Free entry at a Korean beach coffee festival? ☕ The 18th Gangneung Coffee Festival runs October 21–25 on Anmok Beach Coffee Street — fireworks, 100 baristas in one simultaneous pour, stamp rallies across 5 KRW skins, and a master class you’ll want to book early. Here’s everything: schedule, programs, how to get there from Seoul, and what to watch out for. 🌊
※ Check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Korea’s most celebrated coffee destination just got even better. 🎶 The 18th Gangneung Coffee Festival is a designated 2026–2027 Cultural Tourism Festival by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — and it’s free to attend, running 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Anmok Beach Coffee Street.
The Gangneung Coffee Festival is an annual coffee culture event organized by the Gangneung Coffee Festival Organizing Committee, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Gangneung City.
Based on official announcements and the Visit Korea English page as of 2026, the festival runs Wednesday, October 21 through Sunday, October 25 at Anmok Coffee Street (창해로14번길 20-1, Gyeonso-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province). Programs include the 100-Barista Simultaneous Handdrip Performance (“100인100미”), a Coffee Stamp Rally running through October 25, a Coffee Master Class, a fireworks show, and a kids’ play zone. Gangneung’s city-wide Welcome Coffee Shops, neighborhood café partners, and receipt-based events run in parallel across the city.
Official English Info – Visit Korea
📊 Gangneung Coffee Festival at a Glance
Ministry of Culture-designated Cultural Tourism Festival — 18th edition
Five days on Anmok Beach Coffee Street: 100-barista handdrip performance, Stamp Rally (prizes included), Master Class, fireworks, and city-wide café programs. Free admission.
Dates: Wednesday, October 21 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 (5 days)
Venue: Anmok Coffee Street, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Admission: Free (some programs are paid)
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (individual café hours vary)
The Coffee Stamp Rally runs through October 25 — you can collect stamps at participating cafés before or after the official festival dates.
Gangneung Coffee Festival Key Info
Wednesday, October 21 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Korea’s premier coffee festival, held on Anmok Beach Coffee Street in Gangneung. Free admission. Highlights include the 100 Baristas 100 Flavors handdrip performance (Saturday & Sunday), Coffee Stamp Rally through October 25, Coffee Master Class, and a fireworks show at 8:30 PM.
Some programs are ticketed; the Coffee Master Class may require advance booking. Check the official website (coffeefestival.net) for registration details before you travel.
1. Gangneung Coffee Festival Programs: 4 Steps to Make the Most of It
Step 1: Arrive & Enter — Free for Everyone
The Gangneung Coffee Festival takes place across Anmok Coffee Street and surrounding areas — an open outdoor district rather than a gated venue. No ticket, no gate, no registration. Just walk in from 10:00 AM. Individual participating cafés have their own hours, which may vary. One practical note: the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress runs in Gangneung during the same period, bringing additional visitors to the city. Expect accommodation prices and traffic to reflect this.
Step 2: Join the Coffee Stamp Rally
The Coffee Stamp Rally is one of the festival’s most popular ongoing programs, and it runs through the full October 25 deadline — roughly two months of operation. Visit participating Gangneung cafés, scan or stamp your mobile card, and accumulate points. Collect 5 stamps to receive a ballpoint pen; collect 10 for a commemorative cup. A list of participating cafés is available on the official website (coffeefestival.net). You don’t have to be in Gangneung only during the five festival days to participate — any Gangneung visit before October 25 counts.
Step 3: Watch 100 Baristas 100 Flavors & Book the Master Class
“100인100미” (100 Baristas 100 Flavors) is the festival’s signature visual event: 100 baristas perform a simultaneous handdrip pour in one unified space. It runs on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to watch is free at the designated area — no booking required, but arrive early to secure a good spot. The Coffee Master Class is a separate, hands-on program that may require advance booking and a fee. Check coffeefestival.net before traveling; popular sessions from previous years have sold out ahead of the festival opening. Klook sometimes lists Gangneung coffee experiences if you want a guided option.
Step 4: Plan for the Fireworks
A fireworks show is scheduled at 8:30 PM during the festival. The exact date is not confirmed in advance — check the official website for the current announcement. The display takes place over Anmok Beach, with the beachfront and breakwater offering the best viewing angles. Spots fill up 1–2 hours before the show. After fireworks, downtown Gangneung traffic becomes very congested — if you don’t have accommodation in Gangneung, factor in a late exit or plan for a night bus/train.
Full Program Info – Visit Korea English
2. Dates, Venue & How to Get There
Location: Anmok Beach Coffee Street
The festival’s main hub is Anmok Coffee Street (안목 커피거리), located at 창해로14번길 20-1, Gyeonso-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The street runs along the coast adjacent to Anmok Beach — a stretch of independent cafés that built Gangneung’s reputation as Korea’s coffee capital. The scene began in the 1980s with coin-operated vending machines on the beach; today it hosts dozens of specialty roasters and independent cafés.
Getting There from Seoul & Incheon Airport
The fastest option from Seoul is KTX from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni Station to Gangneung Station — journey time approximately 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes. From Gangneung Station, Anmok Coffee Street is about 10–15 minutes by city bus or taxi. From Incheon International Airport, take AREX to Seoul Station, then board a KTX to Gangneung; total travel time is approximately 3 hours. Express buses from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gangnam) to Gangneung also run regularly. 💡 Trip.com offers discounts on KTX tickets — compare fares and book in advance, especially for the October 21–25 festival period when seats sell out fast.
City-Wide Programs: Welcome Coffee Shops & Neighborhood Cafés
The Gangneung Coffee Festival extends beyond Anmok Street. The “Welcome Coffee Shop” program greets arriving visitors with a complimentary first coffee at designated cafés. “Neighborhood café partners” (우리동네점) are spread across Gangneung city, participating with special menus and receipt-based giveaways. Check the official site for participating locations — this is a great way to explore Gangneung’s café scene beyond the main festival zone.
3. Gangneung Coffee Festival vs. Regular Gangneung Café Travel at a Glance
Visiting Gangneung during the festival is a very different experience from an everyday café trip. Here’s a clear comparison:
| Category | During the Gangneung Coffee Festival | Regular Gangneung Café Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | N/A |
| Special Programs | 100 Baristas · Master Class · Fireworks | None |
| Stamp Rally | Through Oct. 25 (prizes included) | None |
| Crowd Level | High (especially weekends) | Relatively relaxed |
| Parking Difficulty | Very challenging | More manageable |
| Wait Times at Key Cafés | Bohemian, Terarosa: long queues | Shorter in most cases |
| Accommodation Rates | Peak-season pricing — book early | Lower off-peak rates |
4. Where to Eat & Stay Nearby
Must-Visit Cafés Near Anmok Beach
Two cafés are synonymous with Gangneung’s coffee identity. Bohemian (보헤미안) is widely credited as the origin point of Gangneung’s specialty coffee scene and sits near Anmok Beach. Terarosa (테라로사) — a nationally acclaimed roastery — has its flagship Gangneung location inland from the beach. Both see significantly longer queues during festival week. Early morning visits (before 10:00 AM) or midweek days are your best bet for shorter waits. English menus may be limited, but staff at major cafés can generally assist with basic orders.
Accommodation in Gangneung
Demand spikes sharply during the Gangneung Coffee Festival (October 21–25), further amplified by the concurrent 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress. Book accommodation well in advance through Agoda, Booking.com, or Trip.com. Mid-range hotels in Gangneung city center start from approximately KRW 80,000–150,000 per night (approx. USD 60–112) during festival dates. Properties near Gyeongpo Lake are a practical base — close to both Anmok Beach and Gyeongpodae, one of Korea’s eight scenic views.
Local Food Beyond Coffee
Gangneung is known for three local specialties: Chodang Sundubu (초당 순두부), a silken tofu dish made with seawater from the Chodang area; Makguksu (막국수), a cold buckwheat noodle dish; and soft-serve ice cream flavored with local Chodang tofu. After a morning on Anmok Coffee Street, the standard route is a short taxi or bus ride to Chodang Village for a sundubu set lunch (approx. KRW 8,000–12,000 / USD 6–9 per person). Gangneung Central Market is another popular stop for local street food and traditional snacks.
5. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors
Use Public Transit — Strongly Recommended
Parking near Anmok Beach becomes extremely limited during the festival. Taking KTX to Gangneung Station and using city buses or taxis from there is far more reliable than driving. If you’re staying in Gangneung, walking to the festival area is the simplest option. English signage at Gangneung Station and major bus stops is available, though may be limited at smaller stops.
The Stamp Rally Doesn’t Require Festival Dates
Since the Coffee Stamp Rally runs until October 25 — roughly two months — you don’t need to visit during the five festival days to participate. If you’d rather avoid the October 21–25 crowd, consider a quieter Gangneung visit before the festival and collect stamps at participating cafés over multiple trips. Save the fireworks and 100 Baristas performance for a single targeted evening visit.
Secure a Fireworks Viewing Spot Early
The fireworks start at 8:30 PM. Anmok Beach’s breakwater and the beachfront sand are the top viewing spots, and they fill up 1–2 hours beforehand. Confirm the exact fireworks date on the official website before planning your evening. Getting home after fireworks is the hardest part — if you have accommodation nearby, that problem disappears.
Check Paid Programs Before You Arrive
The Coffee Master Class and some other ticketed programs have historically sold out before the festival opens. Check coffeefestival.net for availability as soon as you know your travel dates. English-language registration may be limited — use your browser’s translation feature (Chrome → Translate to English works well) to navigate the Korean registration pages.
The ITS World Congress Overlap
The 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress runs at the same time as the Coffee Festival. This means hotels, transport, and restaurants will be under additional pressure. Book accommodation and KTX tickets significantly earlier than you normally would for an autumn Gangneung trip.
💡 Agoda lists hotels near Anmok Beach — compare prices for the October 21–25 festival period and book early to avoid sellouts!
The Gangneung Coffee Festival is one of the best reasons to visit this coastal city in autumn. Agoda and Booking.com both have solid selections near Gangneung Station and Gyeongpo Lake. Trip.com is worth checking for KTX + hotel bundles if you’re coming from Seoul. Klook lists Gangneung-area experiences including coffee workshops if you want a pre-arranged option beyond the festival itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. Anmok Beach is the birthplace of Gangneung’s coffee culture, dating back to coin-operated vending machines set up along the waterfront in the 1980s. Specialty roasters and independent cafés followed, creating the Coffee Street scene. The festival uses this historically significant spot as its annual anchor.
A. Visit participating Gangneung cafés and collect stamps via mobile or physical card. Five stamps earn a pen; ten stamps earn a cup. The rally runs through October 25, so you can participate outside the main festival dates too. Check coffeefestival.net for the café list.
A. It’s a free outdoor performance held on Saturday and Sunday at a designated stage on Anmok Coffee Street. No ticket needed — just arrive early for a good spot. Confirm the exact time on coffeefestival.net before attending.
A. Fireworks are scheduled at 8:30 PM. The exact date is announced on the official website — check coffeefestival.net. The best views are from Anmok Beach’s breakwater and beachfront. Arrive 1–2 hours early to claim your spot.
More to Explore
Planning the Gangneung Coffee Festival trip? Booking your KTX and accommodation early is the single most important step — especially with the concurrent ITS World Congress adding pressure to Gangneung’s capacity. Agoda and Trip.com both have solid options.
Heading to Gangneung by KTX or express bus? Check the timetable in advance — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.
The detail I’d highlight for first-time visitors: the Stamp Rally runs far longer than the five festival days, which means you can spread café visits across a quieter Gangneung trip and still earn prizes. If I were planning this, I’d visit a few stamp cafés on a quieter October weekday, then return just for the fireworks evening — that way I’d skip the worst of the weekend crowds and still hit the headline event.
Source: Official Gangneung Coffee Festival website (coffeefestival.net); Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism & Gangneung City official announcements; Visit Korea English page (2026)
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