Fall festivals in and around Jeollanam-do, 2010 edition.

Here is a list of major and minor festivals in and around Jeollanam-do this October and November, a supplement to the list for September a couple weeks ago. I've focused on South Jeolla province because I always have, and because it's more readable to focus on one particular area than to try to be everything to everybody, but it's worth remembering that there are tons of festivals each fall all over the country worth seeing. A few of the big ones not profiled here are the Andong International Mask Dance Festival, the Busan World Fireworks Festival, and the Ulsan World Music Festival. Last year hundreds of festivals, including those three and many listed below, were cancelled ostensibly because of swine flu, and will be making a welcome comeback this fall.

The profiles are shorter than in years past as I had to squeeze in research between loads of visa paperwork, far too much time behind the wheel, and a wedding. My apologies to the Shinan Salted Shrimp Festival, I'm sure it deserves more of my attention than it got. *cough* Nonetheless by browsing some of the links below you'll have enough information on the area's numerous attractions to get you to explore your "home" province more, or to finally spend a weekend in Jeollanam-do if you've never been.


Gwangju Biennale (광주비엔날레), September 3rd - November 7th
The huge art exhibition Gwangju Biennale (광주비엔날레) continues through November 7th, and for a week in October will be next door to the Kimchi Festival.


Gokseong Simcheong Festival (곡성심청축제), October 1st - October 3rd
The Gokseong Simcheong Festival (곡성심청축제) is held annually in and around Gokseong county's Train Village.


Jeonju International Sori Festival (전주세계소리축제), October 1st - October 5th
The Jeonju International Sori Festival (전주세계소리축제) is one of several traditional music festivals in the country this fall, and one of several large festivals in Jeonju this month.


Jinju Lantern Festival (진주남강유등축제), October 1st - October 12th
The Jinju Lantern Festival (진주남강유등축제) is one of the best and brightest in the country, a must-visit for anyone in southern South Korea. In 2008 a million people went in one weekend to dozens of illuminated lanterns floating along the river and thousands more on its shores. Posts from earlier years have pictures and more information, though last year it was one of many cancelled because of swine flu. Held a couple hours' bus ride from Gwangju or Suncheon in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, in and along the Namgang.


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There are two other festivals in Jinju at the same time at basically the same place: the Jinju Silk Fair (진주실크박람회) and the Gaecheon Art Festival (개천예술제), both from October 3rd through the 10th.


Gwangju Chungjangro Festival (추억의 7080 충장축제), October 5th - October 10th
The Gwangju Chungjangno Festival (추억의 7080 충장축제) takes place in downtown Gwangju from October 5th through the 10th, and is held in celebration, sort of, of Gwangju's history a few decades ago. Attractions include concerts, performances, parades, and street vendors, about which you can find times and information on the Korean-language event pages and schedule. By "sort of" a celebration I mean that unlike our fondness for the "good old days," little of South Korea's and Gwangju's history the past few generations is considered "good." The festival will take place on the large road Chungjangno in front of the Old Provincial Hall and in the eponymous pedestrian shopping area near the Geumnamno 4-ga and Culture Complex subway stations.


Gwangju International Food Show (광주국제식품전), October 7th - October 10th
The Gwangju International Food Show (광주국제식품전) is a trade show held at the Kim Daejung Convention Center. Though Gwangju and Jeollanam-do have made big improvements over the past year in the variety and availability of international foods, my experience in 2008 tells me you'd be better off choosing a different festival this busy weekend.


Gwangyang Bulgogi Festival (광양전통숯불구이축제) , October 7th - October 10th
The annual Gwangyang Bulgogi Festival (광양전통숯불구이축제) is one that perenially has little to no useful information online in English or even advance warning.


The Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival (명량대첩축제), October 8th - October 10th
The Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival (명량대첩축제) is held each fall between Haenam and Jindo counties. The large recreation of the famous 1597 battle between Japan and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin's forces has prompted earlier posts to call it the "Rejoice at the Slaughter of Thousands Festival. You can keep up with festival information by following it on twitter @myeongryang.


Gwangju International Community Day (광주국제교류의 날), October 9th


The 16th annual Gwangju International Community [GIC] Day (광주국제교류의 날) is put on by the Gwangju International Center. There's a GIC Day Facebook group and a Gwangju Blog post with a little more information.


Naro Seafood Festival (나로도수산물축제), October 9th - October 10th
The Naro Seafood Festival (나로도수산물축제) is held in Goheung county on the island best known for being the launch site for South Korea's rockets.


Seopyeonje Boseong Sound Festival, October 16th - October 17th
The Seopyeonje Boseong Sound Festival (서편제보성소리축제) is an awkward translation for a festival held in honor of the county's connection to pansori music.


Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival (순천만갈대축제), October 9th - October 24th
The Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival (순천만갈대축제) is held, of course, at the attractive Suncheon Bay. I've never been during the festival, but it was worth a visit one September, and looks worth one all year round.


Korea Grand Prix (2010 포뮬러1 월드 챔피언십 코리아 그랑프리), October 22nd - October 24th
Not a festival, really, but worth mentioning that South Korea's first Formula One race will be coming to Yeongam county this October.


Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (전주비빔밥축제), October 21st - October 24th
The Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (전주비빔밥축제) is held in celebration of the city's signature dish. Held at the regionally-famous Hanok Village, where I spent a good bit of a pleasant Saturday last October.


Korea Food Tourism Festival (한국음식관광축제), October 21st - October 24th
The Korea Food Tourism Festival (한국음식관광축제) is held in Jeonju the same weekend as the Bibimbap Festival, um, either to draw off it or compete with it.


Naju Yeongsan River Culture Festival (나주영산강문화축제), October 22nd - October 24th
Little information available about the Yeongsan River Culture Festival (나주영산강문화축제) held in Naju each fall. It looks like it celebrates history and folk culture, and Naju is a pretty underrated place for points of historical interest.


Gwangju Kimchi Culture Festival (광주김치문화축제), October 23rd - October 27th
The Gwangju Kimchi Culture Festival (광주김치문화축제) is a celebration of the national dish, and cultural phenomenon, that makes Gwangju proud. I visited the Gwangju Kimchi Festival in 2009 and had a pleasant time, especially viewing the kimchi pop art. This year it's back at the park between the Folk Museum and Biennale Hall, accessible by a number of city buses.


Namdo Food Culture Festival, October 23rd - October 31st

Finally, a website that makes its promotional poster easy to find and share.

The Namdo Food Culture Festival (남도음식문화큰잔치) is held each year in Suncheon at Nagan Folk Village to celebrate the region as the self-proclaimed and widely-acknowledged home of hte best food in the country. The variety of food available to visitors---key word being available---is admittedly underwhelming, but Nagan Fortress and Folk Village is well worth the visit, and is one of my favorite places in Korea (blogged here and here).


Korea Chrysanthemum Festival (대한민국 국향대전), October 29 - November 14
Hampyeong county's second-biggest annual festival, the Korea Chrysanthemum Festival (대한민국 국향대전) is one of several such flower festivals throughout the country each fall. Browse posts from earlier years for a few pictures.


2010 Green Gwangju and Jeonnam Bike Festival (2010 Green 광주&전남 자전거 축제 대회) , October 31st
The 2010 Green Gwangju and Jeonnam Bike Festival (2010 Green 광주&전남 자전거 축제 대회) is a 46-km road race held around Gwangju, from Honam University counter-clockwise to City Hall.


From the official site.