Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Everland transforms its iconic Rose Festival into the “Rose Garden Royal High Tea” — a whimsical, month-long celebration of 3 million roses, fantastical storytelling, and afternoon tea culture.
To mark 40 years of blooming beauty, Everland, operated by Samsung C&T Resort Group, is unveiling a refreshed take on its signature flower festival. From May 16 to June 15, the newly reimagined Rose Garden Royal High Tea invites guests into a romantic, storybook setting where 3 million roses bloom alongside fantastical art installations and a sensory afternoon tea experience.
Launched in 1985 as Korea’s first flower-themed festival, Everland’s annual celebration of roses has attracted over 60 million visitors. Throughout its four-decade history, more than 80 million roses have been showcased—enough to stretch 4,000 kilometers if placed end to end, or roughly five round trips between Seoul and Busan. The total weight of these blooms would equal that of 80 elephants.
Over the decades, the festival has evolved beyond a floral showcase into a cultural event. In the 1980s and 1990s, live radio broadcasts such as “Starry Night” and “Lee Jong-hwan’s Disco Show” were hosted in the Rose Garden, drawing massive crowds late into the night. Everland also began night openings in 1985, offering families and couples a rare opportunity to enjoy evening hours in a garden setting — a novelty at the time that contributed to the festival’s iconic status.
Now in its milestone year, the festival offers a more immersive and imaginative experience that combines floral elegance with storytelling and tea culture.
A Rose Garden Reimagined
This year’s festival showcases 720 varieties of roses from 18 countries, all blooming across Everland’s Rose Garden. Thanks to expert horticultural care and proprietary techniques, these roses bloom up to 3.5 times a year—well above the typical single bloom seen in home gardens. At the center is the “Everrose,” a signature line of 40 Korean-bred roses developed through more than a decade of research.
Since 2013, Everland has pursued local rose cultivation with over 1,500 hybridizations annually, resulting in its own premium K-rose line. The Perfume Everscape variety, with its rich fragrance and vibrant petals, swept four awards including the top gold prize at the 2022 Gifu International Rose Competition. That same year, Everland’s Rose Garden became the first in Korea to be awarded the Award of Garden Excellence by the World Rose Convention. In 2024, Perfume Everscape was also recognized in a global SCIE-indexed journal for its anti-aging and antioxidant properties.
Adding to the charm is a new fantasy storyline centered around Dona D. Rosy, a whimsical desert fox who guards the garden as a rosarian. Her tale unfolds throughout the festival with immersive props, character zones, and visual storytelling. The Rose Garden’s four themed zones—Victoria, Venus, Cupid, and Miro—feature kinetic art, mirror installations, and AR experiences that draw guests into Dona’s magical world, where they can experience the desert fox’s daily life through all five senses.
When Art Takes Root
The festival brings art and nature together through collaborations with renowned artists. Illustrator Daria Song (@daria486) reimagines the Rose Castle’s façade into a dreamlike illustration, while sculptor kappao (@kappaostudio) presents a towering Dona D. Rosy figure on the rooftop, creating an iconic photo spot.
Inside the castle’s second floor, which is rarely open to the public, visitors can explore a concept store featuring themed photo zones, illustrations, and merchandise inspired by the world of the Rose Garden Royal High Tea. Sculptures by artist Buwon Seo (@bu_won), known for the character B.B. Rabbit, also add playful energy to the experience.
A live character performance and a twilight lighting show featuring Dona D. Rosy offer memorable moments for guests of all ages.
Tea, Treats, and Timeless Moments
No royal garden party is complete without tea. At Everland’s Cucina Mario restaurant, guests can enjoy a classic Afternoon Tea Set featuring nine rose-inspired desserts like floral cupcakes and brownies, served in Royal Copenhagen porcelain. A smaller “Small Tea Set” offers a light alternative, while signature drinks like the rose-petal-infused Roseberry Iced Tea and pink heart-shaped churros bring whimsy to the garden’s snack booths.
Festival visitors can also browse pop-up shops inside the restaurant, including curated selections from local lifestyle brands like GREENMOOR and hanahzo.
Bringing the Story Home
Over 70 festival-themed merchandise items are available across Everland’s shops. Highlights include plush Dona D. Rosy dolls in three variations, collectible key charms, and practical items like mugs, socks, and umbrellas. Some goods are the result of exclusive collaborations with brands such as BY GREY, dalsworkroom, and Grayjuice.
From May 13 to 26, a pop-up store at The Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo gives city-goers a preview of the festival’s magical world and themed merchandise.
A curated selection of 18 Rose Garden Royal High Tea-themed items is also available on Samsung C&T’s SSF Shop for a limited time. The collection includes plush Dona D. Rosy dolls, key charms, pastel-toned socks, headbands, and other lifestyle goods that reflect the festival’s soft and whimsical aesthetic.
For ticket reservations, promotions, and full event details, visit the official Everland website.
