Famous Festivals In South Korea │ Overview of All The Best Festivals
South Korea, an East Asian nation teeming with diverse culture, history, art, and delectable food, is renowned for its expansive number of festivals and events. Known to many as the “Land of Festivals,” South Korea takes immense pride and joy in conducting unique festivals nearly every weekend, spread across the beautiful expanse of the country. Whether you’re fascinated by the enchanting South Korean history, captivated by its unique culture, an admirer of arts, or a food enthusiast wanting to experience the country’s cuisine, the varied South Korean festivals have something to offer for everyone.
One of the most unique characteristics of these South Korean festivals is the celebration of mundane objects and concepts, transforming them into exciting events. There are festivals dedicated to celebrating varied aspects of the country’s culture and commodities, from the locally produced persimmons, the famous Korean dish kimchi to even the traditional South Korean dress, hanbok.
Below are some of the most famous festivals that South Korea proudly hosts:
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Contents
Famous Spring Festivals In South Korea
South Korea is a spectacle of beauty during the spring season, bringing the perfect time for tourists to visit the country. In particular, spring in Seoul sees some of the most enchanting flower festivals decorated with various cultural components.
1. Jindo Sea Parting Festival
The Jindo Sea Parting Festival is an annual event highly anticipated by both the locals and visitors in Jindo, an island in South Korea. This celebration breathes life into the extraordinary natural event where the sea parts to reveal approximately 2.8 kilometers long pathway between Jindo and an adjacent island. This festival features many cultural attractions such as traditional Korean music, dance performances, and a parade to add to the excitement for the participants who get the chance to traverse the pathway before getting submerged by the sea again.
- Location: Hoedong-ri, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do
- When: Last three days of March
- Access: Free Entry; noteworthy paid shuttle buses leave from Seoul
2. Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival
Gyeongju, often nicknamed as the ‘museum without walls’, turns into a captivating pink wonderland during its one week Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival features performances and markets strewn across the city. Major cherry blossom spots are Bomun Lake, Bulguksa Temple, and Tumuli Park. This festival is highly recommended for visitors looking to experience Cherry blossom festivals in South Korea.
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju-si, Bomun-ro, 446
When: At the junction of March and April
Access: Free Entry; paid shuttle buses leaving from Seoul
3. Goyang Spring Flower Festival
The Goyang Flower Festival is widely recognized as Korea’s most significant international flower exhibition and is hosted every year in Ilsan, a city just outside Seoul. The festival brings together over 300 organizations and companies from all corners of the world to exhibit their creative flower sculptures and flower-based products.
Location: 595, Hosu-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
When: 3 weeks during April and May
Access: On site or online
4. Wangin Culture Festival
This lesser-known Yeongnam Wangin Culture Festival is held during the full bloom of cherry blossoms, set to celebrate the Korean Dr. Wangin, who undertook a mission to spread Korean culture in Japan 1600 years ago. The festival is situated in the countryside, amidst breathtaking nature. One of the main highlights includes the Wangin Parade, which explains the doctor’s achievements.
Location: 440, Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
When: Early April
Access: Free Entry
5. Boseong Green Tea Festival
Boseong’s acclaimed green tea plantations are Korea’s largest green tea producers. During the festival, visitors can try different types of tea, partake in fun activities like green tea picking and scavenger hunts, participate in a green tea moonlight party, and learn more about making tea.
Location: 775, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
When: Mid May
Access: Free, paid shuttle buses are available from Seoul/Busan
6. Seoul Jazz Festival
The Seoul Jazz Festival garners repute as Asia’s top jazz festival, attracting renowned artists from around the globe. Staged on the grass field of the stunning Olympic park in the Jamsil area, the festival has been graced by the presence of big names like Jessie J, Sergio Mendes, and Iron and Wine since its inception in 2006.
Location: 424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
When: End of May
Access: Online
7. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most famous cherry blossom festivals, is held in Jinhae in the southern part of the country, turning it into the epicenter for cherry blossom tourism. Guided by the stunning views at the Yeojwacheon Stream & Gyeonghwa Station, participants can enjoy cherry blossom-flavored drinks and snacks.
When: Early April
Access: Free; shuttle bus booking available online
Famous Korea’s Summer Festivals
Summertime, laden with intense heat and humidity, presents a unique blend of festivals in Korea. Designed with refreshing themes like water or mud, these festivals serve as a soothing reprieve from the sweltering weather. Two of Korea’s most popular summer festivals are the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Pohang Fireworks Festival.
1. Boryeong Mud Festival
Recognized as one of the most internationally renowned events in Korea, the Boryeong Mud Festival has its roots dating back to 1998. It was instigated by cosmetic companies leveraging the high-quality mud from Boryeong in their products, known for its rich mineral content. The festival mainly serves as a promotional avenue for these cosmetics.
Festival attendees can immerse themselves in a myriad of fun activities. A giant mud bath promises a rejuvenating experience, complete with mud sliding opportunities and mud wrestling games. As dusk settles in, participants can bask in the festivities with a party on the beach, accentuated by captivating fireworks.
Location: 123, Meodeu-ro, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Date: Held annually in mid-July
Tickets: Available on-site or online (inclusive of a shuttle service)
2. Pohang Fireworks Festival
Held against the industrial backdrop of the POSTEC steel company, the Pohang Fireworks Festival is another favorite summer pastime in Korea. It unfolds yearly at the scenic Yeongilbae Beach.
The centerpiece of the festival is an international fireworks competition, deftly illuminating the night sky. Besides this luminous spectacle, festival-goers can partake in a grand parade of light and a thrilling water gun survival game. Performance arts and a hot air balloon ride further enchant attendees. The festival also hosts a squid and beer gathering for food and drink enthusiasts.
Location: 685-1, Duho-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Date: Held annually at the end of July
Tickets: Free of charge, no reservations needed.
Famous Autumn Festivals in South Korea
Autumn in South Korea transforms the country into a captivating golden landscape due to the changing leaves. This picturesque season hosts some of South Korea’s most celebrated festivals. To explore more about what to do in autumn in Seoul, visit this link.
1. The Andong Mask Dance Festival
Andong city, world-renowned for its traditional Hahoe village, hosts the annual Mask Dance Festival. This shamanistic cultural experience traces its roots back to the Joseon Dynasty; where local folks used theatrical and mask performances to satirize the elite class.
The festival is conducted in two distinct locations, the Hahoe Village and the grounds behind Andong train station. Highlights of the Andong Mask Dance Festival encompass mask performances, captivating firework displays, immersive hands-on activities, and more.
Essential Information:
– Location: 239, Yuksa-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
– Dates: End of September to start of October
– Tickets: Free entry. Tickets for performances can be acquired on site.
2. Jeonju Bibimbap Festival
The gastronomical city of Jeonju is famed for its quintessential Korean cuisine, particularly the Jeonju Bibimbap! This specialty is one of South Korea’s most globally recognized dishes. The festival offers food enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the intricacies of this iconic dish, known for its 30 different recipe ingredients.
Essential Information:
– Location: 20, Hyeonmu 1-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
– Dates: End of October
– Tickets: Free entry
3. Seoul Lantern Festival
The annual Seoul Lantern Festival brightens the 1.2-kilometer-long Cheonggyecheon Stream, beginning at Cheonggye Plaza and ending at Supyogyo Bridge. Hundreds of lanterns light up at 5 PM, illuminating the city and marking the onset of the cold winter season. The theme of the lantern festival varies year by year.
Essential Information:
– Location: 14, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
– Dates: First Friday of November to the third Sunday of November
– Tickets: Free entry
4. Goyang Autumn Flower Festival
The Goyang Flower Festival, a highlight in Spring, now thrills visitors in Autumn as well. More than 300 flower organizations and companies exhibit their magnificent flower creations and sculptures. The festival venue, situated along a riverside, offers breathtaking views as the autumn leaves change to golden and red hues.
Essential Information:
– Location: 595, Hosu-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
– Dates: First week of October
– Tickets: Can be bought on site or online
Famous Winter Festivals in Korea
Despite temperatures dropping below 0 °C, the chill of Korean winters cannot dim the warmth of its cherished festivities. Be prepared to embrace the season by knowing what to wear in Korea in winter and what to do in Korea in winter.
1. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Regarded as one of Korea’s largest winter celebrations, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival spans over three weeks and takes center stage on a river blanketed with a 40-centimeter thick layer of ice. Attracting festival-goers from all corners of the country, this occasion turns into a playful ground where everyone engages in the thrilling activity of catching fresh trout. This ice fishing extravaganza serves as a fantastic day trip from Seoul in winter.
Location: Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
Duration: Three weeks in January
Ticketing Info: Tickets can be purchased onsite or online
2. Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival
A popular annual event, the Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival, is held in the southern city of Gwangyang, South Korea. As the name suggests, the festival is an ode to the blooming of maehwa, otherwise known as plum blossoms.
Visitors from all over the world descend upon this festival, where they are immersed in a myriad of cultural enrichment activities. Be it grooving to traditional music, appreciating the grace of dance performances, or holding onto age-old traditions by making traditional crafts- the festival offers a pick for everyone. The highlight of this festival undoubtedly remains the lighting ceremony when the plum blossom trees transform into a captivating spectacle as they are adorned with vibrant lights.
Combining the essence of nature, culture, and community, the Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival unquestionably tops the list for nature and culture enthusiasts.
Photo credit Abrielle The Human
Location: 55, Jimak 1-gil, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
Duration: Lasts for 10 days in early March
Ticketing Info: Though the festival is free, paid shuttle bus services are available from Seoul/Busan
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Ever experienced any of these fantastic festivals in South Korea? Which one is your favourite? Do you have any inquiries or require more information about South Korea’s festivals? Remember to drop a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most celebrated festival in South Korea?
Undoubtedly, the most celebrated festival in South Korea is the Boryeong Mud Festival. This unique and fun-filled celebration takes place every year in the month of July. Since its inception in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival has attracted millions of visitors, both domestic and foreign, making it a globally renowned festival. The special highlight of the festival includes a variety of mud-based activities such as mud wrestling, mud sliding, and the exciting mud swimming competition. Attendees delight in sloshing around in giant mud pools, effectively experiencing a full-blown mud party.
What is the cultural significance of the lanterns in the Jinju Lantern Festival?
The lanterns of the Jinju Lantern Festival, which takes place in October every year in Jinju City, hold deep cultural and historical significance. The festival serves as a solemn yet beautiful commemoration of the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the Imjin War in the 16th century. The festival features a breathtaking display of thousands of lanterns along the Nam River. These lanterns are not merely decorative; they are lit as a symbolic representation of the spirits of the departed soldiers. The belief is that the ethereal glow of the lanterns guides the spirits back to their homes.
What is the schedule for the Busan International Film Festival?
The prestigious Busan International Film Festival, often referred to as BIFF, takes place annually in the vibrant city of Busan, usually in October. Established first in 1996, this festival swiftly gained recognition as one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. BIFF showcases an extensive selection of both international and Korean movies, delivering a cinematic feast for film enthusiasts. It poses as a primary platform for upcoming filmmakers and provides a much-anticipated event in the world of Korean cinema.
Oh that lantern festival looks so beautiful!! Sounds like you’ll have a busy festival season in Korea!
Love it! Korea is definitely on my list. And I would love to visit while one of these festivals are going on 🙂
I went to Korea .. 4 years ago now (time flies!), at the time of the Lantern Festival apparently!
I didn’t know it, but my friend and I noticed those lanterns along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, and we wandered there at night, made pretty pictures! I thought it was for the Asian Games at the time, but turns out, it was not ^^
(Funny that the theme was Games again though)
I was just in Korea this Summer! I really want to go back! I’ll definitely need to check out these events if I ever get the chance to go in the Autumn! 🙂
xo, Chloe //
These festivals look amazing . Not I want to visit Korea 🙂
This looks very cool, all of them. Definitely on my bucket list 🙂
That’s so awesome that they have a festival for many different things! I wish there were more things to celebrate in the USA. I love the idea of the festival for their signature dish.
Fall is my favorite season! It’s neat to know other countries also have fall festivals and other special events. The lantern festival looks especially beautiful and the food looks delicious.
I regret it so badly that I have been to Seoul for the past two days, but haven’t had the chance to visit the Lantern Festival due to business dinners and all-day meetings… Will you cover this festival in a separate article or upload pictures of it on your Instagram account, Marie? That way, I could at least virtually participate… 😉
The festival was absolutely amazing! You can see some pictures on my instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/BbJiwT7hJMt/?hl=nl&taken-by=be_marie_korea
Hopefully you can come back another year?
I’m so glad you reminded me of that lantern festival! This is my last year in Korea and I definitely can’t miss it! I’ll be sure to go this weekend especially since they have the lanterns for the Olympics. How was the bibimbap festival? I know it’s famous in Korea!