Why Naju Is Calling Autumn Travelers: Flower Trails, Performances, and a Chance at a 1 Million Won Prize

Held at Yeongsangang Garden from October 7 to 11
Photo Zones Highlighting Nature’s Ecology and Local Legends
Performances, Garden Experiences, and a Consumer Raffle Event
Enhanced Accessibility with Free Direct Shuttle Service

A journey walking along riverside paths adorned with autumn flowers, enjoying performances with your whole family, and discovering the tastes and stories of the region—the '2026 Naju Yeongsangang Festival,' held in and around Yeongsangang Garden from October 7 to 11, welcomes autumn visitors. The landscape, colored by cosmos and sunflowers, comes alive with performances, hands-on activities, gourmet food, exhibitions, and garden content. From floral walks to family performances and local business visits, you can tailor your schedule according to your interests, making this festival a highly recommended autumn getaway for families, couples, and friends.

Citizens visiting Yeongsan River Garden, where the zinnias are in full bloom, are taking commemorative photos. Provided by Naju City

Waves of Cosmos and Sunflowers... Stories of the Yeongsan River on a Flower Trail

Along the Yeongsan River’s embankment and Deulseom Island, vibrant pink cosmos flowers create a sweeping display, while yellow sunflowers at the entrance slopes of Deulseom offer a cheerful welcome to visitors. At the entrance to Yeongsangang Garden, yellow-flowered cosmos and golden cosmos add to the autumn ambiance from the moment you arrive.

Alongside flower gardens, new photo zones capturing the ecology and local legends of the Yeongsan River have been installed. Local wildlife such as the nationally protected otter, wildcat, water deer, and egret are portrayed in a friendly manner, giving children and families the opportunity to engage naturally with the river’s ecological environment.

The festival also features the 'Arangsa·Abisa' photo zone, inspired by the Angambawi legend of Naju. This space allows you to appreciate both the flower-filled riverside scenery and local folklore that has been passed down for generations in Naju.

During the festival, the 'Yeongsan River Family Garden Festival' will be held simultaneously. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of cultural and garden programs such as performances, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences amidst autumn flowers, making it easy to combine a stroll with a culture-filled outing.

A Magic Concert for the Whole Family

If you’re visiting with young children, be sure to mark your calendar for the last day of the festival on October 11. At 3 p.m. that day, the main stage at Yeongsangang Garden will host the 'Magic Concert with Family.' This returning magic show was well received by children and family audiences last year. This year’s program is again designed so that everyone from children to adults can enjoy an array of marvelous magic and performances together.

In particular, the magician will interact directly with the audience, making it a participatory show that heightens excitement and engagement. Children can experience the magic up close, while parents and grandparents share laughter and memorable moments with their kids.

On the same day, additional events include the 'TiniPing Singalong Show,' where popular children’s characters sing and dance, and the 'Yeongsan River Random Play Dance,' which invites everyone to join in freely to music. By combining a walk along the flower paths with family performances, you can make the most of your final festival outing.

On the final day of the 2026 Naju Yeongsangang Festival, the "Magic Concert with Family" will take place on the main stage of Yeongsangang Garden on the 11th. Provided by Naju City

A Lucky Draw with Naju Receipts... Up to 1 Million Won in Gift Certificates

If you dine at restaurants, visit cafes, or shop at traditional markets in Naju during your trip, remember to keep your receipts. The 'Lucky Consumer Raffle with No Losers,' held in connection with the festival, adds an extra layer of fun to exploring the local economy. Bring your receipts from purchases made at Naju-based shops by October 11 to the raffle booth inside the festival venue, and you'll receive instant lottery tickets based on your total spending.

You’ll get one ticket for receipts totaling 30,000 won or more but less than 50,000 won, two tickets for 50,000 won or more but less than 100,000 won, and three tickets for 100,000 won or more. The participation limit is three tickets per person per day.

Every ticket wins a prize, with the top reward being a Naju Sarang gift certificate worth 1 million won. A total of 10,000 tickets will be issued during the event, with overall prizes amounting to 120 million won. Both credit card and cash receipts are accepted, but only receipts for purchases made by the participant are valid. At the site, actual card or mobile payment records will be checked to verify your purchase.

An itinerary that includes dining at local restaurants, exploring traditional markets and neighborhood shops, and then visiting the festival can be a great way to broaden your Naju travel experience.

From Cooling Shelters to Stroller Rentals... Enhanced Family-Friendly Amenities

Naju City plans to expand convenience facilities this year based on feedback from last year's festival—especially issues related to heat and the lack of resting areas. More restrooms will be installed, strategically located according to traffic flow, and the needs of performance, activity, and food zones. Air-conditioned cooling shelters, sunshades, and rest areas will be set up so that children and seniors can comfortably take a break during the festival.

Independent areas will also be provided for breastfeeding and diaper changing, while free mat rentals will be offered at the Yeongsangang Garden lawn area. There will also be complimentary stroller and wheelchair rentals for families with infants and guests with mobility challenges.

The locations of these amenities will be announced via the festival map, on-site signage, and official social media accounts. Planning downtime between performances and activities will help families with young children or elderly members enjoy a more relaxed outing.

Free Shuttles Departing Every 10 Minutes... About 15 Minutes to the Venue

The easiest way to get to the festival is by taking the free nonstop shuttle bus. At last year's event, 520,000 people attended during the five days, resulting in severe congestion around the venue's roads and parking lots.

Naju City notes, "This year as well, during peak hours, it may take more than an hour to access and park at the festival venue by car," and strongly encourages the use of shuttle buses. The shuttles depart every 10 minutes from three main hubs—Naju City Hall, KEPCO KDN in Bitgaram Innovation City, and the Yeongsanpo Riverside Sports Park—from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The shuttles run directly to the festival grounds without intermediate stops, taking around 15 minutes.

Naju City is further strengthening measures to enhance visitor convenience at the "2026 Naju Yeongsangang Festival." The photo shows the event venue map for the "2026 Naju Yeongsangang Festival." Provided by Naju City.

Dedicated bus lanes are used to separate shuttle routes from regular traffic, and additional buses will be dispatched flexibly according to passenger demand and onsite traffic conditions.

For those driving, approximately 6,100 parking spaces have been secured at 19 parking lots within and around the festival, including 8 inside and 11 nearby. However, during peak hours, it is advisable to park near a shuttle stop and complete the journey to the festival by shuttle.

A day spent walking among autumn flowers, learning about the Yeongsan River's ecosystem and legends, enjoying performances and activities, and exploring the local economy—The '2026 Naju Yeongsangang Festival' is expected to be the perfect autumn destination for those wishing to experience scenery, culture, and local travel all at once.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.