Wanju Wild Food Festival was recently selected as one of the top festivals in Korea by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea. The 3-day festival is held across the beautiful city of Wanju, a city where you can experience cheonryeop (fishing by hand) and the gorgeous Korean wilderness. The festival also provides environmentally-friendly food experiences using local agricultural products, along with various wild plants and animals from Wanju. This festival aims to give visitors a feeling of sentiment for food from the past through partaking in the diverse experiential food programs surrounded by the beautiful natural environment.

The annual Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival is held every year from late October to early November at Iksan Jungang Sports Complex. The festival features an outdoor chrysanthemum exhibit, a national chrysanthemum artwork contest, cultural performances and many more. Citizens, business, and organizations also put their own chrysanthemum flowers outside to support the festival and to promote Iksan's image.

The Jeonju National Museum hosts the Jageun Munhwa Festival to celebrate Seollal, Lunar New Year's Day, and Daeboreum, the day of the first full moon of the year. The museum prepares various cultural events and seasonal traditional games in order to give visitors an opportunity to participate in traditional cultural events and customs. Before the festival, there are diverse Korean folk games like jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), kite-fyling, a top-spinning game, and yutnori. During the Seollal holiday, visitors can enjoy movies, making an official hat of gilt bronze, and sharing ddeokguk (rice-cake soup). Also, a wide range of hands-on programs will be offered like making folk crafts, writing a family motto, and more. On the Daeboreum (the day of the first full moon of the year), a pungmul band (percussion band) will perform to drive away evil spirits and daljip (brushwood) will be burned as part of the finale.

Jeongeup is well known as the birthplace of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, staged against oppressive corrupt officials. Mt. Naejangsan in Jeongeup is also known as the best place to enjoy autumn leaves. Another worthwhile destination is the city’s National Bullfighting Festival, which features Korea’s unique bullfights. This is a great opportunity to learn about and experience Korea’s unique bullfighting tradition and the local cattle market. Designated as one of Korea’s Ten Best Regional Cultural & Tourism Festivals by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the National Bullfighting Festival has been recognized as a major Korean festival. Festival Overview: In its ninth consecutive year, the National Bullfighting Festival was previously held in May. However, it now is also held in autumn to coincide with the glorious autumn foliage season on Mt. Naejangsan. Unlike Spanish bullfights, in which a matador faces the bull, the Korean version of bullfighting has two bulls fighting against each other. Spectators shout enthusiastically as these powerful animals fight to win by pushing and goring their opponent. In addition to the Nationwide Bulls Championship Title Match, which is the main event, there will also be a program featuring a variety of pet animals and a cattle show as well as the photo exhibits. Festival Highlights: Jeongeup ranch and farm products are renowned for their high quality. Located near the bullfighting arena, a promotional pavilion and market sell Jeongeup’s hanu beef, and visitors can purchase high quality beef at inexpensive prices. Visitors will enjoy the festival’s ambience in the evening too when there will be a campfire and fireworks display.

Jirisan Namwon Baraebong Snowflake Festival will be held for around 50 days in the area of Herb Valley and Baraebong Peak in Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do. Unbong Herb Valley boasts spectacular snow-covered fields due to its high altitude that keeps the snow from melting. Organized by Unbong Aehyanghoe and Unbong-eup, the festival features a variety of winter activities including ice and snow sledding, snowman making, snowball fights and a kite-flying contest. Visitors can also have some baked sweet potatoes while taking a break from the activities.

Seeking to become better and more advanced every year, the Korea Food & Tourism Expo offers a wide array of hands-on experience programs and seminars on food culture. Those hoping to participate in contests or special exhibitions should sign up on the festival website. For more information on the festival schedule, please see the website or call festival organizers using the number provided.

Daesaseup originated from Pansori music that first appeared around the time of King Yeongjo’s reign (Joseon Dynasty) and has been passed down until today. The Jeonju Daesaseup Festival goes back to the time when outstanding performers from around the nation were invited for an all-night song festival on the eve of the winter solstice. This later developed into a competition, and today, gifted singers from around the nation gather to compete. Event Programs: The Daesaseup Festival, one of the four major cultural festivals of Jeonju, has served to discover new, talented singers, whose artistry has greatly contributed to promoting Korean folk culture overseas. This is a rare opportunity to experience all types of traditional Korean culture. The festival categories include Pansori master, Pansori general, farmer’s music, dance, musical instruments, three-line poetry, folk songs, Gayageum music, and archery. Visit this festival devoted to Korean folk music, which is soothing for the heart and spirit. Major Highlights: Each category has its own unique beauty and artistic value. For example, just listening to the farmer’s music is exhilarating. On the last day of the festival, there is a special performance by the winners in each category, so don’t miss it!

Jangsu embraces the spirit of Uiam Joo (“Red”) Nongae’s spirit, who gave her life to kill the Japanese General responsible for taking over her city. The city specializes in red-colored agricultural products, making it unique that the local legendary figure, agricultural products and regional specialties are all red hued. It is well known as a major producer of Hanu (Korean beef) and Sagwa (apple). Accordingly, the theme of the Jangsu Hanurang Sagwarang Festival is “RED,” the first of its kind in Korea. The festival promotes urban and rural exchange and high quality farm products and regional specialties. It also provides an opportunity for local residents to enjoy the fruits of their labor and share the joy of the harvest together. Visitors are sure to enjoy the array of cultural aspects of the festival, in addition to a wide range of hands-on activities and sampling local food.    

Muju Namdaecheon Stream Ice Festival is held in areas near Muju Namdaecheon Stream. Visitors can take part in many fun winter activities including fishing for trout, sledding and more.

Since 2008, Gimje-si has hosted the Gimje Moaksan Festival, famous for its cherry blossoms. During the festival, the mountain is packed with visitors from the province and urban areas to enjoy the cherry blossoms. The districts of Geumpyeong Reservoir and Cheongdo-ri gil Road nearby make for a great drive to see all the cherry blossoms, and a reason that brings visitors back again year after year. Moaksan Mountain, with its thousand years of Silla Dynasty, is located in Geumsan-myeon of Gimje. Geumsansa, Gwisinsa, Suwangsa, and Daewonsa Temples are enveloped by Moaksan Mountain. Standing tall in the eastern part, it allows you overlook the Honam plains at a glance. It is also noted for its scenic beauty as well as lots of cultural properties, including national treasures. It even topped the list of the four best natural scenic views in the Honam region. Geumsansa Temple was established in the Baekje period (599 AD) featuring over ten designated cultural properties, including Mireukjeon, the country’s only three-storey building. In spring, the temple is thronging with tourists coming to see the beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom along the Bangdeunggyedan stairs that enshrines Sari, a cremated remain of Buddha.