About this festival
Gangneung earned its reputation as Korea's coffee capital through a cluster of independent roasteries and cafes that opened along the coastal strip near Anmok Beach. The annual Coffee Festival gathers Korea's top roasters and baristas for a public celebration, headlined by the 100 People, 100 Tastes opening ceremony where 100 baristas simultaneously brew hand-drip coffee for the crowd. The 2025 edition ran October 30 to November 2; a similar late-October date is expected for 2026. The festival spreads across Coffee Street and venues throughout the city.
Getting there
Take the KTX from Seoul Cheongnyangni to Gangneung Station (about 1 hour 40 minutes). Coffee Street (Anmok Beach area) is a 10-minute taxi ride or local bus from Gangneung Station. The city is also reachable by intercity bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (about 2 hours 30 minutes).
Tips
Gangneung's coffee culture is serious: most local cafes serve specialty single-origin coffee at prices similar to Seoul specialty cafes. The festival's main stages are free; some ticketed tasting events require advance booking. The city combines well with the Gyeongpo Lake walkway and Seoraksan day trips. The sea breeze off the East Sea in late October can be cold, so a warm layer is useful.
Dates by year
- tentative
2026
October 30 – November 2, 2026
Source: Manual editorial. Last verified 2026-05-09.