"Come to Changwon to See Chrysanthemums" ... Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival Accelerates Preparations

The Festival Curtain Opens Spectacularly
Through the 6m Tall Hwangryong Gate

The nationwide festival and representative autumn festival of Changwon, the ‘Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival,’ will be grandly held from the 26th to November 3rd at the 3·15 Marine Nuri Park and Happo Waterfront Park area in Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam.

Under the slogan “Chrysanthemum Love Song Called by the Sea,” the chrysanthemum exhibition by the Masan sea has become even more abundant. It is composed of 10 themes including Changwon’s pride, story village, animals and agricultural products, Changwon’s garden, chrysanthemum flower proposal, and world travel.

This year, a new theme, “Healing Forest and Poyu Cafe,” has been created, promising a special festival atmosphere that combines the festival’s vitality and a healing space. The main work of this year is the magnificent 6-meter-high Hwangryong Gate, and up to 230 new model works will be showcased.

The event is largely divided into the opening ceremony, drone light show, special planned performances, and fireworks show. Starting at 6 p.m. on the 26th, it will proceed in the order of pre-ceremony performance, opening ceremony, drone light show, and congratulatory performances by popular singers Kim Dahyun and Kim Euiyoung.

This year, special events such as the Chrysanthemum Dream Parade, Chrysanthemum Indie Music Festa, and Chrysanthemum Dance & Cheerleading Festival have been planned.

The Chrysanthemum Dream Parade features a march across the festival grounds by the Navy Band, Robot Land, and Breeze On Marching Band. The Chrysanthemum Indie Music Festa’s first part consists of band performances by students from Changwon Arts School, Gyeongnam University, and Changshin University, while the second part features pro-indie bands such as Gukbingwanjinsangdeul, Gomchi, Mag, and Haz. The Chrysanthemum Dance & Cheerleading Festival includes performances by professional sports cheering squads from NC Dinos, LG Sakers, and Gyeongnam FC, followed by dance teams from Annam Middle School, Hanil Girls’ High School, Gyeongnam University, Masan University, and Changwon University filling the stage.

In addition to performances, various experiential activities are also available, with new additions such as “Together! Making a Chrysanthemum Flower Mural” and “Autumn Chrysanthemum College Entrance Exam Wish Board.”

“Together! Making a Chrysanthemum Flower Mural” allows visitors to attach chrysanthemum flowers to a mural, creating a single artwork together. The “Autumn Chrysanthemum College Entrance Exam Wish Board” is a participatory experience where visitors write their college entrance exam wishes on a wish board located on the chrysanthemum-colored wish path. Additionally, activities such as coloring postcard making, “Hide and Seek Flowers!” (finding hidden flowers), “Chrysanthemum Flowers Bloomed on My Face” (applying tattoo stickers), old school uniform experience, and VR experiences are prepared for people of all ages to enjoy.

Park Dongjin, Director of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau, said, “This year’s Chrysanthemum Festival is composed of programs that can encompass all generations. We will work harder to make it a festival that many visitors can enjoy.”

Meanwhile, Changwon City operates a shuttle bus route for visitors coming to the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival: ‘Masan Station → Changwon NC Park → Changdong, Odongdong → Masan Fish Market → 3·15 Marine Nuri Park.’ On weekends, a special route will operate from the Chrysanthemum Festival site → Changwon Dan-gam Festival site (Jungdong 781 area) → Sculpture Biennale (Seongsan Art Hall).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.