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▶ Dates: October 8 (wed) – October 12 (sun), 2025
▶ Location: Imsil Cheese Theme Park & Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
▶ Highlights: Cheese making, mozzarella stretching, dairy parades, food markets, live concerts
▶ Official Website: imsilfestival.com
The Imsil N Cheese Festival is South Korea’s most delicious cultural celebration, blending cheesy fun with family-friendly entertainment. Held every autumn in Imsil County, Jeollabuk-do—home to Korea’s first and most famous cheese—the festival brings together locals and tourists to celebrate everything dairy. The event takes place at the Imsil Cheese Theme Park, a unique venue where guests can learn about the history of cheese in Korea while participating in interactive workshops, parades, and concerts. Since its launch in 2004, the festival has become a beloved food-themed holiday for families, students, and cheese lovers. If you're looking for a tasty, hands-on, and joy-filled experience surrounded by rolling green hills and cheesy air, this is the festival for you.
Cheese Experiences & Performances: A Feast of Flavor and Fun
The main attraction of the Imsil N Cheese Festival is, of course, the hands-on cheese-making experience. Visitors can try their hand at making fresh mozzarella, stretching curds, and crafting cheese pizzas. The festival offers workshops for all ages, with expert cheesemakers guiding you through the process in both Korean and English. In the “Cheese Playground” zone, children enjoy activities like cheese-shaped inflatables, milking games, and animal petting zoos. Meanwhile, the main stage hosts K-pop dance teams, folk musicians, and acrobatic performances throughout the day. The “Dairy Parade,” featuring dancing cows and cheese mascots, brings laughter to the entire crowd. For food lovers, dozens of booths offer everything from cheesy tteokbokki to creamy pasta and grilled cheese sandwiches, often using locally produced Imsil cheese. Visitors can also explore local dairy farms through guided shuttle tours, tasting fresh milk and seeing where it all begins. Evening fireworks and light shows round out the festival, leaving both stomachs and hearts full.
Imsil’s Cheese Heritage & Local Culture
Imsil is widely recognized as the birthplace of Korean cheese, thanks to Belgian priest Didier t'Serstevens, who introduced cheese-making to the region in the 1960s. This festival celebrates not just cheese as food, but as a cultural symbol of rural innovation and community pride. The Imsil Cheese Theme Park offers exhibitions on the global history of cheese, traditional European dairy tools, and Korean adaptations. Visitors can walk through a mini village modeled after European cheese towns, complete with windmills and brick ovens. Cultural workshops include Korean rice cake cheese fusion classes, hanbok rentals for photo zones, and folk storytelling by local elders. Art zones, eco-awareness booths, and regional product markets help round out the cultural richness of the event. All of this is set against the beautiful backdrop of Imsil’s countryside, known for its clean air, slow pace, and welcoming spirit. It’s not just about what you eat—it’s about what you experience with all five senses.
Summary & Travel Tips
The Imsil N Cheese Festival is a flavorful fusion of food, fun, and family, perfect for autumn travelers in Korea. If you’re coming from Seoul, take a KTX to Jeonju Station, followed by a bus or car to Imsil (about 1.5 hours). Admission is generally free, with small fees for workshop participation. Wear casual clothes, and don’t forget to bring a cooler bag if you plan to buy fresh cheese! Accommodations nearby include farm stays, pensions, and eco lodges. Check the official website for program times, shuttle info, and weather updates. Whether you’re a foodie, a parent, or a curious traveler, this cheesy celebration will melt your heart—and maybe your taste buds, too.