Korea Grand Festival 2026: Free Palaces, AREX Discount and Airport Perks

If you are in Korea between now and November 15, you can visit Seoul's four main palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs for free. The airport express train costs ₩2,000 less, and 25 duty-free stores are running discounts. These deals are part of the Korea Grand Festival 2026, a government shopping and culture event that started on October 29. A separate welcome program for foreign visitors opened at Incheon Airport on October 30.

This is the second year of the festival, and several of its perks are aimed at international travelers.

What is the Korea Grand Festival 2026?

The Korea Grand Festival (코리아 그랜드 페스티벌) is an 18-day national sale and culture event running from October 29 to November 15, 2026. The plan was reported to the cabinet on October 27. Several campaigns that used to run separately now share one banner: K-Sale Festa, the Korea Duty Free Festa, the Accommodation Sale Festa, the small-business "Donghaeng" festival, and food sales covering kimchi-making ingredients, Hanwoo beef and seafood. Korean reports put the number of participating companies at around 40,000.

The first edition took place in 2025, when the government combined discount events that different ministries had been running on their own. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee run the visitor-facing side. Their timing follows strong demand: the ministry counted 17.11 million foreign visitors from January to September 2026, 21.5% more than in the same period last year.

Which perks can foreign visitors actually use?

Many of the deals are for residents only, such as car and home-appliance discounts and better rates on local gift certificates. These are the ones a short-stay visitor can use (as of October 31, 2026):

Perk	Details	Dates
Free heritage entry	Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs	Oct 29 – Nov 15
Palace gift shops	10% off cultural goods at K-Heritage stores in the palaces	Festival period
AREX express train	₩2,000 (roughly US$1.40) off the non-stop train between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station	Oct 30 – Nov 15
Pocket Wi-Fi	25% off rentals for foreign visitors	Oct 30 – Nov 15
Duty-free	Up to 25% off at 25 duty-free stores, online stores included, such as Lotte, Shilla and Shinsegae	Festival period
Free performance	A free cultural show at the National Theater of Korea	Nov 14

Two things to keep in mind:

• Free entry does not change regular closing days. Each palace has a weekly day off, so check before you go.
• Duty-free discounts focus on categories like cosmetics and liquor. Rates differ by store and product, so confirm the price at the counter or in the store's app before you pay.

How do the welcome booths at Incheon and Jeju airports work?

The Visit Korea Committee's Autumn Welcome Week runs alongside the festival for 17 days, from October 30 to November 15.

• Incheon Airport Terminal 1, arrivals hall: open October 30 to November 15. Staff explain transport options and visitor perks in English, Japanese and Chinese.
• Jeju International Airport, international arrivals: opens October 31.
• Cruise terminals: pop-up booths open at Busan's North Port and Yeongdo cruise terminals on November 3, and at Jeju's Gangjeong cruise terminal on November 9. They offer multilingual maps, address cards and a free Wi-Fi zone.
• Departure send-off: on November 7 and 14, a booth in the Incheon T1 departures area gives farewell cards. Each card has a Visit Korea QR code that links to regional travel information. One report says small souvenirs are also given out.

The giveaway that has drawn the most attention is a set of four limited-edition souvenirs made with Snoopy Garden, a theme park on Jeju. They show Snoopy and Woodstock wearing hanbok, and the designs include the gat, the traditional Korean horsehair hat. They go to arriving travelers in limited numbers, so visit a booth soon after you land.

What is happening in Andong for the opening?

The main opening event is today, October 31, around the former Andong Station in North Gyeongsang Province. It includes a K-pop concert, cultural performances and live-commerce shows. Five nearby shopping areas, including Andong Old Market and Jungang Culture Street, are holding discounts and events. A temporary tourist train runs between the venue, traditional markets and local sights. Organizers are also testing a "Tour Pass" that links century-old regional shops, craft workshops, bookstores and cafés.

Across the country, 159 regional markets and shopping districts are running their own festival events.

Is the Korea Grand Festival 2026 worth planning around?

If you are already in Seoul, yes. Free palace entry during autumn foliage season is a real bonus, and the AREX and Wi-Fi discounts help on arrival day. The shopping deals are not a reason to move your trip, but these two weeks are a good time to buy duty-free cosmetics. If you are staying into December, see our guide to Christmas in Seoul 2026.

Good to know

• Expect weekend crowds at the palaces during free entry. Weekday mornings are usually quieter.
• At the Incheon T1 arrivals booth, ask which discounts apply to you. Staff can explain the AREX and Wi-Fi offers in English, Japanese or Chinese.
• The Snoopy souvenirs are limited and meant for arriving travelers.
• Many sales you'll see in Korean media, such as car deals, local gift certificates and the consumption lottery, are only for residents.

FAQ

When does the Korea Grand Festival 2026 end?

It ends on November 15, 2026, and so do the airport welcome booths and free palace entry. Some food sales have their own end dates: Hanwoo discounts run until November 8, seafood until November 29, and kimchi-ingredient sales until December 2.

Do foreigners get free palace entry too?

Yes. Korean reports say the free entry covers both Korean citizens and foreign tourists. Regular weekly closing days still apply.

How much is the AREX discount?

The non-stop AREX express between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station is ₩2,000 cheaper from October 30 to November 15. The offer covers the express train only.

Where can I get the Snoopy hanbok souvenirs?

They are handed out to arriving travelers through the welcome program. The Incheon Airport Terminal 1 arrivals booth opened on October 30, and the Jeju International Airport booth opens on October 31. Supplies are limited and may run out before November 15.