Written: October 8, 2026 · Updated: October 8, 2026

This guide summarizes official announcements and is not a firsthand visit review. Character illustrations are GPT-generated.

2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju World Gimbap & Salt Festival Schedule · Art Gimbap Experience, Yeosu Expo with Kids

When you think of a fall picnic lunch,
gimbap is a must 🍙

The 2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju World Gimbap & Salt Festival
will be held for 3 days,
from October 9 (Fri) to 11 (Sun)
at the Yeosu Expo Convention Center area.

I’ve organized the official press release from Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Integrated City
issued on October 7, along with
the attached poster and leaflet.

🎪 What kind of event is it?

This festival connects Jeonnam-Gwangju’s representative seafood products,
gim (seaweed) and sea salt,
through K-food gimbap.

Did you know that 78% of Korea’s gim is produced in Jeonnam?
From gim production to processing and export,
and the history and production process of sea salt,
you can see it all through exhibitions and hands-on experiences.

The venue is divided into Gimbap Zone, Sea Salt Zone, Performance Zone,
Market Zone, and Healing Zone.
The press release introduces it as a festival filled with programs for families to enjoy together.

✨ What’s happening and when?

I’ve organized the main stage schedule from the leaflet
by date.

On the 9th, there will also be a calligraphy performance by author Kim So-young.

The leaflet notes that the schedule
may change depending on the situation on site.

🍙 When is the Art Gimbap Class?

In this experience, an instructor provides an Art Gimbap kit
and you make character gimbap together.
Each session lasts 30 minutes,
with 20 teams (40 people) per session.

A total of 160 teams (320 people) can participate over 3 days.
Half the spots are available by advance reservation,
and half by on-site registration.

Considering young visitors,
each team consists of 2 people (child and guardian).

🧂 What can you do with salt?

The Sea Salt Zone features a sea salt lounge (Salt Market Lab),
sea salt experience class, sea salt play zone,
and a sea salt promotion center.

From 14:00 to 16:00 on the 10th and 11th,
families can form teams and compete in the
Sweet & Salty Family Sports Day.

🛒 What kinds of gimbap are sold?

At the Gimbap Market,
10 gimbap shops from Jeonnam-Gwangju will participate.

You’ll find gimbap made with southern regional ingredients,
such as pollack roe mayo gimbap, spicy octopus skewer gimbap,
grilled short rib patty gimbap, leaf mustard kimchi gimbap,
octopus trio gimbap, and spicy pork gimbap.

There will also be a global gimbap tasting event,
a Han River ramen sales booth,
and a seafood promotion and sales booth.

If you have a Yeosu World Islands Expo ticket,
you get a 10% discount when buying sea salt at the festival.

🚗 Getting There & Parking

The venue address is
1, Bangnamhoe-gil, Yeosu-si.
The event is held at and around the Yeosu Expo Convention Center.

There is no parking or shuttle information
in the press release or leaflet.
If it becomes available, I’ll update this post.

👨‍👩‍👧 If You’re Going with Kids

Saturday the 10th is the best day for families.
There are four Art Gimbap Classes starting at 12:30,
the Sweet & Salty Family Sports Day at 14:00,
and K-POP Gimbap Hunters on the main stage.

The evening of the 9th (Fri)
features the opening ceremony and celebration concert.

⏳ Not Yet Announced

□ Daily operating hours
□ Admission fee (whether it’s free)
□ Art Gimbap Class participation fee & reservation info
□ Cooking class participation fee & registration start time
□ Parking lot & shuttle bus

These details are not yet in the official information.
I’ll update this post when they’re announced.

👍 Recommended for These Families

✔ Families who want to make character gimbap with their kids
✔ Families who want to taste gimbap with southern regional ingredients
✔ Families combining the Islands Expo with a Yeosu outing

Three days packed with making, competing, and tasting
all centered around gimbap!

This post is organized from official information before visiting in person. The character images are GPT-generated.

AI-assisted translation. Numbers and article structure were checked against the Korean original on 2026-10-09. This is not a new verification of the event announcements. Original post (Korean)