Nearly 80,000 square meters of cosmos blooms to greet visitors
The city of Guri will hold the 2026 Guri Cosmos Festival at Guri Han River Citizens Park from Friday through Sunday, offering residents and tourists three days of autumn festivities.
Held under the slogan "Come to Guri to gaze at flowers," the festival centers on a cosmos flower complex spanning approximately 79,620 square meters — about 11,940 square meters larger than last year. Organizers have placed flower viewing at the heart of the event, inviting visitors to slow down and take in the blooms away from the bustle of daily life.
The festival grounds will feature photo spots set against cosmos fields and autumn skies, along with flower-lined walking paths. Rather than a performance-heavy event, the festival is designed as a space for quiet contemplation — a place where families, couples and friends can stroll the flower paths at their own pace and soak in the beauty of the season.
A new highlight this year is "Cosmos Flower Path Busking," a street-performance series created by local artists and residents. Singing, instrumental music, dance and performance art will take the stage at Campsite No. 2 in Guri Han River Citizens Park throughout the three-day run.
Guri residents and local artists will perform directly alongside festivalgoers, bringing music and energy to the flower-lined paths. The series also aims to give local artists and cultural figures a platform to connect with the public, supporting the broader vitality of the city's arts scene.
A dedicated children's activity zone will cater to families with young visitors, providing play and hands-on experience spaces where children can run freely while parents enjoy the festival alongside them. From strolls along the cosmos paths to a range of activities and games, the event is designed as a family-friendly outing for all ages.
Evening performances featuring well-known singers will add a different dimension to the festival after dark. Food stalls and additional activity spaces will be set up throughout the grounds, with local organizations and businesses taking part to weave together local culture and commerce.
Guri city officials said they have put safety management plans in place covering crowd control, traffic, facilities and food, and have strengthened pre-event inspections and on-site response systems. Particular attention will be paid to the closing ceremony performance and fireworks, when large crowds are expected — safety personnel will be stationed at key points and close coordination with relevant agencies will be maintained to prevent accidents.
Guri Mayor Shin Dong-hwa said the festival was prepared under the "Come to Guri to gaze at flowers" theme so that residents could rest amid beautiful cosmos fields and fully experience the mood of autumn. "We have expanded events that citizens can participate in and enjoy directly — including street performances by local artists and a children's activity zone for families — so that everyone can spend a comfortable and happy time," he said. He added that the city would continue to strengthen the festival so that Guri's beautiful autumn becomes more widely known and the event brings vitality to local culture, the arts, tourism and the regional economy.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
