Written: October 10, 2026 · Updated: October 10, 2026

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

2026 Sejong the Great & Chojeong Mineral Spring Festival: Dates, Royal Procession, Parking – Before Visiting Chojeong Haenggung with Kids

The autumn festival returns to Chojeong,
where King Sejong once stayed 👑

The 20th Sejong the Great & Chojeong Mineral Spring Festival
(세종대왕과 초정약수축제) runs
October 16 (Fri) to 18 (Sun),
for three days around Chojeong Haenggung and Chojeong Healing Village
in Naesu-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju.

I’ve put together the festival guide from the organizer,
Cheongju Arts Federation, its full timetable posted on October 7,
and the festival listings from Cheongju City and the Ministry of Culture.

🎪 About the Festival

Chojeong Haenggung — Main gate and hanok buildings at Chojeong Haenggung (May 2025) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Gallery · 한국관광공사 이범수 · KOGL Type 1)

Chojeong Haenggung — Hanok buildings and pond fountain at Chojeong Haenggung (May 2025) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization Photo Gallery · 한국관광공사 이범수 · KOGL Type 1)

In 1444, in spring and autumn,
King Sejong stayed at Chojeong twice
and treated his eye illness and more with the mineral spring water.

The organizer’s guide says 120 days,
while Cheongju City’s tourism page says 121 days.
The guide also says Sejong worked on the creation of Hunminjeongeum (Hangul),
held a banquet for the elderly, and had stone chimes made here.

This year is the festival’s twentieth edition
honoring that story.
This year’s theme is
Sejong’s Gifts Found at Chojeong.

Cheongju City hosts it,
and Cheongju Arts Federation organizes it.
According to the Ministry of Culture listing, it runs 10:00–21:00.
Entry is free,
and only the hands-on booths charge a fee.

👑 What Are the Official Ceremonies?

The organizer’s overview lists the official events as
the gate opening, Yeongcheonje spring rite, elders’ banquet,
plus the opening ceremony, royal procession, and closing ceremony.

Yeongcheonje is a rite honoring the Chojeong mineral spring,
and the royal procession recreates
King Sejong’s journey
to the Chojeong temporary palace.

There will also be a performance yard, Chojeong craft workshop,
story yard, King Sejong madang play,
hands-on yard, food yard, food trucks,
and a children’s playground.

✨ What’s On Each Day?

From the organizer’s full timetable,
I’ve listed the main stage, sub stage, and separate programs
day by day.

The elders’ banquet and closing ceremony
have no separate time slots in the timetable.

According to a JoongBu Ilbo article (October 5)
posted on the organizer’s board,
the opening ceremony features a performance
by the media art crew ‘Saengdonggam’,
the opening concert features Park Seo-jin, Lim Chan, and Yoon Yoon-seo,
and the Ambassadors’ Day on the 17th
features Yoyomi, Yoon Seo-ryeong, and Yoon Tae-gyeong.

🎈 What Can Kids Enjoy?

Here are the separate programs
at the Healing Village and the palace plaza.
Magic balloons and bubbles run 30 minutes per session.

The tightrope walk is one part of Namsadang Nori,
a National Intangible Heritage.

According to the article, Chojeong Healing Village
will have a children-only playground
and a digital exhibition of the Hunminjeongeum
Haerye and Eonhae editions.

🚌 Getting There & Parking

The organizer’s ‘Directions’ page notes
that parking space is limited,
so please use public transportation.

The page lists Bus 101’s first bus at 6:10
and last bus at 21:32.
Bus timetables can change,
so check real-time routes, the page says.

Parking lot locations and fees
are not in the official information.

👨‍👩‍👧 If You’re Visiting with Kids

Chojeong Healing Village is on the same road as the palace,
at 880 Chojeongyaksu-ro.
Balloons and bubbles are at the Healing Village,
and the tightrope walk is at the palace plaza.

The opening ceremony runs on the evening of the 16th
from 18:30 to 21:00,
so if you’re going by bus,
check Bus 101’s last departure first.

⏳ Not Yet Announced

□ Parking lot locations, capacity, and fees
□ Whether shuttle buses will run
□ Hands-on booth types and fees
□ Times for the elders’ banquet and closing ceremony
□ Operation in case of rain

These aren’t in the official information yet.
I’ll update this post when they’re announced.

For questions, call Cheongju Arts Federation
at 043-223-4048.

👍 Recommended for These Families

✔ Families who want to share King Sejong and Hangul stories with their kids
✔ Families who want to see the royal procession and tightrope walking in person
✔ Kids who love bubbles and magic balloons

On the same weekend, at Saengmyeongnuri Park in Cheongwon-gu,
the 2026 Korea Forest Expo also takes place.
My guide → 2026 Korea Forest Expo

From the daytime royal procession to the evening opening stage,
it’s a Sejong festival spanning three days.

This article is based on official information, organized before visiting in person. Photos marked ‘Photo Gallery’ are from the Korea Tourism Organization under KOGL Type 1 (shooting dates noted). The character illustrations are GPT-generated.

📷 The festival in photos 8

‹ 1 / 8 ›

Swipe to see more

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