Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje 2026: Dates, Concert Lineup, Free Entry and How to Get There
The 2026 Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje (강진만 춤추는 갈대축제) runs for nine days, from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, across the Gangjinman Eco Park (강진만생태공원) area in Gangjin County, South Korea. Entry is free, and the grounds are open 10:00–19:00 every day. This is the festival’s 11th edition, with more than 70 performances, hands-on activities and exhibitions on the program.
What Is the Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje?
The name roughly means “the dancing reeds festival of Gangjin Bay.” It’s an autumn eco-culture festival held in Gangjinman Eco Park, home to 1,572 species. As the sun goes down over the bay, visitors catch performances and join activities. You can walk the Gangjin Bay eco-trail and wander through the reed beds while taking in the bay’s autumn scenery and wetland ecosystem.
Families are a big part of the crowd, since many of the hands-on and environmental programs are aimed at kids. The festival’s goal is to show off the ecological value of Gangjinman Eco Park and its seasonal reed landscape, and to share a message about protecting the natural environment.
Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje 2026 Schedule and Opening Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | 11th |
| Dates | Sat, October 24 – Sun, November 1, 2026 (9 days) |
| Hours | 10:00–19:00 daily |
| Venue | Gangjinman Eco Park area |
| Street address | 전남광주통합특별시 강진군 강진읍 생태공원길 47 (47 Saengtaegongwon-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun) |
| Lot-number address | 강진군 강진읍 남포리 510 (강진만생태공원) |
| Programs | 70+ performances, activities and exhibitions |
| Admission | Free (some activities cost extra) |
| Organizers | Gangjin County (강진군) and the Gangjin County Festival Promotion Committee (강진군축제추진위원회) |
The festival’s official website has a site map, a main program schedule and a leaflet, all posted as images. Use them to check the layout and program times.
Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje Concert Lineup by Date
| Date | Main performances and programs |
|---|---|
| Sat 10/24 | Opening ceremony: warm-up sets by local arts groups and invited performers → opening declaration and commemorative performance → opening concert (singer Kim Yong-bin) |
| Sun 10/25 | Gangjin Reed Music Concert (pungmul percussion troupe, original musical), Kim Je-dong talk concert, preliminary round of the Galdaesup Star Tansaeng (갈대숲 스타탄생) contest, Galdaebaragi (갈대바라기) |
| Sat 10/31 | Robocar Poli kids’ sing-along show, Galdaebaragi |
| Sun 11/1 | Finals of the Galdaesup Star Tansaeng contest, performance by singer Lee Hyun (planned) |
| Every day | Gangjin Bay Reed Forest Eco Explorers |
The opening ceremony is on the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, on the festival’s main stage. The exact start time hasn’t been announced yet, so check with the Festival Promotion Committee (061-430-3413) before you go.
What’s On at the Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje?
Main programs
The headline programs are the Reed Forest Eco Explorers, the Gangjin Bay Eco Experience Center and Promotion Hall, the Gangjin Bay Kids Zone, the Gangjin Bay Play Park, the Gangjin Bay Multicolor Stamp Tour and Galdaebaragi.
The Eco Explorers program introduces the bay’s signature wildlife, such as whooper swans and mudskippers, along with migratory birds, tidal flats and wetlands. The Eco Promotion Hall covers natural monuments and endangered wildlife and plants. The Eco Experience Center shows the bay’s ecosystem through all four seasons.
Hands-on activities
Activities include making acrylic toothpaste-squeezer keyrings, a “trash exchange” booth, clickers made from recycled plastic bottle caps, pin and mirror badges and water game toys, plus Galdae Four-Cut photos (a reed-themed take on Korea’s four-frame photo strips). Many of the crafts have an environmental theme.
Stage programs
The stage lineup includes the opening celebration concert, a talk concert, the Gangjin Reed Music Concert, a kids’ sing-along show, the Autumn Scent Concert and the Galdaesup Star Tansaeng contest. The program also lists a bubble magic show, a cotton candy show, “autumn music journey” busking and a milk party.
Exhibitions and more
There’s a chrysanthemum exhibition, a cycling-trip exhibit called “a journey drawn on two wheels,” and a celadon auction. Campnic, a mix of camping and picnicking, is also available. Parasol rental and picnic mat rental booths operate on site.
Best Activities for Kids
If you’re bringing children, start with these:
| Type | Programs |
|---|---|
| Nature learning | Gangjin Bay Reed Forest Eco Explorers (daily), Gangjin Bay Eco Experience Center and Promotion Hall |
| Play areas | Gangjin Bay Kids Zone, Gangjin Bay Play Park, Multicolor Stamp Tour |
| Crafts | Keyrings, bottle-cap clickers, pin and mirror badges, water game toys |
| Kids’ shows | Robocar Poli sing-along show (10/31), bubble magic show, cotton candy show |
How Much Does the Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje Cost?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Festival entry | Free |
| Performances | Covered by free entry |
| Some hands-on activities | Paid (varies by program) |
Entry and performances are free, but some activities charge a fee. You can check individual prices on site or with the Festival Promotion Committee.
Getting to Gangjinman Eco Park
By public transportation, the usual route is a bus to Gangjin Bus Terminal.
| From | Transport | To | Travel time | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Central City Terminal (Honam Line) | Express bus | Gangjin Bus Terminal | About 5 hours | 4 per day |
| Gwangju | Bus | Gangjin | About 1 hr 20 min | 20 |
| Mokpo | Bus | Gangjin | About 50 min | 7 |
Fares for the Seoul–Gangjin express bus are listed on KOBUS. Only four buses a day leave from Seoul, so book ahead during the festival.
The venue address is 전남광주통합특별시 강진군 강진읍 생태공원길 47. Parking locations and shuttle bus details for 2026 haven’t been officially confirmed yet. Contact the Festival Promotion Committee (061-430-3413) for details.
Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje Visitor Tips
- Check performance dates first. Each headliner plays on a different day: Kim Yong-bin (10/24), Kim Je-dong (10/25), the Robocar Poli sing-along show (10/31) and Lee Hyun (11/1).
- Plan around sunset. Seeing the sun go down over the reed beds is the highlight, and the grounds stay open until 19:00.
- Rent a parasol or picnic mat on site. The venue runs rental booths for both.
- Bring money for paid activities. Entry is free, but some activities cost extra.
- Look at the site map in advance. The official site map makes it easy to plan your route.
Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje, and what are the opening hours?
It runs for nine days, from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. The grounds are open 10:00–19:00 daily, and the venue is the Gangjinman Eco Park area.
Is there an entry fee for the Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje?
No, entry is free. Some hands-on activities do charge a fee.
Who is performing at the Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje?
Kim Yong-bin performs on Saturday, October 24, and Lee Hyun is scheduled for Sunday, November 1. Kim Je-dong holds a talk concert on Sunday, October 25, and the Robocar Poli kids’ sing-along show is on Saturday, October 31.
How do I get from Seoul to Gangjinman Eco Park by public transportation?
Take an express bus from Seoul Central City Terminal (Honam Line) to Gangjin Bus Terminal, about 5 hours. Buses run four times a day, and fares are listed on KOBUS.
Where can I find parking and shuttle buses for Gangjinman Eco Park?
Parking locations and shuttle bus details for 2026 haven’t been officially confirmed yet. Contact the Gangjin County Festival Promotion Committee (061-430-3413).
What activities can I do with kids?
The main ones are the Reed Forest Eco Explorers, the Kids Zone, the Play Park and the craft activities. The Eco Explorers program runs every day of the festival, and the Robocar Poli kids’ sing-along show is on Saturday, October 31.
Can I rent a parasol or picnic mat at the festival?
Yes. Parasol rental and picnic mat rental booths operate at the venue.
Can I get there by bus from Gwangju or Mokpo?
Yes. The Gwangju–Gangjin bus takes about 1 hour 20 minutes (20 departures), and the Mokpo–Gangjin bus takes about 50 minutes (7 departures).
Contact Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival inquiries | Gangjin County Festival Promotion Committee 061-430-3413 |
| Gangjinman Eco Park | 061-430-5386 |
| Address | 전남광주통합특별시 강진군 강진읍 생태공원길 47 |
| Official website | Gangjinman Chumchuneun Galdaechukje |
