Wonju City to Open Mandu Festival on the 24th... Sale Festa and Youth Market to Be Held Simultaneously

2025 Wonju Mandu Festival to Feature 'Delicious Stories' with Chef Lee Yeonbok
Wonju City Integrates Festival and Shopping for an 'Eat, Shop, Enjoy' Experience
Full Efforts to Boost the Local Economy

Wonju City in Gangwon Province has released final information for the convenience of citizens and tourists ahead of the opening of the '2025 Wonju Mandu Festival', which will be held for three days from October 24 to 26 in the Jungang-dong traditional market area.

Mandu Festival Site Layout. Provided by Wonju City

This festival, themed 'Delicious Stories, Heartwarming Memories,' is planned as a signature autumn gourmet event that combines a variety of foods, experiences, and performances.

The festival venue is organized into several zones: the main stage, mandu booth zone, handmade mandu sales zone, culture and arts experience zone, flea market, and youth market. The layout is designed around central pathways to make it easy for visitors to move and participate in activities. Notably, a nursing room will be set up on the first floor of the Jungang Youth Cultural Center to provide a comfortable rest area for families with children.

The opening ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. on October 24, featuring a spectacular celebratory performance. Over the following three days, a variety of programs will be available for all ages, including live cooking shows, mandu cooking classes, mandu competitions, and mandu-making experiences. On the final day, October 26, a live cooking show by Chef Lee Yeonbok, the festival’s promotional ambassador, will mark the grand finale.

Vehicle Restriction Zones During the Dumpling Festival. Provided by Wonju City

To alleviate traffic congestion during the festival, Wonju City will operate free shuttle buses. There will be two routes-Dancing Performance Hall and Health Center-with buses running daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Won Kangsu, Mayor of Wonju, stated, "This year's Wonju Mandu Festival is being prepared as a highly complete event, blending taste, enjoyment, and convenience," adding, "With the site layout and shuttle bus information, both citizens and tourists will be able to enjoy the festival comfortably."

He also expressed hope that the influx of visitors would bring vitality to local businesses and tourist attractions in Wonju.

'Sale Festa with Wonju Dumpling Festival' poster. Provided by Wonju City

◆ 'Eat! Shop! Enjoy!' Sale Festa to Be Held Alongside the Wonju Mandu Festival

In connection with the city's signature event, the Wonju Mandu Festival, Wonju City will host the 'Sale Festa with Wonju Mandu Festival' from October 22 to 26 for five days to revitalize the old downtown commercial district.

For this Sale Festa, small business owners and self-employed merchants near the festival venue will participate by offering voluntary discounts. Citizens can purchase a variety of products at reduced prices, while participating businesses are expected to benefit from increased sales and promotional effects, injecting new energy into the local economy.

Some stores along Wonil-ro will take part in the event, and various sales will also be held independently in the Jungang-dong traditional market area, including Doraemi Market, Culture Street, Jayu Market, Jungang Market, Jungwon Traditional Market, and Pungmul Market.

In particular, stores affiliated with the Onnuri Gift Certificate in traditional markets and shopping districts will offer a 10% discount when using the Onnuri Gift Certificate. To receive this benefit, visitors must install the 'Digital Onnuri' app in advance.

The event will be conducted individually by each participating business, and details such as discounted items and rates can be found by scanning the QR codes posted on the city website and official Wonju Mandu Festival social media channels.

Mayor Won Kangsu commented, "The Sale Festa held alongside the Wonju Mandu Festival will infuse the local commercial district with the excitement and vitality of the festival," adding, "I hope citizens will enjoy delicious mandu while supporting local small business owners in traditional markets and shopping districts."

'Youth Market with Dumpling Festival' poster. Provided by Wonju City

◆ Wonju City to Host 'Youth Market'-Direct Sales Marketplace for Young Entrepreneurs-During the Mandu Festival

During the Wonju Mandu Festival, from October 24 to 26, Wonju City will operate the 2025 Gangwon Small Business Win-Win Direct Sales Marketplace, 'Youth Market with Dumpling Festival,' at the Jungang-dong Culture Sharing Platform.

This event is part of the small business direct sales marketplace project, which was selected in April through a Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province public contest. Participating booths were chosen in September by a selection committee based on overall evaluations of marketability, price competitiveness, and originality.

For the three days of the Wonju Mandu Festival, the Youth Market will feature 30 booths selling crafts, food, local specialties from Wonju, and experience-based products-all linked to mandu. A variety of performances and events will also take place. The aim is to promote and support the sales of diverse products from local young entrepreneurs to festival visitors.

Mayor Won Kangsu said, "Through the Youth Market, I hope that many tourists visiting the Wonju Mandu Festival will enjoy not only mandu but also the diverse and excellent products offered by Wonju's small business owners," asking for active interest and participation from citizens and visitors alike.

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