If you’re planning an autumn trip to Samcheok, here’s a festival you shouldn’t miss.
It’s the Samcheok Chrysanthemum Exhibition, a romantic festival where chrysanthemum scent drifts along the East Sea; this guide is based on the 10th edition in 2025.
The Samcheok Chrysanthemum Exhibition: Where the Sea Meets Chrysanthemums
The Samcheok Chrysanthemum Exhibition is Samcheok’s signature autumn festival, offering healing to locals and visitors every year.
In 2025, it ran from October 24 to November 16 around Samcheok Beach,
with more than 10,500 chrysanthemum works creating a spectacular scene against the sea.
Chrysanthemum Art in Three Theme Zones
The 10th edition went beyond a simple display, with three theme zones designed for families.
1. Animal and healing garden photo zone
A healing space filled with cute animal-shaped chrysanthemum sculptures.
It’s a great photo zone where kids can run and pose, making it the most popular with families.
2. General Isabu zone and Samcheok promotion zone
A giant chrysanthemum sculpture of General Isabu, Samcheok’s symbol, is impressive in scale.
It shows off Samcheok’s history and pride at a glance, making it educational for kids too.
3. Kids’ zone: Children’s World
Popular characters like those from Frozen are carefully made from chrysanthemums.
It’s packed with things kids love, a must for families.
Twice the Fun With Activities and Performances
It’s not just about viewing flowers; it’s an all-round autumn festival of scent, sound and activities.
* Activity booths: Hands-on programs like chrysanthemum soap making and photo postcards
* Local specialty zone: Booths selling Samcheok farm products and handicrafts
* Street performances: Saxophone, nanta drumming and local club busking add to the festive mood
With kids, just wandering the booths while breathing in the chrysanthemum scent is plenty of fun.
Autumn Romance: A Chrysanthemum Feast at Samcheok Beach
Chrysanthemums in full bloom against the sea make a true autumn sea garden.
Wherever the wind blew from, it carried the scent of chrysanthemums and warmed my heart.
Samcheok Beach is easy to reach.
Pair it with nearby sights like Samcheok Central Market, Isabu Lion Park and Jeongnajin Port for a full day.
Especially in the late afternoon, the sunset with chrysanthemums is a moment you’ll want to capture.
Visiting tips
* Free parking at the Samcheok Beach public lot and nearby open lots
* With kids, start at the kids’ zone for a natural route
* Daily festival news and performance schedules are posted on Samcheok City’s official Instagram
Chrysanthemum scent and the freshness of the sea make up autumn in Samcheok.
The 10th Samcheok Chrysanthemum Exhibition was more than a display;
it was an autumn art stage created by people and nature together.
Stroll Samcheok Beach with your family in autumn
and soak up the light and scent of the season.
The family trip itself was the best gift.
Dates, programs and prices in this guide are as of the 2025 edition. Check the official website for next year’s schedule before you go.
More Family Trips on Yans World
- Samcheok Travel: A Great Place to Visit with Kids – Isabu Lion Park
- Winter Travel in Samcheok – Recommended Boryeong Chicken Gangjeong at Samcheok Central Market
- Geochang Gamaksan Aster Festival : Shuttle Bus, Parking and Tips with Kids
Schedules and prices can change, so check the Samcheok City official website before you go.