Festivals & Events in Korea

The Korea Maritime Mobility · Safety Expo 2026 offer hands-on activities and programs designed to help visitors learn about the importance of maritime safety in a fun and accessible way. Held around Busan Port’s Bukhang Waterfront Park, the programs include an AI-powered maritime photo zone, life jacket decorating and runway experiences, CPR training, and opportunities to try on a Korea Coast Guard uniform. Visitors can also experience ship operation through a simulation, explore various maritime emergency situations in a VR experience zone, and learn how to properly use lifesaving equipment such as life jackets and liferafts.

The Seomjinggang International Experimental Arts Festival is a traditional art festival that takes place in Gokseong, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. The festival invites over 100 artists from around the world, and "seeks to explore the philosophical, ecological, and artistic meanings and values encapsulated by the river."

The Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performance Parade is packed with various street performances, allowing visitors to experience Jeonju's folk culture on the streets. During the parade, visitors can witness Jeonju gijeopnori, a representative traditional performance of Jeonju; madangnori, a traditional performance featuring dance, music, and storytelling through various forms, or sing along to folk labor songs.

Night of Light Show is a nighttime attraction at Ganhyeon Tourist Area that mixes media facade, lasers, and a fountain show into one grand performance. The media facade section is the largest in Korea, using 12 large beam projectors on a natural rock wall. There are also seven large lasers and the fountain shoots water up to 60 meters high in time to music. Night of Light Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday evenings from late April to late October.

The Hantangang Garden Festa is a large-scale ecological and garden festival themed around seasonal flowers and nature, held at the Pocheon Hantangang River Ecological Landscape Complex. It is a festival where visitors can enjoy the thrill of a 410-meter-long Y-shaped suspension bridge along with the vast natural landscapes of the Hantangang River region, a registered UNESCO World Geopark. The event features a photo zone with an autumn camping concept, a River Market where visitors can enjoy Pocheon's representative agricultural products and various foods, themed gardens created in collaboration with local artists, and electric bicycle experiences for families.

The Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale features a range of exhibitions and educational events. The event takes place at various locations in Korea famous for ceramics, including Icheon, Yeoju, and Gwangju.

Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo takes place in the area of Danghangpo Tourist Resort, where visitors can meet dinosaurs in many different ways. The festival operates various exhibitions and hands-on program facilities including Dinosaur Hill, Character Hall, Dinosaurs Footprint Fossil Hall, AR/VR Hall and more. Many events, activities and parades are also planned for additional fun.

The Tripitaka Koreana Cultural Festival showcases the cultural values of Tripitaka Koreana combined with vibrant content featuring splendid autumn flowers. Visitors can enjoy fall flowers and take part in various hands-on activities.

The Iksan Gukhwa Festival is held every year from late October to early November. The festival features an outdoor chrysanthemum exhibit, city agricultural hall, cultural performances, music fountain and much more as well as food.

The Han River Walk is a walking event that takes place at various locations along the Hangang River. Participants can expect to enjoy light exercise in beautiful natural settings, as well as earn a completion medal. In addition to walking, the festival dates will feature a range of additional events for a lively environment.

The Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge is a Busan-specific community sports program designed to encourage even citizens who are not accustomed to exercise or have little interest in it to participate in community sports activities in an easy and enjoyable way. Its goals are to expand citizen participation in community sports, promote health, and foster a vibrant nighttime leisure culture. Hosted and organized by the Busan Metropolitan City, this citizen-participation event utilizes outdoor spaces—such as Busan’s iconic parks and waterfront areas—to allow residents to enjoy recreational sports regularly every week under the moonlight on autumn nights.

Namdang Port, located at the west end of Hongseong, is a famous west coast port known for its exceptional seafood. Surrounded by the clean waters of Cheonsuman Bay, Namdang Port is home to a wide array of sea life including blue crab, cockle and webfoot octopus. Namdang Port also draws throngs of visitors from early September to mid-October every year for the country’s largest Jumbo Shrimp Festival.

The Yeosu National Heritage Media Art Festival is a nighttime cultural event that presents Yeosu’s national heritages through media art. Under the theme “Jinnamgwan: Rebuilt with Light,” the event will be held from October 9 to November 8, 2026, in the areas surrounding Jinnamgwan Guesthouse, Gosodae Command Post, and Yi Sunsin Plaza. Based on the historical background and spatial characteristics of key locations, the event uses video and light to depict the War Diary of Yi Sunsin, Admiral Yi Sunsin’s spirit of compassion for the people, and the voyages of the Turtle Ship.

The Grand Chrysanthemum Festival is held against the backdrop of Hampyeong's beautiful natural environment and chrysanthemums, which represent the city's autumn. This festival showcases large-scale planned chrysanthemum works and various bonsai pieces, presenting a rich autumn landscape where colorful chrysanthemums harmonize. In particular, alongside the chrysanthemum exhibition, a variety of cultural, performance, and hands-on activities have been prepared to fully enjoy the autumn atmosphere, offering a special time for families, couples, and tourists to enjoy and linger together.

The sea of ​​Pohang extends deep inland, creating a landscape distinct from other places. The warmth of the people of Pohang also abundantly conveys a hospitality unlike anywhere else. Capturing the identity of Pohang, a city that lives with iron, and dreaming of the renewal of iron and the completion of ironware, the theme of the Pohang Steel Art Festival is set as "Takma" (琢磨), a Buddhist term meaning "Iron sharpens iron, Potatoes sharpen potatoes."

The Suseong International Biennale is an international biennale that offers a fresh perspective on the relationships between cities and nature, and between space and people, through architecture and landscape design. Domestic and international architects and landscape architects will participate to implement various projects in actual urban spaces within Suseong-gu, including parks, lakes, and vacant lots. Through exhibitions, forums, and hands-on and participatory programs, citizens can experience architecture and landscape design in their daily lives.

Sium Sium Morning, meaning a “leisurely morning,” is a weekend morning exercise event where everyone can enjoy themselves at their own pace in any way that suits their fitness level—whether walking, running, or biking, or even bringing a stroller or their dog. It’s a time to enjoy exercise and experience Seoul’s mornings without the pressure of times or rankings. Set against the backdrop of Seoul’s major bridges and Hangang Park, participants can walk or run along the cityscape and the Hangang River, discovering new charms in familiar places.

The Anyang Public Art Project (APAP) started in 2005 and has led to the creation of many beautiful works of art that decorate the city's public spaces. The Anyang Foundation for Culture & Arts has created a tour program to explore the wonderful works, starting from the earliest works in 2005 up until now.

Ssokssokdeul-i Festival is a program organized by the National Theater of Korea’s Stage Arts Support Center, designed to make performing arts more accessible in everyday life. Held regularly throughout the year, it offers a variety of performances free of charge, creating greater opportunities for the public to engage with the arts in a relaxed and approachable setting. The festival takes place at the “Ssok” Experience Theater within the Stage Arts Support Center and features dynamic stages that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

The gugak performance “Jinyeon, The Music of the Royal Banquet” offers a unique opportunity to experience the diversity of traditional Korean arts on a single stage. Set in an intimate venue designed in the style of a traditional Korean house, it allows for close interaction between the audience and performers. The program features a wide range of music performed on traditional instruments, spanning Korean music, K-pop, classical pieces, and world folk songs. As an all-in-one performance, it brings together elements of Korean culture, sound, instruments, and live performance into a single immersive experience.

The Hongseong Global BBQ Festival held in Hongseong, a city of aesthetics, is a festival where visitors can enjoy various barbecue cultures from home and abroad in one place. You can taste unique barbecue dishes based on Hongseong's livestock resources such as Hongseong hanu (Korean beef) and Hongseong handon (Korean pork), and there will also be cooking demonstrations by famous YouTubers and chefs. Various performances such as drone shows, busking performances, and other live music performances, as well as hands-on experiences, are prepared for family visitors, making it a festival that people of all ages can enjoy.

100 Year Market, a traditional market with a long history, transforms into a vibrant night market as evening falls. With a mini mirror ball, neon signs, and a mini DJ booth alongside new dining options each month, this retro-themed market is perfect for visitors of all ages.

The International Ki Sports Festival is the only multi-sport event in Korea, with participation from both elite athletes as well as the general public who have an interest in sports. The festival is divided into four categories of competion, expo, conference, and additional events.

The Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival is Changwon's representative autumn festival, held since 2000 to promote the excellence of Masan chrysanthemums and boost their consumption. Masan is the region where Korea's first commercial chrysanthemum cultivation began in 1961, and where the country first exported chrysanthemums to Japan in 1972. Visitors can experience the history of Masan's chrysanthemum industry, which has grown based on its mild climate and cultivation techniques, as well as encounter various chrysanthemum artworks at the festival.

Filled with romance, the Yeosu Night Sea Fireworks Festival unfolds over the beautiful sea and is a special event where stunning night views harmonize with dazzling fireworks. Since its inception in 2016, it has established itself as Yeosu's representative festival. The colorful fireworks adorning the darkened night sky and the twinkling lights on the sea create a fantastic spectacle rarely seen elsewhere. At the festival site, various performances and entertainment options are prepared in addition to the maritime fireworks show. You can enjoy a fun trip with family, create romantic memories with your partner, or make an unforgettable special day with friends.

Young Mic programs will be operated in four categories—performance, hands-on experiences, food, and photography—designed to allow visitors to experience the cultural characteristics of the Chungcheong region in diverse ways. By combining spaces that foster communication and empathy between audiences and artists with various art genres, participating artists will present captivating performances that transcend artistic boundaries. It is expected to be an experience that energizes the lives of residents and provides unique inspiration and fun.

The Cheongsong Apple Festival is a signature local festival held in Cheongsong, one of Korea’s leading apple-producing regions, known for its famous apples. Held every year, the festival showcases Cheongsong apples, local agricultural specialties, and tourist attractions through a variety of hands-on activities, exhibitions, markets, and performances. Throughout the festival grounds, visitors can sample and purchase Cheongsong apples and other local specialties, take part in apple-themed activities, and enjoy performances and cultural events that bring local residents and visitors together.

BeautySum Suwon —a place where exploration gives way to decision-making and all the values of K-Beauty converge—will be held for three days from Thursday, November 5, to Saturday, November 7, at the Suwon Convention Center Exhibition Hall. This event goes beyond a simple brand exhibition; it is South Korea’s next-generation beauty platform where cosmetic ingredients and R&D capabilities converge. This exhibition encompasses the entire beauty value chain, from manufacturing to research, investment, and distribution.

The Goesan Gimjang Festival celebrates the Korean cultural tradition of preparing kimchi as a community, using fresh, local produce. The festival is a one-stop experience for making this essential Korean food item.

The Jeju Olle Walking Festival is held every November, when Jeju's nature is at its finest. Participants walk the trails for three days while enjoying various cultural and artistic performances, traditional games, village programs, and Jeju cuisine. At times, concerts are held against the backdrop of the sound of waves, while at other times, traditional Jeju performances take place against the backdrop of the festival fields. Visitors can also enjoy food made with local agricultural and marine products that satisfy all five senses.

The Busan Illustration Fair is a representative exhibition in the field of illustration held with the Busan and Gyeongsang regions as its main market. Busan Illustration Fair features approximately 600 booths with the participations of a large number of creators actively working both domestically and internationally in various fields such as illustration, painting, picture books, independent publishing, character design, graphic design, games, animation, webtoons, and calligraphy.

The Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival celebrates Gimhae’s long tradition of Buncheong ware, which flourished in the region during the early Joseon dynasty. Now in its 31st year, the festival offers a closer look at the distinctive style and craftsmanship of Gimhae Buncheong through exhibitions, a ceramic market, pottery-making activities, and demonstrations. Visitors can see a wide range of works by local ceramic artists, purchase pieces, and try their hand at making their own pottery. All of this makes Buncheong ware easy and enjoyable to explore.

The Gumi Ramyun Festival is a signature local festival that connects Gumi’s ramyeon industry, food culture, and tourism through the theme of ramyeon. Home to a factory operated by Nongshim, one of Korea's leading ramyeon manufacturers, Gumi is building on its ramyeon production industry to establish ramyeon as a local tourism attraction. The festival takes place throughout the old downtown area, including Gumi Station, Yeokjeon-ro, Munhwa-ro, Geumridan-gil, and Saemaeul Jungang Market. A distinctive feature of the festival is that it uses the entire city center as its venue.

"Peace On: Dam" is a peace and unification cultural event hosted by the Ministry of Unification. Held in Gyeongju, a city of history, culture, and art, it is a cultural event where local residents, artists, and tourists come together to experience the meaning of peace and unification in their daily lives. Set against the backdrop of the lawn next to Cheomseongdae, the event provides an opportunity to participate in various activities linked to Gyeongju's history and culture, share stories with family and neighbors, and reflect on peace and unification in a new light. The venue will feature crafting activities, performances, and on-site events that everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy.

The Citywide Energy Walk Festival is an eco-friendly energy participation program organized to commemorate the 2026 Daejeon World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-9). It is an event where participants can walk together through downtown Daejeon in the fall, experience the value of energy and the environment firsthand, and reflect on a sustainable future. This event is a walking program where anyone can participate enjoyably without any competitive ranking. Participants will start at Daejeon Expo Citizens’ Plaza, walk through the Hanbat Arboretum area, and complete mobile stamp missions along the way.

Every year, Pohang, known as the “City of Fire and Light,” hosts the Pohang International Fireworks Festival, one of the city’s signature cultural events. The festival began in 2004 as a fireworks display held to celebrate Pohang Citizens Day. Its theme was inspired by the “light” of Pohang’s steel industry and the “fire” of its blazing furnaces. Over the years, the festival has grown into an international event featuring leading fireworks teams from around the world. More recently, it has expanded beyond fireworks to include media façade shows, nighttime parades, and other cultural and artistic programs that reflect the city’s industrial identity.

Busan Christmas Village takes place at the Busan Cinema Center for one month leading up to Christmas. In this vibrant village welcoming visitors, visitors can enjoy a snowy plaza, parades, choir performances, limited-edition Christmas menus by Chef Kang Leo and local Busan brands, gift shops, and season-limited pop-ups. This year, the event operates on a paid ticket system to reduce waiting times and congestion, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

The Korea Grand Sale is Korea’s premier tourism festival for international visitors, combining shopping, culture, and travel. Held during the winter tourism off-season, the event aims to promote travel to Korea by offering a wide range of benefits for international visitors across various sectors, including flights and transportation, shopping, accommodation, food and beverages, beauty and wellness, experiences, and travel services. The event also features special promotions and hands-on programs, along with visitor services and exclusive benefits available at the Myeongdong Welcome Center.

*The information below is based on the 2026 festivals. Details for the 2027 festivals will be updated as they become available.*Held in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a one-of-a-kind winter event that was named one of CNN's “Seven Wonders of Winter” in 2011. The festival takes place every January, when the famously pristine waters of Hwacheoncheon Stream freeze solid. Visitors can catch sancheoneo, mountain trout often called the "Queen of the Valley", through ice fishing or even with their bare hands. The freshly caught fish can be enjoyed immediately as raw slices or grilled on the spot.