Yangyang Pine Mushroom & Salmon Festival
Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026 · Gangwon
Overview
The Yangyang Pine Mushroom & Salmon Festival is a representative autumn festival where visitors can experience both the mysteries of ecology and the joys of gourmet cuisine amidst the pristine nature of Yangyang, where mountains, the sea, and Namdaecheon Stream harmonize. The festival allows visitors to experience nature in a friendly and fun way through a variety of unique activities. Representative programs include the "Pine Mushroom Treasure Hunt," where participants search for pine mushrooms directly in the forest, and "Salmon Bare-Handed Catching," where participants snatch powerful salmon from Namdaecheon Stream with just their bare hands, offering visitors a thrilling experience. A wealth of participatory events and local content are also provided.
Why go
This autumn festival in Yangyang combines pine mushroom foraging with hands-on salmon catching in Namdaecheon Stream, set against the area's mountains, sea and stream scenery. Signature activities include the Pine Mushroom Treasure Hunt in the forest and Salmon Bare-Handed Catching in the stream, alongside other participatory, local-themed events.
Getting there from Seoul
Yangyang-eup is on Korea's east coast in Gangwon-do; the most direct option is an express bus from a Seoul terminal via the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Alternatively, take a KTX or ITX service to Gangneung and continue to Yangyang by local bus or taxi. From Yangyang town, the festival grounds along Namdaecheon Stream are a short local trip away.
Tips
- Entry is free, but some hands-on programs (like salmon catching) may charge a separate fee.
- Bring a change of clothes and footwear you don't mind getting wet for the stream activities.
- Festival hours run 10:00-21:00, so plan arrival with enough daylight for outdoor programs.
Best for: families, foodies, nature lovers, outdoor activities.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gangwon
Gangwon
Gangneung Coffee Festival
Oct 21 – Oct 25, 2026
The Gangneung Coffee Festival traces its roots to the everyday memories created around the coffee vending machines at Anmok Beach and to the café and roasting culture cultivated by local coffee artisans. Since it began in 2009, the festival has grown into a celebration of Gangneung’s distinct identity, connecting the city’s natural scenery, everyday culture, and local businesses. Residents, merchants, coffee professionals, and visitors come together to enjoy coffee and share stories about Gangneung through programs that bring together the humanities, arts, and local culture. A simple cup of coffee enjoyed by the sea has grown into a culture shared by the entire city. Today, the festival is a living cultural asset of the region, reflecting Gangneung’s history, the tastes of its people, and the pride of its community.
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Jeongseon Arirang Festival
Oct 1 – Oct 4, 2026
The Jeongseon Arirang Festival is Jeongseon County’s signature cultural tourism festival created to preserve and carry forward the history, cultural value, and traditions of Jeongseon Arirang, one of Korea’s best-known folk songs. Celebrating Arirang, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the festival brings together performances that blend tradition with contemporary elements, parades, hands-on programs, exhibitions, and various cultural and artistic events for visitors of all ages. The festival is also shaped by the local community, with residents taking on an active role in its planning and operation. Programs connecting Jeongseon’s cultural and tourism resources help boost the local economy and attract more visitors to the region. Building on the cultural legacy of Arirang and the unique traditions of Jeongseon, the festival seeks to establish itself as Korea’s leading Arirang celebration and grow into a global cultural tourism festival that people around the world can enjoy and relate to.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site