Gwangju Biennale 2026 (until Nov 15): Tickets, Hours, Buses and the Closing Weekend

The 16th Gwangju Biennale (제16회 광주비엔날레), a contemporary art biennale first held in Gwangju in 1995, is in its final weeks. This edition is called "You Must Change Your Life", after the last line of a 1908 poem by Rainer Maria Rilke, and it runs until Sunday, November 15, 2026 at the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall. If you are in Korea this autumn, you have until mid-November to see it.

Why it's worth a visit

• A big international show in one building. The galleries mix artists from many countries, including Nina Canell, Sasaki Ken, Wang Jiahao, Goldin+Senneby, Saodat Ismailova, Kiri Dalena, James Benning and Amanda Heng, with Korean artists such as Rim Dong Sik and Ryu Hankil.
• Unusual pieces. Gallery 1, "Molecules and Me", even shows volcanic rocks from Jeju Island next to the artworks. Gallery 2 is called "Bodies and Bonds".
• Easy for non-Korean speakers. The official exhibition website and its online guide are written in both Korean and English.
• A closing weekend with extra programs (see below).

When

• Until: Sunday, November 15, 2026 (it opened on September 5)
• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-18:00. Last entry 17:30.
• Closed on Mondays. The remaining Mondays are November 2 and November 9.
• Closing Program, November 6 (Fri) to 8 (Sun): performances, walks, workshops, screenings and talks in and around the hall. Registration for the limited-capacity programs closed on October 29, but some events need no sign-up. For example, Angela Goh's performance *Craft* runs at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 on all three days on the bridge between Gallery 2 and Gallery 3, open to anyone with an exhibition ticket.
• The art shop and cafe are open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

Cost

Regular ticket prices (from September 5):

• Adult (19-64): KRW 20,000
• Youth (13-18): KRW 10,000
• Child (4-12): KRW 7,000
• Age 65 and over: KRW 6,000 (special discount, show ID at the ticket office)
• Age 3 and under: free

You can buy tickets through the booking link on the official website or at the ticket office on site. Discount tickets need proof such as an ID at the ticket office.

Getting there

• Venue: Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall, 111 Biennale-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju (광주 북구 비엔날레로 111)
• From Gwangju Station: bus Yongbong 83 (용봉83) goes direct. Get off at the Biennale Exhibition Hall Entrance stop (비엔날레전시관입구) and walk about 4 minutes.
• From Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square): bus Sangmu 64 (상무64) goes direct to the Biennale Exhibition Hall stop (비엔날레전시관), then about a 4-minute walk.
• From Gwangju Songjeong Station (KTX): bus Songjeong 29 (송정29) goes direct to the City History and Folk Museum stop (시립역사민속박물관). By car or taxi it is about 15 km, roughly 35 minutes.
• From Gwangju Airport: take bus Jwaseok 02 (좌석02), change to Maeul 777 or Yongbong 83, and get off at the Biennale Exhibition Hall Entrance stop.
• By car: the organisers ask visitors to use the large P3 parking lot in Maegok-dong. Two shuttle buses link P3 and the exhibition hall, starting at 10:00 from the parking lot, with a lunch break. The last shuttle leaves the hall at 18:15.

Tips

• Crowds: weekends, especially the closing weekend of November 6-8, will be the busiest. A weekday morning is calmer.
• Plan your time: entry stops at 17:30, and the hall closes at 18:00, so arrive by early afternoon if you want to see everything.
• House rules: no food, pets or long umbrellas inside. Leave heavy bags in the storage area. Selfie sticks, flash and tripods are not allowed in the galleries, and you must not touch the works.
• Access: ask the staff about wheelchairs, stroller rentals and the nursing room.
• Monday trap: do not plan your Gwangju day trip for November 2 or 9.

Going alone?

The nearest omeetu meetup spot is Yongbong-dong / Chonnam National University (용봉동·전남대). Open a meetup there to find others going to the biennale, or join one already planned for the same day. Meet first in a busy public place, and keep chats inside the app. Teen members have limits on meetups between 22:00 and 06:00, so plan an early return.

Questions on the day

• Gwangju Biennale Foundation: 062-608-4114
• Exhibition team (closing program questions): 062-608-4234 / 062-608-4235
• Emergencies in Korea: 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (travel hotline with English support)

Official site: 16th Gwangju Biennale - You Must Change Your Life and visitor information