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The Geumsa Chamoe Festival — the only Korean melon festival in the Seoul metropolitan area — runs for three days, from the 22nd through the 24th, in Geumsa-myeon, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.
Yeoju City reported on the 14th that this year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary. It’s a well-known event: about 100,000 people visited last year. Though it’s a grassroots celebration run by local residents, Geumsa chamoe’s reputation for outstanding quality has turned the festival into a signature agricultural event for the greater Seoul region.
Grown with the Namhan River’s pristine upstream water, fertile soils and abundant sunshine, Geumsa chamoe is widely regarded as some of Korea’s finest produce. The melons are loved for their thin skin, crisp bite and fragrant sweetness. The flagship variety, ‘Haengbok Plus,’ often exceeds 15° Brix, delivering a sweet yet refreshingly clean flavor.
At Geumsa Neighborhood Park, 25 local farms will be on hand selling their own harvests. Visitors can sample melons from different growers and compare subtle taste differences shaped by each farm’s soil and techniques. You’ll also find melon-based products—from chamoe kimchi and savory pancakes to bibimbap—and plenty of chamoe drinks to taste.
The festival offers a lineup of family-friendly activities: kids can try a “pick-a-melon” experience, while adults can join a playful “melon-stacking” contest. Organizers recommend arriving early to avoid crowds and enjoy tastings and activities at a relaxed pace. In the evenings, guest singers take the stage to lift the festival vibe.
Nearby attractions add extra reasons to visit. Cross the Ipodaegyo Bridge from the festival site to reach Pasaseong Fortress, where sweeping views of the Namhan River await. A short walk along the fortress walls rewards visitors with winding river vistas and cool breezes.
Remnants of Ip’o Naru, a Joseon-era river port that once served as a logistics hub, still remain. The old tavern-street tradition survives in Cheonseori Makguksu Village beneath Pasaseong. The village’s signature makguksu mixes buckwheat noodles with a blend of broth and dongchimi (radish water kimchi), topped with a bold bibim sauce—an unmistakable regional favorite.
Add the carved Buddha statue along the Gyesin-ri riverside and the sunset views from Yeoju Namhan River Suspension Bridge, and this Geumsa Chamoe Festival shapes up as a perfect May outing packed with great food, scenic sights and hands-on experiences.
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