Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival

The Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival is a representative regional spring festival held at Hwangmaesan County Park in Gahoe-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. The 30th Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival, to be held in 2026, will take place for 10 days from May 1 to May 10. The azalea colony at Hwangmaesan County Park, where the festival is held, is the largest in the country, boasting an area of approximately 30 hectares. The azaleas growing here are *Rhododendron yedoense*, a representative native species of the Korean Peninsula that is distinct from common azaleas or rhododendrons. During the festival, various experiential programs such as cart tours, docent tours, busking performances, and wooden games are operated near the tourist rest area amidst the azaleas and silver grass. In addition, cultural performances and a local specialty market are held concurrently, providing visitors with a wealth of entertainment. The Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival is establishing itself as a spring tourist attraction where natural scenery and cultural experiences harmonize.