Experience the breathtaking beauty of South Korea’s flourishing garden culture through 21 spectacular festivals happening throughout 2025.
Key Highlights
- 21 distinctive garden events across 18 local governments
- Festival season runs from April to October 2025
- Activities include garden exhibitions, industry showcases, and hands-on experiences
- Perfect for garden enthusiasts, nature lovers, photographers, and cultural explorers
Why Visit South Korea’s Garden Festivals?
South Korea’s garden culture is blossoming, with the Korea Forest Service announcing an impressive lineup of 21 garden festivals for 2025—a significant expansion from previous years. These events offer international visitors a unique opportunity to experience the harmonious blend of natural beauty, innovative design, and Korean cultural elements that make these festivals truly special.
Each festival transforms public spaces into immersive gardens where visitors can not only admire exquisite landscapes but also participate in creating their own green spaces. From metropolitan Seoul to scenic rural areas, these festivals showcase Korea’s commitment to integrating nature into everyday life.
What to Expect at the Festivals
Exhibition Gardens
The “Excellent Garden Exhibitions” feature meticulously designed garden spaces created by professional landscape architects, garden designers, and horticultural experts. These exhibitions showcase cutting-edge trends in garden design, incorporating traditional Korean elements with modern sustainable practices.
Industry Showcases
The “Garden Industry Exhibition” sections bring together over 100 companies presenting the latest innovations in:
- Garden materials and tools
- Sustainable gardening solutions
- Plant varieties suited for different environments
- Urban gardening technologies
- Indoor gardening systems
These showcases offer valuable insights for both professional landscapers and home gardeners looking to enhance their green spaces.
Interactive Experiences
What sets South Korea’s garden festivals apart is their emphasis on participation. Visitors can engage in:
- Garden-making workshops
- Plant cultivation demonstrations
- Family-friendly gardening activities
- “Pet plant” creation sessions
- Therapeutic garden experiences
Major Garden Festivals in 2025
Seoul International Garden Fair (서울국제정원박람회)
- Dates: May 22 – October 20, 2025
- Location: Boramae Park (보라매공원), Seoul
- Highlights: International garden designs, cultural performances, and the longest-running garden event in Korea
- Official Website: Seoul Garden Fair (will be updated closer to the event)
Korea Garden Industry Fair (대한민국 정원산업박람회)
- Dates: June 13-22, 2025
- Location: Jinju Chojeon Park (진주 초전공원), Gyeongsangnam-do
- Highlights: Korea’s largest garden industry exhibition featuring cutting-edge garden technologies and materials
- Co-hosted by: Korea Forest Service and Gyeongsangnam-do Jinju City
- Official Website: Korea Garden Industry Fair (will be updated closer to the event)
Jeonnam Garden Festival (전남 정원페스티벌)
- Dates: May 9-18, 2025
- Location: Jangseong Hwangryonggang (장성황룡강), Jeollanam-do
- Highlights: Showcases garden designs inspired by the natural beauty of South Jeolla Province
- Official Website: Jeonnam Garden Festival (will be updated closer to the event)
5th Jeonju Garden Industry Expo (전주정원산업박람회)
- Dates: May 9-13, 2025
- Location: Jeonju World Cup Stadium Plaza (전주월드컵광장), Jeollabuk-do
- Highlights: Features traditional Korean garden elements combined with modern design trends
- Official Website: Jeonju City (will be updated closer to the event)
13th Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo (경기정원문화박람회)
- Dates: October 16-19, 2025
- Location: Pyeongtaek Agricultural Ecology Park (평택농업생태원), Gyeonggi-do
- Highlights: Focuses on sustainable garden practices and ecological conservation
- Official Website: Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo (will be updated closer to the event)
Daegu Garden Fair (대구정원박람회)
- Dates: October 24-28, 2025
- Location: Geumho River Hajungdo (금호강 하중도), Daegu
- Highlights: Urban garden solutions and riverside landscape designs
- Official Website: Daegu City (will be updated closer to the event)
Regional Garden Festivals
Cheongju Gardening Festival
- Theme: “Play in the Garden”
- Focus: Interactive garden activities and family-friendly experiences
- Official Website: Cheongju City (will be updated closer to the event)
Ulsan Taehwagang National Garden Spring Flower Festival
- Highlights: Spectacular flower displays along the Taehwa River National Garden
- Known for: Cherry blossoms and seasonal flower exhibitions
- Official Website: Ulsan City (will be updated closer to the event)
Gurye Private Garden Small-Scale Festival
- Unique feature: Showcases privately owned gardens opened to the public during the festival
- Experience: Intimate garden tours and traditional Korean garden culture
- Official Website: Gurye County (will be updated closer to the event)
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
The garden festival season runs from April to October, with different events taking place throughout this period. For the widest variety of experiences, plan your visit during May or June when multiple major festivals are happening simultaneously.
Transportation
Most festival venues are accessible via public transportation:
- Seoul venues: Easily accessible by subway
- Regional venues: Train services (KTX, ITX) connect major cities, with local buses available to festival locations
- For convenience, consider using the Korea Tourism Organization’s Trip Planner
Accommodation
Book accommodations early, especially for festivals in major cities. Options range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses and traditional hanok stays. The Visit Korea website offers comprehensive accommodation information.
Garden Culture in South Korea
According to Choi Young-tae, head of the Forest Protection Bureau at the Korea Forest Service, these festivals represent Korea’s commitment to developing “Culture Healing Garden Cities” where gardens become participatory spaces that enrich people’s daily lives.
South Korea’s approach to garden design often blends:
- Traditional Korean garden elements (rocks, water features, native plants)
- Contemporary landscape architecture
- Sustainable gardening practices
- Urban greening solutions
