From October 15 to October 18, 2026, the 30th Ganggyeong Jeotgal Festival will take place for four days along the Geumgang Riverbank in Ganggyeong-eup, Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do. This year’s theme, "Ganggyeong Jeotgal & Sangwol Sweet Potatoes: Finally the Best of the Best!", pairs the deep, savory heritage of jeotgal (salted fermented seafood) with Nonsan's renowned Sangwol sweet potatoes. Admission to the festival grounds is completely free, featuring generous tasting stations, special discount markets, and interactive workshops.
Check the key details below before your visit to plan your itinerary smoothly. For more fall events, browse our Autumn Festival Calendar.
The festival grounds revolve around three main pillars: jeotgal, Sangwol sweet potatoes, and the hands-on kimchi-making experience. Familiarizing yourself with each program and location beforehand will help you navigate the festival efficiently.
| Program | Details | Expected Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jeotgal Tastings & Shopping | Sample various kinds of saeu-jeot (salted shrimp: yuk-jeot, o-jeot, chu-jeot), hwangseogeo-jeot (salted yellow corvina), and seasoned seafood. Enjoy an across-the-board 20% discount on all items. | Special Jeotgal Market, Ganggyeong Port Marketplace |
| Sangwol Sweet Potato Tasting | Complimentary roasted and steamed sweet potato tastings. Try traditional cauldron-steamed rice paired with savory jeotgal. 20% discount on retail purchases. | Sangwol Sweet Potato Pavilion, Specialty Experience Zone |
| Kimjang Festa | Hands-on paid workshop to prepare your own kimchi using salted napa cabbage and seasoned paste (pre-registration likely required). | Experience Plaza, Kimjang Festa Booth |
The undisputed highlight of the festival is its preserved seafood. Here is how to sample the vast variety and bag top-tier jeotgal for winter kimjang (kimchi making) or everyday side dishes at bargain prices.
The Global Ganggyeong Jeotgal Kimjang Festa is the festival's flagship hands-on workshop. Participants mix their own fresh kimchi right on-site using rich seasoning paste crafted with authentic Ganggyeong jeotgal and salted cabbage, taking their handmade batch home.
A little preparation goes a long way toward enjoying the festival in comfort:
Q. Is there an admission fee for the festival?
A. No, admission to the Ganggyeong Jeotgal Festival grounds is completely free for all visitors. However, separate fees apply for select hands-on workshops such as the Global Kimjang Festa, food court dining, and retail purchases.
Q. Can I pay with credit cards or local currency?
A. Yes, credit cards are accepted at almost all jeotgal and agricultural specialty booths. Designated vendors also accept the Munhwa Nuri Card (based on 2025). Acceptance of local regional currency may vary by merchant; confirm on-site or refer to our guide on Autumn Festival Local Currency Discounts.
Q. Is it easy to visit without a car? How is public transit?
A. Yes, traveling via public transit is straightforward. Ganggyeong Station on the Honam Line (served by ITX and Mugunghwa trains) is roughly 1.5 km on foot from the riverside venue. Free circular shuttle buses have connected the station and festival venue in past years (as of 2024). Please check the 2026 shuttle schedule prior to departure.