Namdang Port Shrimp Festival: Why Go
The Namdang Port Shrimp Festival in Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, is one of the best autumn food festivals on Korea’s West Coast: in-season daeha (big prawns), bare-hand prawn catching, seaside play and a West Sea sunset in one trip. Prawn prices are fixed during the festival, so you will not waste time comparing restaurants.
The 31st festival runs a long season, September 4 to November 8, 2026, around Namdang Port, with bare-hand prawn catching every Saturday and Sunday.
Festival Basics and Prawn Prices
- Dates: September 4 – November 8, 2026
- Venue: Namdang Port, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong (navigation: “Hongseong Namdang Port”)
- Admission: free; activities like prawn catching may cost extra
- Fixed prawn price per kg: 45,000 won takeaway, 60,000 won eaten in a restaurant
Side dishes, extras and drinks are not fixed, so check what is included, the origin, and whether prawns are wild or farmed before ordering.
Salt-Grilled Prawns, Festival Style
Watching prawns turn red on a bed of hot salt is a show in itself. Peeled, they are firm, sweet and nutty. Ask whether the restaurant will crisp the heads afterward or make butter-grilled prawns and what it costs. With kids, peel the prawns yourself; the hot salt pot and sharp antennae can hurt little hands.
Kids First: Bare-Hand Prawn Catching
The top family activity is bare-hand prawn catching, chasing fast prawns in the water. It runs on weekends, along with a prawn-peeling contest, talent shows and local performances. Not every program runs daily over the long season, so weekdays are better for relaxed meals and weekends for activities. Bring spare clothes, towels, water shoes and a plastic bag, and check age limits and whether you can take your catch home.
Ocean Fountain Park
After lunch, head to Namdang Port Ocean Fountain Park, with fountains dancing to music and water play in season. Fountains do not run on Mondays or in rain, and operations change by season. From late September the sea breeze gets chilly, so fountain viewing may beat water play.
Namdang Port Net Adventure
Active kids will love the Net Adventure inside the park, a two-story net playground for climbing, crossing and bouncing (10:00–18:00, paid, separate from the festival). Wear long pants and sneakers. Tired kids make for calmer dinners.
Don’t Miss the West Sea Sunset
The sunset is as good as the prawns. After a late meal, walk to the Namdang Sunset Observatory, a red structure with decks, photo zones and a rainbow walkway, open anytime with parking and restrooms. Arrive well before sunset; the port glows orange as the sun drops.
Hongseong Sky Tower over Cheonsu Bay
On the way, stop at Hongseong Sky Tower, a 65 m observation tower with a glass skywalk over Cheonsu Bay. Hours are 09:00–18:00, closed Mondays, January 1 and Seollal and Chuseok days; admission is 3,000 won with 2,000 won back in local vouchers. Across the road, a horse-riding center takes reservations.
More of Hongseong
Nearby, the fountain park, Net Adventure and sunset observatory make an easy half day. Add the free Nolgungni sea walkway at Gungni Port, Hongjueupseong fortress for history, or a boat to Jukdo island (fixed schedules, closed Tuesdays, weather-dependent).
A Realistic Day with Kids
Morning: check prawn-catching times at the festival office, join a session, then try the fountain park or Net Adventure. Lunch: avoid noon peak. Afternoon: Sky Tower first (it may close before sunset), then the sunset observatory.
Parking
Many visitors drive, and weekend lunchtime traffic gets heavy. Follow festival parking signs and staff, arrive early on weekends and locate restrooms first.
Our Take
Do not treat the Namdang Port Shrimp Festival as just a meal. Weekend prawn catching, the fountain park, Net Adventure, Sky Tower and the sunset make a full family day. Weekdays suit relaxed meals; weekends suit kids’ activities.
FAQ
- How long does it run? September 4 – November 8, 2026.
- Prawn price? 45,000 won per kg takeaway, 60,000 won in restaurants.
- Prawn catching on weekdays? Listed for Saturdays and Sundays only.
- Entry fee? Free; activities and nearby attractions are extra.
- What to bring? Spare clothes, towels, a bag for wet clothes, non-slip shoes and a windbreaker.
- Rain? Food continues, but outdoor shows, prawn catching and fountains may stop.
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.
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Schedules and prices can change, so check the VISITKOREA official tourism site before you go.