The Songsan Grape Festival in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, is a hands-on family festival: kids stomp grapes, pick them, hunt for treasure and smash ice. As of the 2026 edition (the 12th), it ran September 5–6, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m., with free general entry. The big change was the venue: instead of Gungpyeong Port, the main site moved to the newly opened Hwaseong Eco Farm Theme Park. Some activities, like grape harvesting, required advance booking.
Where the Festival Is Held
Set your navigation to Hwaseong Eco Farm Theme Park (24 Yeongjongro-angil, Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong), not Gungpyeong Port. The 2026 theme, “The Journey of a Bunch,” reframed the event as a farm-to-festival experience covering how grapes grow, harvest, stomping, tasting and play. The theme park itself officially opened on September 5, 2026.
Grape Stomping Comes First
Grape stomping is the signature activity of the Songsan Grape Festival. In 2026 the Sunday sessions were at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the central lawn. Grape juice splashes, so dress kids in clothes you don’t mind staining and bring spare clothes, wet wipes and a small towel.
Picking Grapes in the Vineyard
Seeing where grapes actually grow beats eating them for most kids. Harvest sessions ran at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Note that the first session starts before the festival opens, and harvesting is pre-registration only, so book early. If you miss out, stomping, the treasure hunt and the play zones still fill the day.
Golden Grape Treasure Hunt
The “Find the Golden Grape” hunt ran twice on the lawn, 9–10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Elementary-school kids throw themselves into games like this far more than booth-hopping. A good sequence: 11 a.m. stomping, lunch, then the 1:30 hunt.
Rescue Koriyo from the Ice
Kids crack blocks of ice to free Koriyo, Hwaseong’s mascot, in sessions at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Early September is still hot, so a cool activity is welcome.
Shows and Lucky Draws
Saturday had the opening ceremony, a grape song contest and a concert by Park Hyun-bin. Sunday focused on activities, with lucky draws, cultural performances, busking and balloon art on the main stage. Check the boards on arrival, as times can shift.
Learn How Grapes Grow
The festival included a grape life-cycle exhibition, variety displays with tastings and a sugar-content activity. Kids who only know supermarket grapes get to connect blossoms, fruit, bunches and harvest. Seeing and touching sticks far better than explanations.
Where to Buy Songsan Grapes
Activities happen at the theme park, but grape sales had their own site at 699 Gungpyeong-ri, Seosin-myeon, plus a promotional sale at Dongtan Lake Park. For activities, go to the theme park; for buying grapes, the Gungpyeong-ri market.
Parking
Parking is available at the theme park but gets congested at peak times. Arrive around 10 a.m., earlier if you booked the 9 a.m. harvest.
Sunset at Gungpyeong Port
The easiest add-on is Gungpyeong Port, one of Hwaseong’s best sunset spots. Spend the day at the Songsan Grape Festival, then watch the sun go down over the West Sea.
Jebudo If You Have Time
For a longer day, add Jebudo Island, known for its beach and Maebawi rocks, reachable by the Seohaerang cable car from Jeongok Port. If you drive in, check the tide schedule, since the sea road floods.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at 10 a.m., browse the exhibits, stomp grapes at 11, have lunch and visit the grape stalls, join the 1:30 treasure hunt and 2 p.m. ice game, try the sugar-content activity, catch a 3 p.m. stomping session or a show, then drive to Gungpyeong Port for sunset. Pick two or three activities your kids will love and keep the rest flexible.
FAQ
- When is it held? Early September; in 2026 it ran September 5–6.
- Hours? 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (the first harvest session started at 9 a.m.).
- Is it at Gungpyeong Port? Not since 2026; the main site is Hwaseong Eco Farm Theme Park.
- Best activity for kids? Grape stomping at the Songsan Grape Festival, then the treasure hunt and ice game.
Dates, programs and prices in this guide are as of the 2026 edition. Check the official website for next year’s schedule before you go.
More Family Trips on Yans World
- Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival 2026 With Kids: Schedule, Parking & Must-See Shows
- Suwon Kkochi Festa : Korea’s New Skewer Food Festival Next to Hwaseong Fortress
- Muju Firefly Festival with Kids: Booking the Firefly Night Expedition and a Two-Day Plan
Schedules and prices can change, so check the VISITKOREA official tourism site before you go.