Korea Cherry Blossom Festivals 2026: Dates, Locations & What to Expect
South Korea hosts numerous cherry blossom festivals every April, attracting visitors from around the world, each with its own unique features and attractions. Korea's cherry blossom festivals are more than just floral views—they’re full-on spring celebrations! In 2026, don't miss the famous Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, and Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon. We cover festival dates, what’s unique about each one, and how to make the most of your visit.

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
Highlights: The largest cherry blossom festival, famous attractions and photo sanctuaries such as Yuzawa (여좌천) and Qinghe Station (동화역)
Time: Usually early April (late March to early April, approximately 10 days in duration )
Address: Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, Gyeongsangnam-do
Traffic Advice:
A free festival shuttle bus runs from 9:00am to 9:00pm, every 10-15 minutes, covering key points throughout the festival.
The city tour bus ticket price is about $2.30(adult), and you can hop on and off at multiple stops, making it very convenient to visit major attractions.
Entrance Fee: Free
Each spring, South Korea transforms into a breathtaking pink paradise as cherry blossoms blanket the country. The crown jewel of these floral celebrations is the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (진해군항제), held in Jinhae City, Gyeongsangnam-do. Renowned as "Korea’s Most Spectacular Cherry Blossom Event," it draws millions of visitors who come to marvel at the enchanting fusion of blooming sakura and naval heritage.
Originating in 1952 to honor the founding of the Republic of Korea Navy and the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s unwavering patriotism, the festival has since blossomed into one of the nation’s largest springtime attractions. By late March to early April, Jinhae’s streets and waterways become a fairytale landscape, with thousands of cherry trees forming ethereal "flower tunnels" that captivate all who wander beneath them.
Travel Tips
The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is a free admission public celebration activity, and there is no need to purchase tickets to watch most flower viewing attractions. However, some performances, concerts, night tours, and boat tours require ticket purchases
Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring water and snacks, and pay attention to child safety. Try to avoid weekends and visit on weekdays after the opening ceremony (3.28).
Local accommodation resources in Jinhae are limited and expensive, so it is usually recommended to stay in Busan or Changwon and take a day trip to Jinhae.
Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Seoul)

Highlights: The best cherry blossom spots in Seoul, cherry blossom tree-lined street stretches 1.7 km, with night light displays for evening strolls.
Time: April 4-9
Address: Yeouiseo-ro Road, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul (near the National Assembly Building)
Traffic Advice: Take Line 9 to Capitol Station Exit 1 or 6, or Line 5 to Yeouinal Station Exit 1/2/3, and walk to the tour route
Entrance Fee: Free
Spring in Seoul brings a touch of magic, and the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival stands out as one of the city’s most enchanting seasonal highlights. Every year, Yeouiseo-ro becomes a spectacular floral paradise, where over 1,800 cherry blossom trees arch over the street, creating a dreamy pink canopy. This iconic festival attracts crowds from across the country—and beyond—with its mesmerizing scenery.
As the festival’s main venue, the tree-lined boulevard offers more than just blossoms. Visitors can enjoy a lively program of events, from grand opening ceremonies to performances by local and international artists. The celebration also features floral-themed exhibitions, including photography displays and sculpture installations, adding an artistic flair to the natural beauty.
Travel Tips
Best viewing time: Early morning (6:00-8:00): few people, soft light, suitable for taking photos. Weekdays (Monday to Thursday): Peak traffic on weekends (more than 100,000 people per day).
The flowering period is short: the cherry blossoms are in full bloom for only about 5-7 days, so it is recommended to adjust your itinerary flexibly.
During holidays, car access is restricted and it is recommended to take public transportation.
Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival & Marathon

Highlights: The combination of beautiful cherry blossoms and ancient historical relics, a cherry blossom marathon race
Time: Early April
Address: Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Traffic Advice: Take the KTX to Singyeongju Station, then take a bus or taxi to the attraction
Entrance Fee: Free
The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival is a beloved spring celebration held in Gyeongju, a city rich in history and cultural heritage. As cherry blossoms bloom across the city—especially around Bomun Lake, Gyeongju National Park, and historic sites like Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond—visitors gather to enjoy the stunning scenery, traditional performances, local food, and various cultural experiences.
The streets and paths are lined with pale pink cherry trees, creating a breathtaking natural tunnel that attracts photographers, families, and travelers from around the world. The combination of blooming cherry blossoms with the backdrop of ancient Silla Dynasty landmarks makes Gyeongju one of the most picturesque cherry blossom destinations in Korea.
Travel Tips
Some scenic spots (such as Bulguksa Temple, Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Park, and Cheomseongdae Observatory) will also hold special events or night illumination during the peak flowering period to add a mysterious atmosphere to the cherry blossoms.
Gyeongju Sakura Marathon is usually held as part of the festival in early April every year (for example, in 2025, it will start at 8 am on Saturday, April 5) at the Bomun Tourist Complex (Gyeongju Bomun Resort).
During the festival, there will be a lot of people, so it is recommended to book accommodation and transportation in advance (you can choose urban buses, taxis or chartered resorts). If you want a more scenic travel experience, you can also rent a bicycle to travel around the lake.
Jeju Island Cherry Blossom Festival

Highlights: The rare King Cherry Blossoms (왕벚꽃), large and pale-pink petals
Time: March 23 - April 1
Address: Gyeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Traffic Advice: By taxi: It takes about 15–30 minutes (depending on traffic conditions) and costs about $8.50–$17.00. By bus: You can take the city bus to Jeonnong-ro or the cherry blossom road around Jeju University. Recommended buses: 365, 281, 300, etc. (T-money cards can be used)
Entrance Fee: Free
Jeju cherry blossoms have distinct life traits from Japanese cherry blossoms. It is said to be a native species unique to Jeju Island, with larger petals and a purer color compared to regular cherry blossoms. When these flowers bloom in clusters, they look like clouds or mist from a distance, but up close, each one maintains a clear outline and dignity. This contradictory aesthetic trait - both integrated and distinct in personality - is just like the temperament of Jeju Island itself, belonging to and independent of the peninsula in the cultural map of South Korea.
During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the campus roads of Jeju University become the most famous cherry blossom viewing spot. The cherry blossom tunnel, which stretches for hundreds of meters, forms a breathtaking natural arch. As petals fall with the wind, time seems to be enchanted. On a rainy morning, I saw several old women standing quietly under a tree holding transparent umbrellas. They looked up and gazed at the flowers, as if performing some ancient ritual. Raindrops hit the petals and then slide down, creating a moment of crystal clarity that reminds people of the water droplets falling from the hair tips of Jeju Sea women when they float up from the sea - two completely different life experiences, yet sharing similar moments of crystal clarity.
Travel Tips
Spring is the peak season for tourism in Jeju, especially during the flower viewing period, when air tickets, homestays, and car rentals are frequently sold out. It is recommended to book at least 1-2 months in advance, especially during the flower viewing period.
Jeju has strong sea breezes in spring and the blooming period is short, so it is recommended to pay attention to the local weather forecast in advance to prevent continuous rain from affecting the flowering conditions.
The recommended time periods for cherry blossom viewing are 7:00-8:00 in the morning, when there are fewer people and the light is softer; and 2:00-4:00 in the afternoon, when the sun is brighter and the colors are more vivid; avoid the midday crowd peak.
Gyeongpo Cherry Blossom Festival

Highlights: Enjoy cherry blossoms along the scenic Gyeongpo Lake, a favorite photography location
Time: Early April
Address: Gangneung City, Gangwon-do
Traffic Advice: Take the No. 181 main city bus to Jeju University (The island is suitable for self driving tours, and rental cars are available at the airport. An international driver's license or translation is required.)
Entrance Fee: Free
The Gyeongpo Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual spring celebration held in Gangneung, a beautiful coastal city on South Korea’s east coast. The festival takes place around Gyeongpo Lake, one of the most scenic cherry blossom viewing spots in the country. Visitors can enjoy over 4 kilometers of cherry blossom-lined paths, with pink petals reflecting off the calm waters of the lake.
The festival typically occurs in early to mid-April, when the cherry blossoms reach full bloom. During this time, the area comes alive with live performances, food stalls, photo zones, night-time light displays, and local craft markets. The nearby Gyeongpo Beach, Gyeongpodae Pavilion, and Ojukheon House (a historic site) add to the cultural and natural charm of the experience. It’s an ideal destination for couples, families, and photographers looking to enjoy a blend of coastal beauty, floral landscapes, and festive energy.
Travel Tips
In response to local environmental protection requirements, the use of disposable plastic cups is prohibited (recyclable tableware is provided on site).
Visitors should be prepared for the wind. It is windy near the lake, so it is recommended to wear a hat/fix your phone.
Drones are prohibited from flying (military sensitive area).
Daegu E-World Cherry Blossom Festival

Highlights: Famous for night cherry blossoms with romantic light displays—great for couples
Time: Late March to early April
Address: E-World Theme Park, Daegu
Traffic Advice: Take Daegu Subway Line 2 → Get off at Duryu Station → Walk about 10 minutes from Exit 15 to E-World
Entrance Fee:
| Adults | Teens | Children |
All-day Ticket | $37.70 | $33.85 | $30.10 |
Night Ticket (After 17:00) | $26.90 | $25.40
| $25.40 |
Daegu's most dreamy cherry blossom festival, just come and we'll take care of the rest, we can help you book online in advance, use social media offers, credit cards or Naver Pay to enjoy discounts, starting at about $21.50 (all-day ticket) / $15.30 (night ticket)! Including tickets, nighttime cherry blossom viewing, observation tower climbing, and lantern viewing and photo taking, we'll book the best time for you in advance to avoid the crowds and have fun.
Every spring from mid-March to early April, Daegu’s E World theme park transforms into a dreamlike sea of pink cherry blossoms, offering one of the most enchanting floral experiences in South Korea. It features the country’s earliest blooming and largest night-lit cherry blossom display, with three times more cherry trees than Yeouido in Seoul. Home to one of Korea’s earliest-blooming cherry blossom displays, EWorld features three times more cherry blossom trees than Yeouido’s Yunjung-ro. By day, the park is drenched in soft pink hues; by night, dazzling LED illuminations transform the trees into a romantic wonderland.
Travel Tips
Items not allowed include large picnic blankets, folding chairs (unless without backrest and ≤30cm high), tents, gas stoves, etc. Also prohibited are scooters, electric children's cars, bicycles, pets (including dogs), drones and large filming equipment.
You are only allowed to eat your own food in the designated area. If you eat in other places, you may be asked to leave or your food may be confiscated.
The night view is very dreamy with the "Sakura Light Show" after sunset. It is especially recommended to overlook the night view of cherry blossoms and the city from the 83rd Tower Observation Deck.