Gwangyang Maehwa Festival to Be Held from March 7 to 16

Theme: "Spring in Korea, Opening at Maehwa Village"
Safe and Pleasant Festival Venue... Improvements in Transportation System
City Holds Briefing Session to Gather Opinions on Basic Plan

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do announced on the 15th that the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival will be held for ten days from March 7 to 16 under the theme "Spring in Korea, Opening at Maehwa Village."

Gwangyang City has begun full-scale preparations for the successful operation of the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, which serves as a herald of the new spring in Korea and attracts many visitors every year.

Gwangyang City held a report meeting to gather opinions on the basic plan (draft) for the 24th Gwangyang Maehwa Festival. This year's Gwangyang Maehwa Festival will be held for ten days from March 7 to 16 under the theme "Opening Spring in Korea at Maehwa Village." Provided by Gwangyang City

On the 13th, a meeting to gather opinions on the draft of the 24th Gwangyang Maehwa Festival's basic plan was held in the situation room at Gwangyang City Hall, attended by Mayor Jung Inhwa of Gwangyang and about 30 department heads.

This meeting was presided over by Mayor Jung Inhwa, with Kim Miran, Head of Tourism, presenting the basic plan draft and comprehensive report, followed by the collection of related opinions and discussions to strengthen administrative support.

The attendees aimed for the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival to grow beyond Jeollanam-do's representative festival and become a leading cultural festival in Korea. They sought concrete measures to significantly improve previously identified issues and enhance visitor satisfaction.

According to the basic plan draft, this year's Gwangyang Maehwa Festival will address chronic transportation issues and expand local resident participation to strengthen coexistence and sustainability.

Additionally, in celebration of Gwangyang Maehwa Village being selected as one of the Korea Tourism Top 100 for 2025-2026, new and unique content such as the Korea Tourism Top 100 Exploration Event, Jigeumabul Gwangyang Tour, and Maesil Healing Therapy will be introduced. Photo zones featuring large Maedori air sculptures will be installed throughout the festival venue, allowing visitors to capture memorable moments against the beautiful backdrop of Gwangyang Maehwa Village.

The admission fee remains the same as last year at 5,000 won. All collected admission fees will be refunded as festival vouchers to boost the local economy, and as in previous years, these vouchers can only be used at designated booths within the festival grounds, stores in Daap-myeon, Jungma Market, and the Gwangyang Seafood Distribution Center set up by the city.

Furthermore, to ensure an enjoyable and pleasant festival, a joint task force will be operated to crack down on illegal street vendors and night markets, while real-time traffic updates and additional restroom installations will be provided to improve visitor satisfaction. A Comprehensive Safety Management Headquarters for accident prevention will also be in operation throughout the festival.

Mayor Jung Inhwa stated, "The Gwangyang Maehwa Festival marks the beginning of spring in Korea and attracts the largest crowds, so meticulous preparation is essential. We must resolve the issues that have surfaced so far and present an even newer festival to increase the rate of repeat visitors."

He added, "By alleviating chronic traffic congestion and providing differentiated content, the festival should become a high-quality event visited by many tourists, and a sustainable festival where local residents benefit through their voluntary participation. Please do your utmost to prepare for the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival so that it can be recognized as a leading festival in Korea, beyond just Jeollanam-do."