The 33rd Gwangju Kimchi Festival

Inaugurated in 1994 to celebrate Gwangju’s rich culinary heritage blessed with abundant local ingredients and to preserve the timeless tradition of Korea’s kimchi culture, the Gwangju Kimchi Festival proudly marks its 33rd edition this year.

To reinforce its stature as Korea’s flagship kimchi celebration and create an inclusive festival grounds for all, this year’s event will take place at the Outdoor Plaza of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City Hall.

The Gwangju Kimchi Festival serves as an interactive cultural arena where visitors can immerse themselves in Korea’s quintessential food heritage embodied in kimchi, as well as a dynamic marketplace connecting local kimchi producers and consumers.

Spanning three days from 23 October to 25 October 2026, a captivating lineup of programs will unfold across the Plaza of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City Hall and Gwangju Kimchi Town. We warmly invite your enthusiastic interest and participation in the 33rd Gwangju Kimchi Festival.

Key Programs

• Gwangju Kimchi Table: Feast for a Thousand (Cheonin-ui Babsang)

A vibrant culinary culture hub weaving together diverse gastronomic experiences and artistic performances centered around kimchi. From specialty kimchi dining pop-ups and live food demonstrations to cultural stages, savor the finest tastes of this one-of-a-kind celebration all in one place!

• Korea’s Master Chef 〈Ahn Yoo-sung Show〉

An exhilarating collaboration between Korea’s celebrated Master Chef Ahn Yoo-sung and Gwangju kimchi! Witness a dynamic, live tuna-cutting performance synchronized with rhythmic electronic beats—an unprecedented 90-minute full-course spectacle designed to captivate all five senses.

• Kimchi Master Class

An exclusive, hands-on master class led by Korea’s prestigious Presidential Award-winning kimchi masters, who share their authentic recipes and secret techniques. Pre-registered participants will make kimchi alongside the masters, taste their creations, and indulge in the ultimate kimchi-making tradition.

• Opening Ceremony: “Kimchi Thanksgiving Ritual” (Kimchi Gamsaje)

A contemporary ritual of gratitude honoring the harvest of the year and the communal spirit baked into kimchi-making. Serving as the official ceremony to inaugurate the festival, this signature opening show reinterprets traditional Korean ceremonial rites through cutting-edge stagecraft and global performance elements—creating a harmonious celebration of solemn reverence and festive joy.

Official website https://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr