🫐 Hwacheon Blueberry Festival Korea 2026 – Pick, Play and Save 20% at Chaehyangwon Farm
A FREE-entry blueberry festival in Korea's pristine Gangwon mountains this July? 🫐
Chaehyangwon Farm's 20th anniversary celebration on July 11 packs 10+ programs into one day — live cooking show, popera concert, zip-line, and every product at 20% off.
Here's your full guide: how to reserve, how to get there, and insider tips foreign visitors need. ✨
※ Please check the official site for the most up-to-date information before visiting.
The 2026 Chaehyangwon Blueberry Festival is a one-day rural experience event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Chaehyangwon Co., Ltd. (채향원 — a Korean agricultural company specializing in blueberry farming and products), held at their farm in Gansdong-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province. Compiled from official sources and verified information, here is everything you need to plan your visit. On Saturday, July 11, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the festival offers 10-plus programs: fresh blueberry harvesting, bakery workshop (muffins and bread), popera concert, live cooking show by a famous food YouTuber, zip-line ride, hydrangea pot-making, youth career lecture, rice cake party, and prize draws. All products at the on-site shop — blueberry jam, juice, and gift sets — are sold at 20% off for the day. For inquiries, call 033-441-1302.
Looking for more family-friendly nature spots in Korea this summer? Check out the Namyangju Firefly Forest Korea 2026 guide for another magical outdoor experience.
1. Chaehyangwon Blueberry Festival – 3 Key Facts
Background and Highlights
The 2026 Chaehyangwon Blueberry Festival marks the farm's 20th anniversary. Chaehyangwon (채향원) is an agricultural company nestled in Gandong-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province — a region known for exceptionally clean air and water that produces premium Korean blueberries. Unlike a typical farm-visit, this event is a full-day rural cultural festival. Official materials confirm more than 10 distinct programs running simultaneously: blueberry harvesting, a bakery workshop, a popera (pop opera) concert, a live cooking show with a famous food YouTuber, a zip-line experience, a hydrangea pot-making workshop, a youth career lecture, a rice cake (baeksulgi) party, and a prize draw. To celebrate 20 years, every blueberry product in the on-site shop — jam, juice, and gift sets — is discounted 20% on the festival day. Phone inquiries: 033-441-1302.
Program Lineup
The star attraction is the fresh blueberry picking session — visitors walk through the green farm rows and harvest ripe berries themselves, a hands-on experience that children especially love. The bakery workshop (blueberry muffins and bread) costs approximately 15,000 KRW (about $11 USD) per person and requires a minimum of 5 participants, making it perfect for families or groups. Beyond that, a YouTube cooking star hosts a live blueberry recipe show, and a popera concert (a genre blending pop and opera, very popular in Korea) fills the outdoor stage with soaring vocals. The zip-line ride, hydrangea pot-making, and prize draw round out a program that genuinely caters to all ages. English signage may be limited at this rural farm event, but the hands-on activities are universally understood without language.
📊 Chaehyangwon Blueberry Festival 2026 – At a Glance
20th Anniversary! One day only — blueberry harvest to popera concert
A rare rural festival in Korea's Gangwon mountains where FREE entry gets you access to 10-plus hands-on programs. Pre-registration is essential for popular workshops as materials are prepared in advance.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Chaehyangwon Farm, Gandong-myeon Nwige Village, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province
Entry: FREE (some workshop activities have a small fee)
Discount: All blueberry products 20% off on the day
Reserve your preferred program early — popular slots sell out fast!
Festival Quick Info
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Hwacheon Chaehyangwon Farm: blueberry harvest, bakery workshop, popera concert, zip-line, live cooking show and 10-plus programs. All products 20% off. Pre-registration recommended — some programs may close early!
Book now before your preferred slot is gone.
🫐
2. How to Get to Chaehyangwon Farm
By Car
Chaehyangwon Farm is located in Gandong-myeon (간동면), Hwacheon-gun (화천군), Gangwon Province (강원도). From Seoul, the drive takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours via the Jungang Expressway toward Chuncheon, then local roads to Hwacheon. Enter "채향원" or "Hwacheon Nwige Village" (화천 뛰게마을) into any Korean navigation app (Naver Map or Kakao Map work well in English mode). Arriving by 9:00 AM opening time is strongly recommended on this one-day event — parking fills quickly on weekends.
By Public Transport
From Seoul's Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울터미널), take an intercity bus toward Hwacheon (화천). The journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours (approximately 15,000–18,000 KRW / $11–$13 USD). From Hwacheon Intercity Bus Terminal, take a taxi to Gandong-myeon — roughly 15 to 20 minutes, around 10,000–12,000 KRW ($7–$9 USD). A shuttle bus may run on the festival day; confirm with Chaehyangwon directly at 033-441-1302 before departure. From Incheon International Airport, take the AREX train to Seoul Station (51 min, 9,500 KRW), then transfer to the Dong-Seoul bus.
3. How to Reserve in 4 Steps
Step 1 – Visit the Official Site or Instagram
Reservations for experience programs are made through Chaehyangwon's official website (chaehyangwon.com) via the "Experience Reservation" menu, or through their official Instagram account (@chaehyangwon). The reservation page asks for your preferred program, number of participants, and contact details. Mobile booking is fully supported. Foreign visitors without a Korean phone number can note their contact details in the comments section or call 033-441-1302 for assistance.
Step 2 – Choose Your Programs
Select from blueberry harvesting, bakery workshop (muffins and bread, 5-person minimum, approx. 15,000–20,000 KRW / $11–$15 USD per person), hydrangea pot-making, and zip-line. Popular slots fill quickly — check remaining capacity before confirming. Payment methods at the venue typically include cash (KRW) and Korean credit cards; carrying some cash is recommended as rural festival vendors may not accept foreign cards.
Step 3 – Confirm Your Booking
A confirmation will be sent via text or email after booking. For changes or cancellations, contact the farm at least 3 days before the event. Group bookings (10 or more) require advance coordination — call 033-441-1302 directly.
Step 4 – What to Bring on the Day
Wear comfortable sneakers and long trousers (the farm terrain involves grass and soil). Bring sunscreen, a hat, a water bottle, and insect repellent. July in Gangwon is warm and humid (average 27–30°C / 81–86°F). Budget extra KRW for the 20%-off product sale — blueberry jam, juice, and gift sets make excellent souvenirs. The farm phone is 033-441-1302 for any on-the-day questions.
4. Where to Stay Near Hwacheon
Hwacheon Local Food – Freshwater Fish Dishes
Hwacheon is famous for its crystal-clear streams and freshwater fish cuisine. Local restaurants in Hwacheon town center (about 15 minutes from the farm) serve catfish stew (메기탕, megi-tang) and spicy snakehead fish soup (쏘가리 매운탕, ssogari maeun-tang) — specialties you won't easily find in Seoul. A meal for two costs roughly 20,000–30,000 KRW ($15–$22 USD). It is a genuine taste of Gangwon Province that adventurous food travelers should not skip.
Paro Lake View Cafes
Near the farm, several cafes overlook Paro Lake (파로호 — a large reservoir in Hwacheon famous for scenic views). After the festival, relax with a coffee and watch the calm water surrounded by forested hills. Some cafes serve blueberry-based drinks and desserts, which pair perfectly with the day's theme.
Glamping and Pensions – Summer Family Stay
If you plan to stay overnight, Hwacheon has numerous glamping sites and private pension-style guesthouses (펜션, penshion — Korean-style holiday cottages) set against the natural backdrop of Gangwon Province. Booking.com and Agoda both list Hwacheon-area accommodations.
💡 Agoda and Booking.com list guesthouses and pensions near Hwacheon — book early as July is peak summer season in Gangwon! Search Hwacheon stays on Agoda
Hwacheon is doable as a day trip from Seoul, but combining the Blueberry Festival with nearby sights — Paro Lake, Hwacheon Otter Ecology Park (수달생태공원), or Hwacheon Historic Sites — makes an overnight stay well worthwhile. July weekends book out fast; secure accommodation as soon as your festival reservation is confirmed.
5. Chaehyangwon Festival vs. Typical Farm Experience
Curious how this festival compares to an ordinary blueberry farm visit? Here is a side-by-side look based on official information.
| Category | Chaehyangwon Festival 2026 | Typical Farm Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | 10-plus combined programs | 1 to 2 simple activities |
| Entry fee | FREE | Paid (5,000 KRW and up) |
| Product discount | All items 20% off | No discount |
| Live performances | Popera concert, live cooking show, prize draw | None |
| Reservation | Pre-booking recommended | Walk-in accepted |
6. Top 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors
Tip 1 – Arrive at 9:00 AM Opening
The festival runs 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The first hour is the best time to pick the freshest blueberries and secure spots in popular workshops before they fill. Afternoon crowds tend to be dense on summer weekends in Gangwon.
Tip 2 – Budget for the 20% Sale
The 20% product discount applies on the festival day only. Korean blueberry products — especially jam with 90% blueberry content and concentrated juice — are popular gifts. Bring extra KRW cash as rural vendors may not accept foreign credit cards. Blueberry gift sets typically range 15,000–40,000 KRW ($11–$30 USD) before the discount.
Tip 3 – Teens Will Enjoy the Career Lecture
One of the festival's unique programs is a youth career lecture (청소년 미래진로 강연회, cheongsonyeon mirae jinro gangyeonhoe) focused on agriculture and food industries. If you are traveling with teenage children, check the lecture schedule in advance — it is a rare educational bonus during a fun festival day.
Tip 4 – Pre-book the Hydrangea Pot Workshop
The hydrangea (수국, suguk) pot-making workshop is limited by material supply and offered on a first-registered basis. Families find this particularly memorable since the finished pot goes home with you as a festival souvenir. Reserve this alongside your other programs when booking.
Tip 5 – Follow @chaehyangwon for Real-Time Updates
Prize draw participation details and any last-minute program changes are announced via Chaehyangwon's official Instagram (@chaehyangwon). Follow the account before the festival to receive shuttle bus updates and live event notifications on the day. Most posts include photos that are easy to understand even without Korean language skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is pre-registration required for some programs?
Programs like the bakery workshop and hydrangea pot-making require materials prepared in advance. Without a reservation, participation on-site may not be possible as slots are capacity-limited. Register through the Chaehyangwon official website or Instagram (@chaehyangwon) ahead of time.
Q2. How does the 20% product discount work?
On July 11 (festival day only), all blueberry products at the on-site shop — jam, juice, gift sets — are automatically sold at 20% below the regular price. The discount is applied at the point of sale; no coupon is needed. Shipping to a Korean address is reportedly available, so you can send gifts without carrying them home.
Q3. How do I get there by public transport from Seoul?
Take an intercity bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Hwacheon (about 2–2.5 hours, 15,000–18,000 KRW). From Hwacheon terminal, take a taxi to Gandong-myeon (15–20 min, approx. 10,000–12,000 KRW). Confirm shuttle bus availability by calling 033-441-1302 before you travel.
Q4. Is this a one-day-only event?
Yes. The 2026 Chaehyangwon Blueberry Festival takes place exclusively on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no second day. Complete all reservations and travel planning well in advance.
More to Explore
Planning more nature-filled days in Korea this summer? The Namyangju Firefly Forest offers free-reservation night events for families — a magical outdoor experience that pairs well with a Gangwon road trip.
For budget travel deals across Korea this summer, the Wando Half-Price Travel program offers significant refunds on island getaways in South Jeolla Province.
Heading to Hwacheon by bus? Check the express bus schedule and booking tips here.
Soo Blog
Korea travel, events and festival guides — compiled from official sources and verified information to help foreign visitors plan their trip to Korea.
koreaeventmap.jhs29.com
Korea travel, events and festival guides — compiled from official sources and verified information to help foreign visitors plan their trip to Korea.
koreaeventmap.jhs29.com
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