The 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL runs from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23, 2026, at Gangneung Olympic Park in Gangwon State, Korea. The highlight is a drone light show on the opening night, October 19, at 8 PM. Every side event for the public and visitors is free. The festival is held alongside the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, which takes place in Gangneung at the same time. The program has drone exhibitions, hands-on activities and delivery demonstrations, so it works well for families.
What Is the 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL?
The 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL presents Korea’s government policies and main support programs for developing core drone technology and growing the drone industry. Its exhibitions also cover what the industry has achieved so far and where it is headed. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport hosts the festival, and the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (항공안전기술원) organizes it.
To build public interest in drones, the festival puts on a drone light show and a drone delivery demonstration. There are also exhibitions and hands-on programs. Visitors of all ages are welcome.
The festival is linked to the 32nd ITS World Congress (2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress). The Congress is based at Gangneung Convention Center, and an exhibition of future transportation technology is held at the Speed Skating Oval.
2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL Dates and Venue
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Venue | Gangneung Olympic Park and surrounding area |
| Address | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 수리골길 102 (포남동) — 102 Surigol-gil, Ponam-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon State |
| Admission | Free |
| Age limit | All ages |
| Host / Organizer | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology |
| Inquiries | 02-6464-1820 |
Gangneung Drone Light Show: When and Where to Watch
The drone light show is the festival’s main event. Here are the details:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & time | Monday, October 19, 2026, 20:00 |
| Viewing area | The plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center |
| Number of drones | News reports vary: some say “over 3,000” and others “around 4,000”. The official website doesn’t give a number. |
The show happens only once, on the first night. If you want to see it, plan your trip around October 19.
Program Highlights
| Program | Dates | Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drone light show | Mon, Oct 19 | 20:00 | Plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center |
| Future Drone Transportation Hall (미래드론교통관, exhibition) | Mon, Oct 19 – Fri, Oct 23 | 12:30–18:30 | Convention Hall, Gangneung Olympic Park Convention Center |
| Drone Experience Zone (drone delivery event) | Mon, Oct 19 – Fri, Oct 23 | Not listed on the official website | Outdoor plaza in front of the Hockey Center, Gangneung Olympic Park |
| Drone delivery demonstration | Thu, Oct 22 | 12:00–17:00 | Gangneung Olympic Park |
Future Drone Transportation Hall (Exhibition)
This exhibition covers what the drone industry has achieved and its vision for the future. It is open all five days of the festival, from 12:30 to 18:30, in the Convention Hall of the Convention Center.
Drone Experience Zone and Delivery Demonstration
According to the official website, the Drone Experience Zone (drone delivery event) runs from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23 on the outdoor plaza in front of the Hockey Center. The website doesn’t list its hours. The drone delivery demonstration is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 12:00 to 17:00. To see it, visit during the day on the 22nd.
More to See While You’re There
The Hockey Center, one of the festival venues, also hosts a free ice show. During the same period, the ITS World Congress exhibition hall has displays of future transportation technology that you can visit too.
2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL Admission and Registration
All side events for the public and visitors are free. You don’t need a ticket for the drone light show, the Future Drone Transportation Hall or the Drone Experience Zone.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL side events | Free |
| ITS World Congress exhibition hall | Free with pre-registration |
| Pre-registration | Through the official website until the 9th (now closed) |
| On-site registration | Available at the venue now that pre-registration has closed |
People who pre-registered for the ITS World Congress receive an entry QR code three days before the event. To get in, scan the QR code at a kiosk on site. The 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL website also has a “Pre-registration” menu, so check it before you go.
Getting to Gangneung Olympic Park
These are the transportation options around Gangneung Olympic Park:
| Transportation | Route / How to use | Service info | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| City bus | Routes 202 and 202-1 (stop at Gangneung Olympic Park) | Buses run every 15 minutes during the festival instead of every 30 | Not confirmed |
| Self-driving shuttle (inside Olympic Park) | Loop: Olympic Park rear gate ↔ Gangneung Ice Arena ↔ Convention Center (about 2.6 km) | 09:00–18:00, every 30 minutes, up to 16 runs a day, about 10 minutes per loop | Free (open to everyone) |
| Taxi | Foreign visitors can call one with K-MaaS in the ITS World Congress official app | — | Not confirmed |
- The six circular shuttle bus routes linking hotels, downtown and tourist sites are only for registered Congress participants.
- Our sources don’t cover how to get to Gangneung from Seoul, Busan or the airport. Before you set off, check train and express bus booking sites directly.
Tips Before You Go
- The drone light show is on Monday night, October 19, and happens only once. It starts at 20:00, so get to the plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center early to find a good spot.
- For the drone delivery demonstration, come on Thursday, October 22. It’s scheduled for 12:00 to 17:00.
- Expect crowds. The Gangneung Coffee Festival takes place around the same time, and about 60,000 visits in total are expected during the festival.
- Use the city bus and the free shuttle. Buses 202 and 202-1 run every 15 minutes during the festival, and the free self-driving shuttle gets you around inside Olympic Park.
- Catch the ice show too. The Hockey Center puts on a free ice show.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Gangneung drone light show?
It’s on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 20:00. The show is held only once, on the first night of the festival.
Where should I watch the drone light show?
Watch from the plaza in front of Gangneung Convention Center. This is the viewing area listed on the official website.
Is there an admission fee for the 2026 K-DRONE FESTIVAL?
No. All side events for the public and visitors are free. The ITS World Congress exhibition hall is also free if you pre-register.
I missed pre-registration. Can I still get in?
Yes, you can register on site. Pre-registration on the official website closed on the 9th, and since then registration has been available at the venue.
How many drones will fly?
Reports differ. Some say “over 3,000” and others “around 4,000”. The official website doesn’t give a number.
When and where are the drone delivery and drone experience programs?
The Drone Experience Zone (drone delivery event) runs from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23 on the outdoor plaza in front of the Hockey Center. The drone delivery demonstration is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 12:00 to 17:00. The official website doesn’t list the Experience Zone’s hours.
How do I get to Gangneung Olympic Park by public transportation?
Take city bus 202 or 202-1. During the festival these buses run every 15 minutes instead of every 30. Inside Olympic Park, you can ride a free self-driving shuttle (09:00–18:00, every 30 minutes).
Will the venue be crowded?
Probably, yes. The Gangneung Coffee Festival takes place around the same time, and about 60,000 visits in total are expected during the festival.
Contact
- Phone: 02-6464-1820
- Official website: https://k-dronewf.com/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k_drone.festival/
