Gwangju Kimchi Festival to open October 23

The 33rd Gwangju Kimchi Festival is scheduled to take place from October 23 to 25 at the Gwangju Government Complex area. Under the theme ‘Dominate! Kimchi Party’, the event aims to blend traditional fermentation culture with modern, creative content.

Key programs include the ‘Table of a Thousand People’, featuring 10 local restaurants serving fusion dishes such as cabbage ramen, aged kimchi oil pasta, and kimchi mayo chazuo. Musical performances, including opera, crossover, and traditional Korean arts, will be held at the outdoor music stage on the evenings of the 23rd and 24th.

Educational and interactive activities include a ‘Kimchi Master Class’ led by presidential award winners, a ‘Kimchi Experience School’ for making kimchi and radish rice balls, and a ‘Kimchi Playground’ for children. The festival also features an expanded Kimchi Market offering certified products at 10–30% discounts, alongside a pop-up store targeting younger generations with experimental products like ‘fire cabbage kimchi’.

To ensure safety, traffic restrictions will be in place near the Gwangju Government Complex from the evening of October 21 through midnight on October 25, which may cause some city bus routes to detour. Free parking will be available at nearby government offices and Peace Park during the weekend.