Travel
Fun in Korea: Changwon transforms into a city of culture, art, and chrysanthemums this fall
Haps Magazine Korea
October 13, 2025
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Changwon is set to embrace the colors and energy of autumn with a lineup of major festivals celebrating culture, music, and nature.
From October to November, the city will host a series of vibrant events — including the Changwon K-POP World Festival, MAMF Cultural Diversity Festival, and the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival — turning the city into a lively hub of global exchange and artistic celebration.
2025 Changwon K-POP World Festival
The 2025 Changwon K-POP World Festival will take place at Changwon Plaza on October 17 at 7:00 pm. Marking its 14th year, the festival has grown into a global celebration of the Hallyu wave.
Finalists from the United Kingdom, Belarus, Costa Rica, and Madagascar, selected through regional competitions in 48 countries, will compete in the finals.
Popular Korean artists including Sandara Park, Kep1er, Lee Young-ji, AB6IX, Black Swan, 8TURN, and Taekwon Cree will perform. The event will also feature K-culture experience booths and a K-POP Free Festa on October 10.
Actress Ji-so Jeong will host, and an AI judging system will be used. Tickets can be reserved for free (service fees apply) via NOL Interpark.
MAMF 2025: Celebrating Cultural Diversity
The MAMF 2025 Cultural Diversity Festival, running from October 24–26, marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Hosted across Yongji Cultural Park, Pojeongsa Park, and Jungang-daero in Seongsan-gu, MAMF brings together immigrants, residents, and artists from 21 countries under the theme “All Together More Together.”
This year’s guest of honor is Mongolia, commemorating 35 years of diplomatic ties with Korea.
The festival will feature performances, international food trucks, the Earth Village Bazaar, the Migrants Arirang Festival, and a Cultural Diversity Parade. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on experiences, such as Mongolian wrestling, traditional ger exhibits, and world music concerts, offering a global village atmosphere in the heart of Changwon.
Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival: Autumn in Full Bloom
Rounding out Changwon’s fall festivities, the 25th Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival will be held from November 1–9 at 3·15 Marine Nuri Park and Happo Waterside Park. Originating in 2000 to celebrate Masan’s history as Korea’s first chrysanthemum-exporting city, the festival now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually — with over 750,000 attendees last year.
This year’s edition features 170,000 chrysanthemums in large-scale floral displays, a drone and fireworks show, chrysanthemum song and cinema events, and live performances including an indie music and dance festival. Visitors can also take part in interactive programs like chrysanthemum petal mosaics, DIY flower crafts, and stamp tours.
The festival grounds are divided into two themed zones — the Retro Zone for viewing and the Newtro Zone for participation — connected by a 750-meter flower path decorated with glowing lanterns. Together, these festivals promise a season filled with culture, creativity, and community in Changwon this fall.