Hello~~ This is JIRO! ^^
How have you all been?
A little while ago, we shared a card post featuring stories about chrysanthemums, one of autumn’s signature flowers.
Today, we’d like to share some information about chrysanthemum festivals in Korea!
The 8th Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival
Dates: October 16 (Fri) – October 25 (Sun), 2026
The first festival we’d like to introduce is the Yeoncheon Chrysanthemum Festival, held at the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site!
Here, you can admire a colorful display of chrysanthemums spread across 50,000 square meters. With flowers filling such a vast area, it sounds like a lovely place to slow down and enjoy the beauty of autumn.
This year’s theme is “The Spirit of Goguryeo Blossoms in Chrysanthemums.” It makes us wonder how the festival will connect the history of Goguryeo, one of Korea’s ancient kingdoms, with these autumn flowers.
Beyond the chrysanthemums, visitors can also explore a variety of themed gardens, including a Forest Garden, Mirror Garden, Silver Grass Garden, and Paleolithic Garden. With so many different landscapes to discover, it looks like a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of autumn in Korea.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nHLN61k6mgRFxZjs7
As we mentioned in our post about last year's Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival, you can also reach Yeoncheon by taking Seoul Subway Line 1!
During this year's festival, shuttle buses will run from Jeongok Station to the festival site at the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site. Taking the train could be a convenient way to enjoy an autumn trip to Yeoncheon.
One more thing to know: the 5,000 KRW admission fee is fully refunded in the form of Yeoncheon Sarang Gift Certificates. You can use these vouchers to purchase local agricultural products at the festival or pay at participating restaurants and other businesses in Yeoncheon.
The 17th Yuseong Chrysanthemum Festival
Dates: October 17 (Sat) – November 1 (Sun), 2026
The second festival we’d like to introduce is the 17th Yuseong Chrysanthemum Festival, held at Yurim Park and along the Yuseong Stream in Daejeon!
The festival is known for its impressive chrysanthemum displays, including elaborate sculptures shaped like a palace and the Eiffel Tower. This year, visitors can also look forward to a new large-scale floral installation inspired by Hanbit Tower, a landmark in Daejeon that hasn’t been featured in previous editions.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q5NJVQG7edDpDhxm9
Wouldn’t it be a little disappointing if a chrysanthemum festival could only be enjoyed during the day?
At the Yuseong Chrysanthemum Festival, there’s plenty to enjoy after dark, too! The evening program reportedly includes Moonlight Busking, a Candle Garden Concert, wish lanterns, and a Chrysanthemum Cinema.
One event to look forward to is the Candle Garden Concert, scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at 7 p.m. The program will feature a string quartet, popera performances, a soprano, and piano accompaniment.
Listening to beautiful music surrounded by the scent of chrysanthemums and illuminated nighttime scenery sounds like a lovely way to spend an autumn evening, doesn’t it?
The 23rd Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemums Festival
Dates: October 23 (Fri) – November 1 (Sun), 2026
The third festival we’d like to introduce is the Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemums Festival, which celebrates its 23rd edition this year.
Twenty-three editions—that’s quite a history, isn’t it?
The story of chrysanthemums can also be traced back to the history of Baekje, an ancient Korean kingdom closely connected to Iksan.
According to a historical record, “During the reign of King Jinsa, the 16th king of Baekje, five varieties of chrysanthemum seeds—blue, yellow, white, red, and black—were introduced to Japan.”
Ten million chrysanthemums—that’s an incredible number of flowers! So, how do they prepare so many for the festival?
The Iksan Agricultural Technology Center reportedly grows around 80,000 chrysanthemum plants itself and also works with local flower growers through contract cultivation. In addition, the Chrysanthemum Bonsai Research Association creates high-quality floral artworks through structured training and cultivation techniques.
Learning about these efforts gives the festival a real community spirit. It seems like an event that local residents help bring to life together, which makes it even more exciting to look forward to.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the venue!
This year’s festival will be held at Iksan Jungang Sports Park!
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oScSFAHFG1eLm8Sv9
Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival
Dates: October 31 (Sat) – November 8 (Sun), 2026
The last festival we’d like to introduce is the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival!
Even the name makes you want to visit, and the festival’s floral sculptures look just as charming.
The festival also offers more than simply admiring chrysanthemums. Visitors can take part in a chrysanthemum-themed costume contest, expressing their creativity and enjoying the festivities firsthand.
Based on the theme “Express Changwon and Chrysanthemums Freely,” the contest invites participants to showcase their individuality through creative makeup and costumes. It sounds like a fun way to experience the festival beyond the flowers themselves!
One of the festival’s highlights is how it makes the most of Masan’s coastal setting. From a chrysanthemum sculpture inspired by the traditional Korean turtle ship to a fireworks display against the backdrop of the sea, the festival reflects the city’s close connection to the ocean.
This year’s festival will take place across 3·15 Marine Nuri Park, Happo Waterfront Park, and the Marine New Town area.
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cgXC3a5yFXry9ycAA
What did you think of the four chrysanthemum festivals we explored today?
We at JIRO would love to visit all four if we had the time!
We hope you’ll enjoy the beauty of autumn in Korea through one of these chrysanthemum festivals. That’s all for today’s post. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
Photo source: Korea Tourism Organization
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