At a glance
| Dates | Expected Oct 2027Friday to Sunday in early to mid-October 2027 if the pattern holds (13–15 Oct 2023, 11–13 Oct 2024, 10–12 Oct 2025, 9–11 Oct 2026, all Friday to Sunday); this would be the 54th edition. The 2026 schedule was published on 6 May 2026, so expect 2027 dates around May 2027. Nothing announced as of 19 October 2026. |
|---|---|
| Next edition | 2027: Friday to Sunday in early to mid-October 2027 if the pattern holds (13–15 Oct 2023, 11–13 Oct 2024, 10–12 Oct 2025, 9–11 Oct 2026, all Friday to Sunday); this would be the 54th edition. The 2026 schedule was published on 6 May 2026, so expect 2027 dates around May 2027. Nothing announced as of 19 October 2026. |
| Admission | Free: KTO lists the festival as free. Food, drink and goods at the night market are paid.Admission: Free (2026 prices) |
| Venue | Bonghwangdae tomb park and Woljeonggyo Bridge, central Gyeongju경상북도 경주시 노동동 261 |
| Nearest station | Gyeongju Station (KTX) (경주역), KTX, Gyeongbu high-speed line (formerly Singyeongju Station)Not walkable: about 20 minutes by taxi, or about 40 minutes on city bus 60 or 61 to the Cheomseongdae stop, then a walk through the tomb-park district to Bonghwangdae |
| From Seoul | about 2 h 35 min · KTX + TaxiLeave from Seoul Station · One-way fare from ₩44,500Full route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Gyeongju Cultural Foundation (hosts: Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju City)(재)경주문화재단 (주최: 경상북도·경주시) |
| Usual timing | Three days, Friday to Sunday, in early to mid-October: 13–15 October 2023, 11–13 October 2024, 10–12 October 2025 and 9–11 October 2026. The Silla Art Festival strand (신라예술제) runs on separate days a few days to two weeks earlier. Older editions were longer (3–9 October in 2019). The 2026 schedule was published on 6 May 2026. Browse October festivals. |
| First held | 1962 |
| Last checked | 19 October 2026Checked against 28 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, and the Silla Culture Festival (신라문화제) is the city's yearly celebration of that 'thousand-year' past. It began in 1962, which makes it one of the oldest local festivals in Korea, and the 2026 edition was the 53rd. Since 2022 it has had two strands: the Silla Art Festival (신라예술제), run by local artists' associations, and the main festival a few days to two weeks later, run by the Gyeongju Cultural Foundation for Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju City. Recent editions have filled three days from Friday to Sunday in early or mid-October, around the Bonghwangdae tomb park in the city centre and Woljeonggyo, the lit covered bridge beside Gyochon Village.
The centrepiece is Hwabaek Jejeon (화백제전), a night show on a floating stage beside Woljeonggyo. In 2026 it ran on 9 and 10 October at 19:00: 'Silla, One Light', about 40 minutes on the founding myth of Park Hyeokgeose and Alyeong, with about 100 performers including the city's Silla Gochwidae band, projection mapping, aerial acts, more than 500 drones and about 2,000 fireworks shells, watched standing from three sides. Around Bonghwangdae, the Silk Road Festa street-arts programme brought 26 professional troupes (61 performances, from fire shows to the Dongchun Circus) and 58 local busking teams, who also played at Woljeonggyo, Cheomseongdae and Hwangnidan-gil. After dark there was a lighting show on the tombs, a silent cinema, a 'Forest of Light' art exhibition and the Dalbit Nanjang night market of 36 local stalls with seating for about 1,300, open until midnight. On the Saturday the Hwarang Hip-Hop Festa at the Naenam intersection brought Dynamic Duo, BE'O, Woo Won-jae and Kid Milli.
Parades and lanterns are smaller parts than they used to be. In 2019 a King Jinheung royal procession and a cosplay parade went from Bonghwangdae to Hwangseong Park; in 2023 about 300 drummers led a pungmul parade; in 2024 the street-arts programme included a Silla band procession and a Silla costume parade. In 2026 the parade was the nongak (farmers' music) procession that opened the Silla Art Festival at Bonghwangdae on 3–4 October, where local artists' lanterns were lit at night. No lantern display was reported for the main festival.
The honest caveats: everything is free but crowded, and the programme is in Korean. Hwabaek Jejeon runs only on the first two evenings, Bonghwangdae and Woljeonggyo are separate sites, and roads around them close: Jungang-ro for four days and the Woljeonggyo approach during the show in 2026. The venue can change, too: in 2024 the opening show moved from Woljeonggyo to Daereungwon over concerns about the riverbed ground. Gyeongju's KTX station is outside the centre, about 20 minutes by taxi.
Highlights
- Hwabaek Jejeon on a floating stage at Woljeonggyo: in 2026 a 40-minute founding-myth show at 19:00 on the first two evenings, with about 100 performers, more than 500 drones and about 2,000 fireworks shells
- Silk Road Festa street arts around the Bonghwangdae tombs: 26 professional troupes in 61 performances, plus 58 local teams busking at Woljeonggyo, Cheomseongdae and Hwangnidan-gil (2026)
- Night lights: a lighting show on the Bonghwangdae tombs, the 'Forest of Light' exhibition, a silent cinema, and Woljeonggyo itself lit red and blue over the stream
- Dalbit Nanjang night market until midnight: 36 stalls from six local business districts and seating for about 1,300 (2026)
- Hwarang Hip-Hop Festa on the Saturday at the Naenam intersection (17:00–21:00 in 2026), which drew more than 10,000 people in 2025
- Silla Art Festival 'Art Signal in Gyeongju' (3–4 October 2026): a nongak parade, Cheoyongmu dance, artists' lanterns lit at night and a drone-show finale
- Free admission, 15:00–24:00; held since 1962
Who it suits. Best for travellers who want an evening in Gyeongju's tomb-park district with a big outdoor show on the water, street circus and a night market, and for families (kids zone and daytime street arts). Less suited to anyone expecting a full historical costume parade or lantern floats every year, or who needs English-language programmes; the main show runs only on the first two nights and draws dense standing crowds.
Getting there
From Seoul
KTX from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station, the high-speed station outside the city centre that was built as Singyeongju: about 2 h 15 m, with about 27–28 trains a day (1 h 57 m–3 h 15 m). The national timetable feed lists the standard KTX fare as ₩44,500; a 2024 guide gave ₩49,300 before Korail cut KTX fares by about 10% on average when KTX and SRT merged on 1 September 2026, and both are now booked in Korail's own apps and English site, so check the fare there. From the station, a taxi to the centre takes about 20 minutes, or city bus 60 or 61 reaches the Cheomseongdae stop, in the tomb-park district, in about 40 minutes. Express buses from Seoul to Gyeongju take about 3–4 hours.
Last leg from Gyeongju Station (KTX)
KTX, Gyeongbu high-speed line (formerly Singyeongju Station). Not walkable: about 20 minutes by taxi, or about 40 minutes on city bus 60 or 61 to the Cheomseongdae stop, then a walk through the tomb-park district to Bonghwangdae
Festival shuttle
No festival shuttle was reported for 2026.
Getting home
The festival runs until midnight, and the Woljeonggyo show ends at about 19:40. The KTX from Gyeongju Station to Seoul Station takes about 2 h 15 m; allow about 20 minutes by taxi from the centre, more with festival road closures, and staying the night is easier. Train times change (Korail's timetable changed on 1 November 2026), so check the last train in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) or at the station before the festival day.
Parking
Public car parks near Bonghwangdae: Gyeongju City Public Parking Lot No. 1 (13 Jungang-ro 47beon-gil), Bonghwangdae public car park (777 Taejong-ro) and the Jungsim shopping-street car park (244 Hwango-dong); for Woljeonggyo, the Woljeonggyo public car park (153-5 Gyo-dong). In 2026 Jungang-ro and Bonghwang-ro were closed to traffic and the road from the Woljeonggyo car park to the museum intersection was closed 18:30–20:30 on show nights, so public transport or parking early and walking is advised.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | Free per KTO; food, drink and goods at the night market are paid |
- Booking
- No tickets or advance booking were reported for any 2026 programme; the Woljeonggyo show is standing-only. Enquiries: Gyeongju Cultural Foundation, 054-776-5265~5267.
- English on site
- No English information from the organizer was found. Shows and announcements are in Korean, though the Woljeonggyo show, street arts and night market need little language.
- Crowds
- Large crowds, especially at the Woljeonggyo show and the Saturday hip-hop concert (more than 10,000 people in 2025). In 2026 the city adjusted entry to crowd conditions and closed central roads to traffic.
- Best time to go
- Friday or Saturday, because Hwabaek Jejeon runs only on the first two evenings at 19:00. Eat at the night market before 18:00 and head to Woljeonggyo by about 18:20, then go back to Bonghwangdae for the tomb lighting show and the late night market.
- What to bring
- A warm layer for October evenings by the stream, comfortable shoes for walking between Bonghwangdae and Woljeonggyo, a rain poncho, and Bluetooth earphones for the silent cinema.
- Rain
- Outdoor festival; programmes may change in rain or strong wind. Check the organizer's notices or call 054-776-5265.
- Toilets
- Seven restrooms around Bonghwangdae in 2026, including women-only and accessible ones.
- Step-free access
- The Bonghwangdae plaza and lawns are flat; the Woljeonggyo show is standing-only, with the audience on three sides; accessible restrooms were provided at Bonghwangdae in 2026. No other access information was published.
- Pets
- In 2024 the ESG zone at Bonghwangdae included a pet rest area; 2026 pet rules were not published.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Friday to Sunday in early to mid-October 2027 if the pattern holds (13–15 Oct 2023, 11–13 Oct 2024, 10–12 Oct 2025, 9–11 Oct 2026, all Friday to Sunday); this would be the 54th edition. The 2026 schedule was published on 6 May 2026, so expect 2027 dates around May 2027. Nothing announced as of 19 October 2026. | expected | Expect the Silla Art Festival strand a few days to two weeks before the main festival, as in 2023, 2024 and 2026. |
| 2026 | 9–11 Oct 2026 | ended | Bonghwangdae tomb park (plaza and lawns), Jungang-ro, the Geumgwanchong excavation hall area and Seobongchong; the Woljeonggyo floating stage; the Naenam intersection for the hip-hop concert; busking at Cheomseongdae and Hwangnidan-gil. Seven restrooms around Bonghwangdae, including women-only and accessible ones. |
| 2025 | 10–12 Oct 2025 | ended | Bonghwangdae, Woljeonggyo and the Jjoksaem district. |
| 2024 | 11–13 Oct 2024 | ended | Daereungwon and Bonghwangdae. The opening moved from the Woljeonggyo riverside seating, used for the previous two years, to Daereungwon over concerns about the stability of the riverbed ground. |
| 2023 | 13–15 Oct 2023 | ended | 50th edition; the second year of the split into the Silla Art Festival and the main festival. |
Nearby
- Daereungwon tomb park (경주 대릉원 일원) — Within about 1 km (KTO data). The walled park of Silla royal tombs, including Cheonmachong; the 2024 festival's opening show was staged here.
- Hwangnidan-gil (경주 황리단길) — Within about 1 km (KTO data). Café and hanok street beside the tomb parks; local festival buskers played here in 2026.
- Cheomseongdae (첨성대) — About 2 km (KTO data). Silla's stone observatory. At weekends until November 2026 a Queen Seondeok royal procession is staged nearby at 12:00 and 14:00, with Silla costume try-ons.
- Gyochon Village (교촌마을). Hanok village beside Woljeonggyo; from here or the riverbank you can see the bridge's red pillars and painted eaves lit at night.
- EX Pumpkin Night (EX펌킨나잇). Gyeongju Expo Park's Halloween night walk in Hwarang Forest, in the Bomun resort area; it runs through the Silla Culture Festival weeks and into late October.
- Pohang Steel Art Festival (포항스틸아트페스티벌). Steel sculpture festival along the waterfront in Pohang, the neighbouring city to the north-east, running from late October into November.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Silla Culture Festival 2027?
Not announced yet. Recent editions ran Friday to Sunday in early to mid-October (11–13 Oct 2024, 10–12 Oct 2025, 9–11 Oct 2026), so expect a similar weekend in October 2027. The 2026 schedule was published in May.
Is the Silla Culture Festival free?
Yes. KTO lists it as free, and no ticketed programmes were reported in 2026; you pay only for food, drink and goods at the night market.
When and where is the Woljeonggyo night show?
Hwabaek Jejeon is staged on a floating stage at Woljeonggyo Bridge on the first two evenings at 19:00. In 2026 it ran on 9 and 10 October for about 40 minutes, with drones and fireworks, and was watched standing. Arrive by about 18:20; the road from the Woljeonggyo car park was closed 18:30–20:30.
Is there a parade?
Not a big one in recent years. In 2024 the street-arts programme included a Silla band procession and a Silla costume parade; in 2026 the parade was the nongak procession that opened the Silla Art Festival at Bonghwangdae on 3–4 October, before the main festival.
Are there lantern displays?
In 2026 local artists' lanterns were lit at night during the Silla Art Festival (3–4 October) at Bonghwangdae. The main festival's night lights were the lighting show on the Bonghwangdae tombs, the 'Forest of Light' exhibition and the lit Woljeonggyo Bridge; no lantern-float display was reported.
How do I get there from Seoul?
Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station (about 2 h 15 m), then a taxi of about 20 minutes to the centre, or city bus 60 or 61 to the Cheomseongdae stop in about 40 minutes.
What is the last train back to Seoul?
Train times change (Korail's timetable changed on 1 November 2026), so check the last KTX from Gyeongju Station to Seoul Station in the Korail app (코레일+ / Korail+) or at the station before the festival day. Allow at least 20 minutes by taxi from the festival, more with road closures.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
19 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.
- Gyeongju City — 신라문화제 official festival siteofficial — 53rd edition, 9 (Fri)–11 (Sun) Oct 2026; Dalbit Nanjang at Bonghwangdae 9–11 Oct; Hwabaek Jejeon at Woljeonggyo 9–10 Oct from 19:00; hosts Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju City, organizer Gyeongju Cultural Foundation, with KHNP; 054-776-5265~5267, 5956; office at 경주예술의전당; notice '2026 제53회 신라문화제 공식 일정 공개' posted 6 May 2026
- KTO tourist data — 신라문화제 (여기유.com mirror)kto — 9–11 Oct 2026; 15:00–24:00; free; venue 경주 봉황대 및 월정교; address 노동동 261; coordinates 35.8413/129.2106; 054-776-5265; organizer 경주시 / (재)경주문화재단; first held 1962, 53rd this year; within 1 km: 금관총, 천마총, 대릉원 일원, 황리단길; within 2 km: 첨성대
- KTO tourist data (Spanish service) — Festival de la Cultura de Silla (신라문화제) (ktriptips mirror, contentId 2036070)kto — 9–11 Oct 2026; 15:00–24:00; free; Bonghwangdae and Woljeonggyo; 261 Nodong-dong; held since 1962; organizers Gyeongju Cultural Foundation and Gyeongju City; listing first posted 29 Oct 2015, updated 14 May 2026
- Wikitree — [기획특집] 천년 신라의 역사와 문화, 경주의 가을 물들인다 (Oct 2026): programmenews — 'Thousand-year Silla'; Hwabaek Jejeon 9 and 10 Oct 19:00, Woljeonggyo floating stage, 신라, 하나의 빛, about 40 min, about 100 performers incl. 경주시립신라고취대, projection mapping, aerial, drones, fireworks, standing on three sides; Silk Road Festa daily 13:00–22:00, 26 teams, 61 shows, 58 local teams (251 people); tomb lighting show, silent cinema, 빛의 숲, kids zone, ESG station near Seobongchong
- Wikitree — [기획특집] 천년 신라의 역사와 문화, 경주의 가을 물들인다 (Oct 2026): night market and logisticsnews — Hip-hop 10 Oct 17:00–21:00 at Naenam; Dalbit Nanjang 13:00–24:00, 36 spaces, six districts, about 1,300 seats, 50,000+ containers; 321 crew (150/91/80); closures: Woljeonggyo car park–museum 9–10 Oct 18:30–20:30, Jungang-ro 8 Oct 12:00–12 Oct 12:00, Bonghwang-ro 9 Oct 09:00–11 Oct 22:00; seven restrooms incl. women-only and accessible
- 경북매일 — 제53회 신라문화제 9~11일 (6 Oct 2026)news — 53rd edition 9–11 (Oct 2026), central Gyeongju; 신라, 하나의 빛 9 and 10 Oct 19:00, 100+ performers; Silk Road Festa at Bonghwangdae, Hwangnidan-gil, Cheomseongdae, 26 groups, 61 shows incl. 동춘서커스, 58 local teams; hip-hop 10 Oct at Naenam (다이나믹듀오, 비오, 우원재, 키드밀리); 6 districts, 36 spaces, about 1,300 seats; 50,000 containers; Art Signal 3–4 Oct with 농악 parade; founding-myth show at Woljeonggyo in 2025
- 경북매일 — 제53회 신라문화제 준비상황 보고회 (22 Sep 2026)news — Two-day Hwabaek Jejeon with drones, fireworks and media facade; Hwarang Hip-Hop Festa drew over 10,000 visitors last year (2025); Silla Art Festival held at 경주예술의전당 last year, moved to Bonghwangdae in 2026; rest area expanded toward Seobongchong
- 경북매일 — 신라예술제 '아트 시그널 in 경주' (5 Oct 2026)news — Silla Art Festival 3–4 Oct 2026 at Bonghwangdae by seven branches of 한국예총 경주지회, ahead of the 53rd festival from 9 Oct; opening 농악 parade '천년의 울림'; 처용무; trot musical; art lanterns by 한국미술협회 경주지회 lit at night; finale 강강술래 and drone show
- Herald Business — Gyeongju to hold 53rd Silla Cultural Festival from Friday to Sunday (8 Oct 2026)news — English name Silla Cultural Festival; Bonghwangdae and Woljeong Bridge, expanded to Seobongchong; bridge show on the Park Hyeokgeose and Alyeong legend with media facade, 3D flying, 500+ fire drones and about 2,000 fireworks shells; silent cinema from 8 p.m. Fri and Sun with own phones and Bluetooth earphones; Jungang-ro and Bonghwang-ro closed; 70,000 containers; English coverage
- Herald Business — Gyeongju's 53rd Silla Cultural Festival wraps up successfully (12 Oct 2026)news — Three-day festival ended without incident; 321-person citizen team; entry adjusted to on-site conditions; no visitor numbers given
- Wikitree — 현대 감각으로 만난 천년 신라의 역사와 문화...경주 신라문화제 성료 (Oct 2026)news — 2026 제53회 신라문화제 9–11 Oct at Woljeonggyo, Bonghwangdae and central Gyeongju; 321 citizens; no safety incidents; KT big-data visitor analysis planned
- Kukinews — 제52회 신라문화제 시민 참여 (14 Oct 2025)news — 52nd edition 10–12 Oct 2025 at 봉황대, 월정교, 쪽샘지구, expanded from Bonghwangdae; slogan 시민이 만드는 축제; more than 360 citizens (234 supporters, 83 producers, 50 youth)
- YTN — 신라문화제 report (11 Oct 2025)news — 2025 festival on the lawns around the Silla tombs with Silla costume try-ons; held 20 days before the APEC summit and expanded in scale
- Gyeongju City webzine (vol. 161) — 신라문화제 and Woljeonggyomunicipal — Began 1962; 51st edition 11 (Fri)–13 (Sun) Oct 2024, 15:00–24:00, Daereungwon and Bonghwangdae; 천년비상 11 Oct 19:00 at Daereungwon; 신라고취대 행렬 and 신라복 퍼레이드; hip-hop 12 Oct 17:00–22:00; Dalbit Nanjang 15:00–24:00; ESG zone pet rest area; 054-777-6782~4; Woljeonggyo lit at night, red pillars, blue dancheong, Unified Silla, linked Wolseong and Namsan, viewed from Gyochon
- 경북매일 — 제51회 신라문화제 (23 Sep 2024)news — Silla Art Festival 28–29 (Sep 2024) at 경주예술의전당, opening 19:00 with drone show; festival 11–13 Oct; opening moved from Woljeonggyo to Daereungwon over riverbed ground stability; 100-model fashion show replacing Hwabaek Jejeon (at Woljeonggyo the two previous years); Silk Road 30 teams incl. 2 overseas, about 70 shows in 7 zones; 41 stalls in 3 zones; QR food trucks; ESG zone behind 법장사
- Pressian — 제51회 신라문화제 폐막 (14 Oct 2024)news — Ended 13 Oct 2024; opening 11 Oct at Daereungwon; about 100 models in Silla costume; hip-hop with 비와이, 비오, 자이언티; circus, puppetry and magic daily from 15:30 at Bonghwangdae and the Geumgwanchong lawn
- Pressian — 제50회 신라문화제 (25 Sep 2023)news — Silla Art Festival 6–8 Oct 2023 at Bonghwangdae; festival 13–15 Oct; second year of the split; Hwabaek Jejeon 13 Oct 19:00 on the Woljeonggyo floating stage, king enthronement, fireworks, drones; 2,000 seats full in 2022; 500-inch LED screen and 1,000 mat seats; night market vendors 21 to 33; 65 street performances and 49 busking sets; 육부촌 풍물퍼레이드 of about 300; musical '세 그루 아래 만나다'
- 경북매일 — 제47회 신라문화제 (11 Aug 2019)news — 47th edition 3–9 Oct 2019 at Hwangseong Park and downtown; cosplay parade with '진흥왕 행차' from Bonghwangdae to Hwangseong Park
- Herald Business — Queen Seondeok royal procession reenactment near Cheomseongdae (7 Jun 2026)news — Weekly Queen Seondeok procession near Cheomseongdae through November 2026, twice each weekend at noon and 2 p.m.; Silla costume try-ons
- Nate View (travel writer 다빛) — 2026 제53회 신라문화제 guideblog — Free admission, food and goods extra; 15:00–24:00; Hwabaek Jejeon 19:00–19:40; parking at 경주시 제1공영주차장 (중앙로47번길 13), 봉황대 공영주차장 (태종로 777), 중심상가 주차장 (황오동 244)
- Travel Map Journey — 경주신라문화제 2026 일정·교통·야간동선 (4 Oct 2026)blog — From the KTX station: bus 60 or 61 to the Cheomseongdae stop about 40 minutes, taxi about 20 minutes (citing the official site); Woljeonggyo public car park (교동 153-5); eat before 18:00 and head to Woljeonggyo around 18:20; programmes may change in rain or wind; 054-776-5265~5267
- Gyeongju (KTX) → Seoul Station train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 19–21 trains a day; first 05:47; evening departures 17:24, 17:49, 18:25, 19:07, 20:13 (arr 22:21) and 22:38 KTX 84 (arr 00:42), every day listed; listed standard fare ₩44,500
- Seoul Station → Gyeongju (KTX) train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — 27–28 trains a day; first KTX 1 at 05:13 arriving 07:15; journeys 1 h 57 m–3 h 15 m; standard fare KTX ₩44,500; arrival station labelled 경주역 (고속철도)
- Trip.com — 경주 기차여행 guide (13 Sep 2024)blog — KTX Seoul–Gyeongju about 2 h 13 m–2 h 15 m; standard fare ₩49,300 (before the 2026 fare change); KTX uses the former Singyeongju station; Bomun from the KTX station about 1 hour by bus, about 30 minutes by taxi; express bus Seoul–Gyeongju about 3–4 hours
- 경북매일 — 신경주역세권 공원·녹지 (10 May 2026)news — The Singyeongju station area is built around the KTX·SRT Gyeongju Station (경주역)
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Suseo-axis seats up about 30%; 5% mileage; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- Korail Tickets (English booking site)official — English booking site; letskorail.com redirected to korail.com; Suseo is in the KTX station list; language menu has English, Japanese, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian
- mom-mom.net (Japanese) — <祭り> 新羅文化祭other — Japanese name 新羅文化祭; 9–11 Oct 2026; 15:00–24:00; free; 慶州鳳凰台および月精橋; data matching KTO's listing, source not named
What we could not confirm
- KTO Korean-service contentId: the festival is not in the 19 Oct 2026 TourAPI snapshot (listed.json); only the Spanish-service listing (contentId 2036070) was opened
- Daily start times: KTO gives 15:00–24:00, one news report gives 13:00 starts for the street arts and night market, and a blog gives 15:00–22:00
- Reusable containers in 2026: Korean reports say more than 50,000, Herald Business says more than 70,000; drone and fireworks counts come from Herald Business only
- 2025 hours, programme times and Silla Art Festival dates were not found; no visitor totals were found for 2024, 2025 or 2026
- Why the 2026 edition is only the 53rd since 1962 (which years were skipped) was not established
- Whether a festival parade returns in 2027: no parade was documented for the 2026 main festival, only the nongak parade at the Silla Art Festival
- No lantern display was documented for the main festival beyond the artists' lanterns at the Silla Art Festival
- Japanese name taken from a site that appears to mirror KTO's Japanese listing; official Chinese names not found
- City bus routes 60 and 61 and the 40-minute time come from a blog citing the official site; not checked against a bus timetable. The Busan route was not researched
- The ₩44,500 KTX fare comes from a timetable mirror that lists the same price for first class; confirm in Korail
- 2027 (54th) dates not announced as of 19 October 2026
- Last KTX from Gyeongju Station to Seoul Station on the festival dates under the timetable in force those days.
Changes: 2026-10-19 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-19 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-20 — Removed the claim of English reports by Herald Business (its reports are in Korean). · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed last-train and last-bus clock times taken from the October 2026 timetables (Korail's timetable changed on 1 November 2026); journey times and frequencies kept, with a note to check the last train in the Korail app or at the terminal before the festival day.
