Have you ever wanted to experience the authentic Korean countryside? Uncover local charm and more at Wanju-gun’s annual Wild & Local Food Festival! In this blog, we’ll break down the festival itself, events, & even a special offer for Trazy users to experience the festival for themselves!
1. About the Festival
1) What is the Wild and Local Foods Festival?
The Wanju Wild & Local Food Festival, also known as 완주와일드앤로컬푸드축제 in Korean, is an annual event celebrating local cuisine & products of Wanju, South Korea. This annual festival highlights local cuisine and sustainable food practices, and features various experiential ‘wild play’ programs that allow visitors to connect with nature & traditional food preparation methods. It also highlights Wanju’s rich variety of local agricultural products and wild-sourced ingredients like ginger.
2) Location
Located in the North Jeolla Province (Jeollabuk-do), Wanju-gun is a southwestern county of South Korea. It’s so big that it almost completely surrounds the city of Jeonju! Wanju is well-known for its rich natural beauty, agriculture, cultural heritage, and annual festivals.
Address: 246, Gosanhyuyangnim-ro, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do, South Korea (Kakao Maps)
The Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival spans an expansive area of the Gosan Recreational Forest, offering visitors no shortage of activities to explore.
3) 2026 Festival Dates
The 2026 Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival will be held from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th.
2. Activities & Events
From culinary delights to folk traditions, wild experiences & more, there are so many fun things to try at the Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival. Plus, most activities are free or only require the cost of ingredients! Below, we’ve outlined just a few of our favorite experiences we think you should try this year.
1) Local Food Zone
One of the stars of the show, the local food zone is a can’t-miss at this festival. Try a wide variety of menus made fresh from local ingredients just for you – we promise you’ve never had Korean food quite like this before!
2) Bare-handed Fishing & Charcoal Grilled Fish
Try your hand (literally!) at catching your own meal! A small portion of the river is blocked off just for this occasion, allowing visitors of all ages the chance to catch fish for themselves. The best part? You can take your catch just up the hill to have it cleaned and prepped before cooking it yourself on a charcoal grill. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!
3) Local Vendor Market
Still craving an extra snack? Or maybe looking to take some treats home with you? Look no further than the local vendor market! From fresh fruit to meat, cheeses, and traditional Korean favorites, this market offers no shortage of goodies for you to try.
4) Hands-on Experiences
Just one of many various experiences found in the ‘Cultural Experiences’ zone, the Blacksmith Experience is a must-try at the Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival. Become a smith yourself and try your hand at forging metal for free or even create your own take-home pieces for a small fee! But that’s not all; you can also try your hand at graffiti, wood carving, paddleboarding, and more!
4) Nightly Performances
From opening & closing ceremonies to the Music Party, there are special events & performances happening every day. Don’t miss exciting performances from DJ WINDY, Dynamic Duo & more!
5) NEW: Make a wish with an LED Wish Boat
The Sirangcheon River transforms into something straight out of a fairy tale on Saturday evening thanks to the Wild & Local Food Festival! Launch your own handwritten wish boats with glittering LEDs from 4pm to 8pm.
3. Exclusive Trazy Package
For a limited time only, Trazy is offering our users a chance to experience the Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival & more for themselves for only $5!
Schedule & Inclusions
Experience the perfect combination of adventure and culture with this Trazy Special tour, sponsored by Wanju-gun! Designed to offer a truly local experience, this tour will take you from hiking the scenic trails of Daedunsan National Park to savoring authentic flavors at the Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival.
- Tour Package Includes: Round-trip transportation, English/Chinese-speaking tour guide, all entrance fees, easy-to-medium-rated trails at Daedunsan Mountain with cable car access (weather permitting), and drop-off/pick-up at Wanju Wild and Local Food Festival.
- Schedule: Pick up from Seoul (6am ~ 7am), Visit Geumgang Suspension Bridge & Samseon Stairway at Daedunsan National Park (10am – 1pm), Enjoy Wanju Wild Food Festival (2pm ~ 5pm), Arrive back (9pm)
Event Participation Requirements
Participants will be required to post at least one photo as a part of their review on Trazy.com to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Wanju to the world.
- Requirements: Participants are required to upload at least 1 photo review on the corresponding listing on Trazy.com featuring the local festival during the tour to receive the $5 exclusive price. This tour is only available for non-Korean participants at this time.
Don’t just take it from us! Check out these reviews from previous tour attendees:
Spots are limited & filling up fast! Book your seat to experience this one-of-a-kind trip here!
For more ideas for your next trip to Korea, check out Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
