If you’re planning an autumn trip to South Gyeongsang Province with kids, the 2026 Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo (the Goseong Dinosaur Expo for short) deserves a spot near the top of your list. This year is the 10th edition and marks 20 years since the first expo in 2006.
It has moved away from the exhibition-heavy format of past years and greatly expanded hands-on programs — fossil digs, science experiences and dinosaur play zones. Whether your child is a dino-loving preschooler or an elementary schooler, there’s plenty to fill a full day.
Here’s the 2026 schedule, tickets and parking, plus the activities you shouldn’t miss and nearby places to visit in Goseong.
1. Goseong Dinosaur Expo 2026 Dates, Tickets and Parking
The Goseong Dinosaur Expo is held around Danghangpo Tourist Site (the Dinosaur Gate).
- Dates: September 22 – November 1, 2026
- Address: 1116 Danghangman-ro, Hoehwa-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Theme: “An Exciting Adventure With Dinosaurs”
- On-site tickets: adults 19,000 KRW / children 13,000 KRW
- Under 36 months: free (proof of age required)
- Parking: free during the expo
- Suggested visit time: about 3–6 hours
- Phone: +82-55-670-7491~3
Online ticket sellers sometimes list tickets a little cheaper than the on-site price during the event. Prices change frequently, so compare current prices for your visit date.
The expo opens at 09:00, with different closing times for regular days and night-opening days.
Official tourism information lists closing at 18:00 on regular days and 22:00 on night-opening days, with last entry one hour before closing. Night-opening dates and shows may change, so check the latest notices right before you go.
2. Why This Year’s Expo Is Worth Visiting
If you’re picturing a kids’ festival with a few dinosaur statues, think bigger.
What makes this year’s Goseong Dinosaur Expo such a good fit for families is that there are more dinosaurs to do than dinosaurs to look at.
There’s a new art playground along the seaside coastal road and a large new outdoor fossil-dig area. On top of that, the Future Science Lab — a collaboration between Korea’s five national science museums and the Association of National Science Museums — offers around 50 hands-on science exhibits.
For dino-loving kids it’s pure play, but for parents it’s a natural way to build a learning trip that connects dinosaurs, fossils and science.
Families with babies and toddlers should check out the new Pinkfong Bebefinn special exhibition hall. The expo isn’t only aimed at elementary schoolers; it now caters to younger children too.
3. What to Do First With Kids
The grounds are quite large.
With kids, rather than trying to see every exhibition hall, move according to show times and slot in activities along the way.
Dinosaur Parade
If you only pick one thing at the Goseong Dinosaur Expo, make it the parade.
According to the current schedule, the dinosaur parade runs daily at 11:00 and 14:00. On night-opening days there’s also an illuminated night parade, listed at 19:30. It’s an outdoor program, so it may change with the weather and conditions on site.
Huge dinosaurs move along the expo road, and kids react to it very differently than to models in an exhibition hall.
Outdoor Fossil Dig
For families, this is the standout new attraction this year.
Kids dig through sand and soil to find fossils, so they actually take part instead of just looking. It’s especially engaging for kindergarteners and early elementary schoolers.
Future Science Lab
After a while, nonstop dinosaurs can feel a bit simple to older elementary kids.
That’s when the Future Science Lab comes in. With about 50 science exhibits to touch and try, it turns the day into a dinosaur festival plus science museum.
Dino Puzzles, Dinosaur Feeding and Ground Sketching
There are short activities too.
Alongside the large fossil dig, you’ll find dino puzzles, a dinosaur-feeding activity and ground sketching. This year the number of popular “feeding dinosaurs” has been increased to cut down on waiting.
4. Exhibitions You Shouldn’t Miss
Danghangpo Tourist Site already has lots of dinosaur-themed exhibition facilities.
With kids, prioritize the Theme Pavilion and the Korean Peninsula Dinosaur Footprint Fossil Hall.
The Footprint Fossil Hall has real fossils and dinosaur exhibits plus AR, media mapping and a 360-degree 5D film. The 5D film runs in sessions of about 15 minutes each.
Dinosaur Park features medium and large dinosaurs and a roughly 10-meter “Flowersaurus,” making it a great outdoor photo spot.
There’s also a dinosaur live show and a circus this year.
Rather than walking all day, build in a show or two as rest stops — it helps manage your kids’ energy.
5. Is the Night Opening Worth It?
If you’re traveling a long way to Goseong, timing your visit with a night-opening day is an option.
See the exhibitions and activities by day, then the night parade and illuminated dinosaur areas in the evening. A fireworks show is also part of this year’s official program.
That said, the fireworks and outdoor performances aren’t daily fixed-time programs.
Instead of assuming you’ll stay late for fireworks, check the show schedule for your date first. It can also change with the weather.
For a family itinerary, I’d say: dino-obsessed kids can stay through a night-opening day, while families with little ones who tire easily should enter in the morning and stay until around 4–5 p.m.
6. How Much Time Should You Plan?
Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism suggests 3–6 hours.
But with kids doing activities, 3 hours is tight.
Plan 3–4 hours for the key exhibitions and the parade, or 5–6+ hours to properly do the activities and shows.
If you’re staying for the night opening, treat it as a full-day trip.
You’ll walk a lot inside the grounds, so comfortable shoes are a must. Kick scooters are not allowed, so leave them at home. Same-day re-entry is allowed — get a re-entry stamp at the exit.
7. Places in Goseong to Pair With the Expo
If you’re spending a full day at the Goseong Dinosaur Expo, I don’t recommend squeezing several other sights into the same day.
But if you’re staying overnight in Goseong or only spending half a day at the expo, these three pair nicely.
See Real Dinosaur Footprints at Sangjogam
Sangjogam County Park is a completely different experience from the expo’s dinosaur models.
You can see real dinosaur footprint fossils preserved in the coastal rock, along with the Sangjogam sea caves.
If you’ve come to Goseong for dinosaurs, experiencing them at the expo and then seeing real traces at Sangjogam is the most natural combination.
The Museum for Dino-Loving Kids
Goseong Dinosaur Museum is about 2 minutes (1.5 km) by car from Sangjogam, so treat them as a single stop.
If the expo is about play and shows, the museum is where you see dinosaurs and fossils in a more structured way.
Combining the expo, the Dinosaur Museum and Sangjogam gives your family trip a clear dinosaur theme.
Add Goseong’s History
The Songhak-dong Tumuli are also worth a visit.
They’re about 20 minutes (15 km) by car from Danghangpo. These burial mounds of the Sogaya ruling class date from the late 5th century, linking your dinosaur trip to Goseong’s history.
If you finish the expo early in the afternoon, Songhak-dong makes an easy last stop.
Yans World’s Takeaway
The 2026 Goseong Dinosaur Expo has become less about looking at dinosaur models and more about kids running, searching and touching.
For its 20th anniversary, it has added content for every age group — the outdoor fossil dig, the Future Science Lab and the Bebefinn exhibition. For families with dino-loving preschoolers and elementary schoolers, it’s well worth adding to an autumn trip to Gyeongnam.
With one day, spend it all at the expo; with two days, I recommend Goseong Dinosaur Museum and Sangjogam County Park on day two. “Play at the festival, then see real dinosaur footprints” gives kids a much more memorable story.
The 2026 Goseong Dinosaur Expo runs until November 1. Shows, night openings and fireworks can change with the date and weather, so check the official schedule before you set off.
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Schedules and prices can change, so check the Korea Tourism Organization (VISITKOREA) before you go.