At a glance
| Dates | Expected Jul/Aug 2027Late July to early or mid August 2027 (30th edition), following the 17-day Friday-to-Sunday pattern of 2024–2026. The city has said the 30th edition will expand mud-based wellness content, strengthen night programmes and tie in with the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade and World Youth Day. No dates had been published as of 16 October 2026. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Late July to early or mid August 2027 (30th edition), following the 17-day Friday-to-Sunday pattern of 2024–2026. The city has said the 30th edition will expand mud-based wellness content, strengthen night programmes and tie in with the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade and World Youth Day. No dates had been published as of 16 October 2026. |
| Weather | July average 28/22 °C (83/71 °F), 248 mm of rain August average 30/22 °C (86/72 °F), 270 mm of rainHot, humid and the wettest time of year: light clothes, a rain jacket or umbrella, and water. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020, Boryeong station. |
| Admission | The beach, Mud Plaza, Mud Cask Zone, concerts and drone shows are free; the mud experience zones need a paid wristband (₩12,000–16,000 adults, ₩11,000–13,000 Family Zone in 2026), which includes a ₩5,000 Boryeong gift certificate.General Zone adult (19–64), weekday: ₩12,000 · General Zone adult, weekend (Fri–Sun): ₩16,000 · General Zone teen (11–18, 140 cm+), weekday: ₩11,000 (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Boryeong Mud Expo Plaza (Mud Plaza), Daecheon Beach충청남도 보령시 신흑동 2282 |
| Nearest station | Daecheon Station (대천역), Janghang Line (Korail Saemaeul/Mugunghwa from Yongsan)Not walkable to the beach: about 10 minutes by taxi (close to the base fare) or about 15 minutes by city bus |
| From Seoul | about 2 h 50 min · Train + TaxiLeave from Yongsan Station · One-way fare from ₩11,700Full route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Boryeong Festival Tourism Foundation (hosted by Boryeong City)보령축제관광재단 (주최 보령시) |
| Usual timing | Seventeen days from a Friday in the second half of July to a Sunday in the first half of August (2024: 19 Jul–4 Aug; 2025: 25 Jul–10 Aug; 2026: 24 Jul–9 Aug). Dates were on the official site and the KTO listing well before the festival; the 2027 (30th) dates had not been announced as of 16 October 2026. Browse July / August festivals. |
| First held | 1998 |
| Last checked | 16 October 2026Checked against 18 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Boryeong is a small city on Korea's west coast, and Daecheon Beach is its main resort. Since 1998 the city has built a 17-day festival around the grey tidal mud from its shoreline, which has been sold as a cosmetic ingredient since 1996. The paid area on Mud Plaza is a fenced set of pools: a mud slide with the longest queue, a mud pool for free play, colour mud painting and, new in 2026, a Mud Infinity Pool facing the sea. A free Mud Cask Zone next to it has 20 self-service massage tubs, and about 350 tons of mud are brought in fresh each day. A separate Family Zone admits only guardians with children aged 3 to 12; a water park is included with any wristband. Outside the fences the beach stays free, with EDM and DJ sets each evening, drone light shows on the opening and closing nights, and televised K-pop, hip-hop and rock concerts on most weekends. Expect midsummer heat, long shower queues before closing and roughly 210,000 people on the opening weekend, many of them foreign residents and tourists; weekday afternoons are far calmer. The mud zones close for one midweek safety inspection, and children under 140 cm cannot enter the main zone. It is loud, wet and not a place for anyone who dislikes crowds.
Highlights
- Mud slide, mud pool, colour mud painting and the new Mud Infinity Pool facing the sea inside the paid General Zone
- Mud Cask Zone on Mud Plaza: 20 free self-service mud massage tubs, daytime only
- Mud on the Beach: nightly EDM and DJ sets on the beach, with drone light shows at the opening ceremony (25 July 2026) and the closing night (9 August 2026)
- Free televised concerts in 2026: KBS K-POP Super Live on the opening weekend, K-Hip-hop Festival 31 July–1 August, Mud Rock Festa 7 August, Big Mud Show 8 August, TV Chosun Super Concert 9 August
- Family Zone for guardians with children aged 3–12, plus a water-park zone included with any paid wristband
- Meong-deu pet zone for leashed dogs with an ID tag (2026)
Who it suits. Best for groups of friends and families with children aged 3–12 who want an active, messy beach day; less suited to anyone who dislikes crowds, loud music or heat, and to children under 140 cm, who cannot enter the General Zone.
Getting there
From Seoul
Saemaeul or Mugunghwa train from Yongsan Station to Daecheon Station on the Janghang Line (2 h 30 m–2 h 50 m, ₩17,400 Saemaeul or ₩11,700 Mugunghwa, about 15 trains a day; there is no KTX), then a taxi of about 10 minutes to Mud Plaza. Alternatively an express bus from Central City Terminal to Boryeong Bus Terminal (about 2 h 10 m, ₩18,900 in 2024); the terminal is a 5-minute walk from Daecheon Station.
Last leg from Daecheon Station
Janghang Line (Korail Saemaeul/Mugunghwa from Yongsan). Not walkable to the beach: about 10 minutes by taxi (close to the base fare) or about 15 minutes by city bus
Getting home
Trains from Daecheon back to Yongsan take about 2 h 30 m–2 h 50 m, and express buses run from Boryeong Bus Terminal to Seoul. Check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) or at the station, and the last express bus at the terminal, before the festival day. For a concert night, book a bed in Daecheon.
Parking
Public and temporary lots near the beach fill by about 10:00 on summer weekends; the public lot near Daecheon Bus Terminal usually has space.
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 Zone adult (19–64), weekday | ₩12,000 | Includes a ₩5,000 Boryeong Love gift certificate |
| General Zone adult, weekend (Fri–Sun) | ₩16,000 | Includes a ₩5,000 gift certificate |
| General Zone teen (11–18, 140 cm+), weekday | ₩11,000 | Weekend ₩14,000 |
| Family Zone guardian or child (3–12), weekday | ₩11,000 | Weekend ₩13,000; adults without a child cannot enter |
| Mud Cask Zone (self-massage tubs), beach, concerts and drone shows | Free | Only mud-zone wristbands are sold on the official ticket page |
| Discounts | — | 30% for seniors 65+, registered disabled (grades 1–3) plus one guardian and Boryeong residents; 10% early bird until 15 June |
- Booking
- About 30% of each day's wristbands are sold online through TFUN Korea (reserv.tfunkorea.co.kr, which has an English mode), Naver Booking or KakaoTalk Booking; the other 70% are sold on site from 13:00 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends, with long lines on weekends. Online buyers swap their reservation number for a wristband at the Online Booking booth. Lost wristbands are not reissued.
- English on site
- Official website and leaflet in English; TFUN booking site has an English mode; the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (+82-2-1330) answers in English.
- Crowds
- Very crowded on weekends, above all the opening weekend (about 210,000 visitors in the first two days of 2026) and concert nights; weekday afternoons are manageable.
- Best time to go
- Weekday afternoons from the 13:00 opening, or weekends right at 10:00 before queues build; stay for the beach stage after dark.
- What to bring
- Swimwear or old clothes, towel, aqua shoes for the beach and between zones (sandals, slippers and sneakers are not allowed inside the mud zones; shoes go into storage at the entrance), a waterproof phone pouch, sunscreen and a hat, a change of clothes; wear glasses rather than contact lenses and keep valuables to a minimum.
- Toilets
- Outdoor showers, a premium shower area with full-length mirrors, shelves and hair dryers, and shoe lockers (shoes are not allowed inside the mud zone).
- Step-free access
- A 30% discount applies to registered disabled visitors (grades 1–3) plus one guardian; no step-free access details are published for the pools.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs with an ID tag and waste bags were admitted to the Meong-deu pet zone in 2026.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Late July to early or mid August 2027 (30th edition), following the 17-day Friday-to-Sunday pattern of 2024–2026. The city has said the 30th edition will expand mud-based wellness content, strengthen night programmes and tie in with the 2027 Chungcheong Universiade and World Youth Day. No dates had been published as of 16 October 2026. | expected | 2026 dates appeared on the official site and KTO listing before the festival; the exact announcement date for 2027 is not established. |
| 2026 | 24 Jul – 9 Aug 2026 | ended | New Mud Cask Zone with 20 self-massage tubs and a Mud Infinity Pool facing the sea; a 150 m × 50 m shade canopy over the mud zone; a pet zone; reusable food containers |
| 2025 | 25 Jul – 10 Aug 2025 | ended | Upgraded shower area with mirrors and dryers; mud cabana rest tents; cooling zones |
| 2024 | 19 Jul – 4 Aug 2024 | ended | 27th edition. About 1.65 million visitors including about 82,600 foreigners (news reports). |
Nearby
- Daecheon Beach (대천해수욕장) — On site. The festival sits on this shell-powder sand beach; swimming season runs through the festival.
- Sanghwawon Garden (상화원). Island garden south of Daecheon, known for its dense bamboo and seaside walkways.
- Muchangpo Beach (무창포해수욕장). Quieter beach with a sea-parting tidal road and forest walks.
- Cold Wind Resort (냉풍욕장). Cool air blowing from an abandoned coal mine; a relief on hot days.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Boryeong Mud Festival 2027?
Not yet announced. It is the 30th edition and is expected in late July to early or mid August 2027, after the 2026 edition ran 24 July–9 August. The city plans more wellness and night programmes for the anniversary.
How much does the Boryeong Mud Festival cost?
In 2026 the General Zone cost ₩12,000 on weekdays and ₩16,000 on weekends for adults, and the Family Zone ₩11,000–13,000; each ticket includes a ₩5,000 local gift certificate. The beach, concerts and drone shows are free.
How do I get from Seoul to the Boryeong Mud Festival?
Take a Saemaeul (₩17,400) or Mugunghwa (₩11,700) train from Yongsan to Daecheon Station, 2 h 30 m–2 h 50 m, then a 10-minute taxi to Mud Plaza. Express buses from Central City take about 2 h 10 m.
Can children join the Boryeong Mud Festival?
Yes. Children aged 3–12 use the Family Zone with a guardian; the General Zone is for ages 11 and up with a minimum height of 140 cm. A water-park zone is included with any wristband.
Are the concerts at the mud festival free?
Only mud-zone wristbands are sold; the 2026 beach concerts (KBS K-POP Super Live, Mud Rock Festa, TV Chosun Super Concert) and drone shows took place on the open beach with no separate ticket listed.
What are the mud festival opening hours?
Mud zones open 13:00–18:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00–18:00 Friday to Sunday, with last entry at 17:30. In 2026 the General Zone stayed open until 21:30 on 24 July and 6 August, and all zones closed on 5 August.
What should I bring to the Boryeong Mud Festival?
Old clothes or swimwear, a towel, aqua shoes for the beach, a waterproof phone pouch, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Footwear is not allowed inside the mud zones, so shoes go into storage at the entrance (the 2024 Mud Challenge course required gloves and closed shoes).
What is the weather like during Boryeong Mud Festival?
July in Boryeong: average high 28 °C (83 °F), low 22 °C (71 °F), 248 mm of rain (Boryeong station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). August in Boryeong: average high 30 °C (86 °F), low 22 °C (72 °F), 270 mm of rain (Boryeong station, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Hot, humid and the wettest time of year: light clothes, a rain jacket or umbrella, and water.
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: high.
- Boryeong Mud Festival official site (English) — main pageofficial — 29th edition dates 24 Jul–9 Aug 2026; venue Mud Expo Square; Google Maps coordinates 36.3146, 126.5150
- Boryeong Mud Festival official site — Ticket informationofficial — 2026 zone prices, ages, hours, night openings, 5 Aug closure, online/on-site sales, discounts, refunds
- Boryeong Mud Festival official site — Tourist attractionsofficial — Nearby attractions list
- KTO VisitKorea — Boryeong Mud Festival (2026 listing)kto — Address 2282 Sinheuk-dong, organizer Boryeong Festival Tourism Foundation, host Boryeong-si, phone, programme names
- KTO VisitKorea — Boryeong Mud Festival visitor guide (2024)kto — 2024 dates, hours, prices, closure day, Yongsan–Daecheon and Central City–Boryeong transport, shoe lockers, Mud Challenge rules
- Segye Ilbo — 제29회 보령머드축제 24일 개막 (22 Jul 2026)news — 2026 programme (Mud Cask Zone, Infinity Pool, Mud on the Beach, concerts), voucher, amenities
- Aju News — 진흙투성이로 하나 된 세계인 (30 Jul 2026)news — Opening ceremony 25 Jul with Black Eagles and drone show; dated concert programme; 26,000 at K-pop concert
- Maeil Business via Daum — 이틀간 21만명 몰린 머드축제 (26 Jul 2026)news — 210,000 visitors in two days; 350 tons of mud; pet zone; shade canopy; 82,598 foreign visitors in 2024; 30th-edition plans
- Newsis — 제28회 보령머드축제 포스터 (8 Jul 2025)news — 2025 dates 25 Jul–10 Aug and programme
- Twig24 — 보령머드축제 대한민국 대표 글로벌 축제 인정 (6 Feb 2026)news — Local100 (2026–2027) designation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; 2024 visitor total
- Wikipedia — Boryeong Mud Festivalother — First held 1998; mud cosmetics history (1994 massage house, 1996 ingredient)
- train.asamaru.net — 용산역→대천역 timetableother — Train types, journey times, fares, first/last departures (Oct 2026)
- train.asamaru.net — 대천역→용산역 timetableother — Last three departures from Daecheon (Oct 2026)
- Trip.com guide — 대천 당일치기 여행blog — Taxi/bus time from terminal to beach, last express bus 20:00–21:00, parking tips
- travelmapjourney — 보령머드축제 2026 가이드blog — Crowd and packing tips (unverified blog)
- Aju News — 제27회 보령머드축제 (21 Feb 2024)news — 2024 festival 19 Jul–4 Aug, 17 days; no closure day given
- Haps Korea via Stripes Korea — Boryeong Mud Festival 2026 (11 Jul 2026)news — Pattern only: 2026 closure was a Wednesday (5 Aug)
- travelmapjourney — 2026 보령머드축제 가이드 (blog)blog — Footwear banned inside the experience zone; aqua shoes recommended for moving around outside the zones
What we could not confirm
- Whether on-site ticket booths and TFUN accept foreign-issued credit cards.
- City bus route numbers from Daecheon Station to Mud Plaza (sources only say 'city bus, about 15 minutes').
- 2025 zone prices and the exact dates of the 2025 concerts.
- Rain policy for the mud zones and concerts.
- Whether a festival shuttle operated in 2026 (none found).
- Announcement timing for the 2027 dates.
- Which day the 2024 mud zones closed: sources disagree and the KTO 2024 guide could not be opened.
- Last train from Daecheon to Yongsan and last express bus from Boryeong to Seoul on the festival dates under the timetable in force that day.
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; conflicting figures and claims. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-20 — FAQ window aligned with the expected window (to early or mid August). · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed last-train and last-bus clock times taken from the October 2026 timetable (next edition months away); the page now gives journey times and says to check the last train in the Korail app or at the station or terminal. · 2026-10-22 — Added a photo gallery: Crowds in the sea and on the sand at Daecheon Beach during the festival (2014), Inflatable mud slides and play pools on the festival square by Daecheon Beach (2014) (KOGL Type 1, 한국관광콘텐츠랩).
