2026 Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival — Oct 31–Nov 8, 3 Venues, Fireworks & First-Ever Ocean Nakhwanori

2026 Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival — Oct 31–Nov 8, 3 Venues, Fireworks & First-Ever Ocean Nakhwanori

The 26th Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival takes place over nine days from Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 8 along the waterfront of Masanhappo-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam. This year's slogan is "Chrysanthemums Embrace the Autumn Sea." Centered around the main venue, 3·15 Marine Nuri Park, the festival grounds have expanded to three locations, including Happo Waterfront Park and the Masan Marine New Town development. Admire the vibrant floral displays by day, and watch the fireworks and the festival's first-ever ocean nakhwanori (traditional hanging fire shower) light up Masan Port by night. It is a festival best experienced by strolling along the shore from daytime well into the evening. The opening ceremony kicks off on the first day at 7:00 PM.

Quick Facts

• Dates: Saturday, October 31 – Sunday, November 8, 2026 (9 days, 26th edition)
• Opening Ceremony: Saturday, October 31 at 7:00 PM
• Venues: 3·15 Marine Nuri Park (Venue 1), Happo Waterfront Park (Venue 2), Masan Marine New Town (Venue 3)
• Slogan: Chrysanthemums Embrace the Autumn Sea
• New This Year: Ocean Nakhwanori, Chrysanthemum Costume Contest, Venue 3
• Parking: 5,500 spaces (increased by 1,000 from 4,500 last year)

Exploring the 3 Venues — What to See & Where

If it is your first visit, a natural itinerary is to start at Venue 1 during the day and move to Venue 2 around sunset. Chrysanthemum installations and floral exhibits are best enjoyed in natural daylight. The ocean fireworks burst right over the water, making the waterfront park prime viewing ground. The exact spot for the ocean nakhwanori will be announced with the official schedule. For dining, head to the food zone at Venue 3 or visit downtown restaurants participating in the Chrysanthemum Pass.

What's New This Year

• Ocean Nakhwanori — A traditional Korean pyrotechnic spectacle where hanging charcoal pouches are ignited to send cascades of glowing sparks floating down like flower petals, set over the night waters of Masan Port for the first time at this festival.
• Chrysanthemum Costume Contest — A community contest featuring creative chrysanthemum-themed costumes. Following submissions from September 21 to October 18 and preliminary rounds, the top 10 finalists will compete on Saturday, November 7, with a grand prize of 1 million KRW.
• Invitation Messages — About 200 citizen stories and messages will be selected and displayed along major Changwon thoroughfares and around 3·15 Marine Nuri Park from October 23 to November 8.
• Chrysanthemum Pass — A 12,900 KRW all-in-one pass offering discounts at festival venues and affiliated local businesses.

Be sure to check the exact dates and times for the fireworks and nakhwanori on the detailed schedule released by Changwon City right before the festival. Because these take place over the water, events may be postponed or adjusted in case of strong winds.

Getting There & Parking

• Parking: 5,500 parking spaces are prepared around the venues. While this is 1,000 more than last year, lots will still fill up rapidly on weekend evenings. Plan to arrive early on opening day and weekends, or take public transit.
• By Train: From KTX Masan Station, take a local bus or taxi directly to the coastal festival grounds in Masanhappo-gu.
• Amenities: Temporary restrooms have been expanded to 9 locations, alongside barrier-free walking routes accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, plus dedicated rest areas.

Zero Overcharging — "One-Strike Out" Policy

Changwon City is enforcing a strict "one-strike out" policy on vendor booths this year. All stalls must clearly display prices, origin of ingredients, portion weights, and accepted payment methods; any violation results in immediate expulsion. A dedicated reusable container zone will also be in operation to curb waste.

Pairing Your Weekend Trip

On the evening of Saturday, November 7, the Busan Fireworks Festival lights up Gwangalli Beach, while Masan hosts the finals for its Chrysanthemum Costume Contest earlier that day. It is entirely feasible to tour the chrysanthemum displays in Masan by day and travel to Busan for the fireworks at night; however, traffic into central Busan is notoriously congested on festival day, making train and subway transit the only practical option. Meanwhile, Jeonbuk's Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival wraps up on November 1, making the weekend of October 31–November 1 your only chance to catch both flower festivals.

Throughout the festival period, several affiliated events will also take place, including the Gagopa Masan Port Night Sea Festival, the Changwon Dragon Boat Competition, the Changwon World Dica-Poem Festival, and the Changdong Ramyeon Festival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an admission fee? The official announcement does not mention general admission fees. The confirmed paid option is the Chrysanthemum Pass (12,900 KRW). Check Changwon City's official updates for admission details.

Do the fireworks happen every day? There are separate shows: the multimedia fireworks at Venue 1 and the ocean fireworks at Venue 2. Check the official daily schedule for exact times and dates.

Does it get chilly by the sea at night? Windchill along the coast in early November can cause temperatures to drop sharply after dark. Bring a warm, thick jacket.

Related Guides

• November Travel: Late Autumn in November, Autumn Festival Calendar, Events & Festivals Schedule
• October Festivals in Gyeongnam: Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival (Oct 3–18)

Sources

• Bridge Economy, 2026-09-28 — 26th edition, dates, opening ceremony time, slogan, 3 venues, ocean nakhwanori, Chrysanthemum Pass, 5,500 parking spots, restrooms, one-strike out policy, affiliated events
• Jinju Internet News, 2026-09-27 — Chrysanthemum Costume Contest registration, finals (Nov 7), prizes, invitation message contest
• Asia Economy, 2026-09-28 — Oct 31 opening

Last verified: 2026-10-04