🎋 Damyang Bamboo Festival 2026 – Night Drone Show, YB Band & FREE Bamboo Forest Until 9PM!
OMG — this is NOT your average daytime festival! 🌙✨ The 25th Damyang Bamboo Festival is going all-in on nighttime magic: a stunning drone lighting show above the bamboo forest, live concerts by YB Band, Ali & Nam Jin, and the legendary Juknokwon (죽녹원) bamboo garden open until 9PM! 🎆🎸 The best night festival in Korea this golden holiday — don't miss it!
※ Always verify the latest details on the official website before visiting.
The Damyang Bamboo Festival (담양 대나무축제) is Damyang-gun's premier green cultural celebration, launched in 2002 and now proudly marking its 25th anniversary in 2026.
Running May 1–5 at Juknokwon (죽녹원), 130 Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-eup, the festival makes a massive leap this year by supercharging its nighttime lineup — the opening night features YB Band (Yoon Do-hyun Band), Korea's legendary rock group, plus a spectacular drone lighting show. Ali and Nam Jin also take the stage across the five days!
Full Festival Details
💡 Agoda and Booking.com offer the best rates for hotels near Damyang and Gwangju — book early before the May golden holiday sells out!
Booking your stay near Damyang in advance via Agoda or Booking.com means you can stay for the night drone show and head to bed without the stress of a long drive home.📊 2026 Damyang Bamboo Festival — Quick Overview
25th Anniversary Drone Show + YB Band, Ali & Nam Jin + Juknokwon Full ₩3,000 Cashback!
The bamboo forest is gorgeous by day — but the REAL highlight is the nighttime magic until 9PM: forest cinema, drone show & illuminated Bonghwangnu Pavilion!
Gwanbangjeon waterway illuminations + Metasequoia Road night walk — the golden holiday's #1 night festival!
Dates: Friday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (5 days)
Venue: Juknokwon (죽녹원), 130 Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
Admission: FREE (Juknokwon ₩3,000 → full local voucher cashback)
Featured Artists: YB Band (Yoon Do-hyun Band), Ali, Nam Jin
Arrive early for the drone show — prime spots go fast!
Damyang Bamboo Festival Key Info
Friday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Opening night: YB Band concert + drone lighting show on May 1!
Juknokwon open until 9PM — bamboo forest night cinema & Bonghwangnu illuminations
₩3,000 Juknokwon entry fee → fully refunded as local voucher!
1. Top 3 Must-See Programs at Damyang Bamboo Festival 2026
Opening Night: YB Band Concert + Drone Lighting Show
May 1's opening ceremony kicks off with a live performance by YB Band (Yoon Do-hyun Band — 윤도현밴드), one of Korea's most beloved rock acts, followed immediately by a breathtaking drone lighting show in the sky above the bamboo forest.
As a 25th anniversary special, this opening night is expected to be the most spectacular performance in the festival's history. The sight of drones weaving patterns of light above Juknokwon's deep green bamboo is a perfect photo and video moment — set your camera to burst mode!
Night Bamboo Forest Cinema & Bonghwangnu Pavilion Illuminations
A brand-new 25th anniversary special — an outdoor night cinema screening inside the bamboo forest of Juknokwon. Imagine watching a film surrounded by towering bamboo under the stars! 🎬🎋
Juknokwon stays open until 9PM throughout the festival, and the Bonghwangnu Pavilion (봉황루) is dramatically lit up each evening, while the Gwanbangjeon waterway (관방천) glitters with water illuminations — making the entire festival ground a nighttime wonderland.
Ali & Nam Jin Concerts + Bamboo Experience Programs
Beyond the opening night, soulful vocalist Ali and legendary singer Nam Jin (남진) also perform across the five days — a truly diverse musical lineup for all ages.
Daytime activities include bamboo craft workshops, drone experience zones, traditional bamboo art making, and more — ensuring that the whole family can enjoy something special from morning to night.
Full Concert Schedule
💡 Trip.com and Klook offer great deals on accommodation and activities near Damyang and Gwangju — book before the golden holiday sells out!
Booking nearby accommodation via Trip.com or Klook means you can relax after the night drone show rather than rushing for the last bus home.2. Festival Venues: 3 Key Locations in Damyang
Juknokwon (죽녹원) — Main Festival Venue (Open Until 9PM!)
Juknokwon — meaning "Bamboo Green Garden" — at 130 Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-eup, is the festival's heart and soul.
During the festival, it stays open until 9PM, hosting the bamboo forest night cinema, Bonghwangnu illuminations, and the night drone show. The ₩3,000 adult admission fee is fully refunded as a local voucher (쿠폰), making entry essentially free.
Gwanbangjeon Waterway Illumination Zone (관방천 수상 조명)
Running alongside Juknokwon, the Gwanbangjeon stream is transformed each night with beautiful water illuminations that amplify the festival atmosphere.
A nighttime stroll along the water with the Metasequoia Road (메타세쿼이아길) — Damyang's iconic tree-lined avenue — creates an unforgettable ambiance that's certain to trend on social media.
Metaland — Metasequoia Road & Experience Booths
Near Juknokwon, Metaland hosts a variety of experience booths and food stalls throughout the festival.
The Metaland entrance fee also benefits from the local voucher cashback during the festival period, making it effectively free to enjoy as well.
3. How to Visit Damyang Bamboo Festival: 4-Step Guide
Step 1: Check the Official Schedule
Check the official Damyang-gun website or the Damyang Bamboo Festival's official social media for the concert schedule and night program timetable.
Confirm the specific performance dates for YB Band, Ali, and Nam Jin in advance so you can plan which day(s) to visit.
Step 2: Plan Your Journey to Damyang
From Gwangju, Damyang is just 30–40 minutes by bus. From Seoul, the fastest option is KTX to Gwangju Songjeong Station (광주송정역), then a local bus to Damyang.
💡 Trip.com offers competitive KTX ticket prices — compare fares and book your train to Jeollanam-do easily!
Parking near Juknokwon during the golden holiday weekend will be extremely limited, so public transport is strongly recommended.
Step 3: Collect Your Juknokwon Entry Cashback Voucher
Upon entering Juknokwon, pay the ₩3,000 adult admission fee and receive an equivalent local voucher (쿠폰) on the spot.
This voucher can be used like cash at Damyang town center shops — perfect for buying local snacks like daetongbap (대통밥 — bamboo steamed rice) or tteokgalbi (떡갈비 — Korean minced beef patty) nearby.
Step 4: Claim Your Spot for the Night Drone Show
Identify the best viewing position for the night drone show in advance, and arrive at least 1 hour before the show starts to secure your spot.
Since Juknokwon is open until 9PM, the ideal plan is dinner first, then evening entry for the full night experience.
Drone Show & Night Schedule
💡 HotelsCombined and Klook let you compare the best stays near Damyang for the bamboo festival night experience — search now!
Using HotelsCombined or Klook to pre-book your Damyang or Gwangju accommodation means a smooth, worry-free return after the spectacular drone show ends.4. Where to Eat & Stay Near Damyang: Top 3 Picks
Daetongbap (대통밥) — Bamboo Steamed Rice, a Damyang Must-Eat
Daetongbap is Damyang's most iconic local dish — rice and ingredients steamed inside a bamboo tube, giving it a subtle, fragrant bamboo aroma and a uniquely healthy flavor profile.
You'll find plenty of restaurants serving this dish near Juknokwon, making it the perfect pre-festival meal before diving into the bamboo forest.
Tteokgalbi (떡갈비) — Damyang's Nationally Famous Grilled Beef Patty
Damyang tteokgalbi — a seasoned minced beef patty grilled on a stick — is famous across all of South Korea and is an absolute must-try when visiting.
The tteokgalbi street (떡갈비 거리) in Damyang town center offers a row of specialist restaurants, perfectly timed for a meal before or after your Juknokwon visit.
Bamboo View Pensions & Resorts Near Juknokwon
Several pensions and small resorts near Juknokwon offer rooms with views overlooking the bamboo forest — a truly special way to wake up in the morning.
These properties fill up fast during the May golden holiday — search on Booking.com or Agoda and reserve now.
5. Damyang Bamboo Festival vs. Boseong Tea Festival — Side by Side
Both festivals run on the same dates in Jeollanam-do — here's how they compare. The good news? You can do BOTH! 🍵🎋
| Category | Damyang Bamboo Festival | Boseong Tea Festival |
|---|---|---|
| History | Since 2002 (25th anniversary) | Since 1975 (49th edition) |
| Admission | Juknokwon ₩3,000 fully refunded | FREE |
| Night Highlights | Drone show, forest cinema, water lights | Night programs vary |
| Featured Artists | YB Band, Ali, Nam Jin | Song Ga-in & others |
| Signature Experience | Bamboo & drone workshops | Tea field party (₩10,000) |
6. Pro Tips & Things to Know Before You Go
Night Programs Are the REAL Star — Plan Around Them
The defining experience of the 25th Damyang Bamboo Festival is absolutely its nighttime programming.
With Juknokwon open until 9PM, the ideal plan is: arrive for dinner, enter Juknokwon at dusk, enjoy the forest cinema and Bonghwangnu illuminations, then stay for the drone show. You'll leave with memories — and footage — that'll wow everyone back home.
Opening Night (May 1) — Arrive 2 Hours Early for YB Band
YB Band's opening concert on May 1 will draw enormous crowds, as it's the first day of the golden holiday.
Arrive at least 2 hours before showtime to secure a good viewing position. A suggested plan: visit Juknokwon in the morning, enjoy daetongbap for lunch, then settle in for the evening concert and drone show.
Don't Forget to Use Your Juknokwon Cashback Voucher
The ₩3,000 local voucher you receive at entry can be spent at shops in Damyang town center — use it on tteokgalbi or bamboo crafts as a souvenir.
Ask at the entrance booth for a list of participating stores and check the voucher's validity period.
Book Accommodation NOW — Golden Holiday Fills Fast
Accommodation near Damyang and Gwangju disappears quickly during the May golden holiday period.
Use Booking.com or Agoda right now — waiting even a few more days could mean no options left near the festival venue.
Combine with Boseong Tea Festival for the Ultimate Jeollanam-do Trip
Damyang and Boseong are approximately 1.5 hours apart by car — a very manageable distance for a multi-day trip.
A 2–3 night itinerary combining the Damyang Bamboo Festival and the Boseong Dahyang Tea Festival is the ultimate way to experience the very best of Jeollanam-do in one golden holiday trip.
Damyang Night Course Guide
💡 Airbnb and Agoda have beautiful bamboo-view pensions near Damyang — book your golden holiday stay before they're gone!
Airbnb and Agoda offer cozy private pensions with bamboo forest views near Juknokwon — the perfect place to wind down after the night drone show.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why is the Damyang Bamboo Festival held in May?
A. May is when bamboo shoots (죽순 — juksun) emerge from the earth, making the bamboo forests of Damyang the most lush and vibrant of the year. Timed to coincide with Korea's golden holiday, the festival has been held in May since its founding in 2002. The 25th anniversary edition in 2026 features significantly expanded nighttime programming.
Q2. How does the Juknokwon entry cashback work?
A. During the festival, when you pay the ₩3,000 adult entry fee at Juknokwon, you immediately receive a ₩3,000 Damyang local voucher (쿠폰) in return — effectively making entry free. The voucher is accepted like cash at participating shops in Damyang town center and at Metaland, so it's great for local food and souvenirs.
Q3. How do I watch the night drone show?
A. The night drone lighting show takes place in the outdoor space within Juknokwon. Since Juknokwon is open until 9PM during the festival, plan to arrive in the evening and find a good viewing spot at least 1 hour before the show. Check the official Damyang festival social media for the exact drone show timetable.
Q4. When does the Damyang Bamboo Festival open?
A. The 2026 Damyang Bamboo Festival opens on Friday, May 1 and runs through Tuesday, May 5 — 5 days total. The opening ceremony on May 1 features YB Band's live concert and the drone lighting show. The venue is Juknokwon (죽녹원), 130 Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do.
More to Explore
Book Damyang and Gwangju accommodation early via Trip.com or Agoda — combine with a visit to the Boseong Tea Festival and you've got the perfect Jeollanam-do golden holiday trip!
Looking for a full overview of Korea's spring festivals and travel events? Start here.
Also happening at the same time in Jeollanam-do — the Boseong Green Tea Festival with Song Ga-in live and a 120-person tea party!
And check out the Mungyeong Chatsabal Ceramic Festival pass — pottery wheel, matcha ceremony & craft auction all in one!
✍️ About the Author
Subeulo | Specialty: Korean events, travel, festivals, parks, reservations & itineraries | Experience: 5 years
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