2026 Icheon Rice Cultural Festival Guide — Oct 14–18 at Bokhacheon Waterfront Park: 2,000 KRW Cauldron Rice, Shuttles & Parking
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2026 Icheon Rice Cultural Festival Guide — Oct 14–18 at Bokhacheon Waterfront Park: 2,000 KRW Cauldron Rice, Shuttles & Parking
The 25th Icheon Rice Cultural Festival takes place for five days from Wednesday, October 14 to Sunday, October 18 across the Bokhacheon Waterfront Park area in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do. The biggest change this year is the venue. The city of Icheon relocated the festival grounds to Bokhacheon Waterfront Park to enhance visitor accessibility and convenience. Celebrated annually during the autumn harvest season, this festival is famous for its iconic highlights: freshly cooked Icheon new-crop rice served for just 2,000 KRW ("Cauldron Rice for 2,000 People at 2,000 KRW"), stretching the giant rainbow garaetteok (rice cake), and the grand daljip taeugi (bonfire ritual) on the final day. Located about an hour's drive from Seoul, it is a hugely popular day trip destination for families.
Essential Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 14 (Wed) – 18 (Sun), 2026 (5 days, 25th edition) |
| Location | Bokhacheon Waterfront Park area, Icheon (new venue this year) |
| Operating Hours | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (subject to change depending on the program) |
| Key Highlights | Cauldron Rice for 2,000 People at 2,000 KRW, Rainbow Garaetteok Making, Bubal Daljip Festival |
| Parking | 6 designated parking lots + Mini train shuttle |
| Shuttle Buses | Icheon Station / Icheon City Hall / Bus Terminal ↔ Festival Grounds |
| Official Website | Icheon Rice Cultural Festival |
The festival spans three weekdays and two weekend days. If you want a relaxed, hands-on experience with kids without large crowds, weekday mornings are best. If you want lively performances and bustling food markets, visit on the weekend. Many visitors linger until late afternoon on the final day (October 18) to watch the closing bonfire ritual.
What to Eat & What to See
| Category | Program | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Cauldron Rice for 2,000 People at 2,000 KRW | Steaming Icheon new-crop rice cooked in giant cast-iron cauldrons for 2,000 KRW. Scaled up to serve 2,000 people |
| Performance | Rainbow Garaetteok Making | Signature performance stretching long, naturally colored rice cakes, expanded in scale this year |
| Tradition | Bubal Daljip Festival | A ritual continuing the traditional Daeboreum bonfire (daljip taeugi) custom |
| Activities | Farming experience "The Turtle Runs", Joseon Harvest Field Day, Grasshopper Tag | Hands-on programs especially popular with families with children |
| Ceremonies | Opening Ceremony (Oct 14), Closing Ceremony & Daljip Taeugi (Oct 18) | Check the official schedule for exact times |
| Market | Icheon Small Business Association Big Sale Fair | Special discounts on local goods and produce |
| Tech | Icheon Advanced Drone Exhibition | Drone displays and flight demonstrations |
The festival grounds are divided into themed courtyards: Sky Yard, Culture Yard, Harvest Yard, Fairytale Yard, Play Yard, and Cauldron Yard. Lines for the cauldron rice tend to get long around noon. To minimize waiting, consider eating slightly earlier or later and exploring the hands-on activity booths in between.
Getting There — Shuttles & Parking
Shuttle Buses (Based on the official festival traffic guide)
| Route | Stops | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| From Icheon Station | Icheon Station → Hyundai Hometown → Icheon City Hall → Iseopdaecheon Park → Festival Grounds | Weekdays 20 mins, Weekends 10 mins |
| From Bus Terminal | Intercity Bus Terminal → Iseopdaecheon Park → Festival Grounds | Weekdays 20 mins, Weekends 10 mins |
The first shuttle departs at 8:30 AM (from Icheon City Hall and Icheon Station), and the last return bus leaves the festival grounds at 6:30 PM. The drop-off point is just over 100 paces from the entrance, and electric cart shuttles circulate frequently throughout the grounds. Coming from Seoul, taking the Gyeonggang Line subway to Icheon Station and transferring to the free shuttle is the best way to skip parking hassles altogether.
6 Parking Lots
| Lot | Address / Location | Access to Festival |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | 159 Jinri-dong | Walking distance |
| P2 | 363 Gajwa-ri, Bubal-eup | Walking distance |
| P3 | 87 Sinha-ri, Bubal-eup | Walking distance |
| P4 | 54-8 Galsan-dong | Mini train ride |
| P5 | 6 Anheung-dong | Mini train ride |
| P6 | Icheon City Hall Parking Lot | Shuttle bus |
The walkable lots (P1–P3) fill up first. If arriving after lunchtime on the weekend, head straight to P4, P5, or Icheon City Hall and take the mini train or shuttle bus to save time.
Nearby Fall Events to Pair
The final weekend of the festival (October 16–18) coincides with several major autumn events across the capital region. In Pocheon, the Myeongseongsan Silver Grass Festival runs from October 16 to 18, while the Seoul Silver Grass Festival at Haneul Park kicks off on October 17 (Haneul Park). If you want to explore more culinary festivals, head to the Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival in Nonsan, Chungnam (October 15–18). Check out the full lineup sorted by date on our Autumn Festival Calendar.
What to Pack
- Picnic Mat — Essential for sitting on the waterfront lawns while enjoying your cauldron rice or watching outdoor performances.
- Extra Layer / Light Jacket — Riverside breezes turn chilly by late afternoon in mid-October, especially if you stay until sunset for the bonfire ritual.
- Some Cash — Useful for local market stalls and small craft booths where cash transactions can be faster than card payments.
- Spare Clothes for Kids — The hands-on farming zones and outdoor games involve dirt and grass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the festival venue changed this year? Yes. The 25th edition is held at Bokhacheon Waterfront Park. Make sure your navigation app does not route you to the previous venue (Seolbong Park).
How much is the cauldron rice? Through the "Cauldron Rice for 2,000 People at 2,000 KRW" program, freshly cooked new-crop rice is served for 2,000 KRW. Serving times and quantities follow on-site announcements.
What are the shuttle bus operating hours? According to official transit notices, the first bus departs at 8:30 AM, and the last return shuttle leaves the festival venue at 6:30 PM. Buses run every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 10 minutes on weekends.
When does the Daljip Taeugi bonfire take place? It is held on the final day, October 18, as part of the closing festivities. Check the official daily schedule for the exact start time.
Related Guides
- Gyeonggi-do — Nearby regional attractions to pair with your Icheon trip
- October Getaways — October holidays, festivals, and foliage highlights at a glance
- Autumn Foliage Hotspots — Top spots for fall colors around Seoul starting late October
Verified Sources
- Icheon Rice Cultural Festival Official Schedule: https://www.ricefestival.or.kr/program/program.php?sp=schedule
- Icheon Rice Cultural Festival Official Transit & Shuttle Guide: https://www.ricefestival.or.kr/program/program.php?sp=directions&pg=shuttle
- Bokhacheon Venue Relocation, 6 Parking Lots & Mini Train (Incheon Ilbo): https://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1333378
- 25th Festival Opening News Report (Jungbu News Tongsin, 2026-10-02): https://www.jungbunews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2749153
Last verified: 2026-10-06