Imsil, Jeollabuk-do, is beginning to bloom in shades of rose. From the 28th to the 31st of this month, the '2026 Imsil N Rose Festival' will take place at the Imsil Cheese Theme Park. Imsil, well-known for its cheese tourism, will showcase a different side this year with its fully bloomed rose gardens. Step into the European-style gardens for an exotic landscape, and enjoy a wealth of attractions including delicious food made with Imsil cheese and various performances. How about a trip to Imsil, where you can enjoy a romantic stroll through a vibrant rose garden and savor mouthwatering cheese?

The First Rose Festival in the Land of Cheese

The Imsil Cheese Theme Park, where this rose festival is held, has been known for its cheese festivals and experiential tourism. This year, the venue welcomes visitors with a festival centered around roses. The first place to explore is the Rose Garden. Covering approximately 65,000 square meters, it features over 150 varieties and 22,000 European roses. The garden is well-equipped with rose tunnels, photo zones, and walking paths, perfect for a stroll amidst the subtle fragrance of roses, offering a beautiful backdrop for photos.

The festival offers a unique charm as the Rose Garden reveals different facets depending on your visit time. During the day, you can walk along the bright rose paths, and at sunset, you can admire the picturesque scenery where the twilight hues blend with the roses. In the evening, soft lighting transforms the Rose Garden into an even more romantic promenade.

Diverse Performances and Culinary Delights

Special stages will add to the festival's excitement. The opening celebration performance on the 29th will feature renowned trot singer Lee Chan-won, along with Son Tae-jin, Jeon Yu-jin, Kim Da-hyun, and Shin Yu. On the 30th, a Rose Music Concert with the couple Kim So-hyun and Son Jun-ho, as well as a radio public broadcast with Shim Soo-bong, Beom Jin, and Punch, are scheduled, making it worthwhile to check the performance schedule before visiting.

Around the Rose Garden, you can find pizzas made with Imsil cheese and special snack menus, perfect for a break while walking the flower paths. The Cheese Fair offers discounted dairy products, and a pop-up store for the cooking show program 'Cheonha Jepang' will also be in operation. On the 30th, there will be an event where pastry chef Kim Jin-seo, who appeared on 'Cheonha Jepang', offers items like burrata bread made with Imsil cheese.

Experiential Programs and Fun for Children

The food zone offers local cuisine along with festival-exclusive menus such as rose bread and rose ice cream. At 'Imsil N Beer Factory', you can also try craft beers with a rose concept, flavored with rose raspberry – don't forget to taste them!

Experiential programs add to the fun. An 'Imsil N Proposal Game', inspired by the concept of 'Squid Game', will be held in a survival format, selecting 10 final couples to proceed with exciting missions like 'Red Light, Green Light', 'Dalgona Making', and 'Imsil N Cheese Pizza Eating Contest'.

If you're visiting with children, don't miss the special programs for kids on the 30th and 31st. Popular characters like 'Secret Jouju' will have a sing-along show and fan meeting, along with 'Tobot' events and a large balloon photo zone. Throughout the festival, there will be guerrilla street performances including magic, mime, bubble shows, and juggling, as well as a rose sculpture parade, ensuring plenty of entertainment alongside the flower viewing.

Enjoying the Festival Safely

To safely enjoy the Rose Festival, it's good to keep a few safety tips in mind. As you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors, bring a hat, sunglasses, and a parasol. Drink water frequently before you feel thirsty. It's safer to take breaks rather than walking strenuously during the hottest parts of the day.

When admiring roses up close or spending extended time in the flower beds, you might experience discomfort such as itchy eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose due to pollen, grass dust, or airborne particles. If you have allergies or sensitive eyes, avoid getting too close to the flowers and refrain from rubbing your eyes with your hands. If you wear contact lenses, your eyes may dry out easily, so bringing artificial tears can be a good idea.

Also, if you sit near the flowerbeds for a long time to take photos, you should be mindful of insect bites. As mosquitoes and small insects may increase around sunset, it's helpful to bring thin long-sleeved clothing or insect repellent.