Festivals - Korea travel and tourism information

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

2022-10-05

157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4806, +82-2-6011-1067

Jongmyodaeje, Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol, the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Jongmyodaeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyodaeje was reinstated and has been held in May every year since.

Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival (태백산 눈축제)

2024-01-03

168 Cheonjedan-gil, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-553-6900

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival is a festive winter event that takes place admist the grandeur of the Taebaeksan Mountain. Various programs like snow carving contest, snow sculpture exhibition, ice sledding, igloo café and more are planned for entertainment and fun.

Hanhwa Seoul International Fireworks Festival (한화와 함께하는 서울세계불꽃축제)

2024-09-13

330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-02-519-9778

Hanhwa Seoul International Fireworks Festival, a large festival in Korea, is an annual event organized by Hanwha Group since 2000. Every year, major fireworks teams are invited to perform fireworks displays and to light up the night sky of Yeouido. The event is also filled with various subsidiary events during the daytime.

Seoul Drum Festival (서울드럼페스티벌)

2024-04-25

445 Yangneong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-537-7109

Seoul Drum Festival is a representative music festival in Seoul that has been held in spring since 1999. The festival features performances by Korean and international artists along with exhibition and experience booths to learn more about drums. Participants of all ages can joyfully experience percussion in person through hands-on activities.

Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection (광주 추억의 충장축제)

2025-01-07

Geumnamno 1(il)-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-608-4672

Every October, the Chungjang Street Festival of Recollection is held on the streets of Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro in the city center with the theme of memories. The themed streets exactly replicate the old Chungjang-ro with the theme of "memories of night," allowing visitors to enjoy different types of songs from the olden days. This festival, held in the heart of Gwangju, offers a wide array of events, such as nostalgic concerts, flour games, parades, and random dance performances, making it a popular attraction with plenty to see and do.

◎ Chungjang-ro, Gwangju
Chungjang-ro is so famous as a fashion street that it is nicknamed the “Myeongdong Street of Gwangju.” The name “Chungjang” comes from the military title of General Kim Deok-ryeong, known for his valiant acts in the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (부산국제영화제)

2024-07-31

120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan
+82- 688-3010

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) was the first international film festival in Korea that is now considered one of the biggest in Asia.

The festival boosted Busan as a city of culture and art, while helping the Korean film industry by improving production and distribution. The festival also helps search for talented movie directors and unknown movies through previewing various film genres.

The festival plans to continue its work of making Busan the heart of the film industry, increasing the market and investment to improve the film industry.

Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo (경남고성공룡세계엑스포)

2023-09-18

1116, Danghangman-ro, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-670-3814

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.

Seoul Street Art Festival (서울거리예술축제)

2024-07-26

Taepyeongno 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-758-2036

Seoul Street Art Festival is held throughout Seoul and introduces high quality street performances.

Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival (부여서동연꽃축제)

2022-05-04

52, Gungnam-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-41-830-2208

Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival has been designated as an excellent festival four years in a row by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival takes place every July during the summer's peak when the lotus flowers bloom. The festival is based on a historical love story, with programs and performance events focused on story delivery. The festival venue is designed to fit in with the natural settings nearby, serving as a perfect backdrop for taking memorable photos with families and friends.

Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (제천국제음악영화제)

2022-08-16

1 , Uibyeong-daero 18-gil, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-43-646-2242

As the only festival in Korea to celebrate films tied to the theme of music, Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) aims to expand the film genre and contribute to the diversification of film festivals. The main program shows music-themed films and documentaries from around the world, while the music program stages multiple concerts featuring various popular and alternative musicians. The festival is dedicated to fill the air with lively energy by bringing joy through music and films.

Festivals - Korea travel information