Ansan Daebu Grape Festival

Would you go all the way to an island for a bunch of grapes?

A festival where you transfer between subway lines for ages in Seoul, and finally cross the sea by bus to arrive. At first, I also thought, "Travel all this way just to eat one grape?" But Daebudo really is that kind of place. Daebu grapes are grown under the sea breeze of the west coast, so they are known for high sugar content and a rich aroma. The Ansan Daebu Grape Festival has been held every September during the grape harvest season since 1995, and it is one of Ansan's signature autumn festivals. The venue is Daebusomhyanggi Theme Park in Bangameori, Daebudo, a waterside park larger than four times Yeouido Park at 980,000 square meters, so the festival grounds themselves are a walking course. The feeling of grape fragrance mixed with the sea breeze drifting between the reeds and the metasequoia path was something you just can't experience at a city festival.

In 2025, marking its 30th anniversary, it was held for three days from September 19 (Fri) to 21 (Sun), and about 24,000 people visited over the three days. Operating hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and admission is free. Since it is held every year on a weekend in late September, if you plan to visit, I recommend checking the exact dates for that year in advance.

From Seoul to Daebudo: a full-day route by public transportation

The first thing to decide is how to get there. Since Daebudo is an island, if you are not driving, you need to calculate your time carefully. I departed from Ansan Station on Subway Line 4. If you take Bus 123 from across Exit 1, it will drop you at Bangameori First Public Parking Lot, the closest stop to the festival site; it takes about an hour from Ansan Station. You can also take the same bus from across Exit 1 of Jungang Station. Because the bus doesn't run very frequently, I checked the arrival time on an app before leaving. That turned out to be the most reliable way to avoid wasting time waiting.

Once you enter the festival grounds, they are broadly divided into two sections: one for performances and hands-on activities, and one for the direct sales market, so people don't all crowd into one spot and instead spread out well. In terms of language, I should honestly say that English guidance is not very plentiful. Still, this is a festival for buying grapes, stomping grapes, and choosing food, so you don't need much language. Pointing with your finger and smiling works for most things. As for payment, some booths accept cards, but at the on-site market and food area, cash is more convenient in some places, so bringing a little cash will put your mind at ease.

The return trip is important. Since the festival ends at 6:00 p.m. and it takes an hour to get back to Ansan Station by bus, I kept plenty of time in the afternoon. Buses leaving the island for the city tend to have longer intervals, so if you don't want to scramble after watching the final program, it's best to check your return bus time in advance.

Stomp grapes with your feet? The signature program, Grape-Stomping Dance Time

The highlight of this festival is, without question, the grape-stomping experience. You stomp grapes in a large tub to lively music, led by a professional MC, and it is offered free twice a day on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue. They say 350 to 400 kg of grapes are stomped at one time, so you can imagine the scale, right? It is a program that makes both kids and adults burst out laughing at the sensation of grapes popping under their feet, and even just watching it makes you get swept up in the excitement. Because it is first come, first served, I recommend lining up before the start time.

There is quite a lot to enjoy besides grape stomping. For families, the wooden playground and horseback-riding area were especially popular, and in 2025 a tasting corner featuring desserts made with Daebu grapes by local university students was newly added, drawing long lines. There are also small participation programs scattered around, such as spitting grape seeds for distance and making grape-based processed foods, so there is no chance to get bored. And one thing you shouldn't miss is the direct sales market. Because there is no middleman markup, you can buy sea-breeze-grown Daebu grapes and Ansan agricultural specialties at clearly lower prices. However, popular items sell out once the day's stock is gone, so if there are grapes you want to buy, it is wise to go to the market first in the morning.

If you also catch the side events, the day feels full

The real charm of the Daebu Grape Festival is that it's not just about grapes; during the same period, all of Daebudo turns into a festival ground. On the morning of the second day, the Daebu Haesolgil Walking Festival begins at the lawn plaza of Daebusomhyanggi Theme Park. The course covers 5.5 km, connecting Haesolgil Route 1-1, the wetland trail, the seawall road, and the metasequoia path, and it takes about two hours to walk. You stroll by the sea, do plogging, and there is even a prize drawing. From 5:00 p.m., a sunset concert is held at Bangameori Beach, featuring jazz, pop, classical music, traditional Korean music, and even magic, and listening to music while watching the sun set into the sea was truly lovely. On the third day, the Ansan Marathon, with about 5,600 participants from all over the country, ran across the Daebudo area.

What you need to bring is simple. Since it is September, the sun is strong during the day, so a hat, comfortable sneakers, and water are enough. The festival grounds are large and there are many walking courses, so sneakers were definitely more comfortable than sandals. Restrooms and places to sit are available inside the theme park, so it wasn't especially inconvenient, but it does get a bit crowded during the grape-stomping and performance times, so leaving some extra time is a good idea.

So who is this for?

It is perfect for people who love grapes and want a relaxed autumn outing with the sea and nature rather than a city festival. Especially if you are with children, a full day can be packed with grape stomping, horseback riding, and the playground; and for couples or friends, ending the day with the sunset concert is a great choice. The only downside is that the trip takes a bit of time, but that also makes the feeling of "I really came to an island" much stronger when you arrive. This fall, why not use a bunch of grapes as an excuse to visit Daebudo?