Tourists browse and purchase Punggi ginseng at last year's Yeongju festival. [Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation]
Tourists browse and purchase Punggi ginseng at last year's Yeongju festival. [Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation]

The 2026 Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Festival will run from Oct. 3 to Oct. 11 — nine days in total — at Namwoncheon Stream and Punggi Ginseng Park in Punggi-eup.

The Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation said Tuesday the festival this year aims to promote the quality and value of Punggi ginseng while expanding participation by local merchants and strengthening hands-on, interactive programs and food offerings so visitors can enjoy and linger at the event.

On opening day, a traditional ritual ceremony will be held at Gaesam-teo — the historic site where ginseng was first cultivated in Punggi — to mark the start of the festival. A reenactment of County Magistrate Ju Se-bung's procession, symbolizing the history of Punggi ginseng, will then proceed from Punggi Station to the festival grounds.

That afternoon, an opening ceremony will be followed by celebratory performances by singers Jang Han-byeol and Seong-ri, raising the festive atmosphere.

Hands-on programs offering a more accessible way to experience Punggi ginseng have also been expanded. Activities including a ginseng-peeling competition, ginseng injeolmi rice cake pounding, a ginseng foot bath, seonbi cultural experiences and visitor-participation recreation events will take place throughout the festival grounds during the nine-day run.

On Saturday, chef Oh Se-deuk will headline a food talk show called "Punggi Giunhanik" ("A Taste of Punggi's Vitality"), showcasing new dishes made with Punggi ginseng. Visitors will be able to watch live cooking demonstrations and sample the finished dishes, offering a fresh take on the ingredient's appeal.

Performances will be plentiful throughout the festival. Local cultural and arts acts, a Dendong-eomi Hwajeon Nori folk performance and a traditional music show by the National Youth Performing Arts Troupe are among the scheduled events. On Oct. 10, a Sobaeksan Yeongju Punggi Ginseng Song Contest will be held alongside a celebratory performance by singer Tae Jin-a, while the closing day on Oct. 11 will feature farewell performances by Kim Yong-bin and Gil Ryeo-won.

Visitors will also be able to browse and buy ginseng directly at the festival. Sales booths at five ginseng markets will offer ginseng and related products, with on-site washing and delivery services available for purchases. A premium ginseng exhibition will allow visitors to view Punggi ginseng in a range of sizes and forms all in one place.

"We hope visitors coming to Yeongju this autumn will enjoy the deep flavor and healthful energy of Punggi ginseng alongside the excitement of the festival, and take home wonderful memories," a Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation official said.


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