In 1982, the people of Geochang held their first county event to share happiness, celebrate hard work and give thanks for the year's worth of harvest and ultimately to promote harmony among the citizens. Up until 2011, the Citizen's Day, Arim Art Festival, Sports Festival, Lifelong Education Festival, Noksaekgotgan ('green warehouse') Agricultural Product Festival and Geochang-Han-Geochang Apple Marathon were all held separately at different times. But in 2012, with the enactment of the official Geochang Citizens Day legislation, all festivals and events that were held on the Citizens Day were combined under the one title, 'Geochang Hanmadang Festival' and the people of Geochang and foreigners, wishing to promote their pride and love for the county and to promote unity and harmony among all, celebrated and participated in this festival ever since.

Geochang Hanmadang Festival is a complete-package-festival that includes the Citizens Day Ceremony, Citizens Sports Festival, Arim Arts Festival, Lifelong Education Festival, Noksaekgotgan ('green warehouse') Agricultural Product Festival, Geochang-Han-Geochang Apple Marathon and various exciting events and the festival marks its beginning every year on Thursday night on the last week of September.