A book fair where science and stories share a shelf — 50 publishers, independent bookstores, and solo authors gathered in one hall for free? 📚 The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair runs October 24–25 at Expo Memorial Hall, Daejeon — the city that hosts KAIST and Korea’s largest research cluster. Author meet-ups, book talks, lectures, and hands-on activities are all part of the weekend. Everything you need to plan your visit is below. 🔬
※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Daejeon is home to KAIST, the Korea Institute of Standards and Science, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute — a city whose identity is built on research and discovery. The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair (대전 북페어) brings that identity into the reading space. Held under the theme “Daejeon, a Science City Blossoming Through Books,” the fair is organized by Daejeon Metropolitan City and takes place over two days at the Expo Memorial Hall — the landmark site of the 1993 World Expo.
Entry is free. According to Daejeon City’s official announcement dated August 19, 2026, publishers, independent bookstores, independent publishers, and individual creators make up the 50 participating booths. Detailed program timetables will be confirmed on official channels ahead of the event.
📊 2026 Daejeon Book Fair at a Glance
Daejeon’s science-meets-books fair — 50 booths, free entry, author meet-ups and book talks
October 24–25, 2026 (2 days), at Daejeon Expo Memorial Hall, 2nd Floor, 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Free admission; walk-in welcome.
Dates: Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Venue: Expo Memorial Hall, 2nd Floor, 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon
Admission: FREE
Participating Booths: 50 (publishers, independent bookstores, independent publishers, solo creators)
Getting There: Daejeon Metro Line 1 — Expo Science Park Station (도보 이동)
Detailed program timetables to be confirmed via official Daejeon City channels before the event.
2026 Daejeon Book Fair Key Info
Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair brings 50 participating booths — major publishers, independent bookstores, independent publishers, and solo creators — to the second floor of the Expo Memorial Hall, one of Daejeon’s most iconic public spaces. Author meet-ups, book talks, lectures, and hands-on science-and-books activities run across both days. Entry is free and no advance registration is required.
Detailed program timetables will be published via Daejeon City’s official channels ahead of the event — check before you visit to plan which author sessions and talks you want to catch.
1. 2026 Daejeon Book Fair: 3 Things to Know
Science City Daejeon and the Book Fair Concept
Daejeon hosts the highest concentration of government-funded research institutes in South Korea, including KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), the Korea Institute of Standards and Science, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. The city’s identity is inseparable from science and innovation. The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair builds directly on this by framing books as a vehicle for making science accessible — not textbooks and academic journals, but readable, engaging science titles for general audiences, combined with the full range of contemporary publishing.
According to Park Seung-won, Director General of the city’s Culture, Arts and Tourism Bureau, the goal is “a new kind of book fair that captures both the identity of Daejeon as a science city and the value of books.” The fair is organized by Daejeon Metropolitan City as part of its effort to connect the local publishing, bookstore, and creative ecosystem with a public audience. Based on the official press release from August 19, 2026.
50 Participating Booths — What to Expect
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair has 50 confirmed participants across four categories: major and independent publishers, independent bookstores, independent publishers, and solo creators (1인 작가). This range means the fair combines commercial new releases with niche titles, handcrafted small-run publications, and books produced by individual artists and writers. Each booth reflects its participant’s own curation — browsing the full floor gives a cross-section of what Korean publishing looks like beyond the mainstream. Confirmed booth participants will be announced on Daejeon City’s official social media ahead of the event.
Author Meet-Ups, Book Talks & Lectures
Beyond the booths, the 2026 Daejeon Book Fair runs structured programs across both days: author meet-ups (작가와의 만남), book talks (북토크), lectures (강연), and hands-on activities (체험 프로그램). These are the event’s main interactive draw — particularly the book talks, which place authors in direct conversation with readers in a small-group format. Detailed timetables for these programs had not been confirmed at the time of this publication; check Daejeon City’s official channels before your visit to plan your schedule.
💡 Trip.com offers KTX and express bus options from Seoul to Daejeon — travel time by KTX from Seoul Station is approximately 50 minutes, making this an easy same-day trip from the capital.
Daejeon Yuseong-gu — where the Expo Memorial Hall is located — has a range of accommodation options including business hotels and mid-range guesthouses. Search Agoda or Booking.com with “Daejeon Yuseong” to compare options near the venue.
2. Dates, Venue & How to Get to the 2026 Daejeon Book Fair
Expo Memorial Hall — Venue and History
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair takes place on the second floor of the Expo Memorial Hall (엑스포기념관), located at 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. The hall is part of the Expo Science Park, built to commemorate the 1993 Daejeon World Expo — one of the first World Expos hosted in Asia with a theme focused on the “Challenge of a New Road of Development.” The landmark Hanbit Tower (한빛탑), a 93-metre structure from the original expo site, stands adjacent to the hall. Visiting the hall connects the book fair to Daejeon’s broader identity as a city with a long engagement with science and international exhibition culture.
Getting There from Seoul & Incheon Airport
From Seoul Station, the KTX to Daejeon Station takes approximately 50 minutes (fares vary — check Trip.com or the Korail website for current prices). From Daejeon Station, Daejeon Metro Line 1 runs directly to Expo Science Park Station (엑스포과학공원역), from which the Expo Memorial Hall is a short walk. Total journey from Seoul Station to the venue door is under 1 hour 30 minutes. From Incheon Airport, take the AREX express to Seoul Station (approx. 43 minutes) and connect to the KTX. Parking is available at the Expo Science Park car park (paid) — if driving, arriving early on weekend mornings reduces the chance of congestion.
Heading to Daejeon by KTX? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.
3. Tickets & Booking: 3 Steps for Foreign Visitors
Step 1: Arrive and Walk In
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair requires no ticket and no advance registration. Simply arrive at the Expo Memorial Hall second floor during event hours. If specific book talk or lecture sessions have limited seating — which is likely for popular author events — registration may be handled on-site at the venue on the day. Confirm this via Daejeon City’s official social media or at the information desk on arrival.
Step 2: Browse the 50 Booths
Allow at least 2 hours to cover all 50 participating booths at a reasonable pace. Publishers and independent bookstores typically accept both cash (Korean Won) and major credit cards, but small solo-creator booths may prefer cash. Bring some Korean Won for smaller purchases. There is no coat check or luggage storage confirmed at the venue — travel light if possible.
Step 3: Attend Book Talks and Author Sessions
Book talks and author meet-ups are the most time-structured part of the fair. Arrive early on both days to collect the printed timetable from the information desk — then prioritize the sessions you want to attend and build the rest of your visit around them. English translation is not confirmed for author sessions; most will be conducted in Korean. A translation app (Papago, Google Translate) can help follow along with written materials and signage.
4. Where to Eat & Stay near the 2026 Daejeon Book Fair
Yuseong-gu — Cafés, Restaurants & Hot Springs
Daejeon’s Yuseong-gu district is one of the city’s main commercial and hospitality areas, home to the Yuseong Hot Spring (유성온천) zone, a cluster of mid-range and upscale hotels, and a variety of restaurants and cafés. After the book fair, the Yuseong Hot Spring street offers Korean bath facilities (찜질방, jjimjilbang) at modest prices — an unusual combination with a book fair day, but one that works well given the district’s geography. For cafés and restaurants near the Expo Science Park, use Google Maps or Naver Map (search: 유성구 맛집) for options within walking distance.
Accommodation in Daejeon Yuseong-gu
Yuseong-gu has a strong hotel supply, with options ranging from business-class hotels to boutique guesthouses. Search Agoda or Booking.com with “Daejeon Yuseong” for proximity to the Expo Science Park and Metro Line 1. Trip.com allows side-by-side comparison across platforms. Mid-range hotels in Yuseong-gu typically run KRW 60,000–110,000 per night (approx. USD $43–79).
Expo Science Park — Combine Your Visit
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair’s location inside the Expo Science Park means the surrounding grounds are accessible during your visit. The park itself contains science exhibit pavilions, the Hanbit Tower, and outdoor walking areas. Families with children can combine a book fair visit with time in the park — particularly on Saturday, when both days of the fair are available and less rushed. Check the Expo Science Park’s own operating hours and entry fees separately.
5. 2026 Daejeon Book Fair vs. Other Regional Book Fairs at a Glance
| Category | 2026 Daejeon Book Fair | Typical Regional Book Fair |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | Free to paid |
| Participating Booths | 50 | 10–30 on average |
| Theme | Science city identity + books | Reading / regional culture |
| Venue | Expo Memorial Hall (historic expo site) | Varies |
| Organizer | Daejeon Metropolitan City | Local government / private sector |
| Programs | Book talks, lectures, author meet-ups, hands-on activities | Mainly book sales or lectures |
| Duration | 2 days | 1–3 days |
6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors to the 2026 Daejeon Book Fair
Arrive in the Morning for Book Talks
Author sessions and book talks are typically the first to fill. Arriving when the fair opens allows you to collect the day’s program timetable, check which sessions have limited seating, and sign up immediately for any that require on-site registration. Wandering the booths is flexible — popular sessions are not.
Bring Some Cash for Solo Creator Booths
Major publishers and established independent bookstores will generally accept credit cards. Solo creators and very small publishers may operate cash-only. Some of the most interesting purchases at book fairs — handmade zines, limited-run illustrated titles, artist books — come from the smallest booths. Carrying KRW 20,000–30,000 (approx. USD $14–22) in cash covers most individual purchases.
Combine with Expo Science Park
The Expo Science Park surrounding the hall is worth exploring before or after the book fair. The park’s own science exhibits and the Hanbit Tower are most enjoyable with some daylight. On Saturday, arriving mid-morning gives enough time to do both. Check the park’s separate entry policy before visiting — the Memorial Hall access for the book fair is free, but some park sections may carry their own admission.
Check the Participant Booth List in Advance
Daejeon City is expected to publish the list of 50 confirmed booths on its official social media channels before October 24. If there are specific publishers, authors, or bookstores you want to visit, checking this list in advance lets you map your route through the fair more efficiently. Allow 2+ hours for a full pass through all 50 booths.
Language at the Event
Most author sessions and book talks will be conducted in Korean. Signage at the venue will likely be bilingual or Korean-only — use Papago or Google Translate on your phone for real-time text translation of signs, program boards, and menus at nearby food outlets. The venue location in Yuseong-gu is English-accessible by metro (Expo Science Park Station), which is helpful if you need to navigate independently.
💡 Trip.com makes it easy to book KTX from Seoul to Daejeon for the October 24–25 weekend — the 50-minute journey makes Daejeon one of the most day-trip-friendly cities from Seoul for an event visit.
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair is a compact, two-day event with a clear identity — a science city choosing to tell its story through books and the people who make them. Free entry, 50 booths, author conversations, and the architecture of a former World Expo site all in one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Daejeon is South Korea’s primary science research hub, home to KAIST, the Korea Institute of Standards and Science, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. The fair’s theme reflects the city’s effort to connect its science identity with accessible reading culture and the local publishing ecosystem.
A. Author meet-ups and book talks run across both days of the fair. Detailed timetables will be published via Daejeon City’s official channels before October 24. On arrival, collect the day’s printed program from the information desk and check whether specific sessions require on-site sign-up.
A. Daejeon City plans to publish the list of 50 participating booths via its official social media channels and press release page at daejeon.go.kr ahead of the event. Check before October 24.
A. The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair runs Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Expo Memorial Hall, 2nd Floor, 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea. Admission is free.
More to Explore
For another free October event in Korea with a strong cultural identity, also check out the 2026 Sacheon Air Show — KF-21 fighter flights, Black Eagles aerobatics, and a drone competition, all free with registration, October 22–25.
Heading to Daejeon by KTX from Seoul? The ride is just 50 minutes — check timetables and book ahead for the October 24–25 weekend.
Heading to Daejeon by KTX? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.
The 2026 Daejeon Book Fair is compact by major book fair standards — two days, one floor, 50 booths — which actually makes it one of the more manageable events to visit without feeling overwhelmed. The science city framing is genuinely distinctive: you’re not just browsing books, you’re inside a former World Expo hall in a city built around discovery. The KTX from Seoul takes 50 minutes, which makes this an unusually low-effort day trip for an event that covers a lot of ground in reading culture.
Sources: Daejeon Metropolitan City official press release, August 19, 2026; Seoul Economic Daily (en.sedaily.com) (as of August 2026).
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