Korea Grand Sale 2026 Launches｜A Global Shopping & K-Culture Festival in Korea

Korea Grand Sale 2026, Korea’s largest shopping tourism festival, officially sets sail by combining K-Culture and shopping tourism to attract global visitors.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Korea Visit Year Committee, the festival will run from December 17, 2025 to February 22, 2026.

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What Is Korea Grand Sale?

Korea Grand Sale is the country’s 대표 shopping tourism festival, launched in 2011 to boost inbound tourism and consumer spending during the winter off-season.

The event brings together airlines, hotels, department stores, duty-free shops, restaurants, beauty brands, and experience providers to offer exclusive benefits only available to international visitors.

• Event Period: Dec 17, 2025 – Feb 22, 2026 (68 days)
• Participating Companies: Approx. 1,750 (record-high)
• Key Sectors: Flights, Hotels, Shopping, Dining, Beauty, Transportation

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Opening Ceremony in Myeongdong

The official opening ceremony will take place on December 17 in Myeongdong, Seoul, with around 80 attendees including participating companies and international tourists.

The ceremony features a theme video titled “Korea Grand Sale: An Exciting Voyage into the Sea of Hallyu” and a celebratory K-pop performance by K-Tigers.

Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun will attend the opening event, meet participating companies, and inspect shopping tourism sites and the Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center.

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Record-Breaking Discounts on Flights, Hotels & Shopping

Korea Grand Sale 2026 offers unprecedented benefits across major industries.

✈ Flight & Hotel Promotions

• 10 major Korean airlines participating
• Up to 96% discounts on international flights to Korea
• Experience-based hotel packages

Luxury hotels such as Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul offer free ice rink access and palace passes, while Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun provides Olive Young prepaid cards with K-beauty packages.

🛍 Shopping Benefits Nationwide

Major department stores, duty-free shops, outlets, supermarkets, and convenience stores offer exclusive discounts, free gifts, upgraded memberships, and welcome rewards for international shoppers.

Popular brands such as Gahyeon, CJ Olive Young, Musinsa Standard, Samjin Eomuk, and Ktown4u will host online and offline special exhibitions with discounts of up to 90%.

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Immersive K-Content Experience Programs

Beyond shopping, Korea Grand Sale 2026 focuses on experiential tourism powered by globally popular K-content.

Five themed experience programs will be offered:

• K-Gourmet: Korean cooking and food tasting
• K-Exciting: K-pop dance classes and broadcast studio tours
• K-Stylish: Beauty, fashion, and personal color styling
• K-Healing: Wellness and traditional Korean medicine
• K-Inspired: Culture, arts, performances, and architecture

In partnership with Incheon International Airport, short-term transit tourists can also enjoy compact shopping and culinary programs, ensuring a memorable Korean experience even during brief stays.

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Regional Tourism & K-Train Travel

To promote balanced tourism across Korea, the festival connects Seoul with regional destinations such as Jeonju, Taebaek, and the East Coast through special K-Train travel products.

Tourists can enjoy regional festivals, local cuisine, and cultural experiences, with onboard K-food tastings and K-content activities during train journeys.

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Welcome Centers & Interactive Tourism Hubs

A dedicated Korea Grand Sale Welcome Center will operate throughout the event at Myeongdong Noon Square, providing tourist information and exclusive discount vouchers.

Mobile experience units called Play Trucks will tour major cities including Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, and Jeonju, while a Play Lounge in Bukchon offers hands-on product experiences and rest areas.

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Why Korea Grand Sale 2026 Matters

Vice Minister Kim stated, “We hope international visitors fully enjoy Korea’s generous benefits and the diverse appeal of K-culture through this event.”

“Korea Grand Sale will serve as a strong foundation for sustainable and balanced growth in Korea’s inbound tourism market.”

Korea Grand Sale 2026 is expected to become a flagship global shopping tourism festival that boosts inbound travel and revitalizes Korea’s domestic economy.