To Be Held from September 25 to 28
at the Geochang Sports Park Area
Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province will host the 2025 Geochanghanmadang Grand Festival under the slogan "5 Cheers~ A Joyful Festival, Geochang-A City More Charming the More You See It" from September 25 to 28 at the Geochang Sports Park area.
The event is organized by Geochang County and overseen by the Geochang Cultural Foundation. Local organizations such as the Geochang County Citizens’ Day Commemorative Event Promotion Committee, Geochang County Sports Association, and Arim Arts Festival Committee are joining forces to prepare the largest autumn festival in Geochang, where over 60,000 residents and tourists are expected to gather.
The festival will open on the first day with the lighting and enshrinement of the torch, followed by a street parade featuring 15 teams from each township and town, marching from the County Office Rotary to the Daedong Rotary, set to energize the local community.
Afterwards, the main stage at the Sports Park will host the opening ceremony and the Citizens’ Day commemorative event, including pre-ceremony performances, a reading of the Citizens’ Charter, the opening declaration, and the presentation of the Geochang Citizen Award.
The post-ceremony performances will feature invited singers such as Song Gain, Kang Jin, and Jiwon, further heating up the stage as residents, returning locals, and visitors come together to enjoy the spectacular autumn night.
On the second day, the 80th County Citizens’ Sports Festival will take place, with about 2,000 athletes from each township and town competing in 12 events including soccer, track and field, volleyball, ssireum (Korean wrestling), and park golf. The event will also feature an entrance ceremony, torch relay, sports competitions, and prize draws, creating a venue for community unity.
On the third day, around 700 cherished Geochang natives from across the country will gather for the National Geochang Hometown Association Unity Sports Festival, showcasing the warm hospitality and hometown pride of Geochang’s villages.
In particular, another main event, the KBS National Singing Contest Geochang Special, will be held, featuring host Nam Heeseok and invited singers Moon Yeonju, Shin Yoo, Bae Ahyeon, Oh Yujin, and Hwang Minwoo, who will enrich the stage with their performances.
The final day of the festival will begin with the 5th Bicycle Tour Changpowon Picnic (09:30-13:00). Participants will ride a 6-kilometer course from the Sports Park to Changpowon, enjoying various events such as busking, magic shows, and prize draws along the way.
Throughout the festival, a variety of side events and ongoing programs will be held. The 17th Geochang Lifelong Learning Festival (September 26-28) will see 83 lifelong learning institutions and clubs operating 108 booths, presenting over 40 stage performances including band music, folk songs, and Nanta drumming, as well as diverse educational and experiential programs such as reading and history quiz contests and a Korean writing contest.
The 53rd Arim Arts Festival (September 25-28) will showcase a blend of traditional and contemporary culture through a photo exhibition, a living arts festival, and a wood carving exhibition. On the nights of September 26 and 27, the Geochang Fantasy Multimedia Water Show will take place along the Wicheoncheon area in front of the intercity bus terminal, illuminating the autumn night with water performances, a drone show, and a DJ night.
At the Geochang Night Market, eight local specialty restaurants and two multicultural eateries will offer delicious regional foods to visitors, while amusement facilities such as Pumba performances and Disco Pang Pang rides will also be available.
The Green Pantry Geochang Agricultural Products Grand Festival will feature a local food hall operated by 16 booths representing each township and town, as well as a Geochangaewoo charcoal-grilled beef booth offering Hanwoo beef tasting events at affordable prices. In addition, there will be apple and grape tasting contests, and local specialty product sales and sampling opportunities.
Meanwhile, Geochang County expects this festival to boost sales of local agricultural products and restaurants, invigorate the local economy through increased tourist inflow, foster community pride among residents, and strengthen the sense of community among youth, multicultural families, and local families.
County Governor Koo Inmo stated, "The Geochanghanmadang Grand Festival is a venue for unity among all residents and a signature brand festival that showcases Geochang’s attractions, cuisine, and entertainment nationwide. This autumn, I hope everyone will take a break from their busy daily lives and fully enjoy the romance of autumn in Geochang."
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