Siheung Wolgot Port Festival 2026: Fishing Boat Rides, King Prawn Catching & Fireworks – Complete Guide

Korea’s only fishing-boat-ride experience — completely FREE — and it comes with king prawn catching, a fireworks show, and a concert lineup featuring Jeong-in and Soyou. 🚢 The 13th Siheung Wolgot Port Festival runs October 9–11, 2026, drawing 90,000+ visitors to Gyeonggi’s west coast. Boat reservations, concert schedule, parking tips, and transport — it’s all below. 🌊

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🎤 The Siheung Wolgot Port Festival 2026 (13th edition) runs October 9–11 (Friday–Sunday) at Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park and the coastal area in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. This Gyeonggi Province representative festival attracts around 90,000 visitors annually — and the fishing boat experience is free but first-come-first-served. Check availability now!

The Siheung Wolgot Port Festival is the only local festival in Korea to offer a real fishing-boat ride as a core programme. First held in 2012, it has grown into one of Gyeonggi Province’s designated representative city festivals, blending authentic port experiences with live music, a fireworks show, and a seafood market.

Based on official announcements as of 2026, the 13th edition adds new content including Physical AI and carbon-neutral experience zones alongside the classic fishing-village activities: fishing-boat rides, bare-hand fish catching, king prawn catching, and salted shrimp-making. The invited concert lineup — Jeong-in (정인), Soyou (소유), Isona (이소나), Heo Chanmi (허찬미), Jin Wook (진욱), Shin Seungtae (신승태), Binyeseo (빈예서), and Kim Yuseon (김유선) — is described by the organizers as the strongest in the festival’s history.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Siheung Wolgot Port Festival Official Info (Korean)

1. Siheung Wolgot Port Festival: 3 Things to Know

13 Years Running — Gyeonggi’s West-Coast Port Festival

The Siheung Wolgot Port Festival has been held every autumn since 2012 at Wolgot, a working urban harbour folded into the western edge of Siheung City. In a country where most festivals take place inland at parks or plazas, Wolgot’s active fishing-port setting gives the event a distinctive edge. Annual attendance has grown to approximately 90,000 visitors, and the festival carries Gyeonggi Province’s official designation as a representative city festival. The 13th edition, according to the organizers, expands the programme with Physical AI demonstrations and carbon-neutral theme experiences, while keeping the beloved port-life activities that built its reputation.

Korea’s Only Fishing-Boat Ride — Free, But Register via SISO Fast

The headline experience at the Siheung Wolgot Port Festival is the fishing-boat ride (어선 승선 체험): boarding a real working fishing vessel and cruising around Wolgot Harbor. According to the organizers, this is the only programme of its kind at any local festival in Korea. Admission is free, but registration is mandatory through the Siheung City integrated booking platform ‘SISO’. The 1st registration round for 2026 opened on September 21 at 11:00 AM and closed quickly on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional registration rounds have been held in past years — check the Siheung City official Instagram and the SISO platform for any new slots.

💡 Agoda has competitive rates on hotels near Siheung and Ansan — book early to secure accommodation before the October festival weekend fills up!

Beyond the boat ride, the waterfront programme includes bare-hand fish catching (맨손고기잡기), king prawn catching (왕새우잡이, using nets to haul in large prawns — great for kids), and salted shrimp-making (새우젓 담그기). A surprise seafood auction (수산물 깜짝 경매) lets visitors bid for fresh catches at below-market prices, and a dried-seafood wholesale market sells products like dried pollack, squid, and shrimp. The Physical AI and carbon-neutral experience zone brings a modern, interactive layer to what is otherwise a festival deeply rooted in traditional port culture.

2. Dates, Venue & How to Get There

Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park — Main Stage & Fireworks

The festival’s main stage is set at Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park (월곶해안가 수변공원) along the west-coast shoreline in Siheung. The opening ceremony (October 9) and closing ceremony (October 11) each feature a fireworks show (불꽃쇼) over the sea. Invited concerts by Jeong-in, Soyou, and six other artists are staged here across the three days. The Siheung National Song Contest (시흥전국가요제) also takes place on this stage. Food booths, seafood stalls, and experience zones spread out along the waterfront.

Wolgot Port — Fishing-Boat Rides, King Prawn Catching & Live Seafood

The active port area adjacent to the waterfront park is where the fishing-boat ride departs and where the hands-on marine experiences take place. The surprise seafood auction and dried-seafood wholesale market also operate in this area. Bring an insulated bag or cooler for fresh seafood purchases — temperatures in early October can still be warm enough to affect freshness quickly.

Getting There from Seoul & Incheon Airport

From Seoul (Sindorim or Guro Station area): Take Bus 99 or local buses toward Wolgot, or drive via the Seohaean Expressway to Siheung. From Incheon Airport: Approx. 40–50 minutes by car via the airport highway. By subway: Take Seoul Metro Line 4 to Ansan, then transfer to a local bus toward Wolgot — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes total. 💡 Trip.com offers discounts on KTX and intercity tickets — compare travel options from major cities to Siheung for the best rate. Parking near Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park is limited during the festival weekend. Public transit or arriving before 10:00 AM is strongly recommended.

Heading to Wolgot by express bus or subway? Check timetables before you travel — note that this page is in Korean, so your browser’s translate feature will help.

3. Tickets & Booking: 4 Steps for Foreign Visitors

Step 1: Fishing-Boat Ride — Register via the SISO Platform

The fishing-boat ride requires prior registration through Siheung City’s integrated booking platform, ‘SISO’. Access SISO online, search for the Siheung Wolgot Port Festival fishing-boat experience (어선승선체험), select your preferred date and time, and register. The 1st round opened September 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM, and closed quickly. Check the platform and the Siheung City official Instagram for any additional (special) registration rounds. Note: SISO may require a Korean phone number or Kakao account; foreign visitors may need assistance from hotel staff. English availability on the platform may be limited.

Step 2: King Prawn Catching & Other Marine Experiences — On-Site Registration

King prawn catching (왕새우잡이), bare-hand fish catching (맨손고기잡기), and salted shrimp-making (새우젓 담그기) operate on a walk-up, on-site registration basis during the festival. A separate participation fee may apply for some activities. Arrive early on the day you plan to participate — popular experiences fill up by late morning on weekend days. Line up at the relevant booth first, then explore other parts of the festival.

Step 3: Concerts — Free, No Ticket Needed

All invited-artist concerts — Jeong-in (정인), Soyou (소유), Isona (이소나), Heo Chanmi (허찬미), Jin Wook (진욱), Shin Seungtae (신승태), Binyeseo (빈예서), and Kim Yuseon (김유선) — are free to attend. Performances are spread across October 9–11 at the main stage at Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park. The exact schedule per artist will be announced on Siheung City’s official SNS; confirm the lineup dates before your visit. Crowds gather 1–2 hours before popular performances begin.

Step 4: Seafood Buying — Surprise Auction & Dried-Seafood Market

The surprise seafood auction runs during the festival and offers fresh catches at below-market prices. The dried-seafood wholesale market lets visitors buy dried pollack, squid, shrimp, and other seafood products directly from suppliers. Cash payment is preferred at many booths — bring sufficient Korean won (KRW). For a 2026 exchange rate reference: KRW 10,000 ≈ USD 7.40.

The official website is in Korean only. Your browser’s translate feature (e.g., Chrome → Translate) works well for checking dates and prices.

Wolgot Port Festival Concert & Programme Info (Korean)

4. Where to Eat & Stay Nearby

Fresh Seafood at Wolgot Port — Right at the Festival

Wolgot Port is surrounded by seafood restaurants serving fresh autumn specialities: gejang (soy-marinated raw crab), grilled prawns, and haemul pajeon (seafood scallion pancake). During the festival, on-site food stalls bring the flavours of the harbour directly to the waterfront park. Autumn (October) is prime season for western-coast Korean seafood — yellow croaker, blue crab, and small shrimp are at their freshest. Expect to pay KRW 15,000–40,000 (approx. USD 11–30) for a seafood meal at nearby restaurants.

Stay in Siheung or Ansan — Booking.com & Agoda

Wolgot waterfront has limited hotel options immediately nearby, but Siheung City centre and neighbouring Ansan (15–20 minutes by car) offer mid-range business hotels from KRW 50,000–80,000 per night (approx. USD 37–59). Search “Siheung hotel” or “Ansan accommodation” on Booking.com or Agoda. Festival weekend rooms fill quickly — book early. For budget travellers, guesthouses in Ansan’s multicultural district (안산 다문화 지구) offer affordable options.

Day Trip from Seoul — 1 Hour or Less

For most Seoul-based visitors, the Siheung Wolgot Port Festival is an easy same-day round trip. From central Seoul, the journey takes approximately 1 hour by public transit or 50 minutes by car. Depart early to beat traffic and parking congestion — the festival opens at 10:00 AM. 💡 Trip.com offers discounts on transit routes from Seoul to Siheung and Ansan — compare options and save on your travel costs.

5. Siheung Wolgot Port Festival Experiences at a Glance

6. 5 Tips for Foreign Visitors

Tip 1: Keep Checking for Additional Boat-Ride Registration Rounds

If the 1st registration round for the fishing-boat ride is already closed, don’t give up. According to past editions, Siheung City has sometimes opened additional or special registration rounds closer to the event. Monitor the Siheung City official Instagram and the SISO platform regularly. Set a reminder and be ready to register the moment a new round opens — it fills within minutes.

Tip 2: The Fireworks Run on Both Opening & Closing Nights

Fireworks shows take place on the opening night (Friday, October 9) and closing night (Sunday, October 11). The best viewing positions are in front of the main stage at Wolgot Marine Waterfront Park. Crowds build 1–2 hours before showtime. Bring a light jacket for the evening sea breeze, and consider a portable tripod if you want to photograph the display.

Tip 3: Arrive Early — 90,000 Visitors over 3 Days Means Crowds

With approximately 90,000 visitors across three days, weekend afternoons at Wolgot are very busy. Parking spaces near the waterfront fill up quickly. Arriving before 10:00 AM significantly improves your chances of getting parked, securing on-site experience spots early, and enjoying the festival before peak crowds build. If coming by public transit, aim to reach the area by 10:30 AM at the latest.

Tip 4: Bring a Cooler Bag for Seafood Purchases

If you plan to buy fresh seafood at the auction or market, bring an insulated bag or small cooler. Fresh prawns, crab, and fish need refrigeration and shouldn’t sit at room temperature for long. Many vendors do not provide packaging beyond basic bags. Cash (KRW) is preferred — withdraw before arriving, as the nearest ATMs may be a short walk away from the waterfront.

Tip 5: The Siheung National Song Contest — A Hidden Highlight

The Siheung National Song Contest (시흥전국가요제) is an amateur singing competition held on the main stage that often delivers surprising performances from talented local contestants. It’s a genuinely entertaining side event that runs outside the main invited-artist concert slots. Check the programme schedule on Siheung City’s official SNS for the exact date and time, and grab a seat if you’re at the festival anyway.

💡 Trip.com offers great deals on transit from Seoul and surrounding cities to Siheung and Ansan — compare prices and plan your festival travel easily!

A practical note on language: English signage at the festival is unlikely to be extensive. Key Korean phrases worth knowing include 새우 (saeu / “shrimp/prawn”), 어선 승선 (eoseon seungson / “fishing-boat ride”), 예약 (yeyak / “reservation”), and 얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo? / “How much?”).

Frequently Asked Questions

More to Explore

Planning a Gyeonggi autumn trip? Pair the Siheung Wolgot Port Festival with other October festivals in the region. Book accommodation in Siheung or Ansan via Agoda or Booking.com early — October long-weekend rooms in the Seoul metro area fill fast.

Heading to Wolgot by express bus or local transit? Check timetables in advance.

Sources: Siheung City official SNS · Siheung SISO platform, The Asia Business Daily (English), Korea Tourism Organization – Discover Korea, Yonhap News press release (September 2026 basis)