4th Siheung World Coffee Bean Festival set for Oct. 31–Nov. 1

The 4th Siheung World Coffee Bean Festival, a gathering of coffees and cultures from around the globe, will be held Oct. 31 through Nov. 1 at Eungye Lake Park in Siheung.

The two-day event was selected as part of Siheung's 2026 regional specialty tourism festival support program and is organized as a composite coffee-culture festival where visitors can encounter coffees and traditions from countries worldwide.

Now in its fourth year, the festival goes beyond showcasing global coffee culture by weaving together performances, art, international exchanges, social-value initiatives and civic participation programs for a richer lineup of content.

The event will be linked with the "Hip Festival" promoted by Siheung's culture and arts division, adding to the cultural appeal. A special performance of Bach's Coffee Cantata — a work inspired by coffee — will bring classical music and coffee culture together on one stage.

Professional competitions during the festival include the World Coffee Championship, the K-Coffee Award, a barista championship for people with disabilities, a youth coffee-brewing championship, and roasting, latte art and tasting contests. A coffee quiz competition will also be held, letting residents test their knowledge of coffee history, culture, origins, varieties, processing, roasting and brewing in a fun format.

A new addition this year, the "Coffee Workshop," is also drawing interest. Participants can use premium beans selected through past festivals and the K-Coffee Award to blend their own coffee or make drip bags, experiencing the full process of crafting a cup from scratch. Some programs will accept participants through advance reservations.

International exchanges with coffee-producing countries will continue at this year's festival. As in previous years, ambassadors and diplomats from several coffee-producing nations are expected to attend, introducing their countries' coffees and cultures and creating an international forum where producers and consumers connect through coffee.

Programs aimed at spreading social values will also run alongside the main events. Organizations including the Siheung Social Economy Support Center, Amnesty International and ChildFund Korea will participate, sharing perspectives on the environment, children and community with the public through the lens of coffee.

Local cafes from across the country, flea market vendors, and coffee-related companies and specialists will present a variety of coffees, desserts and cultural products. Programs open to all ages will include coffee tastings from around the world, cultural experiences, performances and exhibitions.

"The Siheung World Coffee Bean Festival is growing into a tourism festival that connects citizens, the local community and the world through coffee — a truly global cultural medium," Siheung Mayor Lim Byung-taek said. "I hope this year's festival will again give residents and visitors a chance to experience the diverse coffee cultures of the world at Eungye Lake Park and share that energy with the local business community."

Kim Kyung-min, director of the Siheung World Coffee Bean Festival, said the organizers aim to expand performances, international exchanges, social-value content and hands-on civic programs this year to show how coffee connects different fields. "With expanded citizen-participation programs like the Coffee Workshop and the coffee quiz competition, I hope visitors will have a special autumn experience at Eungye Lake Park — tasting, making, learning about and enjoying coffees from around the world," Kim said.

The festival is hosted and organized by the Haero Toro National Environmental Culture Project Group. Admission is free, though some hands-on programs may carry separate fees. For more information, contact the World Coffee Bean Festival secretariat.