Heungbu Festival

About the festival

The 34th Heungbu Festival is a traditional local festival held by Namwon City, Jeollabuk-do, themed on the classic novel Heungbujeon. With brotherly love, gratitude, sharing and good fortune as its common themes, it takes place for three days from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, 2026, around Gwanghalluwon Garden. Under Namwon City ordinance, the festival day is designated as Namwon Citizens' Day, and the festival, which was originally held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (Jungyangjeol), has had its timing adjusted as circumstances required. With the slogan 'Together with Citizens and Small Business Owners,' this year's festival is distinguished by expanded participation of local commerce and small business owners. Gwanghalluwon Garden hosts the Heungbu-ne special market, which recreates Heungbu's birthplace, thatched booths selling Jirisan agricultural specialties, and the K-Food Road with food from Namwon small businesses, while the Heungbu-ne Jackpot Shop Challenge linked with old downtown shops and the Golden Gourd Bursting with giant gourds 6 to 8 meters high add to the attractions. Other programs combining tradition and modern elements include Joseon-era job experiences, a traditional science festival, a performance reinterpreting the Battle of Namwon Fortress during the Jeongyu War, the changgeuk Heungbujeon, the Namwon Farmers' Music Contest and traditional wedding experiences, making it a stay-oriented festival that connects Gwanghalluwon Garden and the old downtown.