Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival
Oct 3 – Oct 11, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do
Overview
Ginseng is one of Korea’s best-known health foods, valued for its ability to help restore energy and support the immune system. Every October, when ginseng is considered to be at its best, the Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival is held in Yeongju, one of Korea’s leading ginseng-producing regions. With health and wellness at its heart, the festival offers exhibitions and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Special programs include the Gaesamteo Ritual Ceremony, Reenactment of Governor Ju Sebung’s Procession, and the Ginseng Grand Ritual. Visitors can also enjoy dishes made with nutritious Punggi ginseng and take part in fun activities such as ginseng peeling. The festival is also a great place to shop for fresh ginseng, red ginseng, and a variety of processed ginseng products made by local growers, all at reasonable prices.
Why go
This is one of the main festivals in Yeongju, a leading ginseng-growing region in Korea, held each October when the ginseng harvest is considered at its best. Alongside a market for fresh, red, and processed ginseng at reasonable prices, the festival features cultural programs such as the Gaesamteo Ritual Ceremony, the Ginseng Grand Ritual, and a reenactment of Governor Ju Se-bung's procession. Visitors can also try ginseng-based dishes and join hands-on activities like ginseng peeling.
Getting there from Seoul
Yeongju is on the Gyeongbuk Line, so trains (ITX-Saemaeul/Mugunghwa) run from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Yeongju Station or the nearby Punggi Station. Intercity buses to Yeongju also run from Seoul's bus terminals. From Yeongju or Punggi station, the festival grounds at Namwoncheon Stream and Punggi Insam Park in Punggi-eup are a short local bus or taxi ride away.
Tips
- The festival runs 10:00 to 20:00; entry is free, though some hands-on programs and food items have separate fees.
- Go with an appetite — ginseng-based dishes and the ginseng-peeling activity are part of the experience.
- The market is a good spot to buy fresh ginseng, red ginseng, and processed ginseng products directly from local growers at reasonable prices.
Best for: families, food lovers, wellness travelers, cultural heritage.
Program
Gaesamteo Ritual Ceremony, Ginseng Grand Ritual, Reenactment of Governor Ju Se-bung’s Procession, Premium Ginseng Competition and Exhibition, and more
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026
Launched in 1997, the Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival was held throughout Bonghwa County, centering on pine mushroom harvesting experiences, pine mushroom dish tastings, and local specialty sales. With the active participation of local residents and the widespread recognition of the excellence of the mushrooms, the festival gradually established itself as a representative autumn gourmet festival in South Korea. In particular, the festival is growing beyond a simple consumption event into a comprehensive festival where culture, tourism, and the economy harmonize by spreading the values of nature conservation and coexistence and linking with traditional performances, experiences linked to local agricultural products, and tourism circulation programs.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Andong Maskdance Festival
Sep 24 – Oct 4, 2026
The Andong Maskdance Festival is a global celebration where the memories carried by masks come to life through dance. Visitors can experience Korea’s mask dance traditions, inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, alongside mask dances from around the world. A wide range of performances, parades, the Tallori Daedongnanjang community celebrations, and the World Maskplay Competition create opportunities for people to come together and share in the festival experience. The 2026 Andong Maskdance Festival seeks to connect the stories preserved in masks with contemporary life. As children and seniors, local residents and international visitors gather in the same place to laugh, applaud, and share the rhythm of the festival, the memories carried by masks become a living culture. Shaped by the participation of all who take part, the festival becomes a true “dance for everyone,” celebrating the power of community and the joy of coming together.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site