Festivals - Korea travel and tourism information

Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (진해군항제)

2025-03-07

Tongsin-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-546-4310

Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is held in the areas of Jungwon Rotary and downtown Jinhae to celebrate the lovely cherry blossoms. Varied programs including a pre-event, cultural performances, a military performance, and others will take place during the festival.

Gurye Sansuyu Festival (구례산수유꽃축제)

2024-02-27

45 Sanggwan 1-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-2079-4546

Gurye Sansuyu Festival is an annual spring flower festival. Major programs include exhibition of local products made from sansuyu (cornus fruit), while other programs include traditional music and dance performances, experience programs, and fireworks.

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (영등포 여의도 봄꽃축제)

2021-04-13

Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-2670-3114

The Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is held on Yeouiseo Road (Yunjung-ro) in mid-April when the azaleas, forsythia, royal azaleas, and other spring flowers are in full bloom. The celebration is famous for its 1,886 Korean cherry trees.

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (광양 매화축제)

2024-02-26

55 Jimak 1-gil, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-797-2721

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival takes place next to the Seomjingang River in Gwangyang Maehwa Village, home of the largest number of plum blossom trees in Korea. During the festival period, visitors can enjoy a walk beneath the plum blossoms, and also sample and purchase local organic plum products.

Bangeo Festival (최남단 방어축제)

2024-11-20

30 Hamohanggu-ro, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-794-8032

This popular festival is held every year in November at Moseulpohang Port, the southernmost region of Jeju-do Island. It celebrates ‘Bangeo Fish (yellowtail)’, which is largely caught in this area. The taste of ‘bangeo fish (yellowtail)’ is chewy and tender, and so it is very popular served raw. It is also used in a variety of other dishes. Visitors can enjoy fresh bangeo fish at the festival and take some home.

Visitors can also try fishing and sample Jeju’s other specialty foods such as heukdweji-gogigui (grilled pork), galchijorim (cutlass fish boiled in soy sauce with spices), and more. Don’t forget to admire the beautiful natural sceneries near the festival grounds and explore some of the many popular tourist attractions in Jeju.

Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival (김해분청도자기축제)

2025-01-09

17 Buncheong-ro, Jillye-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-330-3241

The Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival highlights the excellence of Buncheong ceramics and their everyday appeal. The festival offers a chance to see a wide variety of ceramics and participate in hands-on activities such as traditional kiln firing.

Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제)

2025-01-03

Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-3000

Arirang is a globally renowned Korean folk song. The song is rooted in many different regions and thus has several versions of “Arirang” in Korea. “Jeongseon Arirang” is the source of all “Arirang,” and in recognition of its value, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. The Jeongseon Arirang Festival is held to preserve and develop the folk song. It starts off with the Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony, held in honor of the patriotic fidelity of chilhyeon, the seven sages in the last years of the Goryeo Dynasty who appear in the origin story of “Jeongseon Arirang.” The ceremony also prays for a successful festival and the well-being of the county’s people. The festival features 83 events, including the Arirang Parade and the National Arirang Singing Contest.

◎ Jeongseon Arirang
Before attending the Jeongseon Arirang Festival, it is recommended to listen to “Jeongseon Arirang.” Hearing its melodious highs and lows while viewing the winding mountain ridges surrounding Jeongseon will enhance your understanding and appreciation of “Jeongseon Arirang.”

◎ Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony
The Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony honors the patriotic loyalty of seven sages—Jeon O-ryun, Sin An, Kim Chung-han, Yi Su-saeng, Byeon Gwi-su, Kim Wi, and Go Cheon-u—who remained loyal to Goryeo Dynasty during its fall.

Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival (안성맞춤 남사당 바우덕이축제)

2025-01-02

198-2 Namsadang-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-678-2511

The Namsadang Nori Troupe, which was at the heart of popular culture during the Joseon Dynasty, can be likened to today’s touring musical theater companies. Anseong is the birthplace of the Namsadang, which expressed the joys and sorrows of the times through various forms of entertainment. The Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival inherits the tradition and culture of Namsadang and the artistic spirit of Baudeogi. It is designated as an official festival of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFFⓇ), an official partner of UNESCO since 2006. Namsadang Nori (Itinerant Troupe Performance) is held at the festival, along with other shows, including Pungmul Nori (Folk Music and Dance Performance) and foreign folk performances. Visitors can catch the tightrope show every day, which is performed on a rope three meters off the ground. Other attractions include the reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding and royal procession and the World Parade.

◎ Namsadang and Baudeogi
Namsadang was a performance troupe that went around singing, dancing, and performing various tricks. The troupe was initially composed of single men, but women also came to be members after the female performer and leader Baudeogi.

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival (대구약령시한방문화축제)

2025-01-08

51-1 Namseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu
+82-53-253-4729

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival, held in the 366-year-old Daegu Yangnyeongsi, offers a rich experience of traditional herbal medicine culture. Visitors can enjoy free consultations with herbal medicine doctors, herbal foot baths, and unique programs such as Joseon Gutpan: Herbal Club and Zombie Street.

Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival (고창모양성제)

2024-07-17

Eumnae-ri, Gochang-eup, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-560-2949

Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival has been held since 1973 to inspire admiration for the construction of the walled town, develop local culture, and encourage love and pride for Gochang residents. Main events include a celebration and memorial ceremony, with additional events ranging from a pansori performance and farming music to folk games and archery. Many people participate in the Dapseongnori event, where participants carry a rock on top of their heads and walk around the fortress three times. Doing this is said to cure all illnesses, grant a long and healthy life, and allow one into heaven.

Festivals - Korea travel information