At a glance
| Dates | 9–11 Oct 2027Upcoming · 24th edition, Saturday 9 to Monday 11 October 2027, on Jarasum and in Gapyeong town; announced on the festival's Instagram in its last-day post of the 2026 edition. Lineup and ticket sales not announced yet (in 2026 early-bird passes went on sale on 1 July). |
|---|---|
| Weather | October average 19/5 °C (67/41 °F), 52 mm of rainMild days, cold evenings: a jacket for after dark. Monthly averages, not a forecast: Korea Meteorological Administration climate normals, 1991–2020 (Gapyeong: 1993–2020), Gapyeong station. |
| Admission | Island stages require a 1-, 2- or 3-day pass (₩88,000 to ₩198,000 in advance in 2026); town-centre performances are free.Early-bird 3-day pass (2026 price): ₩165,000 · 1-day pass (2026 advance price): ₩88,000 |
| Venue | Jarasum (Jaraseom) island경기도 가평군 가평읍 자라섬로 60 |
| Nearest station | Gapyeong Station (가평역), Gyeongchun Line (Seoul Metro) and ITX-Cheongchun (Yongsan–Chuncheon)Short walk to the island entrance (the station is about 1 km north-west of the island by map); exact exit and minutes not published by the organizer |
| From Seoul | about 1 h · ITXLeave from Yongsan Station · One-way fare from ₩6,900 · Back to Seoul the same nightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Munhwa Hyunsang (Cultural Phenomenon) and Jarasum Youth Jazz Center, hosted by Gapyeong County(사)문화현상·(사)자라섬청소년재즈센터 (주최 가평군) |
| Usual timing | Three days, Friday to Sunday, in the second or third week of October (2024: 18–20 Oct; 2025: 17–19 Oct; 2026: 9–11 Oct). Dates, poster and first lineup are announced on 1 July with early-bird tickets; general sales open at the end of July. Browse October festivals. |
| First held | 2004 |
| Last checked | 16 October 2026Checked against 24 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Jarasum ('Turtle Island') is a group of low islands in the Bukhan River at Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, reachable on foot from Gapyeong Station on the Gyeongchun line. Since 2004 the festival has filled its lawns for one October weekend with international and Korean jazz: the 2026 edition featured France as focus country with Camille Bertault and Robinson Khoury alongside Alfredo Rodríguez, Takuya Kuroda and Bruno Pernadas; 2025 brought Bill Frisell, Stanley Clarke and Ibrahim Maalouf among 41 acts from 17 countries. Ticket holders get the island stages; free performances also run in Gapyeong town and the Seodo area, and the organizers describe a jazz stage, a party stage and a 'jazz island'. The crowd is mixed: couples on picnic mats, families with children (primary-school age and younger enter free with an adult), and serious listeners up front. Wine, food trucks and craft stalls line the lawns. Practicalities matter here: there is no fixed seating, so you sit on the grass; October evenings by the river are cold; the island is reached by ITX-Cheongchun or Gyeongchun-line trains to Gapyeong Station, with a free town shuttle on Friday and Saturday and a paid 'Kkotgama' coach from four Seoul hubs. Camping on the island is booked separately through the Thank You Camping site and no combined ticket is sold. Returning to Seoul after the last set means a late train or the coach, so many people stay in Gapyeong pensions.
Highlights
- Three days of jazz on the island lawns, 9–11 October 2026, with France as focus country (Camille Bertault, Robinson Khoury, Francesca Han's WAKAN) plus Alfredo Rodríguez, Takuya Kuroda and Bruno Pernadas
- Free 'Jazz Festival in Gapyeong' performances in Gapyeong town and Seodo for anyone without a ticket
- Picnic-style audience on the grass by the Bukhan River; bring a mat, no fixed seating
- Kkotgama coach shuttles from Sadang, Seoul Station, Jamsil Sports Complex and Hapjeong, returning 20:30 (21:40 on the final day)
- Island campsite for festival-goers, booked separately
- Early-bird 3-day pass holders get early entry
Who it suits. Best for jazz and world-music listeners, couples and families who like a relaxed picnic-style festival within reach of Seoul; less suited to people who want seats, late-night trains back to the city, or a lineup of pop headliners, and to anyone put off by cold, damp October evenings on a river island.
Getting there
From Seoul
ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan (about 1 h, ₩6,900; also stops at Cheongnyangni, about 40 minutes from there) to Gapyeong Station, or the slower Gyeongchun line (Seoul Metro) from Sangbong to Gapyeong (about 55 minutes); Gapyeong Station's subname is 'Jarasum·Namiseom'. From the station the island entrance is a short walk south-east (the organizers run a free town shuttle 11:00–21:00 on Friday and Saturday). Alternatively the paid Kkotgama festival coach from Sadang, Seoul Station, Jamsil Sports Complex or Hapjeong, booked in the Kkotgama app.
From Busan
KTX from Busan to Seoul Station, then Line 1 to Yongsan or Cheongnyangni and ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong; allow about 4 hours.
From Incheon Airport
AREX to Seoul Station, Line 1 to Yongsan, then ITX-Cheongchun to Gapyeong; or an airport bus to Gapyeong if running. Allow about 3 hours.
Last leg from Gapyeong Station
Gyeongchun Line (Seoul Metro) and ITX-Cheongchun (Yongsan–Chuncheon). Short walk to the island entrance (the station is about 1 km north-west of the island by map); exact exit and minutes not published by the organizer
Festival shuttle
2026: free town shuttle on 9 and 10 October only, 11:00–21:00 every 20 minutes (not on Sunday 11 October). Paid Kkotgama coaches to Jarasum from Sadang, Seoul Station, Jamsil Sports Complex Station and Hapjeong, app booking with QR ticket; return departures 20:30 (21:40 on day 3), or 30 minutes after an encore-delayed finish; return routes to Gangbyeon/Seoul/Hapjeong, Jamsil/Gangnam, Express Bus Terminal/Sadang and Migeum/Suwon. Under-filled routes may be cancelled with a refund.
Getting home
Evening sets end around 20:00–21:30 (the timetable was published only as images). Gapyeong Station has late ITX-Cheongchun and Gyeongchun-line departures toward Seoul, but times were not verified; most visitors either take the 20:30/21:40 Kkotgama coach or stay overnight in a Gapyeong pension or the island campsite.
Parking
Seven designated lots P1–P7 in 2026: P1 campground grass lot (Daegok-ri 9-1), P2 riverside by the campground, P3 drainage pump station lot (Gapyeong Jebang-gil 97), P4 riverside by Gangbyeon Park Villa, P5 Gapyeong High School field, P6 Gapyeong Middle School field, P7 Gapyeong Sports Complex. Fees not stated; P1 fills first.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Early-bird 3-day pass (2026 price) | ₩165,000 | Sold from 1 July; sold out in 2026 |
| 1-day pass (2026 advance price) | ₩88,000 | ₩99,000 on site in 2026 |
- Booking
- Advance passes are sold on YES24 (Korean site with a ₩2,000 fee per ticket, mobile ticket, QR active from 20:00 the evening before); foreign visitors without a Korean phone number can buy remaining 1-day passes on site for ₩99,000 from 10:00. Kkotgama coaches are booked in the Kkotgama app. Camping is booked on the Thank You Camping site.
- Foreign cards
- Not stated by the organizer; passports are accepted as ID for free-child and discount checks. Assume on-site ticket sales and most food stalls take international cards, but carry cash.
- English on site
- The organizer publishes English ticket and festival pages (jarasumjazz.com/2026ticket-en, about2026en) and takes enquiries at contact@jarasumjazz.com and 031-581-2813; shuttle and FAQ notices are Korean image files.
- Crowds
- Full lawns on Saturday evening; Friday afternoon and Sunday are easier. Early-bird pass holders enter first.
- Best time to go
- Saturday for the deepest lineup and the free town stages; arrive before 15:00 to claim lawn space near the main stage.
- What to bring
- Thin waterproof picnic mat, warm layer for the evening, light rain poncho, power bank for mobile tickets and shuttle QR codes, and ID (passport) if claiming a free child or a discount.
- Rain
- Performances go ahead in rain with program changes; umbrellas block views so ponchos are advised. Jarasum has flooded in heavy rain historically; check the official notices on the day.
- Step-free access
- Discounted 1-day passes for people with disabilities (advance booking, ID on site); the site is flat grass and gravel paths.
- Pets
- A pets FAQ exists but was published only as an image; policy not confirmed.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 9–11 Oct 2027 | confirmed | 24th edition, Saturday 9 to Monday 11 October 2027, on Jarasum and in Gapyeong town; announced on the festival's Instagram in its last-day post of the 2026 edition. Lineup and ticket sales not announced yet (in 2026 early-bird passes went on sale on 1 July). |
| 2026 | 9–11 Oct 2026 | ended | Island stages plus 'Jazz Festival in Gapyeong' venues in the town centre. |
| 2025 | 17–19 Oct 2025 | ended | 22nd edition. |
| 2024 | 18–20 Oct 2024 | ended | 21st edition. |
Nearby
- Nami Island (Namiseom) (남이섬). Tree-lined river island reached by ferry from Gapyeong wharf; the station subname pairs it with Jarasum.
- Jarasum Flower Festa (자라섬 꽃 페스타) — On the island. Autumn flower gardens on the island's southern part, 12 September–5 October 2026, ₩7,000 with ₩5,000 returned as local vouchers.
- Gapyeong Rail Bike (가평 레일바이크). Pedal-powered rail carts along the old Gyeongchun line by the river.
- Petite France (쁘띠프랑스). French-village theme park above Cheongpyeong Lake.
Questions travelers ask
When was the Jarasum Jazz Festival 2026?
The 23rd Jarasum Jazz Festival ran 9–11 October 2026 on Jarasum island in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do. Dates are announced each year on 1 July.
How much are Jarasum Jazz Festival tickets?
In 2026: 1-day ₩88,000 (₩99,000 on site), 2-day ₩154,000, 3-day ₩198,000, early-bird 3-day ₩165,000. Children of primary-school age and under are free with a ticketed adult.
How do I get to Jarasum from Seoul?
Take ITX-Cheongchun from Yongsan or the Gyeongchun line from Sangbong to Gapyeong Station, whose subname is 'Jarasum·Namiseom'; the island is a short walk away. Paid Kkotgama coaches also run from Sadang, Seoul Station, Jamsil and Hapjeong.
Can I buy tickets without a Korean phone number?
Advance sales are on YES24, which is awkward for visitors; remaining 1-day passes are sold on site from 10:00 for ₩99,000. Discounts are advance-only.
Are there free stages?
Yes. 'Jazz Festival in Gapyeong' performances in Gapyeong town and Seodo are free; the island stages need a pass.
Can I camp at the festival?
Yes, the Jarasum campsite takes festival-goers, booked separately through the Thank You Camping site. No combined camping-plus-festival ticket was sold in 2026.
How do I get back to Seoul after the last show?
Kkotgama coaches leave at 20:30 (21:40 on the final day) for Seoul hubs; trains from Gapyeong Station run into the evening but confirm the last ITX. Many people stay overnight in Gapyeong.
Will the festival be held in 2027?
Yes. The 24th edition is set for Saturday 9 to Monday 11 October 2027 on Jarasum and in Gapyeong town, as the festival announced on Instagram at the end of the 2026 edition. The lineup and ticket dates are not announced yet; in 2026 early-bird passes went on sale on 1 July.
What is the weather like at Jarasum Jazz Festival in October?
October in Gapyeong: average high 19 °C (67 °F), low 5 °C (41 °F), 52 mm of rain (Gapyeong station, KMA 1993–2020 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: high.
- Jarasum Jazz Festival official site — homeofficial — 23rd edition dates 9–11 Oct 2026; island plus Gapyeong town venues; on-site-only sales after advance close; day-1 lineup; links to ticket, map, shuttle, camping and FAQ pages
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — 2026 ticket page (English)official — All 2026 ticket prices, sales periods, YES24 fee, 6-ticket limit, mobile tickets, free children born 2014 or later, discounts, refund rules, passport accepted as ID
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — About 2026 (English)official — First held 2004; host Munhwa Hyunsang with Jarasum Jazz Center; contact details
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — About 2026 (Korean)official — 주최/주관 (사)문화현상, (사)자라섬청소년재즈센터; venue Jarasum and Gapyeong area
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — 교통편 안내 (parking and town shuttle notice)official — Parking lots P1–P7 with addresses; free town shuttle 9–10 Oct 11:00–21:00 every 20 minutes
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — Kkotgama shuttle noticeofficial — Coach departure hubs, app booking, return times 20:30/21:40, return routes, cancellation policy
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — 2026 camping noticeofficial — Camping booked separately via Thank You Camping; no combined ticket
- Gapyeong County (English) — Jarasum International Jazz Festivalmunicipal — Mid-October timing; three stages (jazz stage, party stage, jazz island); train to Gapyeong Station then bus; buses from Sangbong/Dong Seoul; shuttle from station and terminal; host Gapyeong County 031-580-4322
- Sports Khan — 제23회 자라섬재즈페스티벌 1차 라인업·포스터 공개 (1 Jul 2026)news — 2026 dates; France focus country; first lineup; early-bird ₩165,000 (regular ₩198,000) from 1 July 14:00; general sales 31 July
- Sports Khan — 가을 음악축제 제22회 자라섬재즈페스티벌 17일 개막 (2025)news — 2025 dates 17–19 Oct; 41 acts from 17 countries; Hungary focus; headline artists; under-12 free
- Munhwa Ilbo — 제21회 자라섬 재즈페스티벌 (2024)news — 2024 dates 18–20 Oct; Norma Winstone, Kenny Garrett and other acts; children 12 and under free
- Travel Map Journey — 자라섬재즈페스티벌 2026 tickets and parkingblog — Free programs in Gapyeong town and Seodo; island stages ticketed; packing tips (mat, layers, poncho, power bank); rain guidance; P3/P7 as overflow
- Wikipedia — Jarasum International Jazz Festivalother — Founded 2004; island about 70 km north-east of Seoul; 2026 23rd edition 9–11 Oct
- Wikipedia — Gapyeong stationmap — Gyeongchun Line and ITX-Cheongchun service; subname Jarasum·Namiseom; station coordinates 37.8242, 127.5131
- Wikipedia — ITX-Cheongchunother — Yongsan–Chuncheon route; Gapyeong is a stop; 18 weekday and up to 30 weekend round trips
- K-Trip Tips mirror of KTO data — Jaraseom islandkto — Venue coordinates 37.8209, 127.5210; address 60 Jaraseom-ro
- K-Trip Tips mirror of KTO data — 자라섬 꽃 페스타 2026kto — Flower Festa 12 Sep–5 Oct 2026 on Jarasum, ₩7,000 with ₩5,000 voucher refund; address 자라섬로 60
- Korail — 열차운임/시간표 (official timetable and fare downloads)official — Index of current Korail timetables: 1호선 weekday/holiday (from 1 Sep 2026), 경춘선 ITX-청춘 (from 1 Sep 2026), 수인분당선 (from 22 Aug 2026), 경강선 (from 23 Mar 2026), KTX (15 May 2026 and 1 Nov 2026 editions), 일반열차 (1 Sep 2026)
- Korail — 경의중앙선, 경춘선(ITX-청춘), 서해선 전동열차 평일 시각표 (2026.9.1.부터), xlsxofficial — Weekday ITX-Cheongchun Yongsan→Gapyeong 55–66 min (18 trains, median 58), Cheongnyangni→Gapyeong 38–47 min; Gyeongchun line Sangbong→Gapyeong 48–59 min (48 trains)
- Korail — 경의중앙선, 경춘선(ITX-청춘), 서해선 전동열차 휴일 시각표 (2026.9.1.부터), xlsxofficial — Holiday ITX-Cheongchun Yongsan→Gapyeong 54–65 min (26 trains, median 57), Cheongnyangni→Gapyeong 36–43 min
- Korail — ITX-청춘 운임표, xlsxofficial — ITX-Cheongchun fares: 용산–가평 ₩6,900, 청량리–가평 ₩5,700, 상봉–가평 ₩5,300
- 시사뉴스 — 제23회 자라섬재즈페스티벌 (2026-08-25)news — 39 Korean and international acts in 2026; primary-school children free
- wikidocs @mythos — 자라섬재즈페스티벌 2026 정리 (blog)blog — 39 invited acts (64 with Gapyeong town stages); Yes24 lists a 12:00 start and 480-minute run time, i.e. ending about 20:00
- Jarasum Jazz Festival — official Instagram, Day 3 highlight post (2026)official — 2027 Jarasum Jazz Festival: 2027.10.09 (Sat) – 2027.10.11 (Mon), Jarasum and Gapyeong town
What we could not confirm
- Daily gate-opening and last-set times for 2026 (the timetable and FAQ were published only as images).
- Exact exit and walking time from Gapyeong Station to the island entrance, and the last ITX-Cheongchun/Gyeongchun-line departures to Seoul on festival nights.
- Kkotgama coach fares and departure times from Seoul (published as images).
- Camping prices per site/night on Jarasum during the festival.
- Whether on-site ticket sales accept foreign-issued cards.
- Adult ticket prices for the 2024 and 2025 editions.
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 figures and claims; ride times from Seoul. · 2026-10-18 — Added a photograph of the venue from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-20 — Chinese and Japanese names aligned with the current name 자라섬재즈페스티벌 (no “international”) and KTO’s island name 鳖岛/鱉島 (KTO Traditional Chinese listing: 鱉島爵士樂節). · 2026-10-20 — Tense: the 2026 edition has ended, so sentences about it are in the past tense. · 2026-10-20 — 2027 dates confirmed by the festival: 9–11 October 2027 (official Instagram).
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