At a glance
| Dates | Expected Sep/Oct 2027Late September to mid-October 2027, nine or ten days spanning two weekends; 2024 and 2026 started on a Saturday (28 Sep, 3 Oct), 2025 on Friday 3 October (National Foundation Day). The 2024 program was announced in late August. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Late September to mid-October 2027, nine or ten days spanning two weekends; 2024 and 2026 started on a Saturday (28 Sep, 3 Oct), 2025 on Friday 3 October (National Foundation Day). The 2024 program was announced in late August. |
| Weather | September average 27/16 °C (80/61 °F), 146 mm of rain October average 21/8 °C (71/46 °F), 64 mm of rainMild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Buyeo station. |
| Admission | Admission to all festival grounds in both towns is free; a few hands-on stalls charge small fees.General admission: Free |
| Venue | Jeongnimsaji temple site and central Buyeo (Buyeo program); Geumgang Sinkwan Park and Gongsanseong (Gongju program)충청남도 부여군 부여읍 정림로 83 |
| Nearest station | Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (no railway station in Buyeo); Gongju Bus Terminal for the Gongju program (부여시외버스터미널 / 공주종합버스터미널), Intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal (Buyeo) or Seoul (Gongju); nearest KTX stations are Nonsan and Gongju, both needing an onward busJeongnimsaji is a 5–10 minute walk east of Buyeo's bus terminal; Geumgang Sinkwan Park is next to Gongju Bus Terminal |
| From Seoul | about 2 h 20 min · BusLeave from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal · Same-night return is tightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Gongju City and Buyeo County, each running its own programme (Gongju: Gongju Culture and Tourism Foundation; Buyeo: Buyeo Cultural Center)공주시·부여군 (공주 주관 공주시백제문화선양위원회·(재)공주문화관광재단, 부여 주관 부여문화원) |
| Usual timing | Nine or ten days from late September to mid-October, held at the same time in Buyeo and Gongju (2024: 28 Sep–6 Oct; 2025: 3–12 Oct, ten days over Chuseok; 2026: 3–11 Oct). The 2024 program was confirmed in late August; expect 2027 dates by late summer. Browse September / October festivals. |
| First held | 1955 |
| Last checked | 16 October 2026Checked against 14 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Baekje was one of Korea's Three Kingdoms (18 BC–AD 660), and Gongju (then Ungjin) and Buyeo (then Sabi) were its last two capitals. Their tombs, fortress and temple sites are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this festival, first held in 1955 as a memorial rite for the kingdom's fall, is the main event built around them. The two towns run parallel programs under one name, so pick one town per day: they are about 45 minutes apart by bus. In 2026 Buyeo moved its festival centre from the Baekje Cultural Complex out of town to the walkable old centre around Jeongnimsaji temple site, Seoktap-ro and the Gwanbuk-ri ruins, with a capital-relocation procession and drone show on opening night, a 600-person historical procession on 9 October, a night parade on 10 October and eleven Confucian and Buddhist rites across the week. Gongju used Geumgang Sinkwan Park on the river below Gongsanseong fortress: a citizens' parade on 4 October, the multimedia show Ungjin Fantasia, lantern displays and some 250 lit sailboats on the Geumgang. Admission is free. Expect families, school groups and a food market rather than a polished show; daytime is mostly markets and hands-on stalls, and the parades and lighting after dark are the strongest parts. The 2025 edition drew about 700,000 people, and the opening weekend coincides with the 3 October public holiday, so weekday evenings are easier.
Highlights
- Sabi capital-relocation procession and opening ceremony at Jeongnimsaji on 3 October 2026 (declaration 17:00, ceremony from 19:00), with a drone show
- Baekje Historical Cultural Procession through central Buyeo on 9 October 2026, about 600 costumed participants, 15:30–17:00
- Baekje night parade in Buyeo on 10 October 2026, 19:30–20:30
- Gongju's Ungjinseong citizens' parade from Jungdong intersection to Sanseong Market on 4 October 2026
- Night lighting on the Geumgang at Gongju: about 250 lit hwangpo sailboats and a bronze-mirror sculpture, plus the Ungjin Fantasia show
- Eleven traditional rites, including the Sabi Jeongdo Goyuje at the five-storey stone pagoda and the Baekje Daewangje
Who it suits. Best for history-minded travellers and families who want costumed parades and lit-up heritage sites without an entry fee; less suited to anyone expecting big-name concerts or a single compact site, because the program is split across two towns and daytime hours are mostly markets and stalls.
Getting there
From Seoul
Buyeo has no railway station. Take an intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal (Line 3, Nambu Bus Terminal station) to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal, about 2 h 10 min with departures roughly every 40 minutes; Jeongnimsaji is a 5–10 minute walk east of the terminal. For Gongju, take an intercity bus from Seoul to Gongju Bus Terminal (about 1 h 30–40 min; departures roughly every 45 minutes), which is beside Geumgang Sinkwan Park. Buses between Gongju and Buyeo take about 45 minutes.
From Busan
No direct rail. Take KTX from Busan to Daejeon, then an intercity bus from Daejeon Seobu Terminal to Buyeo (about 1 h 20 min, departures every 20 minutes) or from Daejeon's Seobu or Dongbu terminal to Gongju (every 30–50 minutes).
From Incheon Airport
Take the AREX train or an airport limousine bus into Seoul, then the Seoul Nambu Terminal bus to Buyeo or an intercity bus to Gongju as above; no direct airport bus to either town was found.
Last leg from Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (no railway station in Buyeo); Gongju Bus Terminal for the Gongju program
Intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal (Buyeo) or Seoul (Gongju); nearest KTX stations are Nonsan and Gongju, both needing an onward bus. Jeongnimsaji is a 5–10 minute walk east of Buyeo's bus terminal; Geumgang Sinkwan Park is next to Gongju Bus Terminal
Festival shuttle
Buyeo 2026: free shuttles 09:00–23:00 daily on three loop routes via the county office and health centre roundabouts; routes 1 and 2 every 5–15 minutes from the Gudeure and Baekma River Theme Park car parks, route 3 every 25–35 minutes from Buyeo Lotte Resort. Gongju 2026 shuttle details were not published in text form.
Getting home
Return bus times were not verified (Seoul-to-Buyeo departures run 06:30–18:30, so the last Buyeo-to-Seoul bus is also early evening). The night parade ends after 20:30, so plan to stay overnight in Buyeo or Gongju, or return via Daejeon, which has later KTX departures.
Parking
Buyeo 2026: park-and-ride at Gudeure car park, Baekma River Theme Park car park or Lotte Resort and ride the free shuttle; Gungnamji, Seomun and Seodong Culture Center lots are alternatives subject to traffic control; East Gate and Tourist Information Center lots are for coaches only.
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | Free | Free in every recent edition |
- Booking
- No booking is needed for admission, parades or ceremonies. Some workshops (for example the Buyeo literary tour and a Roblox contest in 2026) required sign-up through the Korean-language notice board on baekjeculturalfestival.kr; no card or Korean phone number is needed to attend.
- English on site
- The official site has an English menu link but it carried no content in 2026; KTO's English listing and on-site maps are the practical sources. Rites and ceremonies are in Korean.
- Crowds
- Heaviest on the opening weekend (3 October is a public holiday) and on parade days; weekday afternoons are manageable.
- Best time to go
- Arrive by late afternoon on a parade day (9 or 10 October in 2026) and stay for the night lighting; Gongju's river lanterns are best after 19:00.
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for the walk between Buyeo venues, a light jacket for evenings by the river, and cash or a Korean-issued card for market stalls.
- Step-free access
- Buyeo's 2026 venues (Jeongnimsaji, Seoktap-ro, Gwanbuk-ri) are flat and connected on foot; Gongsanseong in Gongju involves steep fortress walls and steps.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Late September to mid-October 2027, nine or ten days spanning two weekends; 2024 and 2026 started on a Saturday (28 Sep, 3 Oct), 2025 on Friday 3 October (National Foundation Day). The 2024 program was announced in late August. | expected | No 2027 announcement found as of 16 October 2026. |
| 2026 | 3–11 Oct 2026 | ended | Buyeo moved its main venue from the Baekje Cultural Complex (Gyuam-myeon) to the old town centre: Jeongnimsaji, Seoktap-ro and the Gwanbuk-ri ruins. Gongju used Geumgang Sinkwan Park, Mireum Island, Gongsanseong and the old royal capital district. |
| 2025 | 3–12 Oct 2025 | ended | Ten days instead of nine, covering the Chuseok holiday; marked the 10th anniversary of the Baekje Historic Areas' UNESCO listing. |
| 2024 | 28 Sep – 6 Oct 2024 | ended | 70th edition; Gongju ran 25 programs under the theme 'Baekje Culture, the 70th Great Step'. |
Nearby
- Jeongnimsaji temple site and museum (정림사지) — At the Buyeo venue. Five-storey Baekje stone pagoda (National Treasure) and the 2026 main stage; part of the UNESCO Baekje Historic Areas.
- Busosanseong Fortress and Nakhwaam (부소산성·낙화암). Hilltop fortress of the Sabi capital with the cliff where legend says court ladies leapt into the river in 660.
- Gongsanseong Fortress (공산성) — Across the river from Geumgang Sinkwan Park, Gongju. Riverside fortress of the Ungjin capital in Gongju; night performances and lighting during the festival.
- Baekje Cultural Complex (백제문화단지). Reconstructed Sabi palace complex in Gyuam-myeon; was the Buyeo main venue before 2026, now a separate paid attraction.
Questions travelers ask
When was the Baekje Cultural Festival 2026?
The 72nd Baekje Cultural Festival ran 3–11 October 2026 in both Buyeo and Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, with Buyeo events 10:00–22:00 and Gongju events 11:00–22:00.
Is the Baekje Cultural Festival free?
Yes. Admission to the festival sites in Buyeo and Gongju is free; only some hands-on stalls charge a fee.
Should I go to Gongju or Buyeo?
Both towns run their own program. Buyeo's 2026 centre was the walkable old town around Jeongnimsaji with a night parade on 10 October; Gongju's was Geumgang Sinkwan Park below Gongsanseong with a parade on 4 October. Pick one town per day.
How do I get to Buyeo from Seoul?
Buyeo has no train station. Intercity buses from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal take about 2 h 10 min; the festival site at Jeongnimsaji is a 5–10 minute walk from Buyeo's bus terminal.
When will the 2027 Baekje Cultural Festival be held?
Not announced yet. Recent editions ran nine or ten days from late September or early October (2024: 28 Sep–6 Oct; 2025: 3–12 Oct; 2026: 3–11 Oct), so expect a similar window in 2027.
What is the festival about?
It began in 1955 as a rite to console the spirits of Baekje, the kingdom that fell in 660 and whose capitals were Gongju and Buyeo. Today it combines Confucian and Buddhist rites with costumed processions, media art and night lighting at UNESCO-listed sites.
Is there a shuttle bus at the festival?
In 2026 Buyeo ran free shuttles 09:00–23:00 on three loop routes from the Gudeure, Baekma River Theme Park and Lotte Resort car parks. Gongju's arrangements were not published in text form.
What is the weather like during Baekje Cultural Festival?
September in Buyeo and Gongju: average high 27 °C (80 °F), low 16 °C (61 °F), 146 mm of rain (Buyeo station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). October in Buyeo and Gongju: average high 21 °C (71 °F), low 8 °C (46 °F), 64 mm of rain (Buyeo station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Mild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
16 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2027 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- 제72회 백제문화제 official site (home, schedule, directions, shuttle and parking pages)official — 2026 dates 3–11 Oct; Buyeo venues (Jeongnimsaji, Seoktap-ro, Gwanbuk-ri); host Buyeo-gun, organizer Buyeo Cultural Center; contact 041-837-2517; Buyeo literary tour and Roblox sign-up notices; schedule/shuttle/parking pages are images only
- KTO VisitKorea — Baekje Cultural Festivalkto — 2026 period, free admission, hours Buyeo 10:00–22:00 / Gongju 11:00–22:00, Gongju venues, organizer and host names, first held 1955, address 83 Jeongnim-ro
- The Fact — 제72회 백제문화제 공주·부여서 개막news — Simultaneous opening 3 Oct 2026; Gongju and Buyeo themes; opening-day programs; Gongju parade 4 Oct; 250 lit sailboats and bronze-mirror sculpture
- Financial News — Buyeo County 2026 festival update (8 Oct 2026)news — Historical procession 9 Oct with about 600 participants; night parade 10 Oct; eleven rites; festival origin in 1955
- Travel Map Journey — 2026 부여 백제문화제, 축제장이 백제문화단지에서 시내로blog — Venue move to downtown Buyeo; program times (17:00 declaration, 19:00 opening, 15:30 procession, 19:30 night parade, 18:30 closing); exhibition and museum hours; free shuttle routes and hours; park-and-ride lots
- iNews24 — 제71회 백제문화제 2025 openingnews — 2025 dates 3–12 Oct; Gongju and Buyeo programs; about 3,000 at opening ceremony
- The Fact — 공주시 제70회 백제문화제 9월 28일 개막news — 2024 dates 28 Sep–6 Oct; Gongju venues; opening and closing at 19:00; 25 programs
- The Fact — 권경운 공주시의원, 백제문화제 글로벌·체류형 축제 전환 촉구news — About 700,000 visitors at the 71st (2025) festival
- K-Trip Tips mirror of the KTO Korean listing — 제72회 백제문화제kto — Hosts Buyeo County and Gongju City; organizers Baekje Cultural Foundation and Gongju bodies; about 40 Buyeo programs; Gongju phone 041-840-8403; alias 대백제전; map point 36.2790, 126.9129
- Wikipedia — Jeongnimsamap — Venue coordinates 36.2794, 126.9133; UNESCO listing 2015; five-storey pagoda
- Wikivoyage — Buyeoother — Buses from Seoul Nambu Terminal about 2 h 10 min every 40 min; Daejeon Seobu buses every 20 min about 1 h 20 min; Gongju–Buyeo about 45 min; no railway in Buyeo; Jeongnimsa 5–10 min walk from terminal
- Wikivoyage — Gongjuother — Direct buses from Seoul about every 45 minutes; Daejeon intercity buses every 30–50 minutes
- Wikitree — 70년 역사 품은 '백제문화제', 10월 부여서 황금연휴 책임진다 (22 Aug 2025)news — 2025 dates 3–12 Oct, ten days
- Gongju City — 백제문화제 event listing (2025)municipal — Gongju programme: host Gongju City; organisers 공주시백제문화선양위원회 and (재)공주문화관광재단; 2025 dates 3–12 October
What we could not confirm
- Gongju's 2026 shuttle routes, parking and exact program times were only published as images; Gongju times here come from news reports.
- Buyeo shuttle hours and park-and-ride facts for 2026 come from a blog that cites official notices; the official shuttle page is an image.
- Current intercity bus fares and last-departure times from Buyeo and Gongju to Seoul were not verified (Wikivoyage figures are old).
- 2027 (73rd) dates and whether Buyeo keeps the downtown venue.
- Total 2026 attendance was not reported by 16 October 2026.
Changes: 2026-10-16 — Full fact-first rewrite: hours, prices, stations, 2024–2027 editions, FAQs and sources. · 2026-10-16 — Rechecked against timetables, fare tables and organizer notices: conflicting dates and transport details. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-20 — Organiser corrected: no source names a single organising committee; Gongju City and Buyeo County each run their own programme (Gongju Culture and Tourism Foundation; Buyeo Cultural Center). · 2026-10-20 — Tense: the 2026 edition has ended, so sentences about it are in the past tense.
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