The 2026 Samcheok Rose Festival, held in Korea’s largest rose park, concluded successfully amid enthusiastic responses from citizens and tourists alike. Under the theme “The Birth of the Samcheok Rose Kingdom,” this year’s festival captivated visitors with a variety of performances, interactive experiences, and storytelling-based content, establishing itself as a truly unique spring celebration.
Hosted and organized by the Samcheok Tourism & Culture Foundation, the festival took place from May 19 to May 25 across the Samcheok Rose Park area. Visitors from all over the country—including families, couples, and tourists—gathered to witness the breathtaking scenery of ten million blooming roses.
This year’s event went beyond a simple flower-viewing festival by embracing the concept of a “story-driven rose festival.” The main parade featuring the Golden Rose Fairy and Shadow Monsters quickly became the signature attraction of the festival. Public participation for the parade closed early due to overwhelming interest, while visitors actively immersed themselves in the fantasy-themed experience of “The Birth of the Samcheok Rose Kingdom.”
Throughout the venue, rose fairy cosplayers and shadow monster mascots interacted with visitors, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. Guests eagerly lined up to take photos with the characters, and the attractions proved especially popular among children and families, becoming one of the festival’s most distinctive highlights.
The “Rose for You” event also gained tremendous popularity. Every day, rose fairies handed out 100 roses directly to visitors, creating unforgettable memories as tourists posed for photos alongside the characters. In addition, the “Create Your Own Storybook” experience, connected to the festival characters, added a creative and immersive element that received enthusiastic responses from attendees.
Another major highlight was the premium dining program “Rose Table,” featuring local ingredients and regional alcoholic beverages. Despite being a paid program, reservations sold out early due to high demand. The elegant outdoor rose-themed setting, course meals, local wine and traditional liquor pairings, and special sommelier presentations created a uniquely emotional dining experience that received rave reviews from participants.
Meanwhile, the main stage hosted performances and cultural arts programs spanning various genres, while nighttime rose illuminations and scenic lighting transformed the festival into a magical destination after dark. Visitors praised the event, saying, “It was a festival where roses, performances, and experiences blended perfectly,” and “Samcheok created a truly unique festival with its own story and characters.”
A representative from the Samcheok Tourism & Culture Foundation stated, “This year, we aimed to create a differentiated festival by combining Samcheok’s unique storytelling and content with the beauty of roses. We sincerely thank all citizens, tourists, volunteers, and participating businesses who helped make the festival safe and memorable.”
The Samcheok Rose Festival continues to establish itself as one of Korea’s premier spring festivals, introducing new themes and creative content every year within the nation’s largest rose park.