2026 Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival — Oct 23 to Nov 1 at Jungang Sports Park: Free Admission, Night Illuminations & Fireworks

2026 Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival — Oct 23 to Nov 1 at Jungang Sports Park: Free Admission, Night Illuminations & Fireworks

The 23rd Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival takes place over ten days from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, November 1 at Jungang Sports Park in Iksan, Jeonbuk. This year's theme is "GLOW IKSAN: Shining Anew Like a Jewel." True to its name, the festival transforms the grounds with sprawling gardens and massive sculptures crafted from around ten million chrysanthemum blooms, all with free admission. Last year, 760,000 visitors flocked to the event over its ten-day run. Strolling the vibrant flower gardens by day and enjoying colorful illuminations and fireworks after dark makes arriving in the late afternoon to experience both day and night the most popular itinerary.

Essential Info

• Dates: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 (10 days, 23rd edition)
• Location: Around Iksan Jungang Sports Park, 322 Hana-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk State (Eoyang-dong)
• Admission: Free
• Theme: GLOW IKSAN: Shining Anew Like a Jewel
• Organizers: Iksan City, Iksan Agricultural Technology Center
• Inquiries: +82-63-859-4977
• Official Website: Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival

What to See: Daytime Gardens and Nighttime Lights

The crown jewel of the exhibition is the chrysanthemum bonsai. Pieces cultivated for over six months—carefully selected and nurtured from root cuttings since spring by the Iksan Chrysanthemum Bonsai Research Society—are displayed inside the indoor pavilion. Bonsai trees bearing hundreds of blooms on a single trunk and rock-clinging arrangements (seokbujak) look far more stunning in person than in photographs. The "Jewelry Pavilion" highlights Iksan's distinctive local heritage as a city renowned for precious metal and gemstone processing.

Best Time to Visit

• Weekend afternoons to evenings: Catch both the daytime gardens and the evening light displays in a single visit. This is also the most crowded time.
• Weekday daytimes: The best time for relaxed photography. If you want to admire the indoor bonsai exhibits without the rush, weekdays are preferable.
• First weekend (Oct 24–25) and closing weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1): With only two weekends during the entire festival, crowds are at their peak. The later you arrive, the harder parking becomes.

Last year, the chrysanthemum displays remained open for an additional week even after the festival officially ended. Check official announcements near the closing date to see if this year's run will be extended.

Getting There

• By Train: Iksan Station serves both the Honam and Jeolla KTX bullet train lines, reachable in just over an hour from Seoul (Yongsan Station). From the station, take a local bus or taxi to the festival grounds. Last year, the area surrounding Iksan Station was also integrated into the festival venue.
• By Car: Parking areas around Jungang Sports Park fill up quickly on weekend evenings. Be sure to check Iksan City notices for temporary parking lots and festival shuttle bus operations.

Special Discount Stores During the Festival

Iksan City launched its "Special Discount Stores" program last year and is continuing it for 2026. Participating local restaurants, bakeries, and cafes offer discounts or complimentary perks throughout the festival period. A full list of participating businesses is released via the festival's official online channels. If festival food stalls get overcrowded, heading into the city center to dine at one of these discount venues is a smart alternative.

What to See Nearby in Iksan

If you want to expand your trip beyond the flower festival, pair it with Iksan's ancient Baekje heritage. Iksan was the royal city of King Mu of Baekje. Plan an itinerary exploring the Iksan Wanggung-ri Historic Site by day, followed by Mireuksa Temple Site in the evening if your timing aligns with the Mireuksa Site Night Opening. For chrysanthemum enthusiasts traveling nationwide, the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival in Changwon, Gyeongnam opens on October 31, overlapping with Iksan's final weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there admission or parking fees? Festival admission is free. For parking fees and temporary parking lot locations, check official announcements from Iksan City just prior to the event.

Is it worth visiting at night? Yes, absolutely. The evening lineup includes dazzling landscape illuminations, musical fountain shows, and fireworks. Consult the official festival timetable for specific dates and times of the fireworks.

Is the venue stroller- and wheelchair-friendly? Yes. The gardens are set up across the flat terrain of the sports park, making navigation relatively easy. However, moving around may be slower on weekend evenings due to the heavy crowds.

Related Guides

• October itineraries: October Day Trips, Autumn Festival Calendar, Events & Festivals Schedule
• Seasonal scenery: Top Autumn Foliage Destinations — Peak foliage at nearby Naejangsan in Jeongeup is forecast for November 4.

Verified Sources

• VisitKorea Festival Guide (2026) — Dates, location, free admission, theme, host, contact, program outline
• Todayan, 2026-02-06 — 23rd edition, 10-day run, Jungang Sports Park area, Chrysanthemum Bonsai Research Society preparations
• NewsPim, 2026-09-03 — Operation of special discount establishments
• No Cut News, 2025-11-03 — Previous year's 760,000 visitors, Iksan Station venue expansion, extended exhibition run

Last verified: 2026-10-04