The 17-day autumn festival runs through Nov. 8, featuring performances, exhibitions and hands-on activities.
Hampyeong-gun's signature autumn event, the Korea Chrysanthemum Festival, is set to open next month. The county announced Monday that the "2026 Korea Chrysanthemum Festival," which will fill the venue with colorful blooms, opens Oct. 23.
One of the country's most celebrated autumn festivals, this year's edition takes "Mythical Chrysanthemum Garden" as its theme, offering a wide range of exhibitions, performances and activities to welcome tourists.
Visitors can explore a variety of chrysanthemum displays, including a bonsai exhibition by a chrysanthemum enthusiasts' club and a showcase of premium chrysanthemum bonsai works. On top of those, a subtropical agriculture pavilion, a natural ecology hall, a succulent plant gallery and the Hampyeong Memory Workshop — which houses a golden bat exhibition — will offer a full sensory experience for festivalgoers.
Performances are also lined up to add to the festive atmosphere. Invited singers and performance groups — including Seong-ri, Lee Yong, Kim Ki-tae, the Lee Yeong-ha Band, The Vocal and Na Tae-ju — will take the stage throughout the festival to heighten the autumn mood.
A range of performance and activity programs will be on offer across the festival grounds. Street performances by a brass band, a talent showcase called "Find the Gukhyang Star!" and a "Chrysanthemum Land Escape Experience" are among the audience-participation programs designed to add a fresh dimension of fun.
The 17-day festival aims to go beyond passive sightseeing, operating as an event where visitors can enjoy exhibitions, performances and hands-on experiences all in one place, creating lasting autumn memories.
The county said it is working to ensure families, couples and friends can fully soak in the season by preparing a rich and varied lineup of content.
In addition, given the large number of tourists expected to attend, the county said it will devote full resources to traffic management, parking and safety so that visitors can enjoy the festival comfortably and without incident.
"This year's festival is shaping up to be a full and vibrant event, with beautiful chrysanthemum displays enriched by diverse performances and activities under the theme 'Mythical Chrysanthemum Garden,'" Hampyeong-gun County Mayor Lee Nam-o said. "We hope you will come to Hampyeong, fragrant with chrysanthemums, and savor the deepening autumn with the people who matter most to you."
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
