Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival 2026: Schedule, Fire-Falling Show, Lineup & Getting There
The Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival returns for three days, from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Silleuksa National Tourist Site (신륵사국민관광지) in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do. Admission is free, and the grounds are open 10:00–21:00. Daytime brings a royal tribute parade, bibimbap made with Yeoju rice in giant cauldrons, and a mass sweet potato roast. After dark, sparks rain down over the Namhangang River during the traditional nakhwanori fire-falling show, and the stage comes alive with Naru Nanjang concerts.
What Is the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival?
The Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival celebrates Yeoju’s traditional culture. It grows out of local history: in the Joseon era, rice, sweet potatoes, and other Yeoju farm products were sent from Joropo Ferry (조포나루) as tributes to the king. At the festival you can see and buy plenty of Yeoju’s farm produce. There’s also traditional culture to try, performances to watch, and programs for the whole family.
After sunset the mood shifts. Night programs such as the fire-falling show give the festival a completely different feel from the daytime. It’s a good way to spend an autumn day, with Yeoju’s harvest and traditional culture in one place.
Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival 2026 Dates and Venue
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00–21:00 |
| Venue | Silleuksa National Tourist Site (신륵사국민관광지) |
| Address | 290-3 Cheonsong-dong, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주시 천송동 290-3) |
| Admission | Free (food sold separately) |
| Organizers | Yeoju City and Yeoju Sejong Culture & Tourism Foundation (여주세종문화관광재단) |
| Inquiries | 031-881-9693 |
| Official website | http://ogoknaru.yjfestival.or.kr/ |
Programs may change depending on conditions on site. Check with the Yeoju Sejong Culture & Tourism Foundation (031-881-9693) before you go.
Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival Lineup and Night Shows by Date
Each day has its own lineup for Naru Nanjang (나루난장), which is new this year, and the nightly performance (야간연희). If you want to see the fire-falling show, come on the evening of Saturday, October 24.
| Date | Naru Nanjang performers | Night performance |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | Roo’Ra (룰라) | Ssangyonggeo Tug-of-War Fire Performance (쌍용거 줄다리기 불꽃연희), the opening show |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Pengsoo (펭수); Kim Sung-soo (김성수) of Cool, Yeoju’s honorary ambassador | Joseon Tightrope & Fire-Falling Performance (조선 줄타기 낙화연희) |
| Sun, Oct 25 | Ssaibeogeo (싸이버거) | Joseon Swag Fire Performance (조선 스웨그 불꽃연희), closing |
- Fri, Oct 23 – Ssangyonggeo Tug-of-War Fire Performance: The festival opens with the traditional Ssangyonggeo tug-of-war, along with a gugak (Korean traditional music) b-boy show and other acts.
- Sat, Oct 24 – Joseon Tightrope & Fire-Falling Performance: Anseong Baudeogi tightrope walking (안성 바우덕이 줄타기) shares the night with the Yeoju Bonduri fire-falling show (여주 본두리 낙화놀이).
- Sun, Oct 25 – Joseon Swag Fire Performance: First the multimedia show Yeonbun (연분) and a lively folk performance session (연희난장), then the closing ceremony and fireworks.
Highlights of the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival
Signature Programs
- Giant-cauldron Yeoju rice bibimbap (가마솥 여주쌀 비빔밥): Bibimbap made with newly harvested Yeoju rice cooked in huge iron cauldrons, sold cheaply.
- Roasted sweet potato “Guinness” event (군고구마 기네스): A big sharing event where Yeoju sweet potatoes are roasted in an oversized roaster and handed out to everyone for free.
- Jinsang Parade (진상 퍼레이드): A parade that re-enacts how Joseon-era Yeoju sent its farm products from Joropo Ferry to Hanyang (old Seoul) as tributes to the king.
- Sowonji-gil (소원지길): A wishing path based on a local legend that wishes made while looking out over the Namhangang River come true.
- Yeoju Heunam-ri Ssangyonggeo Tug-of-War (여주 흔암리 쌍용거 줄다리기): A traditional tug-of-war procession that villagers of Heunam-ri in Jeomdong-myeon held on Jeongwol Daeboreum (the first full moon of the lunar year) to pray for a good harvest.
- Yeoju Bonduri Fire-Falling Show (여주 본두리 낙화놀이): A traditional fire show from Bonduri in Ganam-eup that sends showers of sparks drifting over the Namhangang River.
New for 2026
- Naru Nanjang (나루난장): Sponsored by Shinsegae Simon Yeoju Premium Outlets. By day it’s a place to eat and relax at tavern stalls and on low wooden platforms (pyeongsang). By night it becomes a music event where visitors join in.
- Yeogang Goedam: Joseon’s Night (여강괴담 : 조선의 밤): An interactive horror experience where you complete missions inside four ghost stories linked to the Yeogang (the Namhangang River). Hours and fees have not been announced yet.
There’s also a Joseon-style tavern market (조선 주막 장터).
Programs by Festival Zone
| Zone | Programs |
|---|---|
| Ogok Madang (오곡마당) | Grain and produce market, Yeoju rice promotion hall, Joseon-themed playground, straw-craft play area, rural tourism activities |
| Naru Madang (나루마당) | Roasted sweet potato “Guinness” event, BBQ skewers, Naru stage, Sowonji-gil wishing path, fire-falling show, Naru Nanjang, Naru tavern |
| Janchi Madang (잔치마당) | Giant-cauldron Yeoju rice bibimbap, food market, home-brewed liquor (gayangju) tasting contest, rice-cake pounding (tteokme-chigi) |
Is the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival Free?
Yes, entry is free. You’ll need to pay for food, though.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Festival admission | Free |
| Roasted sweet potato “Guinness” event | Free sharing |
| Giant-cauldron Yeoju rice bibimbap | Low price (amount not announced) |
| Food market and other stalls | Pay per item |
How to Get to the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival from Seoul
Most visitors reach Silleuksa National Tourist Site by way of Yeoju Bus Terminal.
| From | Transport | Route | Time / Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Intercity bus | Dong Seoul Terminal → Yeoju Terminal (about every 30 minutes) | Check before you go |
| Yeoju Bus Terminal | City bus or taxi | City bus bound for Silleuksa, or taxi | About 10–15 min / fare to be confirmed |
Yeoju City says it will run extra free shuttle buses and loop buses during the festival. Routes, departure points, and timetables haven’t been confirmed yet, so check the official website or call 031-881-9693 before you set off.
Tips for Visiting the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival
- Come on Saturday evening (Oct 24) for the fire-falling show. That’s when the fire-falling show lights up the Namhangang River.
- Choose your day by the lineup. Naru Nanjang features Roo’Ra on Friday, Pengsoo and Kim Sung-soo on Saturday, and Ssaibeogeo on Sunday.
- Bring money for food. Admission is free, but the bibimbap and market food are paid separately.
- Don’t miss the sweet potato roast. Yeoju sweet potatoes cooked in a giant roaster are handed out free.
- Check shuttles and programs before leaving. Programs may change with on-site conditions, and the shuttle timetable hasn’t been announced yet.
Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival?
It runs from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Silleuksa National Tourist Site in Yeoju. The address is 290-3 Cheonsong-dong, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주시 천송동 290-3), and the festival is open 10:00–21:00.
Is the Yeoju Ogoknaru Festival free to enter?
Yes, admission is free. You’ll pay for food separately, but the roasted sweet potatoes at the sweet potato “Guinness” event are handed out for free.
When can I see the fire-falling show (nakhwanori)?
You can see it on the evening of Saturday, October 24. That night’s performance, the Joseon Tightrope & Fire-Falling Performance, pairs Anseong Baudeogi tightrope walking with the Yeoju Bonduri fire-falling show. For the exact start time, check the official website or call the inquiry line.
Who is performing on each day?
Naru Nanjang features Roo’Ra on Friday the 23rd, Pengsoo and Kim Sung-soo (of Cool) on Saturday the 24th, and Ssaibeogeo on Sunday the 25th. On the 25th the festival wraps up with a closing ceremony and fireworks.
How do I get there from Seoul by public transport?
Take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Yeoju Terminal. Buses run about every 30 minutes. From Yeoju Bus Terminal, it’s another 10–15 minutes or so by a city bus bound for Silleuksa or by taxi.
Is there a shuttle bus?
Yeoju City says it will run extra free shuttle buses and loop buses during the festival. Routes and timetables haven’t been confirmed yet, so call 031-881-9693 before your visit.
Could the program change?
Yes, programs may change depending on conditions on site. Before you visit, check the latest information with the Yeoju Sejong Culture & Tourism Foundation (031-881-9693) or on the official website, http://ogoknaru.yjfestival.or.kr/.
