Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival

The Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival is Changwon's leading autumn festival, held since 2000 to promote the excellence of Masan chrysanthemums and encourage their consumption. Masan is where six farms in the Hoewon-dong area began Korea's first commercial chrysanthemum cultivation in 1961, and the first in Korea to export chrysanthemums to Japan in 1972. At the festival you can see the history of Masan's chrysanthemum industry, which grew on its mild climate and cultivation skills, along with a wide range of chrysanthemum works. The 26th festival is held around 3·15 Haeyang Nuri Park, Happo Waterfront Park and the Marine New Town. Centered on chrysanthemum exhibits, it features a multimedia fireworks show, a floating fire-drop show (nakhwa nori) on the sea and the Gukhyang song contest. There are also an indie music festa, performances by local artists, a chrysanthemum bonsai exhibition, chrysanthemum dance cheerleading and hands-on programs, and you can enjoy chrysanthemum works, performances and food by the sea.