Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: The 18th Gangneung Coffee Festival runs October 21 to 25, 2026 (Wednesday to Sunday). According to the Korea Tourism Organization festival page, this year’s edition spreads beyond the famous Anmok coffee street to the whole city, including Jumunjin, Jungang Market and Ojukheon. Gangneung is about two hours from Seoul by KTX, but the same week brings a big international conference, so hotels and trains can fill up. Book early.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Gangneung Coffee Festival?
- When and Where Is It in 2026?
- How Do I Get to Gangneung From Seoul?
- Where Should I Stay?
- How Do I Plan the Trip?
What Is the Gangneung Coffee Festival?
Gangneung calls itself Korea’s coffee city, and the festival is the annual celebration of that reputation. The city’s cafe culture is centered on Anmok Beach, where a strip of independent cafes looks out over the East Sea. The festival turns that everyday scene into a five-day event with tastings, cafe programs and a lively crowd, and 2026 is the 18th edition. If you only have a weekend, it is one of the easiest ways to see Gangneung’s food and cafe side at its busiest. The festival’s official website is the place to check programs as they are published.
When and Where Is It in 2026?
The festival runs Wednesday, October 21 through Sunday, October 25, 2026. Some blogs list a day-later start, but the Korea Tourism Organization listing and the official site agree on October 21, so plan around that and re-check before you book. The big change this year is the footprint: rather than centering only on Anmok, the festival is citywide, with venues including Anmok coffee street, Jumunjin, Jungang Market and Ojukheon. That means you can build a day that mixes a beachfront cafe, market snacks and a historic site instead of queuing at a single spot.
One warning: the ITS World Congress is in Gangneung on October 19 to 23, overlapping the first days of the festival. Expect busier hotels, taxis and restaurants on weekdays, and consider a Friday-to-Sunday trip if you want a calmer pace.
How Do I Get to Gangneung From Seoul?
The KTX Gangneung line takes roughly two hours from Seoul, which makes this an easy overnight or even long day trip. Seats on festival weekends sell out, so you can book KTX tickets ahead🚄 as soon as your dates are set. From Gangneung Station, take a taxi or local bus to Anmok, and allow extra time for festival traffic. Our day trips from Seoul guide compares other easy escapes, and the guide to getting around Seoul covers the subway and transit cards you will use before you leave the capital.
Where Should I Stay?
For a coffee-focused trip, the Anmok and Gyeongpo coast puts cafes and the beach within a short walk, while the area near Gangneung Station is simpler if you are arriving by train. Our full where to stay in Gangneung guide compares the areas in detail. Because of the conference overlap, it makes sense to check beachside hotel availability🏨 or compare a downtown option near the station🏨 well before the festival week.
How Do I Plan the Trip?
A simple plan: take a morning KTX, spend the afternoon on the coffee street and beach, and use the evening for seafood at Jumunjin or Jungang Market. The second day can cover Ojukheon and any festival programs you want to catch. Check the official site for program times, since schedules for this kind of festival can shift. Flying in from the US? You can compare flights into Seoul✈️ and add Gangneung as a side trip. For other seasonal events on the east coast and beyond, browse our Andong Mask Dance Festival guide for how a Korean regional festival trip works.
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