Festivals - Korea travel and tourism information

Sunchang Fermented Food Festival (순창장류축제)

2024-10-08

6-3 Minsongmaeul-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1624

Sunchang Fermented Food Festival is held every fall at Sunchang, the home of the Korean traditional sauce “jang.” The festival offers a range of traditional fermented sauce-related programs including performances, exhibitions, a market, and more.

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (수원화성문화제)

2024-09-13

825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-228-3920

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is Suwon's landmark festival held every October at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and the Temporary Palace within the fortress.

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

2024-04-19

288 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-1744~7

Started approximately 1,200 years ago during the Silla dynasty and continued through the Goryeo Yeon Deung Hoe and Joseon lantern festival, the Yeon Deung Hoe Festival is a traditional festival registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The lanterns at Yeon Deung Hoe Festival brighten the heart and the world!

Daegu International Musical Festival (대구국제뮤지컬페스티벌)

2024-07-17

180 Yaoeeumakdang-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu
+82-53-622-1945

Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF) offers various musical programs to promote K-musicals to the world.

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.

Gwangju Chungjang Festival (광주 추억의 충장축제)

2024-10-16

Geumnamno 1(il)-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-608-4675

Every October, Gwangju Chungjang Festival takes place around the area of Chungjang-ro, a representative street in Gwangju where old history and fast changes exist together. The festival's main event, Chungjang World Parade, includes floats with various themes from the 13 districts of Gwangju. The street is recreated in various stages of changes between the 70s and the early 2000s. Visitors can also enjoy tea at old-style cafes or take black-and-white photos at a photo studio.

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.

Festivals - Korea travel information