The aerial view of flower path established during an autumn flower festival held in Inje County, Gangwon Province, 2023 / Courtesy of Inje County Office

Local governments across Korea are preparing for a series of autumn festivals aimed at highlighting regional identities through seasonal foods, flowers and cultural events. All of which, will coincide with the upcoming Chuseok holiday, the nation's major autumn harvest celebration.

To boost participation and promote local economies, governments are offering incentives such as discounts and benefits for using locally based vouchers. These initiatives aim to attract more visitors, enhance regional visibility and support local businesses through the festival season.

As autumn, known as the season of festivals, arrives, a total of 1,348 festivals are scheduled to take place nationwide from Monday to Sept. 30, according to Visit Korea, the Korea Tourism Organization website that provides comprehensive festival information. Additionally, another 1,910 local festivals are planned for October.

Flower festivals will be a key attraction nationwide.

Inje County in Gangwon Province will host an autumn flower festival from Sept. 28 to Oct. 20. Under the theme of “Let's walk on flower paths in Inje,” which in Korean also conveys a wish for good fortune, visitors can stroll through a field of 200,000 wildflowers, including chrysanthemums, verbena, broom cypress and Korean chrysanthemums, offering picturesque scenes.

Nari Park in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, will showcase 10 million bunches of globe amaranth flowers from Sept. 27 to 29. Building on the success of last year's festival, which drew 310,000 visitors, this year's event will feature programs centered around the theme of "magical love stories," highlighting beauty and love, which the flower symbolizes.

Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province will hold the 24th Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, the country's largest autumn flower event, from Oct. 26 for nine days. As the birthplace of commercial chrysanthemum cultivation in Korea, Changwon still remains a major producer of the flower, utilizing advanced cultivation technology.

Visitors enter the Soraepogu Festival site, a prominent seafood festival operated by Incheon's Nam District, Sept. 16, 2023. Courtesy of Nam District Office

Seasonal food-themed festivals are also drawing attention this autumn.

At the Ulsan Wholesale Agricultural and Fish Market, the autumn gizzard festival, which began on Sept. 5, is in full swing. Meanwhile, the Namdang Port Shrimp Festival, a celebration of one of autumn's signature delicacies, is attracting tourists to Hongseong County in South Chungcheong Province.

In Incheon, the 24th Soraepogu Festival, a prominent seafood festival in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, will take place from Sept. 27 to 29. This year's event will highlight the region's natural environment, moving beyond its traditional focus of food.

Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province will host the Gumi Food Festival from Oct. 5 to 6, offering a variety of food-related programs. The festival will feature a campsite where visitors can barbecue food alongside performances and events.

The Gumi Food Zone, curated by celebrity chef Jeong Ho-young, is expected to enhance the festival's appeal, further boosting its reputation. Now in its third year, the Gumi Food Festival has become a regional staple, attracting 150,000 visitors over two days last year.

Cultural festivals celebrating music, exhibitions and film are also set to take place across the country this autumn.

The 13th Paju Folk Festival, one of Korea's premier folk music events, will be held at Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park on Sept. 21.

In Daegu, Dalseong County will host a piano concert, one of the region's signature cultural and artistic events, at the Samunjin outdoor performance hall on Sept. 28 starting at 7 p.m.

Furthermore, the 9th Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival, an international event dedicated to mountain-themed films, will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1. As Korea's only global mountain film festival, it will feature films focused on mountain sports, culture, adventure, exploration and environmental themes.

The photo shows the entrance to the globe amaranth flower festival held in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 16, 2023. Courtesy of Yangju City Government

With the challenge of regional population decline looming, local governments outside of Seoul are turning to festivals as a key strategy to boost local economies and tackle local extinction.

This year's festivals are offering a range of eye-catching incentives to attract tourists, as a successful festival can significantly contribute to economic revitalization.

There are also initiatives in some areas, aimed at encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore local businesses. Tourists with festival tickets can receive various discounts at designated restaurants and commercial areas in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, where the flower festival is held. The city government sees that this can integrate the festival experience with regional economic support.