and masters full course, Half and Half, 10 km and 5 km.
Capacity 12,000: full course 2,800 / Half and Half 200 / 10 km 5,000 / 5 km 4,000.
Masters entry for 10,000 runners, first come first served, opened January 5 and closed within two days. 2,000 more places were opened on January 27.
Souvenirs: full-course runners get a T-shirt, a finisher medal and a 20,000 won Gunsan Love Gift Certificate. 10 km runners get a T-shirt, a finisher medal and a 10,000 won gift certificate. 5 km runners get a T-shirt and a finisher medal.
Farm and fishery direct market: April 5, 08:00–14:00, Wolmyeong gateball court.
Usually: Every April (281 Beonyeong-ro (Wolmyeong Sports Complex), Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State)
Other editions: Gunsan Saemangeum International Marathon, Every April, 281 Beonyeong-ro (Wolmyeong Sports Complex), Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Cherry blossom courses including Eunpa Lake Park, Wolmyeongsan Mountain, Wolmyeong Gymnasium and Susi Tower (mobile app 'Walkon')
Organizer
Gunsan City Public Health Center
Contact
454-5825–5826 (Health Promotion Office, Gunsan City Public Health Center)
Program 2
Check in at 2 or more cherry blossom courses and walk 100,000 steps during the period to enter a draw for a 5,000 won Gunsan Love Gift Certificate (100 winners).
The venue is around the Eunpa Lake Park Waterside Stage, next to Parking Lot 1 (Gunsan City press release).
A private operator chosen through an open call runs it.
Program 4
Performances: April 3–12, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18:00–22:00, 23 shows in total on the Waterside Stage (saxophone, singing and dancing, musicals and more).
14 food stalls (snack foods, seaweed rice rolls, drinks, alcohol and more), a 'Cherry Blossom Market' of local small businesses, and a flea market.
Activities: stamp tour, 'Play with Cosplay' (games with staff dressed in cosplay), and night photo zones.
Local craft beer sales and the first release of 'Gunsan Citizens' Beer'.
All performances free (book the opening performance through Ticketlink)
Venue
Gunsan Arts Center (large and small halls, exhibitions), Eunpa Lake Park Mulbit Bridge Plaza
Organizer
Korean Federation of Art and Culture Organizations, Gunsan Branch (Gunsan Arts Federation)
Program 5
Opening performance on October 30 at 19:30 in the main hall of Gunsan Arts Center: guest singer So Chan-hwi, a performance by the arts federation of sister city Gimcheon, and original works by local artists.
October 31: family play in the small hall.
Exhibitions: Writers' Association poem-and-painting show, Architects' Association urban architecture show, Art Association exhibition, and Photographers' Association photo show and lectures.
November 1–2 at Mulbit Bridge Plaza: performances by youth arts groups, the Dance Association and the Entertainment Artists Association, film screenings, and balloon, photo printing, calligraphy family motto and face painting activities.
About 1,500 artists from 10 associations take part.
Usually: October 1–15 every year (308 Daehak-ro (Citizens' Culture Hall and around the city), Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State) · The 2025 festival (57th) ran October 30–November 2, which differed from the period in Gunsan City's festival information (October 1–15 every year). · The 2026 (58th) schedule was not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: Jinpo Arts Festival (General Arts Festival), October 1–15 every year, 308 Daehak-ro (Citizens' Culture Hall and around the city), Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Parking lot area in front of the Munyeodo Island Auto Campground, Okdo-myeon (223-4 Munyeodo-ri)
Organizer
Munyeodo Island Fishing Village Cooperative and residents (planning and operation), Gunsan City Fisheries Industry Division (support)
The 2025 event was planned for June 13–15 but was postponed due to rain and held in October.
The Island Village Small Festival was first held on Seonyudo Island in 2022. It continued as the 'Munyeodo Island Village Small Festival' in 2023 and the 'Munyeodo Bajirak (Joy) Small Festival' in 2024.
Program 4
Island specialties and seafood for sale: Manila clams, marinated blue crab, half-dried fish and salted seafood.
Food booths: seafood pancakes, fried blue crab, seasoned whelk salad, seafood skewers and parboiled cuttlefish.
Mudflat experience, 'Island Village Treasure Hunt' and a 'Nostalgic Play Zone'.
Busking and gogo janggu performances, an island village singing contest, an on-site seafood auction and 'Guess the Clam Weight'.
Usually: The Gunsan City Festival Committee minutes (2025-10-22) say 2026 will be the 5th edition, with a plan to rename it 'Gunsan Fishing Village Direct Market'. The 2026 schedule was not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: 2024 Munyeodo Island Clam (Joy) Small Festival (3rd Island Village Small Festival), 121 Munyeodo Island Dong-gil, Okdo-myeon (Munyeo 2-gu parking lot area) · 2023 Munyeodo Island Village Small Festival, Munyeodo Island (centered on Munyeodo Campground)
Around Gunsan Urban Regeneration Forest Park and Time Travel Village
Organizer
Gunsan City (Tourism Promotion Division)
Program 4
60 teams of tourists recruited from across the country.
'Walk Together, Dogs': a Time Travel Village tour where a culture and tourism guide and your dog walk with you (former Gunsan Customs House, Chowon Photo Studio, Japanese-style House in Sinheung-dong).
'Wait, Dogs' (holding off on a treat), 'Yoga Dogs' (dog yoga), a dog playground, and tug toy, caricature and name tag making.
Information on lodging, restaurants and cafes you can visit with your dog was provided in advance.
Usually: Whether it will be held in 2026 was not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Hosted and organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Regional Culture Promotion Agency. The Jeolla and Jeju region event was held at Eunpa Lake Park in Gunsan in 2024 (September 25) and 2025 (May 28).
Usually: Whether it will be held in Gunsan in 2026 was not confirmed.
Other editions: 2024 Silver Mic, Jeolla and Jeju Region, September 25 (Wed), 2024, from 18:30, Eunpa Lake Park Waterside Stage, Gunsan, Jeonbuk State
Performances: farmers' band music, children's Korean dance, a drum show, and a 'Five-Color Bar Rice Cake' performance by the 5 villages of Oksan-myeon.
Activities: making chrysanthemum pots, magic balloons, park golf, traditional games, and food booths.
Cheongamsan Mountain Gubul Trail 4 trekking led by local community groups.
Usually: The 2026 (15th) schedule was not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: 2025 14th Cheongamsan Mountain Guseulmoe National Hiking Festival, Autumn 2025 (date not in the sources; Gunsan City announced its close on 2025-11-04), Around the Cheongamsan Mountain
063-454-3298, 3299 (Gunsan City Sports Promotion Division)
Program 2
On race day the upper road of the Saemangeum Seawall is closed. You can detour via the lower road.
2023 7th race (hosted and organized by the Korea Roller Sports Federation): start at the Bieung Port outdoor stage, waterfront road course from Bieungdo Island to Yamido Island, 42 km, 21 km and 11 km divisions, entries capped at 3,000.
Usually: Records of races since 2025 and the 2026 schedule were not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: 2023 7th Gunsan Saemangeum National Inline Marathon, Bieung Port outdoor stage and around the Saemangeum Seawall
2024 Gunsan Saemangeum International Triathlon (3-Sport Race)
Dates
May 31 (Fri)–June 3 (Mon), 2024; main race June 2 (Sun)
Venue
Around the Saemangeum Seawall
Contact
063-454-3298, 3299 (Gunsan City Sports Promotion Division)
Program 2
On race day, 07:00–17:30, the Saemangeum North-South Road and East-West Road are closed to traffic. Detour via the Saemangeum Seawall (Byeonsan–Bieungdo Island).
2018 race (hosted by the Korea Triathlon Federation): ITU and ASTC certified, O2 course (swim 3 km, bike 80 km, run 20 km). The bike section ran on the Gogunsan Connecting Road.
Usually: Records of races since 2025 and the 2026 schedule were not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Oseong Cultural Rites Committee (host), Gunsan City (organizer)
About 250 people attended in 2022.
Program 2
An event honoring the loyalty of the five elders of Oseong County in Baekje (the Tombs of the Five Sages lie on the summit of Oseongsan Mountain).
Part 1: Oseong Grand Rite. Part 2: memorial service (tea offering, flower offering, poem reading, dance offering and more).
Usually: Late September every year (Seongsan-myeon, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State) · The text of Gunsan City's festival information says it is held every year on September 30 on the summit of Oseongsan Mountain. · The last event confirmed in Gunsan City press releases was on November 18, 2022, which differs from the late September in the festival information. · Records of events since 2023 and the 2026 schedule were not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: Oseong Cultural Rites, Late September every year, Seongsan-myeon, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk State
Around the Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory (now Geumgang Future Experience Center) and the Seocheon Bird Ecology Exhibition Hall (Geumgang Lake)
Organizer
Gunsan City and Seocheon County (joint hosts)
The 2018 event was the fourth held jointly by the two city and county governments.
It grew out of the 'Gunsan World Migratory Bird Festival'. Its 4th edition in 2007 ran November 21–25 around the Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory and Geumgang Lake. The Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory is today's Geumgang Future Experience Center.
Program 3
The opening event took place at the Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory in Gunsan.
A stamp tour and a migratory bird watching tour run jointly by the city and county, and a migratory bird drawing contest.
Programs proposed by residents, with local universities and businesses taking part.
Usually: Records of events since 2019 and the 2026 schedule were not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: 2007 4th Gunsan World Migratory Bird Festival, Around the Geumgang Migratory Bird Observatory and Geumgang Lake
January 1 (Fri), 2016, from 06:00 (sunrise announced at the time: 07:44)
Venue
Bieung Port Parking Lot 1 at the Saemangeum entrance (69 Bieungdo-dong)
Organizer
Gunsan City (Tourism Promotion Division)
Program 3
New Year's address, wish balloon release, caricatures and New Year fortune tarot.
Tea, fish cakes, rice cake soup and roasted sweet potatoes are prepared at the venue.
December 31, 2014–January 1, 2015 event (around Bieung Port): sunset viewing, wish papers, burning of a straw moon house and a folk song concert at sunset. At sunrise, farmers' band music, a big drum performance, a fireworks show, wish balloons and sky lanterns.
Usually: No Gunsan City notice of a sunset or sunrise event held since 2017 was found.
About 600 people, including citizens and descendants, attended in 2015. A student essay contest was held as well.
Program 2
A memorial rite for General Choe Ho of Balsan-ri, Gaejeong-myeon. He fought in the Imjin War and the Jeongyu War and died in the Battle of Chilcheollyang.
Part 1: offering and Confucian rite. Part 2: memorial service with tea offering, flower offering, a spirit-consoling performance and more.
Usually: Every year on the 16th day of the 7th lunar month (Chunguisa Shrine (General Choe Ho's shrine), Gaejeong-myeon, Jeonbuk State) · Gunsan City's festival information lists the 16th day of the 7th lunar month every year (the day he died in battle). The 2015 rite confirmed in Gunsan City press releases took place on May 14 (solar calendar). · The last confirmed record is a Gaejeong-myeon cleanup in May 2017 ahead of the 420th anniversary citizens' memorial rite. The 2026 schedule was not found in Gunsan City's official posts.
Other editions: General Choe Ho Memorial Rite, Every year on the 16th day of the 7th lunar month, Chunguisa Shrine (General Choe Ho's shrine), Gaejeong-myeon, Jeonbuk State
