Festivals - Korea travel and tourism information

Geumsan World Insam Festival (금산세계인삼축제)

2026-06-25

30, Insamgwangjang-ro, Geumsan-eup, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-750-2316

Held in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do, long known as the home of ginseng with a history spanning more than 1,500 years, the Geumsan World K-Insam Festival invites visitors of all ages to experience ginseng in every form. The festival features hands-on programs such as ginseng digging, red ginseng facial mask treatments, red ginseng foot baths, traditional ginseng culture experiences, and the International Ginseng Trade Fair, along with opportunities to shop for ginseng products at reasonable prices. Across the festival grounds, visitors can also enjoy healthy dishes made with ginseng and medicinal herbs. Held annually since 1981, the festival has become one of Korea’s leading industry-based festivals. It has been named one of Korea’s Top Cultural Tourism Festivals by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 10 times and was selected as an Asian Specialty Festival by IFEA World in 2024. Today, the Geumsan World K-Insam Festival continues to grow as a global festival enjoyed by visitors from Korea and beyond.

Busan International Rock Festival (부산국제록페스티벌)

2026-06-18

29-50, Samnak-dong, Sasang-gu, Busan
+82-51-713-5000

First held in 2000, the Busan International Rock Festival is Korea’s first and longest-running international rock festival. In 2026, the 27th edition will take place over three days, from Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4, at Samnak Eco Park, featuring a diverse lineup of Korean and international artists. Stages set throughout the park will showcase everything from emerging talent to world-renowned headliners. Beyond the performances, visitors can also enjoy a variety of festival attractions, including interactive games, food court lounges, camping zones, and other special side events.

Busan Sea Festival (부산바다축제)

2025-07-18

Dadae-dong, Saha-gu, Busan
+82-51-713-5000

The Busan Sea Festival takes place at Dadaepo Beach and offers various cultural events and unique hands-on programs. All programs take place against the backdrop of the beautiful beach and sunset, and are carefully organized for a fun and lively event.

Korea World Travel Fair (한국국제관광전)

2019-06-11

513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-757-6161

Korean World Travel Fair, Korea’s longest and most reliable travel fair, will take place. The fair aims to actively communicate new tour ideas, tour items, and tourism information from nearly 500 participating companies from 60 different nations. As part of the fair, various events including the promotion of tour items and destinations, exhibitions of tourism souvenirs, tourism seminars and world folk performances will take place.

Yeongdong Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival (영동난계국악축제)

2026-06-24

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)

2026-06-25

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

*The information below is based on the 2025 festivals. Details for the 2026 festivals will be updated as they become available.*Korean novelist Lee Hyo-seok is from Pyeongchang, Gangwon State, and is known for his novels that combine stories with the beauty of nature. The Pyeongchang Hyoseok Cultural Festival, held every autumn in Bongpyeong, the setting of his famous work “When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” celebrates his legacy and showcases the region’s beauty. The festival runs a variety of literary programs, such as an essay contest, a poetry event, and bookmaking. In the evening, there are small-scale literary and music performances to add to the romantic charm of the festivities. During the festival, the fields near the village are filled with white buckwheat flowers, creating a spectacular view as though they were waves of white snow rippling in the wind. A key highlight of the festival is capturing memorable photos against the backdrop of the buckwheat fields, which are the most cherished mementos of the event. ◎ The short novel “When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” published in 1936, is a beloved work that captures themes of love and humor set against a buckwheat field. In September, Bongpyeong reaches the peak of its beauty with fields of white buckwheat flowers in full bloom.

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (인천펜타포트 락 페스티벌)

2026-06-26

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)

2025-07-24

84-3 Seongmisan-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-325-8150

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.

Festivals - Korea travel information