Korea National Forest Expo 2026 in Cheongju: Free Saengmyeong Nuri Park Complete Guide

Korea’s largest forest event is coming to Cheongju — and it’s free! 🌲 The 2026 Korea National Forest Expo runs October 16–18 at Saengmyeong Nuri Park in Cheongju, Chungbuk — timber craft experiences, forest sports, local produce direct sales, a closing fireworks show, and more, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. Full schedule, programme guide, and how to get there below. ✨

※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Over 200,000 people attend this event annually — the largest forestry expo in South Korea. 🍂 This is the 25th edition, packed with forest produce markets, timber craft workshops, and a fireworks finale on the last day.

The Korea National Forest Expo (대한민국 산림박람회) is the nation’s largest annual forestry event, co-hosted by the Korea Forest Service, North Chungcheong Province, and Cheongju City.

Based on official announcements by Cheongju City and the Korea Forest Service on October 6, 2026, and Yonhap News Agency coverage. Entry is free for all three days; Saengmyeong Nuri Park serves as the venue.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Official Event Info (Korean)

1. Korea National Forest Expo: 3 Things to Know About the Exhibition

25th Edition — Scale and Background

The Korea National Forest Expo attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year, making it the country’s largest forestry event. Host cities are selected annually through a competitive application process among local governments. Cheongju scored highly for its differentiated forest experience programmes, the proven logistical capacity of Saengmyeong Nuri Park, and the city’s track record managing large-scale public events. The 25th edition runs with a combined budget of approximately KRW 600 million (approx. USD 444,000), jointly funded by the Korea Forest Service, North Chungcheong Province, and Cheongju City. The expo frames forests not only as ecological assets but as living resources connected to local culture, the economy, and daily life.

Forest Policy, Industry, and Welfare Booths

The expo grounds include booths from forest-related public organisations covering forest policy, the timber industry, and forest welfare programmes. Timber craft workshops, forest sports, and forest education programmes run throughout all three days. The Forest Golden Bell quiz — a buzzer-round general knowledge contest on forest topics — takes place on the final day (October 18); participation details are available through on-site guidance. Booking.com and Agoda list accommodation options in central Cheongju if you plan to stay overnight.

Jikji-Themed Unique Rest Space — Cheongju University Industrial Design Department

Students from Cheongju University’s Industrial Design department designed an installation titled “Walking Through the Forest of Records — Paths Created by Jikji’s Typesetting.” The piece connects Cheongju’s identity as the home of Jikji (직지심체요절, the world’s oldest surviving book printed with movable metal type, predating Gutenberg by 78 years) with the forest expo’s green concept. Alongside the main expo, the 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair presents craft works inspired by nature and Korea’s regional craft traditions.

💡 Agoda lists hotels near Cheongju — book early if visiting on the Saturday (Oct 17), when the expo, Craft Fair, and family programmes all run together.

Cheongju is accessible by KTX to Osong Station or Cheongju Airport Station, both with onward bus connections to the city. Accommodation near Saengmyeong Nuri Park books up during major events — compare options on Agoda or Booking.com for Cheongju city-centre hotels and plan to arrive before the afternoon opening ceremony on October 16.

2. Dates, Venue & How to Get There

Friday, October 16 — Opening Ceremony & Kim Yong-bin Concert

The expo opens with a pre-show performance at 1:30 PM, followed by the official opening ceremony. The evening features a concert by singer Kim Yong-bin. Forest produce vendor booths and experience programmes begin operating from opening afternoon — the recommended approach is to browse the booths in the afternoon and stay for the evening concert.

Saturday, October 17 — Youth Gugak, Magic Show, Dance Performance

Day two brings a youth gugak (gugak / 국악 is Korea’s traditional music, including instruments such as the gayageum harp and piri flute) performance, followed by a magic show and dance performance. Saturday draws the highest visitor numbers, with timber craft workshops and forest sports in peak demand. Families with children will find Saturday’s programme lineup particularly accessible.

Sunday, October 18 — Bubble Show, Forest Golden Bell, Fireworks

The final day features a bubble show, the Forest Golden Bell quiz, and a fireworks display to close the three-day expo. Fireworks are scheduled for the evening at Saengmyeong Nuri Park’s outdoor area. The exact start time was not confirmed in official announcements as of October 2026 — check on-site guidance or the Korea Forest Service’s official channels on the day.

Getting There from Seoul / Incheon Airport
From Seoul Station, take KTX to Osong Station (approx. 40–50 minutes; from approx. KRW 14,000–19,000 / USD 10–14). From Osong Station, take a local bus or taxi to Saengmyeong Nuri Park in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju. Alternatively, intercity buses run from Seoul to Cheongju Bus Terminal, from which a taxi to Saengmyeong Nuri Park takes approximately 15–20 minutes. From Incheon Airport, KTX Airport Express to Seoul Station then KTX to Osong is the most direct route. Confirm shuttle bus availability during the expo period with Cheongju City or the Korea Forest Service.

3. Tickets & Booking: 4 Steps for Foreign Visitors

Step 1: Confirm Free Admission

All three days of the Korea National Forest Expo are free to enter. No ticket is required. Forest produce purchases, craft fair items, and any paid on-site food involve direct payment to vendors. Overseas credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are generally accepted at vendor booths, though having some Korean Won (KRW) available is practical for smaller stalls. ATMs are available in Cheongju city centre.

Step 2: Plan Around the Forest Produce Market

Vendor booths selling forest produce directly from producers are open all three days. Popular items — dried mushrooms, pine nuts, forest herb products — may sell out before Sunday. If purchasing forest produce is a priority, Day 1 (Friday afternoon) or Day 2 (Saturday morning) gives the widest selection. Carry a reusable bag or box for transporting purchases.

Step 3: Link to the 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair

The 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair runs concurrently with the Korea National Forest Expo in the same grounds. Nature-inspired craft pieces are on display and available for purchase. The Jikji-themed rest installation also sits within the expo route — connecting all three components (expo, craft fair, and installation) into a single walkthrough is straightforward.

Step 4: Prepare for the Closing Fireworks

The October 18 fireworks display closes the expo in the evening after the Forest Golden Bell quiz. Exact timing was not confirmed in official materials at the time of writing — check Korea Forest Service official channels or the on-site programme board on the day. Bring a jacket; Cheongju evenings in mid-October can be cool.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Official Event Info (Korean)

4. Where to Eat & Stay Nearby

On-site Food Vendors and Forest Produce

Food vendors operate inside the expo grounds throughout all three days. The forest produce booths offer dried and processed forest products that make practical souvenirs or cooking ingredients. The 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair section also includes artisan food and beverage stalls. For a fuller meal, Cheongju city centre (approx. 15–20 min by taxi from Saengmyeong Nuri Park) offers a wide range of Korean restaurant options, including local Chungbuk dishes.

Accommodation — Cheongju City Centre

Cheongju city-centre hotels and guesthouses are the most practical base. Agoda and Booking.com list a range of options from budget guesthouses to mid-range business hotels. Osong — the KTX station hub — also has nearby accommodation for those prioritising quick train access back to Seoul. Book in advance for October 17 (Saturday), when demand peaks.

5. Korea National Forest Expo vs. Previous Editions at a Glance

6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors

Tip 1: Arrive Before the 1:30 PM Opening Ceremony on Day 1

The Day 1 pre-show performance begins at 1:30 PM, followed by the official opening ceremony and the Kim Yong-bin evening concert. The most efficient approach is to arrive in the late morning, browse the forest produce booths while they’re freshest, then take in the afternoon ceremony and evening concert. The Korea Tourism 1330 hotline (+82-2-1330) operates in English if you need travel assistance before or during the trip.

Tip 2: Fireworks on October 18 — Check Timing On-site

The closing fireworks on October 18 follow the Forest Golden Bell quiz in the evening. The exact start time was not confirmed in official announcements as of publication — check the Korea Forest Service official channels or on-site programme boards on the day. Arrive by late afternoon and stay for the quiz to secure a good viewing position.

Tip 3: Visit the 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair Simultaneously

The 2026 Chungbuk Craft Fair runs in the same grounds during the same period. Visiting on Saturday (October 17) lets you combine the expo, craft fair, and the youth performance programme in a single day. No separate admission applies.

Tip 4: Buy Forest Produce Early

Forest produce booths run all three days, but popular items may sell out on Day 1 and Saturday morning. If you’re there primarily to purchase forest products (pine nuts, dried mushrooms, forest herb products), head to the vendor area first thing. Items are sold directly by producers — prices are typically lower than retail.

Tip 5: Prepare for Weekend Crowds

Saturday (October 17) draws the highest visitor numbers. If you have a choice, arriving on Friday afternoon lets you see the opening ceremony and Kim Yong-bin concert with more breathing room. KTX seats on the Seoul–Osong route also sell out on weekends — book in advance through Trip.com or the Korail website.

💡 Trip.com offers deals on KTX tickets to Osong Station — compare prices and travel to Cheongju comfortably for the Korea National Forest Expo.

KTX to Osong takes approximately 40–50 minutes from Seoul Station — one of the more accessible regional events from the capital. Trip.com and Klook list intercity transport and Cheongju accommodation. Book your KTX return seat for October 18 (Sunday) well in advance, as post-fireworks departures on the last day are in high demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

More to Explore

The Gwangmyeong Cave Light Festival — a 1,000-drone light show in Gyeonggi-do — runs the same weekend (October 16–17). If you’re planning a broader autumn itinerary across central Korea, the two events offer a compelling contrast: forest and fireworks in Cheongju, then drones and DJ sets near Seoul. Trip.com and Agoda cover accommodation across both regions.

For more autumn light events in Korea, see the Gwangmyeong Cave Light Festival 2026 — a 1,000-drone show running the same weekend in Gyeonggi-do.

Heading to Cheongju by KTX or intercity bus? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.

Sources: Korea Forest Service official press release, Cheongju City official announcement, Yonhap News Agency (October 2026).