2026 Goseong Pollack Festival: A Sea Story Told by Pollack, an Unmissable Autumn Celebration
Imagine this. The blue East Sea with a gentle autumn breeze, and a vibrant festival scene filling its shores. In October 2026, Goseong, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, will host a special event that goes beyond a simple food festival, offering a glimpse into Goseong’s history, culture, and the lives of its people. The star of this event is the Goseong Myeongtae Festival. What charms will it use to entice us?
Pollack has been a precious entity that has shared the lives and sorrows of Goseong residents for a long Time time. This festival goes beyond simply tasting pollack; it reinterprets the region’s deep pollack culture with a modern sensibility, offering visitors fresh and diverse experiences. We invite you to this fantastic journey, which will unfold from October 2nd to October 5th, 2026, at Geojin 11-ri Beach.
Pollack, Not Just a Fish, but the Soul of Goseong: The Deep Meaning of the Festival
Why is the Pollack Festival held in Goseong? Pollack is not merely a marine product to Goseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. It is the history and culture of residents who have made a living from the rough seas, and furthermore, an important medium symbolizing the region’s identity. The Goseong Myeongtae Festival reinterprets this pollack culture from a modern perspective, establishing itself as a special cultural festival that people of all ages can enjoy.
This festival, hosted by Goseong-gun, holds a profound meaning: to discover the infinite potential of pollack and, within that, to illuminate the lives of local residents and the beauty of the East Sea. Pollack, which has been responsible for the tables and economy of Goseong people for a long time, now becomes a messenger delivering the warm stories of Goseong to people nationwide through the festival.
2026 Goseong Myeongtae Festival, Maximizing Enjoyment with Three ‘Discoveries’
The 2026 Goseong Myeongtae Festival is organized around three core themes: ‘Discovery of Pollack’, ‘Discovery of Residents’, and ‘Discovery of the Sea’. These themes are woven into all festival programs, helping visitors experience Goseong and pollack from diverse perspectives. These themes, set against the backdrop of Geojin-eup 11-ri Beach, will enrich the festival with their distinct charms.
Three Special Perspectives Filling the Festival
| Theme | Main Content | Expected Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery of Pollack | Programs to enjoy pollack with all five senses, including gourmet food, crafts, and cooking experiences. | Deep understanding of the value and versatility of pollack. |
| Discovery of Residents | Performances and participatory programs by local residents, artists, military personnel, and youth. | Discovery of the vibrant appearance of residents who are the main agents of the festival. |
| Discovery of the Sea | Beach-specialized experiences such as bare-handed live fish catching, sea playground, and AI Music Festival. | Enjoy the beauty of Goseong’s sea and the pleasure of marine leisure. |
These three discoveries contribute to creating a stay-type festival venue where visitors can stay and enjoy themselves at any time, providing fresh and new experiences throughout the festival period.
Satisfy all five senses! A Preview of the Goseong Myeongtae Festival’s Diverse Programs
The 2026 Goseong Myeongtae Festival boasts a rich program that will delight visitors’ eyes, ears, and mouths. From gourmet food and art centered on pollack to thrilling beach activities, it’s filled with more enjoyment than you can imagine.
Programs Exploring the Charm of Pollack
- Pollack Gourmet Zone & Chef Live Cooking A feast of fresh pollack dishes! Taste special pollack dishes with demonstrations by professional chefs.
- Self-Cooking Experience & Pollack Craft · One-Day Class You can make your own pollack dishes and unleash your creativity by making craft items using pollack.
- Aegmagi Pollack Chainsaw Art & Pollack Memory Story Contest Elevate pollack into art and listen to interesting stories from residents intertwined with pollack.
A Festival Venue Created with Residents
- Local Performances & Invited Performances The passionate stages of local artists and special performances by invited singers heighten the festival atmosphere.
- Military Personnel · Youth Talent Show A delightful time for military personnel and youth, who are part of the local community, to showcase their talents.
- Pollack Village Broadcasting Station & Resident Pollack Restaurant · Souvenir Sale Residents directly participate to convey festival news and showcase carefully prepared food and souvenirs.
Thrilling Experiences Offered by the Sea
- Bare-Handed Live Fish Catching & Sea Playground A thrilling experience of catching live fish directly in the cool sea, and a space for children to play excitedly.
- AI Music Festival & Silence DJ A unique music festival set against the beach, and a Silence DJ party where you can immerse yourself in quiet.
- Navy Ship Tour & Fire Dancing Don’t miss the chance to tour the inside of a navy ship, usually difficult to access, and the fire dancing performance that will brightly adorn the night sea.
Why Should You Go to the Goseong Myeongtae Festival Now?
The Goseong Myeongtae Festival, held from October 2nd to 5th, 2026, at Geojin 11-ri Beach in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, offers more value than a simple autumn outing. The festival operates from 11 AM to 7 PM and, through its diverse programs, will be an ideal autumn travel destination for the whole family to enjoy together. In particular, a shuttle bus operating from Geojin Port to the festival venue will further enhance visitors’ convenience.
The ability to experience both the various tourist attractions of Goseong-gun and the charm of the Geojin area through linkage with local commerce is also a significant advantage. The Pollack Festival, set against the beautiful East Sea, is the perfect place to enjoy both gourmet food and culture while creating unforgettable memories. Be sure to participate in this special festival, where the fresh taste of pollack, the warm hearts of Goseong people, and the outstanding scenery of the East Sea come together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When and where will the 2026 Goseong Myeongtae Festival be held?
It will be held for 4 days from October 2nd (Fri) to October 5th (Mon), 2026, around Geojin 11-ri Beach in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Various events are planned against the backdrop of the beautiful East Sea.
Q2. What are the main programs of the Goseong Myeongtae Festival?
The festival is largely divided into three themes: ‘Discovery of Pollack’, ‘Discovery of Residents’, and ‘Discovery of the Sea’. A rich variety of programs are prepared for eating, making, and enjoying, including pollack gourmet experiences, crafts, resident participatory performances, bare-handed live fish catching, and a beach playground.
Q3. What are the festival operating hours and points to note when visiting?
The festival operates daily from 11 AM to 7 PM. With many scattered stages and ongoing programs, there’s plenty to enjoy no matter when you visit. A shuttle bus operates from Geojin Port to the festival venue, so please refer to it if using public transportation.
Q4. Are there any good programs to visit with children?
Yes, of course. Various programs are available for children to directly participate in and experience, such as the ‘Sea Playground’, ‘Pollack Craft · One-Day Class’, and ‘Bare-Handed Live Fish Catching’, so the whole family can have a fun time together.
Q5. Are there any other tourist attractions worth visiting in Goseong-gun besides the festival?
The Goseong Myeongtae Festival is linked with local commerce and Goseong-gun tourist attractions. You can enjoy a richer trip by exploring the area around Geojin Port, or by visiting nearby natural landscapes and historical sites of Goseong such as the Unification Observatory and Hwajinpo.
