2026 Fall: Your Guide to National Festival Discounts with Local Currency!

Fall 2026: Your Comprehensive Guide to National Festival Discounts with Local Currency!

Fall 2026 presents a prime opportunity to enjoy the abundant festivals held across the nation even more affordably with local currency. Local currency, issued to boost local economies, offers various benefits such as incentives upon top-up and income tax deductions. During the fall festival season, local governments often offer special discounts or cashback events, providing even greater benefits to visitors.

This page provides detailed information on major festivals offering discounts with local currency in Fall 2026, along with usage tips and important notes. Be sure to check this information before visiting a festival to plan an even more enjoyable autumn outing.

Fall 2026: Local Currency-Linked Festival Discounts at a Glance

We've compiled a summary of major festivals and discount benefits available with local currency in Fall 2026, so you can see them at a glance. If you plan to visit a festival, it's advisable to check the local currency benefits for that region in advance and prepare accordingly.

Fall Festivals by Region: Admission & Local Currency Discounts

For Fall 2026, we provide detailed information on admission fees and local currency discounts for festivals held in major regions across the country. Check the festival information for your desired region to plan a more rational trip.

Seoul

• Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2026
  • Date/Period: October 3, 2026 (tentative)
  • Location: Yeouido Hangang Park (Mapo Bridge ~ Hangang Railway Bridge)
  • Fee/Price: Free
  • Transportation: Alight at Yeouinaru Station (Subway Line 5), walk from Exit 2 or 3
  • Note: Yeouinaru Station may be bypassed without stopping on the day of the event.
• Seoul Street Arts Festival
  • Date/Period: October 3 ~ October 6, 2026 (tentative) (Based on 2025)
  • Location: Gwanghwamun·DDP area, Seoul
  • Fee/Price: Free
• Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night (Second Half)
  • Date/Period: From September 9, 2026
  • Discount Information:
    • Persons with severe disabilities (formerly grades 1-3): 50% discount for self + one companion (requires disability welfare card)
    • Persons with mild disabilities (formerly grades 4-6): 50% discount for self only (requires disability welfare card)
    • National meritorious persons and holders of national merit registration cards: Self only

Gyeonggi

• 2026 Gyeonggi Ceramic Biennale
  • Date/Period: Opens September 18, 2026
  • Discount Information: Half-price tickets, free admission ticket giveaway
  • Local Currency Discount: Discount information available for Icheon·Gwangju·Yeoju integrated admission tickets.
  • Note: Present your receipt after purchasing goods on-site to receive an admission ticket (limited to first 400 tickets).
• 2026 Yangju Cheonilhong Autumn Festa
  • Local Currency Discount: A portion of the Nari Farm entrance fee will be refunded in paper Yangju Sarang Gift Certificates.

Gangwon

• Inje Autumn Flower Festival
  • Date/Period: September 24 ~ October 11, 2026
  • Location: Yongdae Tourist Area, Buk-myeon
  • Theme: 'Flower Garden with Literature,' commemorating the 100th anniversary of Park In-hwan's birth.
• High1 Resort Autumn Festival
  • Local Currency Discount: A maple festival linked with Jeongseon Arirang Gift Certificates will be held.

Jeonbuk

• Gangcheonsan County Park
  • Fee/Price: Adults 5,000 KRW
  • Local Currency Discount: Paid entrants receive a 2,000 KRW Sunchang Sarang Gift Certificate (usable at affiliated stores within Sunchang-gun).
  • Fee/Price: Elementary, Middle, High School Students 4,000 KRW
  • Free Admission for: Ages 6 and under, ages 70 and over, persons with disabilities, national meritorious persons, Sunchang-gun residents, etc.
  • Location: Gangcheonsan County Park, Paldeok-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.

Fall 2026 Festivals: Extra Local Currency Top-up Benefits & Events

During the autumn festival season, it's common for local currency top-ups to come with extra incentives or special events. Utilizing these benefits can help you enjoy the festivals even more economically.

Additional Local Currency Top-up Benefits

• Gyeonggi-do Local Currency
  • Basic Incentive: A basic 12% incentive will be implemented across Gyeonggi-do from March to December 2026. Top up 600,000 KRW and get 672,000 KRW to use.
  • City/County Specific Incentives: Incentive rates vary by city/county, ranging from a minimum of 6% to a maximum of 12%.
    • Gapyeong-gun: 12% (up to 72,000 KRW monthly benefit) (As of 2026-04-14)
    • Suwon-si, Hwaseong-si, Paju-si, Anseong-si, etc.: 10% (As of 2026-04-14)
    • Yongin-si, Uijeongbu-si, Bucheon-si: 6% (As of 2026-04-14)
  • Income Tax Deduction: An additional 30% income tax deduction applies to Gyeonggi Local Currency usage. This is double the 15% income tax deduction rate for credit cards.
  • Budget Exhaustion: If the incentive budget is exhausted, only balance top-ups will be available for that month, without additional benefits.
• Yangju Sarang Gift Certificate
  • Chuseok Holiday Incentive: Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the top-up incentive has been increased from the original 8% to 10%.
  • Benefit: Receive a maximum benefit of 30,000 KRW when topping up 300,000 KRW.
• Suwon Pay
  • Chuseok Holiday Incentive: To celebrate the Chuseok holiday, the Suwon Pay incentive will be expanded to 20% for the entire month of September.
  • Period: From 9 AM on September 1 until the budget is exhausted.
  • Benefit: Receive a 100,000 KRW incentive when topping up the individual limit of 500,000 KRW.

Local Currency Events Linked to Fall Festivals

• 2026 Cheongsong Baekja Festival
  • Period: September 11 ~ September 13, 2026
  • Benefit: During the festival, enjoy a 20% discount on all Cheongsong Baekja items, and promotions such as Cheongsong Sarang Hwaepye cashback and a roulette event based on purchase amount.
• Hwacheon-gun 'Half-Price Travel'
  • Period: September ~ December 2026
  • Eligibility: Tourists from other regions (excluding residents of adjacent cities/counties).
  • Benefit: 50% of travel expenses spent at affiliated stores within Hwacheon-gun will be refunded in mobile local currency.
  • Refund Limit: 100,000 KRW per individual, 200,000 KRW for groups of 2 or more, 500,000 KRW for families.
  • Reservation Requirement: Pre-application is required through a dedicated website to be opened by Hwacheon-gun later.
• Goseong-gun, Sancheong-gun, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam 'Local Love Vacation Support Pilot Project'
  • Period: From late August to November 2026
  • Eligibility: Tourists to population-declining regions.
  • Benefit: 50% of travel expenses will be refunded in mobile local currency.
  • Note: Detailed application period, refund methods, and local currency usage locations will be announced on each county's official website once preparations are complete.

Accommodation & Dining Discounts Around Fall 2026 Festivals

While enjoying the festivals, you can also receive discounts on accommodation and dining by using local currency. Don't miss out on various benefits, including not only local currency-linked discounts but also accommodation discount coupons offered by local governments.

Local Currency-Linked Discounts

• Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon 'Half-Price Travel'
  • Details: 50% of travel expenses spent at affiliated stores within Hwacheon-gun will be refunded in mobile local currency.
  • Refund Limit: 100,000 KRW per individual, 200,000 KRW for groups of 2 or more, 500,000 KRW for families.
  • Period: September ~ December 2026
  • Note: Information on participating accommodations and restaurants will be provided on the dedicated website.

Accommodation Discounts

• Chungbuk Accommodation Discount Coupon Fall Special
  • Details: Accommodation discount coupons worth up to 50,000 KRW will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Period: September 1 ~ September 10, 2026 (Distributed daily from 10 AM)
  • Where to Use: Available for issuance through NOL (formerly Yanolja), Yeogi Eottae, and Thankyou Camping apps.
  • Target: Accommodation establishments in 9 cities/counties of Chungbuk.

Dining Discounts

• Hongseong Namdanghang Jumbo Shrimp Festival
  • Details: The selling price of 1kg of jumbo shrimp will be standardized (45,000 KRW for takeout, 60,000 KRW at restaurants).
  • Period: September 4 ~ November 8, 2026
  • Location: Namdanghang Port area, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungnam.

Tips for Using Local Currency at Fall 2026 Festivals

While local currency offers various benefits, there are important points to check before use. Familiarize yourself with these tips and precautions for efficient local currency usage to enjoy the festivals without inconvenience.

Local Currency Policy Changes (As of 2026)

• Differentiated National Funding Rates: National funding rates are differentiated: 3% for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, 5% for non-metropolitan areas, and 7% for population-declining regions.
• Issuance Scale: 1.15 trillion KRW in national funds has been allocated to support the issuance of 24 trillion KRW worth of Local Love Gift Certificates.
• Review of Card Point Conversion to Local Currency: Plans to utilize unused credit card points as local currency are currently under review.

Festival Discounts & Benefits with Local Currency (As of 2026)

• Travel Expense Refunds in Population-Declining Regions: When traveling to 20 population-declining regions, 50% of travel expenses can be refunded in local currency.
  • Refund Limit: Up to 100,000 KRW per individual, up to 200,000 KRW for groups.
  • Refund Method: Paid in local currency, not as cash or card discounts.
• High1 Resort: A maple festival linked with Jeongseon Arirang Gift Certificates will be held as a representative autumn season festival and event.
• Donghaeng Festival: The 2026 Donghaeng Festival is a national consumption festival promoting local spending.
  • Event Period: April 11, 2026 ~ May 31, 2026 (This was a past event.)

Local Currency Usage Precautions (As of 2026)

• Usage Restrictions: Cannot be used outside the designated region, nor at large supermarkets, online shopping malls, or stores with annual sales exceeding 3 billion KRW.
• Discontinuation of Discount Issuance and Monthly First-Come, First-Served Issuance: As of 2026, some local governments have begun to stop issuing local currency with discounts or have switched to monthly first-come, first-served issuance.
• Financial Burden: Some local governments are experiencing financial difficulties due to expanding local currency budgets.
• Cancellation and Penalty Policies: Cancellation and penalty policies may vary depending on the branch's policy, so be sure to check the specific cancellation policy for each branch.

Checking Fall Festival Info & Payment via Local Currency Apps

Most local currencies can be conveniently topped up and used via mobile apps. By installing the relevant local currency app for the region and familiarizing yourself with its usage before visiting the festival, you can ensure smoother payments and benefit from advantages on-site.

Local Currency App Types & How to Check Usage Locations

• Region-Specific Apps: There is no single national app for local currency; each local government uses its own separate app.
  • Seoul: SeoulPay+
  • Gyeonggi-do: Gyeonggi Local Currency
  • Busan: Dongbaekjeon
  • Incheon: Incheon e-Eum
  • Other Regions: You can find the official app name and download link by searching for 'Local Love Gift Certificate' (지역사랑상품권) or 'Local Currency' (지역화폐) on the city hall or county office websites.
• Checking Affiliated Stores:
  • Gyeonggi Local Currency App: You can check nearby stores that accept payment and whether they are 'Small Shops' with annual sales under 300 million KRW.
  • General Method: The most accurate way is to search for 'local currency' on the local government's website of the region you plan to visit before your trip to check usage locations.
• Payment Methods:
  • Most local currencies allow mobile or QR payments, but some regions only accept physical cards, so check before your trip and obtain a physical card if necessary.
  • Card-type and mobile-type gift certificates can be topped up via the dedicated application 'CHAK'.

Festival Discounts & Smart Outing Methods with Local Currency

• Local Love Vacation Support Program:
  • Details: A pilot program launching in 2026 across 20 rural, population-declining local governments, refunding half of travel expenses in local currency.
  • Benefit: Individuals can receive up to 100,000 KRW in local currency as a refund.
  • Goseong·Sancheong·Hamyang, Gyeongnam: Selected as pilot project sites for the Local Love Vacation Support Program in the second half of 2026, refunding 50% of travel expenses in mobile local currency from late August to November.
• Utilizing Local Currency Incentives:
  • Top-up Incentives: Local currency top-ups offer incentives that can be used like cash.
  • Discount Rates & Top-up Limits: For 2026, local currency budgets and operational methods vary by local government, leading to significant differences in discount rates, monthly top-up limits, and usage locations by region.
  • Jindo Arirang Gift Certificate (Chuseok Holiday Special Discount):
    • Period: September 1 ~ December 2026
    • Benefit: Card-type/mobile-type accumulation rates increase from 12% to 17%, and paper-type discount rates expand from 5% to 10%. Monthly purchase limits for card/mobile-type gift certificates increase from 700,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW from September to December, and annual limits increase from 6,000,000 KRW to 10,000,000 KRW.
• Income Tax Deduction Benefit: When using Gyeonggi Local Currency, you can receive up to a 40% income tax deduction benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can local currency be used anywhere in the country?

A1: No, it cannot. Local currency can only be used within the specific local government area where it was issued. For example, Suwon Pay is only valid at affiliated stores within Suwon-si and cannot be used in other regions. You must check and prepare the local currency for the festival region you plan to visit in advance.

Q2: Are incentives always available when topping up local currency?

A2: Local currency incentives can vary depending on the local government's budget situation. Most have monthly limits, and if the budget is exhausted, only top-ups without additional benefits may be possible for that month. During holidays or specific festival periods, incentive rates may be increased or extra benefits offered, so it's best to check the local government's announcements before topping up.

Q3: Can local currency be used at large supermarkets or online shopping malls?

A3: Generally, local currency use is restricted at large supermarkets, department stores, corporate-owned supermarkets, and online shopping malls. This is because local currency is primarily issued to vitalize local small business owners and alleyway markets. You can check usage locations on each local currency app or the local government's website.

Q4: Where can I check the Fall 2026 festival schedule?

A4: The schedule for major Fall 2026 festivals can be found on the Autumn Festival Calendar page. Additionally, you can find detailed information on each local government's tourism website or the official website of the respective festival. For festivals with local currency discount benefits, please refer to the table at the top of this page.

Q5: Can I also get accommodation discounts with local currency?

A5: Yes, some local governments offer accommodation discounts linked with local currency. For example, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon's 'Half-Price Travel' and Goseong·Sancheong·Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam's 'Local Love Vacation Support Pilot Project' refund a portion of travel expenses in local currency. Furthermore, in some cases like Chungbuk, accommodation discount coupons are provided separately from local currency, so it's a good idea to check the tourism information for your visiting region as well.