Festivals - Korea travel and tourism information

Yeongdong Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival (영동난계국악축제)

2026-09-04

117, Yeongdong healing-ro, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-745-8917

The Yeongdong Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival is an annual performing arts festival dedicated to gugak, Korea’s traditional music and one of Yeongdong-gun’s most treasured cultural assets. The festival also honors the musical legacy of Nangye Park Yeon, one of Korea’s most renowned traditional musicians, while contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional performing arts. Building on the achievements of the 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music & Arts Expo, the 57th festival seeks to introduce gugak, a treasured element of Korea's cultural heritage, to a wider global audience and contribute to a new wave of global interest in Korean culture. As Korea’s only festival dedicated to traditional Korean music, it offers a wide range of performances and hands-on programs that reinterpret traditional performing arts for contemporary audiences. Through programs that reflect the unique character of Yeongdong, the festival also helps transform local cultural resources into a tourism assets. At the same time, it encourages community participation, enhances cultural engagement among residents, and serves as a vibrant celebration of local unity.

Hyoseok Cultural Festival (평창효석문화제)

2026-09-03

157, Ihyoseok-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-335-2323

The Hyoseok Cultural Festival is one of Korea’s best-known fall cultural tourism festivals, held in Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. First held in 1999, the festival takes place around September every year in Bongpyeong-myeon, the real-life setting of When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom, a classic modern Korean short story by Lee Hyo-seok (pen name: Gasan). The festival is best known for its vast fields of white buckwheat flowers, which bloom so densely that they look as if they have been dusted with salt. Visitors can experience firsthand the natural scenery of Bongpyeong that serves as the backdrop to the story. The program includes literary events honoring Lee Hyo-seok and his work, traditional folk games, a food market featuring local specialties, and a variety of cultural and artistic performances by local residents and artists. In doing so, the festival helps promote the region’s literary heritage and rural traditions while also supporting the local economy.

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (인천펜타포트 락 페스티벌)

2026-08-31

350, Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
+82-32-899-7423

The Incheon Pentaport Music Festival is one of Korea’s premier global music events and a major fixture in the country’s rock scene. Since its launch in 2006, it has grown into one of Korea’s flagship festivals, earning recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The 2026 festival will be held at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon, featuring headline performances by top Korean and international artists along with a wide range of high-quality festival programs. Beyond the main stages, programs such as Penta Super Rookie and Live Club Party support emerging artists and help energize the local music scene. Ahead of the festival, special pre-festival shows will take place in Hongdae and Tokyo, giving fans in Korea and abroad more ways to connect with Pentaport while building anticipation for the main event. Pop-up stores will offer official merchandise and branded content, adding another layer to the festival experience. At the crossroads of music and urban culture, the festival has become a global cultural platform and a signature event that raises Incheon’s profile as a city of culture.

Muan White Lotus Festival (무안연꽃축제)

2022-09-06

Sanjeong-ri, Illo-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-61-450-5472

Muan is home to Hoesan White Lotus Habitat, the largest habitat of the white lotus flower in Asia, spanning 330,000 square meters in size. While most lotus flowers are pink, the lotus flowers in Muan are snow white, which is very rare. During the Muan White Lotus Festival, visitors can enjoy a landscape filled with white lotus flowers and lotus-themed activities.

Seoul Fringe Festival (서울프린지페스티벌)

2026-07-24

94 World Cup buk-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7092-8172

Seoul Fringe Festival has been held every summer annually since 1998. The festival is open to artists of all genres, from dance to music and media art. Due to the open style and non-competitive element of the festival, artists and festival-goers alike are free to express themselves however they choose.

Seoul Character & Licensing Fair (서울 캐릭터라이선싱페어)

2022-08-25

513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-6000-8571

Seoul Character & Licensing Fair aims to globalize Korean character content through active business exchange among participating businesses, buyers, and event participants. The fair is not only suited for interested businesses, but also provides family-friendly events.

Goesan Red Pepper Festival (괴산고추축제)

2026-05-20

113 Imkkeokjeong-ro, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-830-3463

The Goesan Red Pepper Festival celebrates Goesan’s specialty red peppers and other agricultural products, offering a variety of experiences and food. Held at the Goesan Organic Expo Plaza, the festival features creative pepper-themed programs, the Organic Goesan Singing Contest, and the Hot Chimac Festival.

Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (부천 국제판타스틱영화제)

2022-08-10

210, Gilju-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-32-327-6313

Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) has grown by leaps and became the most representative festival of Bucheon. BIFAN hosts creative and futuristic programs that appeal to the general public as well as provides opportunities to see movies of diverse genres in a whole new perspective. BIFAN has maintained a long-term partnership with the European Fantasy Film Festivals Federation and Yubari Fantastic Film Festival and received recognition as one of Asia's largest fantastic film festivals.

Gangneung Danoje Festival (강릉단오제)

2023-05-17

1, Danojang-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-641-1593

The Gangneung Danoje Festival was designated a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 and Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in 1967. The festival serves to preserve the folk culture of the Joseon dynasty and has been a popular festival since 1975. The festival features media art using video clips and photos to portray the beauty of Danoje through contemporary art. Various programs are available both online and offline for visitors to enjoy.

Haeundae Sand Festival (해운대 모래축제)

2026-06-22

280, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
+82-51-749-4064

Held every year between May and June, the Haeundae Sand Festival is Korea’s largest sand festival. Set on Haeundae Beach, one of the nation's most iconic seaside destinations, the festival celebrates the beauty of Haeundae and highlights the value of sand as an important marine resource. Each year, world-class sand sculptures, hands-on programs, and performances are presented under a new theme. In 2026, the festival will be held under the theme “Busan,” showcasing the city’s dynamic transformation from past to present and into the future, while highlighting the unique charm that has captivated visitors from around the world. The festival runs from May 15 to 18, while the sand sculpture exhibition will remain open through June 14.

Festivals - Korea travel information