Sweetness Steeped in Winter Sunlight: Want to Go Taste It Together at the Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival?
Introduction
In the cold midwinter air, dried persimmons slowly ripen, like tiny orange breaths packed tight with sunshine. The Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival is where that sweet anticipation finally bears fruit, and the view of rows of drying persimmons glowing alongside Christmas lights on a winter night warms the heart as well.
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Accommodation Recommendations
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Conclusion
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Dates : 2025-12-12 ~ 2025-12-14
- Hours : 10:00~18:00
- Location : Yangchon Sports Park, 454 Yangchon-ri, Yangchon-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
- Admission : Free
- Host : Nonsan-si
- Organizer : Nonsan Culture & Tourism Foundation
- Inquiries : 041-730-2928 (Nonsan-si)
- Festival Type : Winter stay-type local festival combining Yangchon dried persimmons with Christmas vibes
- 13:00 After arriving at the festival grounds, browse the Yangchon Dried Persimmon promotion and sales area and the Nonsan local specialties market, enjoying tastings and shopping.
- 14:30 Take your time joining family experience programs such as making a Christmas dried persimmon tree and writing Christmas cards.
- 16:00 Take photos at spots like the Christmas Yangchon Dried Persimmon Tree and the dried persimmon drying-rack photo zone, then relax with the kids at the dried persimmon playground.
- 17:30 Enjoy a winter meal at the local food court, the dried persimmon restaurant, or the smoky barbecue zone.
- 19:00 Stay and soak up the festive atmosphere under the night lights while watching the official events and Christmas carol show.
- 20:30 Take one last relaxed stroll around the photo zones and market, then get ready to head home.
Allow extra time for outdoor experiences and food booths, as lines can be long.
The “Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival” is a flagship winter festival that blends the sweetness of Yangchon dried persimmons with the warmth of Christmas. It’s filled with family-friendly experiences, performances, and market content. Under the theme “A Sweet Life Like Dried Persimmons!”, it is held for three days from December 12 at Yangchon Sports Park, with around 20 dried persimmon farms, local arts groups, and residents joining in to establish it as Nonsan’s signature winter stay-type festival.
During the festival, there will be booths where you can taste and purchase Yangchon dried persimmons and Nonsan’s local specialties, as well as performances, photo zones, and hands-on activities that heighten the Christmas mood throughout the venue. Visitors can slowly savor a winter travel moment, gazing at the drying racks of persimmons in the crisp air while enjoying sweet dried persimmons, warm food, music, and laughter.
Program Information
At the Yangchon Dried Persimmon promotion and sales area and the Nonsan local specialties market, you can explore Yangchon’s leading dried persimmon brands along with regional agricultural products such as the “Nonsan 5 Specialties,” all in one place. Around 20 dried persimmon farms will offer tastings and sales, operated as a sales-focused program that supports the local economy.
At the Yangchon Dried Persimmon Christmas Market, you’ll find Christmas goods for sale and a reuse (secondhand) goods exchange event. At the same time, promotion booths for Nonsan City’s departments and related organizations, as well as an exchange hall with Konyang University, will share a variety of local stories.
In the evening, official events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, performances, and congratulatory shows take place, with a Christmas Carol Show filling the stage with festive spirit. Under the lights and music, you can soak in the uniquely warm atmosphere of a winter night.
In the morning, resident arts clubs from Yangchon-myeon present community performances, followed by afternoon invitation performances by local arts groups and musicians. Through these heartfelt, down-to-earth stages, you can experience modest yet deeply moving moments.
There will be a variety of photo spots, including a Christmas Yangchon Dried Persimmon Tree, a photo zone featuring a traditional-style persimmon drying rack, and a military sergeant character photo zone using the local agricultural brand character. Capture symbolic scenes of the festival and share them on social media to relive the memories.
Hands-on content suitable for family visitors includes making a Christmas dried persimmon tree and writing Christmas cards. The mission-style program “Now You’re Getting the Hang of Persimmons?” and a dried persimmon playground combining carol music with rides are also prepared, making it ideal for visiting with children.
Enjoy a local restaurant run by Yangchon residents, a Nonsan 5 Specialties dessert café serving treats made with Nonsan specialties, a family-friendly dried persimmon restaurant, the smoky barbecue zone where you can experience wood-fired barbecue, and a selection of food trucks offering diverse menus.
The Yangchon Dried Persimmon Song Festival, with preliminary and final rounds plus guest singer performances, heightens the festive mood. Game-style experiences like “Mission! Gam-possible” and nostalgic play booths featuring paper-slap games and marble games make it a fun place for all ages to mingle.
The festival period tends to be very cold, so bring a thick coat, gloves, and a hat to stay warm during outdoor activities and performances.
Lines at outdoor experience booths and food stalls can get long depending on the time of day. If you are visiting with children, it’s best to enjoy the main experiences before late afternoon.
Families should check the performance schedule in advance and plan their route around the times when children can join in, for a more relaxed visit.
When using the food corner, keep in mind the queues during meal hours.
If visiting as a family, balance shows and activities according to your children’s stamina.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is November 27, 2025. The Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival (2025-12-12 ~ 12-14) has not yet begun, and I’m planning to visit the festival soon. As the opening approaches, my excitement keeps growing. I’ve heard that the Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival, under the theme “Yangchon’s Dried Persimmons and Christmas,” is preparing a variety of performances and experiences that will infuse the winter air with warm lights and sounds. In the yard by the stage, there will be photo zones filled with strings of dried persimmons under Christmas lights, and at the food booths, the persimmon restaurant will be serving carefully crafted local specialties to welcome travelers—just imagining those scenes and that warmth makes me want to experience them in person.
The rich lineup of experience programs is another reason I’m looking forward to it. In addition to events where you can feel the hands-on charm of rural life, such as picking persimmons and peeling them for drying, there will be nostalgic game booths like “Mission! Gam-possible,” and plenty of time to breathe in the winter air in the smoky zone while roasting quail eggs and sweet potatoes. Imagining the sound of people gathering, laughing, and chatting, fragrant like early morning dew, I can almost feel the sweet scent of persimmons on the breeze at the festival grounds tickling my nose. The festival will take place around Yangchon Sports Park, 454-1 Yangchon-ri, Yangchon-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, organized by the Nonsan Culture & Tourism Foundation, and I’ve heard that parking and accessibility have improved, which eases my worries about getting there.
I have a feeling this will be a festival that’s just right whether you stroll slowly on your own soaking in the winter light, or share its warmth with family and friends. If you’re thinking of going together, it might be nice to decide in advance which performances you most want to see and which experiences you don’t want to miss. By focusing more on textures, scents, and sounds, this trip could become one where your senses lead the way—and even the time spent preparing, picturing the scenes that will stay with you, feels like a small flutter of excitement.
Accommodation Recommendations
The Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival grounds are close to mountains, valleys, and temples, so you can choose from a variety of accommodations within a 10 km drive. If you’d like to stay overnight and enjoy both the festival and the surrounding natural scenery, consider your route, view, and rest environment when choosing a place to stay.
63-3 Surakgyegok 2-gil, Beolgok-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Healing-style accommodation in nature near Surak Valley
Ideal for those who want a quiet stay with valley views, and a good option for a relaxed overnight course after the festival.
Distance: 5.6 km
37 Daedunsan Park-gil, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Hotel-style accommodation ideal for combining with Daedunsan sightseeing
If you plan to hike Daedunsan as well, this is a good base for visiting the festival after your mountain trip.
Distance: 7.6 km
41 Yodong-gil, Gyeongcheon-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Quiet accommodation where you can feel traditional hanok charm
Staying in the calm atmosphere of a hanok pairs well with a leisurely schedule of visiting the festival and nearby attractions during the day.
Distance: 8.9 km
If traveling by car, it’s helpful to check the distance and parking conditions between your accommodation and the festival grounds on a map in advance.
Restaurants & Cafés
Around the festival grounds, there are restaurants and cafés along the valley and near Tapjeongho Lake where you can leisurely enjoy local flavors alongside the dried persimmon festival. Choose one or two spots such as a Tapjeongho lakeside café or a local restaurant along your route to make your day’s itinerary more fulfilling.
65-12 Geumgodang-ro, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Korean restaurant located near the valley
A good place for a hearty meal before or after the festival; during peak season, consider possible wait times.
Distance: 7.9 km
2056 Daedunsan-ro, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Restaurant with unique menu options near Daedunsan
If you’re planning both a visit to Daedunsan and the festival, this is a convenient meal stop along the way.
Distance: 8.4 km
84-15 Shinpung-gil, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Spicy fish stew specialty restaurant perfect for warming up
If you want to warm up after the festival, this is a cozy place to end a winter evening.
Distance: 8.5 km
444 Taegosa-ro, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Korean restaurant highlighting the charm of an earthen house
A good place for a meal combined with visits to nearby temples; allow generous travel time.
Distance: 8.8 km
422 Taegosa-ro, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Atmospheric café in harmony with natural scenery
A lovely spot to enjoy a warm drink while looking out over the winter mountains.
Distance: 9.0 km
900 Tapjeong-ro, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Café with views over Tapjeongho Lake
A nice course to briefly rest and enjoy the lake view before or after the festival.
Distance: 9.4 km
872 Tapjeong-ro, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Bakery café with lake views
Enjoy bread and coffee while looking out over Tapjeongho, perfect for a drive course.
Distance: 9.6 km
802 Tapjeong-ro, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Stylish food & drink spot near Tapjeongho Lake
A pleasant place to spend a leisurely afternoon when combined with a lakeside walk.
Distance: 9.9 km
Cafés around Tapjeongho are especially beautiful around sunset, so try to arrive before dusk.
Nearby Attractions
Near the festival grounds you’ll find valleys, temples, eco gardens, the Tapjeongho Suspension Bridge, and other spots with varied scenery. Choose places within a reasonable travel distance and spend half a day exploring them along with the dried persimmon festival to complete a winter trip itinerary.
477 Seungchi-ro, Hwasan-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Quiet countryside cathedral in peaceful rural surroundings
A nice place to pause and appreciate the harmony between the winter sky and the church in a tranquil atmosphere.
Distance: 5.5 km
Jangseon-ri, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Valley scenery with different charms in each season
In winter, it’s a pleasant place for a short walk while listening to the quiet water and viewing the rock formations.
Distance: 6.2 km
440 Cheongnimdong-ro, Jinsan-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Serene temple nestled in the mountainside
Stroll slowly through the temple grounds and along the mountain paths to feel the calmness of the winter air.
Distance: 7.0 km
474 Gyeonggacheon-gil, Gyeongcheon-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Space for enjoying nature and eco-friendly gardens
Follow the walking paths to view plants and landscapes that change with the seasons.
Distance: 8.4 km
Seodo-ri, Samsan-myeon, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
Lighthouse set against the sea
This attraction is quite far from the festival, so it’s better visited on a separate itinerary.
Distance: 8.4 km
Chunsan-ri, Hwasan-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province
Garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and nature
Visiting when flowers are in bloom rewards you with colorful scenery.
Distance: 9.0 km
665 Bujeok-ro, Bujeok-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Theme park offering rural experiences and the scent of strawberries
Adding experience programs here makes for a richer day when visiting with children.
Distance: 9.7 km
Shinpung-ri, Bujeok-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Thrilling suspension bridge across the lake
The night lights and lake views make it a popular drive course to pair with the dried persimmon festival.
Distance: 9.8 km
When visiting temples and churches, keep a quiet and respectful manner for a more meaningful experience.
Getting There
Public Transportation — No official information has been provided, but you can consider taking a bus from downtown Nonsan toward Yangchon-myeon and then heading to Yangchon Sports Park. Checking Nonsan’s public transport guide or bus timetables before your visit will make the trip much easier.
By Car — Set your navigation to “Yangchon Sports Park” or “454 Yangchon-ri, Yangchon-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do.” During the festival, surrounding roads and parking lots may be congested, so it’s best to avoid peak times and plan to arrive with some extra time.
Conclusion
The Nonsan Yangchon Dried Persimmon Festival is where the sweetness of dried persimmons steeped in winter sunlight meets the warm atmosphere of Christmas. With dried persimmons and local specialties, performances and experiences, and nighttime lights all together, it’s an excellent destination for spending an entire winter day.
Just a short distance away, you can also enjoy views of Yangchon’s drying racks, Tapjeongho Lake, nearby cafés, and natural attractions, making it a great choice for an end-of-year mood trip. Stroll, taste, and gaze at your own pace, and capture sweet memories unique to Yangchon, scene by scene, this winter.
Photo Snapshots
Videos
