The 2026 Gimcheon Gimbap Festival (김천김밥축제) takes over Gimcheon, in Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do province, for three days from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026. It spreads across Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and the Eco-Friendly Ecological Park, and admission is free. Gates are open 10:00–18:00 on the 23rd and 09:00–18:00 on the 24th and 25th. This year the festival grows from two days to three, and the Eco-Friendly Ecological Park joins as a brand-new venue.
What Is the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
The festival started in 2024 with a joke. Ask young Koreans what comes to mind when they hear “Gimcheon,” and many say Gimbap Cheonguk (김밥천국), a well-known Korean snack restaurant chain whose name also starts with “Gim-cheon.” The city ran with it and set out to build a real “gimbap heaven.” The result is a K-food and K-culture festival built around one simple roll of gimbap, the snack that takes many Koreans straight back to childhood school picnics.
You’ll find Gimcheon’s own creative rolls from the annual Gimbap Cook-King Contest, plus the Gimbap Factory, the signature monk’s gimbap (seunim gimbap), local gimbap, and unusual gimbap from every region of Korea, all in one place. On social media it’s known as a gamdasal festival, slang for something with spot-on instincts, and it has become a favorite way to spend an autumn picnic day with gimbap. New this year: the gold-prize gimbap from the 2026 Gimcheon Gimbap Cook-King Contest debuts at the festival before going on sale nationwide at CU convenience stores.
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival 2026: Dates, Venue & Admission
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 2026-10-23 ~ 2026-10-25 (3 days) |
| Hours | Oct 23 (Fri) 10:00–18:00 / Oct 24–25 09:00–18:00 |
| Venues | Gimcheon Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park, Eco-Friendly Ecological Park |
| Address | 118 Jikjisa-gil, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 김천시 대항면 직지사길 118) |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | Gimcheon City, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Inquiries | Gimcheon City Tourism Policy Division, 054-420-6714 |
| Website | gimbapcity.kr |
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Zones & Main Programs
The grounds are split into four zones, and each one has its own food and activities.
| Zone | Main Programs |
|---|---|
| Jikji Culture Park – Gimbap Plaza (김밥광장) | Gimbap Factory, premium local gimbap, Gimcheon Dessert Zone, Gimcheon Local Specialties Zone, Main Stage, exhibition of acrostic poems themed on Kkodari (꼬달이) and Gimbap Cheonguk |
| Samyeongdaesa Park – Gimbap Heaven (김밥천국) | Unique gimbap from all over Korea, curated gimbap, Gimbap Cook-King Contest Zone, Gimbap Art Experience Hall, Gimbap Mailbox, “One Roll & One Shot” photo spot, gimbap busking, gimbap cosplay |
| Samyeongdaesa Park, Peace Tower – Gimbap Event Yard (김밥이벤트마당) | Gimcheon signature gimbap, Kkodari goods shop, Gimbap & Cider Zone (Korean lemon-lime soda), hands-on gimbap booths, hanbok experience zone, Fringe Stage, sponsor booths |
| Eco-Friendly Ecological Park – Gimbap Playground (김밥놀이터) | Make-your-own snack Kkodari, gimbap bouncy castle, gimbap arcade, gimbap maze, gimbap train, Fringe Stage, activity booths |
Traveling with kids? Put the Gimbap Playground at the Eco-Friendly Ecological Park on your list. That’s where the bouncy castle, maze and gimbap train are. Over at the Peace Tower area of Samyeongdaesa Park, you can also try on hanbok.
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Concert Lineup
A headline act takes the stage every day at 16:00.
| Date | Performer |
|---|---|
| Oct 23 (Fri) 16:00 | Bobby Kim |
| Oct 24 16:00 | Jadu (자두), with comedian Park Young-jin as special MC |
| Oct 25 16:00 | CHEEZE (치즈) |
The street band Dongmi Jajeongeo Eumakdan (동미자전거음악단) plays roaming sets throughout the festival.
How to Order and Pay for Gimbap at the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival
Ordering happens on your phone. Scan a QR code on site, order, and pay, with no waiting in line. The system was built with Kakao Pay. If you’re not comfortable with digital devices, head to the kiosk booths, where staff will walk you through it.
The festival also has its own Kakao Map. Scan the on-site QR code to see walking routes for each zone, the participating vendors and the performance schedule in one place.
Getting to the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival (Seoul, Busan & Gimcheon Stations)
From Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu and Gwangju, the Kakao T direct shuttle takes you straight to the festival with no transfers. Already in Gimcheon? Take the free shuttle bus or a Sopung Taxi.
| From | Transport | Pickup Point | Fare & Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Kakao T direct shuttle (round trip, 28-seat limousine) | Jamsil Station, Sadang Station, Seoul Station | Book in the “Shuttle” menu of the Kakao T app; check fares and times in the app |
| Busan | Kakao T direct shuttle | Seomyeon Station | Book in the Kakao T app; check fares in the app |
| Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju | Kakao T direct shuttle | Daejeon City Hall Station, Daegu Banwoldang Station, Gwangju Bus Terminal (광주종합버스터미널) | Book in the Kakao T app |
| KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station, Gimcheon Station | Free shuttle bus | Boarding area at each station | Free, roughly every 20 minutes |
| Gimcheon Station, KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station | Sopung Taxi | To Jikjisa Temple | 8,000 KRW (~$6 USD) per vehicle, one way (up to 4 people) |
| Gimcheon Sports Town (김천종합스포츠타운) | Sopung Taxi | To Jikjisa Temple | 5,000 KRW (~$4 USD) per vehicle, one way (up to 4 people) |
Riding the Kakao T direct shuttle gets you two pieces of Kkodari merchandise and one roll of gimbap. Book ahead in the app by choosing your date and departure point.
Sopung Taxi (소풍택시, “picnic taxi”) is an on-demand tourist taxi with no fixed route. Call one through its dedicated app or the call center at 1877-8293, and you’ll receive the car’s plate number by text or KakaoTalk.
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Free Shuttle Bus Schedule
Free shuttle buses run to the festival from three points around Gimcheon. Sixty full-size buses are in service, and every route runs nonstop to Jikji Public Parking Lot No. 2 (직지 제2공영주차장).
| Pickup Point | Buses Assigned |
|---|---|
| Gimcheon Sports Town parking lot | 40 |
| KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station | 14 |
| Gimcheon Station | 6 |
| Date | Service Hours | No Service |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 (Fri) | 10:00–19:00 | 12:00–13:00, 16:00–17:00 |
| Oct 24–25 | 08:00–19:00 | 12:00–13:00, 16:00–17:00 |
Buses leave about every 20 minutes, though traffic can change that. They also stop running during the daily 16:00 concert, so plan your arrival and departure around it.
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Parking
Parking at the festival site is tight. If you’re driving, park at the Gimcheon Sports Town parking lot and switch to the free shuttle bus.
From October 23 to 25, the 16 parking enforcement cameras around the shuttle pickup points are temporarily switched off. Enforcement continues, however, in the six major no-parking zones, including school zones, bus stops and crosswalks, as well as along double yellow lines.
Gimcheon Gimbap Festival Facilities & Services for International Visitors
- Information centers: 5 locations
- For international visitors: interpreters at a dedicated foreign tourist information center
- Luggage storage: offered for the first time this year (location and fees have not been announced yet)
- Restrooms: 5 extra women’s restroom units added at 3 locations
Tips for Visiting the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival
- Book the Kakao T direct shuttle early. It runs straight from Seoul, Busan and other cities with no transfers, and you get a roll of gimbap and Kkodari merchandise.
- Check when the shuttles stop. The free shuttle doesn’t run from 12:00 to 13:00 or from 16:00 to 17:00.
- Bring a charged phone. Gimbap ordering, payment and the festival’s Kakao Map all work through QR codes.
- Park at Gimcheon Sports Town. The festival lot is small, so the shuttle is the easier option.
- Concerts start at 16:00. To catch Bobby Kim (23rd), Jadu (24th) or CHEEZE (25th), head toward the Main Stage in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
It runs for three days, from Friday, October 23 to October 25, 2026. The venues are Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and the Eco-Friendly Ecological Park in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do (118 Jikjisa-gil, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si).
Is there an entrance fee for the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
No, admission is free. Gimbap and other food are ordered and paid for on site by QR code.
Where do I catch the free shuttle bus to the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
Board at KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station, Gimcheon Station or the Gimcheon Sports Town parking lot. Buses run about every 20 minutes, 10:00–19:00 on the 23rd and 08:00–19:00 on the 24th and 25th, with no service from 12:00 to 13:00 or from 16:00 to 17:00.
How do I get to the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival from Seoul or Busan?
Take the Kakao T direct shuttle, which goes straight to the festival with no transfers. It departs from Jamsil, Sadang and Seoul stations in Seoul and from Seomyeon Station in Busan. Book ahead in the “Shuttle” menu of the Kakao T app, where you can also check the fare.
Where should I park for the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
Park at the Gimcheon Sports Town parking lot and switch to the free shuttle bus. The parking lot at the festival site is small and can get crowded.
How do I order and pay for gimbap at the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
Scan a QR code with your phone to order and pay. The system was built with Kakao Pay, so you don’t have to stand in line, and visitors who aren’t comfortable with digital devices can use the staffed kiosk booths.
When are the concerts at the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
Concerts start at 16:00 every day. Bobby Kim plays on the 23rd, Jadu on the 24th and CHEEZE on the 25th, and Park Young-jin is special MC on the 24th.
Is the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival easy for international visitors?
Yes. A dedicated foreign tourist information center has interpreters on hand. There are also five general information centers, and luggage storage is offered for the first time this year.
Who do I contact with questions about the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival?
Contact the Gimcheon City Tourism Policy Division at 054-420-6714. For the latest updates, check the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival website.
