10 Festivals Not To Be Missed In South Korea

Koreans know how to have fun, and this is even truer when you consider the number of festivals – over a thousand to be exact – that are celebrated every year! Do you know what that means? Whether you travel in summer, winter, spring or even fall, you’re sure to find an event representing the culture, art, food… that will allow you to learn more as well as fully immerse yourself in the country!

But with so many festivals, it can be pretty hard to choose, which is why I’m going to share with you my list of 10 unmissable festivals!

Save it for later!

1. Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Address: 84, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Imagine: you, the night sky, the Han River in the background and thousands of fireworks illuminating Seoul in vibrant colors. It couldn’t be a more perfect evening, could it? Plus, who doesn’t like fireworks? It’s the kind of event that takes me back to childhood, and one that I personally love!

Happening every year around October, it’s a unique opportunity to admire the fireworks displayed by different countries from all over the world, and to be mesmerized by this colorful show.

Lasting about one hour, you better come early to grab a nice spot in Yeouido Hangang Park, though. And don’t worry about your growling stomach, you’ll have plenty to eat before showtime thanks to the many food stalls.

It’s also the ideal event for the more romantics among us!

Pro tips:

• bring a sweater or blanket, as it tends to get pretty cold at night in Seoul at this time of year
• traffic can get crazy pretty fast, so prioritize the subway to get to the park
• as with any event in Korea, many people will want to take the subway home, so your best chance of avoiding a crowded subway is to get a head start as soon as the show ends, walk a bit (don’t catch the subway at the first stop) or you can also wait for the next bus/subway

2. Boryeong Mud Festival

Address: Daecheon Beach (Mud Expo Plaza)
Cost: 9,000-14,000 KRW or $6-10 (depending on age and day of participation)
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 13:00-18:00 & Friday-Sunday: 10:00-18:00

Do you like taking care of yourself with a healing mud bath? That’s what’s waiting for you in Boryeong, well, almost!

This festival, one of the funniest and most unique in Korea and known worldwide, attracts a lot of visitors every year, which is a huge feat, when you consider that Boryeong has had a hard time in terms of tourism. But what began as an attempt to spread the word about its mud-based cosmetics, ended up as one of South Korea’s most famous and loved summer events.

3. Waterbomb Festival

Cost: approximately $100 for a one-day pass

Need a good wash after your mud bath? Then let me suggest you visit the Waterbomb event, which features not only water-themed activities – hence the name – but also some of the biggest K-pop singers showcasing their talent, charm and energy on stage, just a few meters in front of you.

And if you know how crazy hot and humid summer can be in Korea, I’d say that a water music show is just what you need! And if you’re not in Seoul at the time, you’ve got no excuse, as the event actually takes place in at least 9 cities across the country, so everyone can enjoy live performances by their favorite artists, as well as fun and more than welcome water blasting cannons.

Oh, and just so you know, you don’t have to be in South Korea to enjoy Waterbomb, as it’s been such a success that it inspired other countries to hold their own festivals, including the USA, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and many more.

4. Andong Maskdance Festival

Would you like to experience Korean heritage to the sound of drums in an authentic city that has adapted to different cultural traditions while preserving its identity? Then look no further than Andong!

During the Andong Maskdance Festival, you’ll not only have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of Korean customs and the city’s philosophy, but also to attend a variety of performances, including the famous dances often depicting the satire of the caste system, a world mask play competition and much more.

Spanning 10 days from the end of September to October, Andong deserves your full attention, more particularly if you want to discover the origins of the country’s culture. But remember to book your accommodation in advance as this is one of the most popular events of the year and rooms tend to fill up pretty quickly.

5. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

Address: 626 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si

Interested in a place full of magic and history? Welcome to Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival!

The idea of placing yudeung (floating lanterns) in the water dates back to the Imjin War (1592-1598). Their purpose was to prevent the Japanese army from crossing the Nam River and reaching the castle! These lanterns were apparently not only used as a deterrent, but also to convey messages to families on the other side of the river.

So if you’re ready to experience this event’s beauty, which transforms Jinju into an enchanting place surrounded by floating lanterns, fireworks and parades, consider visiting Korea in October!

And if you’d like to participate, you can hang your own wish on a lantern or create your own floating lantern which, later that night, will glide across the water and illuminate the city.

6. Jeju Fire Festival

Address: 59-8 Bongseong-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si (Saebyeoloreum volcanic cone)

Let me take you to Jeju island and its Fire Festival! Lasting three days, this event is a sort of tribute to the way in which the volcanic island of Jeju was created: by fire, but also to celebrate the arrival of spring and pray for prosperity. Indeed, the tradition of burning the earth dates back to the island’s beginnings, when farmers used fire to kill parasites in order to provide good pasture for their livestock.

Today, the festival has retained its roots by burning a gigantic wooden structure built on top of a hill, praying for a good and healthy year. Of course, the festival also includes fireworks, delicious food stalls and other cultural shows.

Known worldwide, this is quite the unmissable event if you’re in Jeju in March and want to see something unique that truly represents the island’s identity!

7. Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival

One thing’s for sure: you can’t visit Korea and miss out on its superb cherry blossom season! Magical, beautiful and ephemeral, the flowers attract thousands of tourists every year between late March and April, and with good reason: once you’ve seen these magnificent symbols, you’ll be won over too!

One of the best places to see cherry blossoms? Jeju island, which has, wait for it, its own festival! With the earliest cherry blossoms in the country and boasting the royal cherry, a rare and different plant native to Jeju, it’s the place to be in spring.

And with so many activities and performances, the celebration surrounded by splendid pink landscapes will leave no one indifferent, believe me!

8. Busan Sea Festival

It’s impossible to talk about the best festivals without mentionning THE summer event not to be missed in Busan: the Busan Sea Festival!

Lasting from 3 to 6 days, this is the place to go if you want to spend an unforgettable summer dotted by various performances, dances, live music and pool parties.

Get ready to party on Korea’s best beaches!

9. Lotus Lantern Festival

Address: Gwanghwamun Square, Jogyesa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple for Seoul

Probably the country’s most popular event, Yeon Deung Hoe or Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the birth of Buddha and draws visitors from all over the world every year in May.

Listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this holiday is a means of bringing people together whatever their origins or religion. Parading through the streets with handmande lanterns and under the beautifully decorated streets at night is an experience like no other, one where everyone is connected to each other without discrimination.

10. Haman Nakhwa Nori

Address: Mujinjeong Pavilion: Goesan-ri, Haman-myeon, Haman-gun

A traditional firework display in May would be too simplistic a way of explaining the beauty of this now-famous event. Made popular by K-dramas and variety shows, this celebration is now a way of showcasing the skills of traditional lantern making artisans, as well as highlighting the cultural heritage of a small county, Haman.

The lanterns, made from traditional Korean paper (hanji) and charcoal powder are then set on fire over the pond, creating a spectacle where falling flames fly over the river.

A special and enchanting fireworks display that you won’t find anywhere else in the world!

If you want to discover the traditions and customs of a country while having fun, I’d say there’s no better place than South Korea, where every season brings its shares of joyful and memorable festivals!

And if you’d like to discover a little more about South Korea’s culture, here are 15 Unique And Unmissable Cultural Experiences In South Korea!