🍅 Jump Into Korea's Wildest Tomato Pool Festival — KBS National Song Contest & Park Seo-jin LIVE!
Imagine diving into a pool full of fresh tomatoes — then watching a KBS national TV taping with K-pop star Park Seo-jin as the guest? 🍅 The 15th Dunnae Highland Tomato Festival runs August 14–16 in Hoengseong, Gangwon — tomato pool entry is just 15,000 KRW (about $11 USD) and only 250 spots per session. Here's the full guide: how to book the tomato pool, the KBS show schedule, and how to get there in 30 minutes from Seoul by KTX. ✨
※ Check the official Dunnae Highland Tomato Festival website and Hoengseong County channels for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The 15th Dunnae Highland Tomato Festival (제15회 둔내고랭지토마토축제) is one of Korea's most uniquely fun summer festivals, running from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16, 2026 in Dunnae, Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province. The festival is built around the legendary tomato pool (토마토 풀장) — a pool filled with real fresh tomatoes that visitors literally dive into, Tomatina-style. Entry to the tomato pool costs 15,000 KRW per person (approx. $11 USD), with advance reservations available on the Naver Reservation platform. This year's edition expands capacity from 4 sessions to 6 sessions per day, with up to 250 participants per session (150 advance + 100 walk-in). The 2026 edition also hosts a special broadcast taping: the KBS National Song Contest (KBS 전국노래자랑) — Hoengseong County Edition. The preliminary round takes place on Thursday, August 13 at 1:00 PM at Hoengseong Arts Center, with the main broadcast taping on Saturday, August 15 at 2:00 PM at Dunnae Sports Complex. Guest performers include Park Seo-jin (박서진), Jo Myeong-seob (조명섭), Miss Kim (미스김), Seong-ri (성리), and Kang Yu-jin (강유진). Advance registration: up to 300 teams. For enquiries, contact 033-340-2775.
For more family-friendly nature spots in Korea, try our guide to Namyangju Firefly Forest Korea 2026.
📊 Dunnae Tomato Festival 2026 — At a Glance
Tomato Pool 15,000 KRW + KBS Song Contest Guest Park Seo-jin!
Korea's greatest highland tomato festival turns 15 this year. Jump in the tomato pool, watch a KBS national TV taping, and taste the freshest high-altitude tomatoes in Korea — all in one weekend trip from Seoul.
Dates: Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 16, 2026 (3 days)
Venue: 4708 Gyeonggang-ro, Dunnae-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Province
Tomato Pool: 15,000 KRW per person (approx. $11 USD) — Naver Reservation, max 4 tickets per booking
KBS Taping: Prelims Aug 13 (1 PM) at Hoengseong Arts Center / Main taping Aug 15 (2 PM) at Dunnae Sports Complex
Only 150 advance spots per session — book on Naver Reservation NOW before they sell out!
Dunnae Tomato Festival — Key Details
2026.08.14 (Fri) – 08.16 (Sun)
15th edition. Tomato pool 15,000 KRW (Naver Reservation, max 4 per booking). 6 sessions/day, 250 per session (150 advance + 100 walk-in). KBS Song Contest prelims Aug 13, main taping Aug 15 at 2 PM. Guests: Park Seo-jin, Jo Myeong-seob, etc. Contact: 033-340-2775.
Advance spots sell out fast — reserve on Naver before July ends!
1. About the 15th Dunnae Highland Tomato Festival
Why Dunnae? The Highland Tomato Story
Dunnae, located at an altitude of 600–700 meters (2,000–2,300 feet) in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, is one of Korea's premier goryeongji (고랭지 — highland) tomato growing regions. The cool temperatures, temperature swings between day and night, and rich mountain soil produce tomatoes that are noticeably sweeter, firmer, and more aromatic than those grown in lowland areas. The festival, launched in 2012, transforms this agricultural pride into a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors can actually swim in the tomatoes they're celebrating. The tomato pool has become so popular that it inspired similar events at other Korean tomato festivals. The 2026 15th edition expands with 2 additional sessions and 100 extra walk-in spots per session compared to previous years.
KBS National Song Contest — What Is It?
The KBS National Song Contest (KBS 전국노래자랑) is one of Korea's longest-running and most beloved TV programs — essentially a nationwide amateur singing competition that tours different counties and cities. It has been broadcast on KBS television since 1980 and is watched by millions of Koreans every weekend. Being in the audience during a live taping (as opposed to watching it on TV) is a cherished experience for many Koreans. The Hoengseong/Dunnae edition on August 15 will feature up to 300 competing teams, with 15–16 finalists performing in the main taping. The invited guest artists — including Park Seo-jin (박서진), a rising star in the Korean trot (트로트 — a classic Korean pop genre) scene — add a concert atmosphere to the taping.
2. How to Get There from Seoul (Day Trip in 30 Minutes by KTX!)
The Fastest Route
Dunnae is one of the most accessible festival destinations from Seoul. KTX from Seoul Station to Manyong Station (만종역), which serves Hoengseong County, takes approximately 30–35 minutes — one of Korea's fastest provincial escapes. Ticket price: approximately 15,000–20,000 KRW one way (approx. $11–15 USD). From Manyong Station, take a taxi or shuttle bus to the Dunnae festival grounds — approximately 20–30 minutes. By car, take the Yeongdong Expressway to Dunnae IC — the festival is just 5 minutes from the exit. The festival organizes temporary parking, but Saturday (August 15 — Liberation Day holiday) will be extremely busy, so public transit is recommended.
3. Tomato Pool Booking & KBS Show Guide (4 Steps)
Step 1 — Book the Tomato Pool on Naver Reservation
Search for "둔내고랭지토마토축제 (Dunnae Tomato Festival)" on Naver (Korea's primary search engine) to find the official reservation page. The booking fee is 15,000 KRW per person (approx. $11 USD). You can book up to 4 tickets per reservation — ideal for families. The 150 advance spots per session fill up quickly; complete your booking before the end of July to avoid missing out. Choose your preferred session time (multiple sessions run throughout each day).
Step 2 — Register for the KBS Song Contest (Optional)
If you'd like to participate as a contestant in the KBS National Song Contest, register through the official Hoengseong County website or KBS National Song Contest channels. Up to 300 teams are accepted; prelims take place on August 13. Even if you don't compete, attending as an audience member for the main taping on August 15 at Dunnae Sports Complex is completely free — just arrive by 1:00 PM to secure a seat.
Step 3 — Festival Day Guide
Wear dark-colored swimwear or clothes you don't mind staining — tomato juice will cover everything. Bring an extra set of clothes, a large towel, and a waterproof bag for your valuables. Beyond the tomato pool, the festival features tomato punch (화채) making workshops, tomato tossing games, food stalls, and local agricultural product markets where you can buy fresh highland tomatoes at farm prices (approximately 20–30% cheaper than supermarkets).
Step 4 — Buy Highland Tomatoes to Bring Home
The on-site market sells Dunnae highland tomatoes directly from local farms — approximately 10,000–15,000 KRW for a 5 kg box (approx. $7–11 USD). This is significantly cheaper than supermarket prices in Seoul. Pack a cooler bag with ice packs to keep them fresh on the way home. These make excellent gifts — Dunnae tomatoes are considered a premium product in Korea.
4. Dunnae Tomato Festival vs. Hwacheon Tomato Festival
| Category | Dunnae Highland Tomato Festival | Hwacheon Tomato Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Aug 14–16, 2026 | Late July – early Aug 2026 |
| Location | Hoengseong, Gangwon | Hwacheon, Gangwon |
| Pool Entry | 15,000 KRW ($11 USD) | Similar pricing |
| Special Event | KBS National Song Contest | 10-day larger scale |
| From Seoul (KTX) | 30–35 min to Manyong Station | Chuncheon Station (approx. 1h) |
5. Tips for International Visitors
Tip 1 — What is "Trot" Music?
The KBS National Song Contest features Korea's traditional popular music genre called trot (트로트) — a style influenced by Japanese enka, featuring emotional vocals, accordion-like rhythms, and heartfelt lyrics. Guest artist Park Seo-jin is one of Korea's most popular young trot singers. Even if you don't speak Korean, the emotional energy and crowd participation at a KBS taping is infectious and universally enjoyable.
Tip 2 — Highland Tomatoes vs Regular Tomatoes
Dunnae's goryeongji tomatoes are grown at altitude, giving them a noticeably higher sweetness level and firmer texture compared to hothouse tomatoes. If you get the chance to try the fresh tomatoes sold at the festival — especially with a sprinkle of sugar, a traditional Korean way to enjoy them — it's a revelation. Even if tomatoes aren't your favorite, the experience might change your mind.
Tip 3 — August 15 is the Big Day but Also the Busiest
Saturday, August 15 is Korea's national Liberation Day (광복절) holiday, coinciding with the KBS Song Contest main taping. Expect the largest crowds of all three days. Arriving before 10:00 AM is strongly recommended. The tomato pool sessions for Saturday will likely be fully pre-booked — reserve online in July to guarantee entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is the festival held in Dunnae, Hoengseong?
A. Dunnae is a highland farming area at 600–700m altitude in Gangwon Province, producing Korea's finest goryeongji (highland) tomatoes. The cool mountain climate and rich soil yield tomatoes that are sweeter and firmer than lowland varieties. The festival, running since 2012, celebrates this agricultural heritage and turns it into a family-friendly summer experience.
Q2. How do I book the tomato pool?
A. Search for "둔내고랭지토마토축제" on Naver (Korea's main search/service platform) to find the official reservation page. The fee is 15,000 KRW ($11 USD) per person, with up to 4 tickets per booking. Advance spots (150 per session) sell out fast — book in July to secure your preferred session time.
Q3. How do I get there from Seoul?
A. Take KTX from Seoul Station to Manyong Station (Hoengseong) — approximately 30–35 minutes, around 15,000–20,000 KRW ($11–15 USD). From Manyong Station, take a taxi or shuttle to the festival grounds (approx. 20–30 minutes). By car, use Yeongdong Expressway to Dunnae IC — 5 minutes to the festival site.
Q4. When is the KBS Song Contest taping?
A. Prelims: Thursday, August 13 at 1:00 PM at Hoengseong Arts Center. Main broadcast taping: Saturday, August 15 at 2:00 PM at Dunnae Sports Complex. Audience attendance is free — arrive by 1:00 PM to get a seat. Guest artists include Park Seo-jin, Jo Myeong-seob, Miss Kim, Seong-ri, and Kang Yu-jin.
More to Explore
💡 Trip.com offers easy English-language KTX ticket booking — great for getting to Manyong Station (Hoengseong) from Seoul. For overnight stays near Dunnae, check Agoda or Airbnb for pensions and guesthouses in Hoengseong and nearby Wonju.
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