Written: October 10, 2026 · Updated: October 16, 2026

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

2026 Gimcheon Kimbap Festival Dates, Shuttle Buses, Show Times – Before Visiting Jikji Culture Park with Kids

2026 Gimcheon Kimbap Festival (김천김밥축제) — Fri, Oct 23 to Sun, Oct 25, 2026, Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park and Eco-friendly Ecological Park area (직지문화공원·사명대사공원·친환경생태공원 일원) (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

It’s autumn, the season of picnic kimbap 🍙

The 2026 Gimcheon Kimbap Festival (김천김밥축제)
runs for three days, October 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun),
around Jikji Culture Park, Samyeongdaesa Park
and the Eco-friendly Ecological Park in Gimcheon.

This is its 3rd year, and admission is free.
You buy kimbap at each booth.

I’ve summarized Gimcheon City press releases,
the official festival website and its notices
(shuttles, Sopung Taxi, venue map).

🎪 What Kind of Festival Is It?

past festival — a crowded festival street beneath autumn trees (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

past festival — green event tents and visitors set up in the park (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

It started from young people joking that
”Gimcheon” sounds like Gimbap Cheonguk,
a famous Korean kimbap chain.
It was first held in 2024.

This year it grows from two days to three,
and the grounds now reach the Eco-friendly Ecological Park.
(Article on Gimcheon City’s October 9 announcement)

The website’s front page lists 10:00–18:00;
the MCST festival listing says 09:00 on the 24th and 25th.

Every program runs all three days.

🍙 What Kimbap Will There Be?

2025 festival — a variety of kimbap served on plates (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

past festival — visitors gathered in front of a kimbap sales booth (Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 3)

Gimcheon City said it has prepared 60-plus kinds of kimbap.
This is the lineup from the October 9 announcement article.

A new system lets you order and pay
for kimbap by scanning a QR code on your phone.
Prices are around 4,000 to 7,000 won, according to the article.

🎤 When Are the Shows?

This is the performance lineup from the official website’s card news.

The card news does not yet say
which stage each show is on.

🧒 Kimbap Playground and Hands-on Fun

For kids, head to the Kimbap Playground.
It has an air bounce, a kimbap maze and hands-on booths,
and leads to Gimcheon’s four-season sled slope (venue map).

Articles also introduce family activities:
“Kim & Bap Kkodari Making”, “Snack Kkodari Making”,
plus hanbok try-on and a hanbok performance.

“7090 That Era’s Kimbap Shot” will display 20 chosen photos
of picnic kimbap from the 70s to 90s at the festival.

🚌 Getting There and Shuttle Buses

The festival shuttle bus runs between the venue and
Gimcheon Sports Town Parking Lot, KTX Gimcheon(Gumi) Station
and Gimcheon Station, every 20 minutes (may vary with traffic).

The route takes a break
from 12:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 17:00.
Wear the wristband you get on the shuttle
for 1,000 won off at Daejeong Kimbap ((주)대정김밥).

From Seoul (Jamsil, Sadang and Seoul stations), Daejeon City Hall Station,
Daegu Banwoldang Station, Gwangju Comprehensive Bus Terminal and Busan Seomyeon Station,
the Kakao T Shuttle goes straight to the festival.
Apply in advance in the Kakao T app’s “Shuttle” menu;
every rider gets 2 Kkodari goods and 1 roll of kimbap.

To go straight from a station, there’s also the Sopung Taxi (tourism DRT).
It runs 08:00–21:00, up to 4 people per car.

Call it with the Sopung Taxi app (from October 19)
or the dedicated call center at 1877-8293.

👨‍👩‍👧 If You’re Visiting with Kids

According to the article on the city’s announcement, 5 more women-only restroom units
and a new luggage storage service are being added.
A festival-only Kakao Map you open by scanning on-site QR codes is also planned.

The festival spreads over three large parks,
so decide with your kids beforehand
whether to start at the playground or with kimbap.

⏳ Not Yet Announced

□ Festival parking locations and fees
□ Stage for each show and the full timetable
□ Fees and booking for hands-on programs
□ Kakao T Shuttle fares and departure times
□ What happens if it rains

These aren’t in the official information yet.
I’ll update this post when they come out.
For questions, call the Gimcheon City Tourism Policy Division at 054-420-6714.

👍 Recommended for These Families

✔ Families who want to pick kimbap from all over Korea in one place
✔ Kids who want to bounce and run through the kimbap maze
✔ Families going car-free by KTX or Kakao T Shuttle

With 60-plus kinds of kimbap, a playground and shows,
it’s a three-day kimbap picnic across three parks in Gimcheon.

This article is based on official information, organized before visiting in person. Event photos are from the Korea Tourism Organization, released under KOGL Type 3 (attribution, no derivatives) and shown unedited. 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 19

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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)