🌹 Samcheok Rose Festival 2026 – FREE Entry, Paul Kim Live + Korea Air Force Airshow!
🌹 One million roses in full bloom, a live concert by Korean heartthrob Paul Kim, AND a jaw-dropping Black Eagles airshow — all completely FREE! This is hands-down the best spring festival in Gangwon-do, Korea. Don't sleep on it! 🛩️🎤✨※ Always verify the latest details on the official website before visiting.
The Samcheok Rose Festival (삼척 장미축제) is one of Gangwon-do's most beloved spring events, held annually at Samcheok Rose Park (장미공원). In 2026, it runs for 7 days from May 19 to May 25.
Based on firsthand visitor reports and official event announcements: this year's lineup is absolutely legendary. Opening day (May 19) features a live performance by popular Korean singer Paul Kim (폴킴), and on Saturday, May 23, the Republic of Korea Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Black Eagles (블랙이글스), will paint the sky over Samcheok. Singer Rumble Fish and other special guests are also scheduled throughout the festival. Best of all? Completely FREE admission for everyone.
Full Festival Info
💡 Agoda / Booking.com — Book your Samcheok or Donghae accommodation early! Festival weekend hotels sell out weeks in advance.
Accommodation near Samcheok fills up fast during the festival, especially around the Paul Kim concert (May 19) and the Black Eagles Airshow (May 23). Search Agoda or Booking.com for hotels in Samcheok, Donghae, or Gangneung — and book as soon as possible to lock in the best rates.📊 Samcheok Rose Festival 2026 – Quick Overview
Gangwon-do's biggest May event — roses, concerts, and an airshow, all FREE!
Samcheok Rose Festival features over one million blooming roses alongside a star-studded concert lineup and a breathtaking airshow — the most comprehensive free spring festival in Korea.
Dates: Tuesday, May 19 – Monday, May 25, 2026
Location: Samcheok Rose Park, Samcheok City, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Admission: FREE
Highlights: May 19 – Paul Kim Opening Concert / May 23 – Black Eagles Airshow / Rumble Fish & more
Festival weekend accommodation books up fast — check Agoda or Booking.com now!
Key Info at a Glance
Tuesday, May 19 – Monday, May 25, 2026
Location: Samcheok Rose Park, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Admission: FREE (entire festival period)
May 19 – Paul Kim Opening Concert (7:00 PM)
May 23 – Black Eagles Airshow (daytime)
Heavy parking congestion expected — public transit recommended!
1. About the Samcheok Rose Festival 2026
Festival Scale & Theme
The Samcheok Rose Festival is one of Gangwon-do's most iconic spring celebrations, drawing visitors from across South Korea every May. The festival grounds at Samcheok Rose Park burst with over one million roses in full bloom during the peak of the season, creating a breathtaking floral landscape. The 2026 theme is "Birth of the Rose Kingdom (장미나라의 탄생)," designed as a story-driven immersive experience that takes you into a fairy-tale world of roses — far beyond just flower gazing. With completely free admission, it's a perfect outing for couples, families, friends, and solo travelers.
Epic Performer Lineup
This year's concert lineup is the biggest talking point of the festival. On opening day, May 19, beloved Korean singer Paul Kim (폴킴) — known for emotional ballads like "Hello (안녕)" and "Every Season (모든 날 모든 순간)" — performs a live set. On Saturday, May 23, the Republic of Korea Air Force's elite aerobatic display team, the Black Eagles (블랙이글스), will put on a spectacular aerial display overhead. Rumble Fish (럼블피쉬) and other invited artists round out the schedule. Every single performance is completely free.
Full Program Schedule
💡 Agoda / Booking.com — Book Samcheok or Donghae hotels now to enjoy Paul Kim's concert day with zero stress!
Accommodation in Samcheok and Donghae during the festival — especially around May 19 (Paul Kim) and May 23 (Black Eagles) — gets booked up weeks in advance. Search Agoda or Booking.com for hotels, pensions, and guesthouses in the area. Staying in Gangneung and driving to Samcheok is another popular option with great transport links.2. Schedule & Key Programs
May 19 (Tuesday) – Paul Kim Opening Concert
The festival kicks off at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19 with an opening ceremony and live concert by Paul Kim (폴킴). Listening to his soulful ballads surrounded by a million roses in an open-air venue is a truly magical experience. Opening day will be the busiest, so arriving in the early afternoon to secure a good spot is strongly recommended.
May 23 (Saturday) – Black Eagles Airshow
On Saturday, May 23, the Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles (블랙이글스) — Korea's premier aerobatic display team — will perform a breathtaking aerial display above the festival grounds. Expect tight formation flying, high-speed maneuvers, and smoke trails lighting up the sky. Visitors travel from all over Korea for this alone, so arrive early in the morning to stake out the best viewing spot on the open plaza.
3. Getting There – Step by Step
Step 1: Travel to Samcheok by Train or Bus
From Seoul, the most common route is taking the KTX or Mugunghwa train from Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역) to Donghae Station (동해역), which takes about 2.5 hours. From Donghae Station, take a local bus or taxi to Samcheok Rose Park (about 20–30 min). Express buses from Seoul's Dong-Seoul Terminal to Samcheok are also available and may be convenient depending on your starting point. 💡 Tip: Book KTX tickets in advance on Trip.com for easy English-language booking and fare comparisons.
Step 2: Use Festival Shuttle Buses
During festival weekends, free or low-cost shuttle buses are expected to run from Samcheok Station and the Samcheok Bus Terminal to the Rose Park. Check the Samcheok City official website or the festival's social media for confirmed shuttle timetables. On the Black Eagles Airshow day (May 23), using the shuttle is essentially mandatory given the volume of visitors.
Step 3: Driving & Parking Tips
If driving, use the temporary parking lots near the festival grounds — additional overflow parking at nearby schools and open lots is typically set up. On weekends (especially May 23), even arriving before 9:00 AM may result in a wait. Consider parking in central Donghae or Samcheok city and riding the shuttle from there.
Step 4: Plan Your Festival Day
The festival grounds include rose garden walking courses, hands-on activity booths, a main performance stage, and a food street. If you're coming for a concert, arrive 1–2 hours early to explore the roses and grab a spot near the stage. The evening rose gardens at night have a completely different, romantic atmosphere — a favorite for couples.
Transport & Access Tips
💡 Agoda / Booking.com — Book Samcheok or Donghae accommodation early for a relaxed overnight trip to this amazing festival!
For a 1-night-2-day trip, book a beachside pension in Samcheok or a city hotel in Donghae via Agoda or Booking.com. May is pre-summer season so prices are relatively lower than peak summer — but festival weekends still sell out fast. Coastal pensions near Samcheok Beach start around $40–70 USD per night.4. Nearby Dining & Accommodation
Samcheok Seafood at Obulli Port
Samcheok sits on the East Sea coast of Gangwon-do, and local seafood is exceptional. Head to Obulli Port (오분리 포구) area after the festival for fresh raw fish, king crab, snow crab, and the local specialty "Mul-gom-tang" (물곰탕, spicy monkfish stew) — all from ₩10,000–30,000 per person. Arrive before 12:00 PM on weekdays to avoid queues.
Beachside Pensions in Samcheok (via Agoda / Booking.com)
Pensions near Maengbang Beach and Samcheok Beach offer stunning ocean views at reasonable May rates. Search Agoda or Booking.com for options starting around $40–80 USD/night. Festival period accommodations fill up 2–4 weeks in advance, so book early! May is the sweet spot — warm weather, no summer crowds, and beautiful coastal scenery.
Donghae Chuam Candlestick Rock Sunrise
Just 20 minutes from Samcheok, Donghae's Chuam Candlestick Rock (추암 촛대바위) is one of Korea's most famous sunrise spots. Waking up early the morning after the festival to catch the sunrise here makes for a perfect 1-night-2-day Gangwon itinerary. Combine it with Mangsang Beach and Mukho Fishing Village for a full East Coast Korea experience.
5. Samcheok Rose Festival vs. Other Korea Spring Festivals
Here's why the Samcheok Rose Festival stands out from the crowd this May.
| Category | Samcheok Rose Festival | Other Spring Festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | FREE | Paid (₩5,000–15,000) |
| Concert Level | Paul Kim + Airshow (legendary) | Local bands / regional artists |
| Flower Scale | 1,000,000+ roses | Tens of thousands |
| Duration | 7 days (May 19–25) | Average 3–5 days |
| From Seoul | ~3 hours (Gangwon Province) | 1–2 hours (metro area) |
6. Pro Tips for the Samcheok Rose Festival – 5 Things to Know
Best Spot for Paul Kim's Concert
The prime viewing area for Paul Kim's May 19 concert is within 20–30 meters of the center stage. Crowds start forming from around 5:00 PM, so plan to arrive by 4:00 PM and lay down a picnic blanket to claim your spot. Listening to his hit song "Hello (안녕)" surrounded by roses under the open sky is an unforgettable memory.
Black Eagles Airshow Viewing Strategy
The Black Eagles airshow on Saturday, May 23 takes place during daylight hours. Position yourself in the center of the main open plaza for a 360-degree view of the aerial maneuvers. Arrive in the morning — the plaza fills quickly. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a foldable chair or picnic mat for long-term comfort.
Best Time for Rose Photos: Early Morning
For that perfect Instagram shot, visit between 9:00–10:00 AM before the crowds arrive. By 2:00 PM the rose photo spots have long queues. The strategy: photograph the roses in the morning, then secure your concert spot in the afternoon — the perfect festival day formula.
Bring Cash for Food Stalls
Some smaller food vendor stalls may not accept card payments, so bring ₩50,000–100,000 in cash. Festival specialty treats include rose ice cream and rose drinks (₩2,000–5,000) — light on the wallet and delicious!
Pack a Rain Poncho
Late May weather in Gangwon-do's mountainous terrain can include sudden showers. Always keep a lightweight rain poncho in your bag — you can buy one at a convenience store for ₩2,000–3,000, but convenience stores at the festival may run out. Better to pack one from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is the Samcheok Rose Festival free?
A. The festival is hosted by Samcheok City and the Samcheok Tourism & Culture Foundation as a public event to promote local tourism. Free admission applies throughout the entire festival period. Some special activity programs inside the grounds may require a small separate fee — check on the day.
Q2. How do I watch the Black Eagles Airshow?
A. The Black Eagles (블랙이글스) — Korea's elite Air Force aerobatic display team — perform over the Samcheok Rose Park festival grounds on Saturday, May 23 during daytime hours. No reserved seating or tickets are needed; watch it for free anywhere on the festival grounds. Arrive early in the morning to secure the best spot, as massive crowds are expected.
Q3. How do I get from Seoul to the Samcheok Rose Festival?
A. Take the KTX or Mugunghwa train from Seoul Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역) to Donghae Station (동해역) — approximately 2.5 hours. Then take a bus or taxi to Samcheok Rose Park (about 20–30 min). By car, take the Yeongdong Expressway then the Donghae Expressway to the Samcheok IC — roughly 3 to 3.5 hours from Seoul.
Q4. When are the roses at their most beautiful?
A. The entire festival period (May 19–25) coincides with peak rose bloom. The most spectacular display is typically around May 21–23 in the middle of the festival. After a rainfall, the colors appear especially vivid — best experienced on a clear morning.
More to Explore
Heading to Gangwon-do or Busan in May–June? Check out these other fantastic Korea events and plan your complete trip with Klook or Trip.com!
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Korea Travel Blog | Specialty: Events, Travel, Festivals, Parks & Reservations | Experience: 5 Years
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