2026 Semjin International Experimental Art Festival

2026섬진강국제실험예술제(SIEAF)

The 2026 Semjin International Experimental Art Festival transforms Gokseong's natural landscapes—rivers, forests, rice fields, and gardens—into artistic venues. The festival archive showcases 2025's records and rural objects. The SIEAF Colloquium explores Semjin's history, legends, rural leadership, and glocal cultural creation through art. The Rice-field Fashion Show stages natural-fiber costumes and designs inspired by local products on terraced paddies. The opening program "With Dokkaebi & Crapaud" features ritual performances, world music, butoh dance, traditional Korean music, media art, and drone performances. Movement therapy workshops complement the meditative "Oxygen Concerts" in the forest, blending acoustic music, singing bowls, dance, and contemplative art. The Flower Parade at Semjin Fairytale Garden unites artists, residents, and visitors in floral costumes and performances.

Book on the official site

Dates: Sep 22, 2026 → Oct 30, 2026
Venue: 1012 Semjin-gang-ro, Jukgok-myeon, Gokseong-gun, Gwangju-Jeonnam (Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special Area) · 🎨 Jeonnam-Gwangju
Price: Free
Ticketing: Official event site

Practical information

Opening hours: - Opening ceremony (Oct 23) 17:00-21:00 ※ Varies by program
Age: Elementary school age and up
Exact location: Aplok Recreation Park Special Stage, Gokseong
Organiser: Korean Experimental Art Spirit (KoPAS)
Phone: 010-2344-5004

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No nearby parking or subway station.

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🎟️ How to book — Official event site

1
Most regional festivals are free entry
Korean municipalities fund a huge number of free festivals (flowers, food, light shows) — free entry is the norm, not the exception, sometimes with paid stalls or activities on site.
2
Check the event's official site
The link sits on the event's VisitKorea page — it's the most reliable source for the program, hours, and any last-minute changes.
3
Book via a Korean platform if a reservation is required
When a festival has paid premium activities or an attached concert, booking usually goes through NOL or YES24 — see the matching guide on this page.
4
Call 1330 when in doubt
Korea's tourism hotline answers in English, Chinese and Japanese, 24/7 — handy for confirming a time or address when the official site is Korean-only.

💡 Good to know

When a price shows as "see details", the organiser simply hasn't published one in advance: in almost all of those cases entry is free and only some on-site activities are paid. Bring a little cash — many stalls don't take cards.