🍇 Grape Stomping + K-Trot Stars in ONE Place: The 2026 Yeongdong Grape Festival Is Back!
Korea's grape-stomping paradise is open again this August! 🍇 The 21st Yeongdong Grape Festival runs August 27–30 at the Rainbow Healing Tourism Site in Chungcheongbuk-do — with top K-trot stars, FREE entry, and Korea's freshest grapes straight from the vine. Here's the full guide: concerts, experiences, transport & tips for international visitors. ✨
※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The 21st Yeongdong Grape Festival (영동포도축제) runs from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Tourism Site (영동레인보우힐링관광지), 117 Yeongdong Healing-ro, Yeongdong-eup, Chungcheongbuk-do. Admission is free, though certain experience programs may carry a small participation fee. This four-day festival is the flagship annual celebration of Yeongdong-gun, one of Korea's premier grape-growing regions, where abundant sunshine and large daily temperature swings create near-ideal conditions for high-sugar, aromatic grapes. The festival combines hands-on grape experiences with a major outdoor concert series — the Purple Night Concert, featuring popular K-trot (Korean trot music) artists including Kim Yong-bin (김용빈), Kim Da-hyun (김다현), Bae Jin-a (배진아), and others. It is a genuinely family-oriented event with something for every age group: grape picking in vineyards, grape stomping in the traditional style, creative food workshops using grapes, and live entertainment continuing into the evening. For international visitors, Yeongdong Grape Festival offers a rare opportunity to experience Korean rural festival culture, purchase world-class locally-grown grapes at farm-gate prices, and enjoy live K-trot performance — a genre described loosely as Korean country music, blending traditional Korean melodies with contemporary pop production. For more information in English, visit the official VisitKorea English page for the Yeongdong Grape Festival and the korea.net English festival listing.
1. Festival Overview
History & Scale (21 Years Running)
Now in its 21st year, the Yeongdong Grape Festival is deeply embedded in the cultural identity of Yeongdong County. The festival is organised by the Yeongdong Festival Tourism Foundation and the Yeongdong Grape Farm Alliance, with the support of Yeongdong County Government. Yeongdong's geography — situated in an inland valley of Chungcheongbuk-do with a continental microclimate — produces grapes comparable in quality to top European wine regions. The festival showcases Campbell Early (캠벨얼리), Kyoho (거봉/巨峰), and Shine Muscat (샤인머스캣) grape varieties, among others.
Purple Night Concert Lineup
The headline entertainment is the Purple Night Concert series, featuring K-trot artists Kim Yong-bin, Kim Da-hyun, Bae Jin-a, Lee Sae-byeok, Hong Seo-hyeon, So Yu-mi, and Jang Ye-ju. K-trot (트로트) is a distinctly Korean genre — think soulful, rhythmically energetic vocal performance mixing folk melody with contemporary pop, hugely popular across all generations in Korea. The Purple Night Concert is included with free festival admission. Exact concert schedules by date should be confirmed via the official Yeongdong Festival Tourism Foundation social media before visiting.Experience Programs: Grape Stomping, Picking & More
Core hands-on programs include: grape picking (포도따기 체험) in participating vineyards; grape stomping (포도밟기) where participants barefoot-stomp grapes in time with music; and creative workshops making grape wine, chocolate, rice cake, and soap using Yeongdong grapes. The Photo Kids Park — a large dome structure — is popular with families. Grape sales at the on-site market stall operate at farm-gate prices, making this an exceptional opportunity to purchase high-quality Korean grapes at 15,000–25,000 KRW per 5kg box (approx. $11–$18 USD), well below retail prices in Korean supermarkets.2. Key Locations
Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Tourism Site (Main Venue)
The venue address is 117 Yeongdong Healing-ro, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. The Rainbow Healing Tourism Site is a large open-air complex with outdoor performance areas and ample space for the festival's many concurrent programs. By car from Seoul, take the Gyeongbu Expressway and exit at Yeongdong IC — approximately 10 minutes to the venue. Public transport: from Seoul South Bus Terminal (Gangnam), take an intercity coach to Yeongdong Bus Terminal (approx. 2.5–3 hrs, 12,000–16,000 KRW / $9–$12 USD). Book bus tickets in advance via **Kobus** (kobus.co.kr) or **Klook**.Grape Picking Vineyards & Sales Market
On-site grape picking experience farms and the Yeongdong grape sales market are key attractions. The market opens each morning from the festival start, and popular varieties — particularly Shine Muscat — sell out by late morning. Arriving early is essential if purchasing grapes for gifts. Festival stalls also accept international credit cards at larger booths; bring some Korean Won cash (KRW) for smaller vendors.Yeongdong Town (Accommodation & Dining)
Yeongdong town centre offers several motels and guesthouses at approximately 40,000–70,000 KRW per night ($30–$52 USD). 💡 **Agoda** and **Booking.com** list Yeongdong-area accommodation with English-language support and flexible cancellation. Dining highlights include Yeongdong Korean beef (한우, hanwoo) at specialist restaurants (approx. 20,000–35,000 KRW / $15–$26 USD per person), alongside sweet persimmon (감) desserts — another Yeongdong regional speciality.
3. Getting There & Planning (4 Steps)
Step 1: Book Transport in Advance
KTX does not stop at Yeongdong, so rail travel requires changing at Okcheon or Gimcheon — adding significant time. The most practical option from Seoul is an intercity bus from Seoul South Bus Terminal (Gangnam): 2.5–3 hours, 12,000–16,000 KRW one-way. Book in advance at kobus.co.kr or via **Klook** (Korean intercity bus English booking). By car: Gyeongbu Expressway → Yeongdong IC → approximately 10 minutes.Step 2: Book Accommodation Early
Weekend accommodation in Yeongdong during the festival (especially August 28–30) books out 1–2 weeks in advance. 💡 Search **Agoda** or **Booking.com** using "Yeongdong" as the destination. Farm-stay pensions and camping-style glamping lodges near the venue offer a particularly immersive rural Korean experience for international visitors.Step 3: Confirm Experience Programs
Check the Yeongdong Festival Tourism Foundation social media for the specific registration method for grape stomping and vineyard picking — some sessions are walk-in on the day, others may require early-morning queue registration. Grape stomping participation typically involves a small fee (approx. 2,000 KRW / $1.50 USD). Bring a change of clothes for children, as grape juice stains are essentially permanent.Step 4: Buy Grapes Early, Transport Carefully
Shine Muscat grapes, the premium variety, routinely sell out by mid-morning. Bring an insulated cool bag and ice packs from home if planning to transport grapes back to Seoul or to your next destination. On-site cold-packaging services may also be available at the market stall.5. Yeongdong vs Gimcheon Grape Festival Comparison
| Item | Yeongdong Grape Festival | Gimcheon Grape Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Dates 2026 | Aug 27–30 | Aug 14–16 |
| Venue | Rainbow Healing Tourism Site, Chungcheongbuk-do | Gimcheon Sports Complex, Gyeongsangbuk-do |
| Edition | 21st | Confirm separately |
| Concert | Purple Night Concert (K-trot) | Confirm separately |
| Seoul Access | Intercity bus ~2.5–3 hrs | KTX Gimcheon-Gumi Station |
6. Tips for International Visitors
Tip 1: Buy Grapes at Opening Time
Premium Shine Muscat and Kyoho (거봉, a large deep-purple grape with rich flavour) sell out fast. Be at the grape sales market when it opens. Kyoho grapes are particularly recommended for first-time visitors — their deep, Concord-like flavour is distinctly different from varieties commonly found in Western markets.Tip 2: Concert Timing — Arrive 30–60 Minutes Early
The Purple Night Concert draws large crowds. Secure a viewing position at least 30–60 minutes before each performance. Nighttime concerts include dramatic lighting that transforms the outdoor venue — a genuinely memorable visual experience even for visitors unfamiliar with K-trot.Tip 3: Grape Stomping Clothing Warning
Grape juice stains are nearly impossible to remove from fabric. Wear dark-coloured clothing you don't mind sacrificing, or bring a complete change of outfit for children. Many visitors bring a separate set of clothes in a bag specifically for grape stomping.Tip 4: Late Bus Check
Yeongdong is a small county with limited late-night transport. Confirm the last intercity bus back to Seoul or your next destination before attending evening concerts. If you miss the last bus, Yeongdong taxis are available but may be limited late at night — pre-install KakaoTaxi.Tip 5: Combine with Nangye Korean Music Festival
If your trip overlaps with September, Yeongdong also hosts the Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival — celebrating the birthplace of one of Korea's great Joseon-era court musicians. This is another rare, internationally underexposed cultural event worth noting. For more scenic mountain spots near this region, see the Seoraksan Cable Car Korea 2026 Guide.Curious about more Korean festivals & events?
View All Korea Events & Festivals →Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can foreign visitors participate in grape stomping at the Yeongdong Grape Festival?
A. Yes. The grape stomping experience (포도밟기) is open to all visitors regardless of nationality. No prior registration is typically required — participate by joining the queue at the grape stomping area on the day. A small participation fee of approximately 2,000 KRW ($1.50 USD) may apply.
Q2. How do I get from Seoul to Yeongdong Grape Festival?
A. From Seoul South Bus Terminal (Gangnam), take an intercity coach to Yeongdong Bus Terminal — approximately 2.5–3 hours, 12,000–16,000 KRW one-way. Book via kobus.co.kr. By car: Gyeongbu Expressway → Yeongdong IC → 10 minutes to the venue.
Q3. Is admission free at the Yeongdong Grape Festival?
A. General festival admission is free. Some hands-on experience programs — such as grape stomping and grape picking workshops — carry small participation fees. The Purple Night Concert is also included with free admission. Check the official schedule for exact details.
Q4. Who is performing at the 2026 Purple Night Concert?
A. The 2026 Purple Night Concert features K-trot artists including Kim Yong-bin, Kim Da-hyun, Bae Jin-a, Lee Sae-byeok, Hong Seo-hyeon, So Yu-mi, and Jang Ye-ju. Exact performance dates and times per artist should be confirmed via the Yeongdong Festival Tourism Foundation's official social media channels.
More to Explore
Browse the full 2026 summer festival calendar at our 2026 Korea Events & Festivals Hub.
Soo Blog
Korea travel, events, and festivals expert | 5 years of experience
Guides based on direct field visits and hands-on booking experience.
koreaeventmap.jhs29.com
Korea travel, events, and festivals expert | 5 years of experience
Guides based on direct field visits and hands-on booking experience.
koreaeventmap.jhs29.com
