Yeongdong Grape Festival

September's Yeongdong, dyed in violet, a vineyard you walk with your feet

The festival where you release stress by stepping on grapes barefoot drew me in with that one sentence, and I headed to Yeongdong, Chungbuk. Yeongdong is the county with the largest grape cultivation area in the country, and to honor that pride, the Yeongdong Grape Festival is held every year when the grapes ripen. Even the slogan is fun: the dialect-style line, 'Come to Yeongdong and be amazed by the taste of grapes!' is posted all over the festival grounds. In 2025, it was held for four days from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 21, around Fruit Kingdom Theme Park, with operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rather than simply a market to buy grapes, it is an experience-based festival where you can pick them, stomp on them, and even taste grape shaved ice and chocolate, which shows the festival's character well.

The year I went happened to overlap with the Yeongdong World Traditional Music Expo, so I experienced a strange combination of grape fragrance and traditional music melodies. During the same period, the Nangye Traditional Music Festival and the Korea Wine Festival were also being held around Yeongdong-eup, so what I thought would be a simple grape visit turned into a packed day.

A day trip from Seoul, connected by shuttle from Yeongdong Station

Yeongdong is closer to the capital area than you might expect. Since Yeongdong Station is served by KTX and Mugunghwa trains, I took the train and made it a day trip. If you are driving, there is something to know in advance: during the festival period, traffic is restricted around the venue, and passenger cars are directed to use temporary parking lots such as the Fruit Kingdom Theme Park parking lot and the floodplain parking areas along Sambong Stream and Yeongdong Stream. So it is actually more convenient to leave your car, or just yourself, at Yeongdong Station and take the free shuttle bus. The shuttle runs between the venue and key points in town such as Yeongdong Station, the central market, and the public health center, and the intervals are usually 10 to 20 minutes, so I did not have to wait long.

The 'grape picking experience' takes place not at the festival grounds but at a grape orchard a little farther away. In the past, a circular bus has run connecting Yeongdong Station, the festival site, the grape-picking experience area, and wine facilities, so if you want to do the hands-on experiences too, you can use that loop route. Korean-language guidance is the norm on site, and it is hard to expect English interpretation or foreign-language apps. Still, since most of the activities are about picking, stomping, and eating grapes, I could enjoy it plenty with gestures and guesswork even without much speaking. Card payments were generally accepted at the sales area and food trucks, but farm-run stalls and some snack booths were faster and safer with cash, so I recommend bringing a little cash.

Grape stomping and grape fishing: the best playground for kids

The place where I stayed the longest at the festival was in front of the outdoor special stage. The signature attraction of this festival is 'grape stomping,' where you step on grapes inside a big tub to lively music, and the sensation of grapes bursting under your feet is oddly addictive. If you dance with enough energy to catch the host's attention, you may even receive a prize, so it becomes more fun if you let go of a little embarrassment. There is also grape fishing, where grapes are floated in a water-filled mini pool and lifted out with a fishing rod; the grape clusters are heavy, so the feel when you hook them was quite satisfying.

For families, this festival is especially a good fit. There are grape kids parks, indoor play facilities, and children's experience events tailored to kids, and activities like making shaved ice or chocolate with grapes are also popular with children. The food area is divided into a food zone operated by the local restaurant association and a food truck zone, so there were plenty of options. As befits a festival where grapes are the star, there is a large marketplace selling agricultural and specialty products at lower prices than in stores, and the fun of buying a box of freshly picked Yeongdong grapes at a bargain is quite delightful.

Practical tips to know before you go

First, check the dates. This festival originally used to be held in late August, but in some years it moves to September, so it is safest to check the exact schedule, program, and shuttle routes for that year again on the official page before visiting. Since the festival runs until 7:00 p.m., outdoor programs are concentrated during the day, so if you want to do the grape-picking experience too, it is better to arrive in the morning and set aside half a day.

• Sneakers and an extra pair of socks: your feet get wet and sticky during grape stomping. Wet wipes are also useful.
• Some cash: cards usually work, but farm stalls and some booths are faster with cash.
• Hat, sunscreen, and water: even in September, the midday sun outdoors is strong.
• If you plan to buy grapes, bringing an ice pack or insulated bag will make the trip home easier.

On weekends and opening day, the shuttle and parking lots get crowded with visitors from other festivals too, so if you want a more relaxed visit, weekday daytime is a good option.

Recommended for:

This festival is perfect for families who want hands-on, foot-on experiences with children, and for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly picked fruit from the source at a reasonable price instead of tourist-area prices. After spending a day among the violet grape vineyards, you will understand in your body why the small county of Yeongdong is called the 'land of grapes.'