Gwangyang Maehwa Festival Selected as 2026 Jeollanam-do Representative Festival... Achieves Four Consecutive Years of Distinction

Festival Competitiveness and Sustainability Recognized
Status as Korea’s Leading Spring Festival Reaffirmed

The Gwangyang Maehwa Festival has once again proven its status and value as a leading spring festival in South Korea by being selected as the representative festival of Jeollanam-do for 2026.

With this selection, the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival has officially been recognized for its competitiveness and sustainability, achieving the distinction of being Jeollanam-do’s representative festival for four consecutive years.

2025 Gwangyang Maehwa Festival Site View. Provided by Gwangyang City

The Gwangyang Maehwa Festival has established itself as South Korea’s premier spring festival, heralding the arrival of spring each year based on the unique spatial characteristics of Gwangyang Maehwa Village and the symbolic significance of the maehwa (plum blossom). In particular, the festival has continually enhanced its quality by expanding differentiated content, improving visitor flow and transportation systems, increasing local resident participation, and introducing the honorary director system.

In addition, the festival has set a new standard for festival operations by consistently promoting the “Three No’s” (no cars, no price gouging, and minimal use of disposable products) as its core principles.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival will be held in March throughout Gwangyang Maehwa Village under the theme “Maehwa Blossoms in the Unfading Light (Gwangyang) of All Four Seasons.” The festival aims to further solidify its model as a sustainable event that grows together with the local community by expanding local participation, focusing on eco-friendly and safe operations, and strengthening stay-type content.

Furthermore, by operating a car-free festival site, expanding shuttle bus services in urban areas, and diversifying food options using local specialties, the festival plans to enhance both visitor satisfaction and the benefits returned to the local community.

An official from Gwangyang City stated, “The Gwangyang Maehwa Festival is South Korea’s leading spring festival, delivering the first hope of spring to those who have endured the long, cold winter, and encapsulating the values of nature, people, and the local community. Being selected as Jeollanam-do’s representative festival for four consecutive years reaffirms the festival’s accumulated quality and trust.”

The official added, “Through the 25th Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, we will continue to create a safe festival environment where both citizens and tourists can enjoy with peace of mind, and we will steadily enhance the dignity and responsibility befitting Jeollanam-do’s representative festival by operating an event that grows alongside the region.”