Gwangju & Naju Festivals 2026: Kimchi, Art & Namdo Food

On the fourth weekend of October, in Gwangju (광주) and Jeonnam (전남),

three festivals will be held simultaneously.

From the Kimchi Festival, Art Fair, to the Namdo Food Culture Festival,

if you combine them, a 2-day gourmet travel itinerary is complete.

I've organized everything from the schedule, venue, admission fees, to the optimal routes

all in one place.

At a Glance

Festival Name	Period	Venue	Admission Fee
Art Gwangju 26 (The 17th Gwangju International Art Fair)	Oct 22 (Thu) ~ Oct 25 (Sun), 2026	Kimdaejung Convention Center (김대중컨벤션센터) (30 Sangmunuri-ro, Seo-gu (서구), Gwangju)	Adult On-site ₩15,000 (~$11) / Online ₩10,000 (~$7)
The 33rd Gwangju Kimchi Festival	Oct 23 (Fri) ~ Oct 25 (Sun), 2026, 10:00~20:00	Gwangju City Hall area of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City (전남광주통합특별시 광주청사 일원) (111 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu)	Free
The 31st Namdo Food Culture Festival (남도음식문화큰잔치)	Oct 23 (Fri) ~ Oct 25 (Sun), 2026	Yeongsangang Garden (영산강정원) area, Naju (나주)	Check official announcement for details

Both the Kimchi Festival and Art Gwangju are located in Gwangju's

Seo-gu's Sangmu District (상무지구), making them perfect to explore together in one day.

Naju is an easy drive from Gwangju,

making it a reasonable distance, so it's great to include in your second day's itinerary.

Art Gwangju 26

Honam's (호남) Largest Art Fair

Art Gwangju showcases trends in contemporary art from both Korea and abroad,

all in one place,

making it Honam's largest international art fair.

This year, 12 countries, including those from the Middle East and Europe,

and approximately 110 galleries are expected to participate.

You can discover a diverse range of works,

from paintings and sculptures to media art.

Special exhibitions include a Luxury Brand Special Exhibition,

a Propose Exhibition (featuring local collectors' collections),

and a Rising Star Exhibition (showcasing young artists from Gwangju and Jeonnam).

Docent tours, kids' art programs,

and an art shop will also be available, making it a great place for families to visit.

Operating Hours

Oct 22 (Thu)

14:00~17:00 VIP Only / 17:00~19:00

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General Admission

· Oct 23 (Fri)~24 (Sat): 10:30~19:00

· Oct 25 (Sun): 10:30~18:00

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Admission Fees

Category	Adult	Youth	Child	VIP
On-site	₩15,000 (~$11)	₩10,000 (~$7)	₩8,000 (~$6)	₩50,000 (~$37)
Online	₩10,000 (~$7)	₩6,000 (~$4)	₩4,000 (~$3)	₩40,000 (~$30)

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Online Booking

Online booking is ₩5,000 (~$4) cheaper for adults,

so be sure to book in advance.

General tickets allow free re-entry for one day,

while VIP tickets grant access for all four days.

Official Website

artgwangju.kr

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Kimchi Festival Designated as a Culture and Tourism Festival

The Gwangju Kimchi Festival has been designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

as a 2026-2027 Culture and Tourism Festival,

making it a representative festival of Gwangju.

Last year, the 32nd festival attracted approximately 57,000 visitors,

and recorded its highest revenue ever.

Main Programs

(Based on 2025; this year's detailed information is being updated)

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Table of a Thousand

Food stalls where you can taste various kimchi dishes

Kimchi Master Masterclass

A Presidential Award-winning master demonstrates kimchi-making secrets

Kimchi Market

Purchase master-made kimchi and kimchi-making ingredients

Gwangju Star Chef Food Show, K-Kimchi Party,

Kimchi Experience Programs

Admission is free.

Be sure to check the official website for details on whether the experience programs are paid and how to apply.

With kimchi-making season (Kimjang) approaching, it's a fantastic opportunity to directly taste master-made kimchi and

purchase it, making it a wonderful festival to visit with your parents.

Official Website

kimchi.gwangju.go.kr

Last Year's Kimchi Festival Review

The 31st Namdo Food Culture Festival (남도음식문화큰잔치)

27 Cities, Counties, and Districts from Jeonnam and Gwangju (전남광주)

All the Food in One Place

This year, the Namdo Food Culture Festival

will be held at Naju Yeongsangang Garden (나주 영산강정원).

The theme is "A Unified Special City, One with the Flavors of Namdo," and

all 27 local governments from Jeonnam and Gwangju will participate.

Here's what you can enjoy:

Promotional halls for 27 cities, counties, and districts

Showcasing regional specialty dishes and home-style meals, focusing on tasting

Namdo Food Masters Pavilion

Master chef cooking demonstrations, tastings, and cooking shows

Naju Special Pavilion

Naju's food culture, signature dishes, and local agricultural products

New This Year: Paid Tasting Experience

This program lets you savor master cuisine, special dishes from renowned local chefs,

and signature dishes from all 27 cities, counties, and districts all at once.

It's a program where you can taste the best of everything.

It operates on a pre-registration basis, so if you're interested,

be sure to check the recruitment announcement in advance.

The price has not yet been announced.

Official Website

namdofood.or.kr

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Recommended 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

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Day 1 (Sat, 10/24): Gwangju Sangmu District (광주 상무지구)

· Morning: Gwangju Kimchi Festival (opens at 10 AM, Kimchi Market and food stalls)

· Lunch: Cheonin-ui Bapsang (A Thousand People's Feast) at the festival grounds or nearby restaurants

· Afternoon: Visit Art Gwangju 26 (아트광주26) (until 7 PM)

· Accommodation: Sangmu District or Gwangju city center

Day 2 (Sun, 10/25): Naju

· Morning: Travel to Naju, then the Namdo Food Culture Festival

· Lunch: Sample and purchase signature dishes from 27 cities, counties, and districts

· Afternoon: Stroll through Yeongsangang Garden, then head home

Note: On Sundays, Art Gwangju ends early at

6 PM.

If you depart on Friday, it's also a great idea to experience Art Gwangju and

the Kimchi Festival all on the first day,

then head to Naju on Saturday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What festivals are worth visiting in Gwangju in October?

A. From October 23rd to 25th, the Gwangju Kimchi Festival and

Art Gwangju 26 will be held in Seo District (서구), Gwangju,

while the Namdo Food Culture Festival takes place in Naju.

Art Gwangju starts on the 22nd.

Q. Is there an admission fee for the Gwangju Kimchi Festival?

A. Admission is free.

Some experiential programs require separate registration,

so please check the official website for details.

Q. How much is the admission fee for Art Gwangju 26?

A. For adults, it's ₩15,000 (~$11) at the door,

and ₩10,000 (~$7) online.

Online booking is cheaper.

Q. Can I go to Art Gwangju on Thursday, the 22nd?

A. On the 22nd, from 2 PM to 5 PM, it's exclusively for VIPs,

and general visitors can enter from 5 PM to 7 PM.

You can enter during this time.

Q. Where is the Namdo Food Culture Festival held?

A. This year, it will be held in the area around Naju Yeongsangang Garden.

Q. How can I participate in the Namdo Food Culture Festival's paid tasting

experience?

A. This program is introduced for the first time this year

and operates through pre-registration.

Please check the official announcements for pricing and registration schedules.

MellowTrip's Overall Review

It's a rare opportunity to enjoy kimchi, art, and Namdo cuisine all in one weekend!

Festival information may change due to organizer circumstances,

so please double-check the final schedule on the official website before you depart.

You Might Also Like:

A Visit to the Former Jeonnam Provincial Office (옛전남도청)

Gwangju Restaurant Guide (광주맛집 모음)

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