Festivals & events
40 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.
- Lunar New Year (All February · All regions · National) — Korea's most important traditional holiday, celebrated with family reunions, special foods, and ancestral rites. The entire nation observes…
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (All April · Jinhae · South Gyeongsang) — Korea's most famous cherry blossom celebration featuring over 350,000 cherry trees blooming around a scenic navy port. The festival transfo…
- Boryeong Mud Festival (All July · Boryeong · South Chungcheong) — A unique beach festival where visitors cover themselves in mineral-rich mud from local clay, followed by games, concerts, and swimming. It'…
- Buddha's Birthday (All May · All regions · National) — A national holiday celebrating Buddha's birth with lantern festivals at temples nationwide and colorful street processions. Major temples h…
- Jeju Fire Festival (All March · Jeju City · Jeju) — A spring festival celebrating the burning of dry grass on Jeju's volcanic landscape, blending ancient tradition with modern performances. T…
- Busan International Film Festival (All October · Busan · Busan) — Asia's largest film festival attracting international cineastes and celebrities to Korea's busiest port city. It showcases over 300 films f…
- Gwangju Kimchi Festival (All November · Gwangju · Gwangju) — Celebrating Korea's iconic fermented vegetable dish with cooking competitions, tastings, and cultural performances. Visitors can make their…
- Chuseok (All September · All regions · National) — Korea's second most important holiday, a harvest festival when families return home for ancestral rites and feasts. The entire nation obser…
- Seoul Lantern Festival (All November · Seoul · Seoul) — The Cheonggyecheon stream is transformed with thousands of artistic lanterns creating a magical atmosphere through the heart of the capital…
- Andong Mask Dance Festival (All October · Andong · North Gyeongsang) — One of Korea's most important traditional cultural festivals featuring ancient mask dances and rituals passed down for centuries. Internati…
- Daegu Chimac Festival (All September · Daegu · Daegu) — A celebration of Korea's beloved fried chicken and beer pairing with cooking contests, performances, and street food. The festival attracts…
- Icheon Ceramic Festival (All May · Icheon · Gyeonggi) — Celebrating Korea's ceramics capital with exhibitions, workshops, and competitions showcasing traditional and contemporary pottery. Visitor…
- Muju Firefly Festival (All June · Muju · North Jeolla) — A summer festival celebrating the magical return of fireflies to the Muju valley with nighttime viewing tours and traditional cultural perf…
- Incheon International Jazz Festival (All August · Incheon · Incheon) — One of Asia's premier jazz festivals bringing world-class musicians to the port city for a week of concerts and performances. The festival…
- Namwon Chunhyang Festival (All May · Namwon · North Jeolla) — Celebrating the legendary love story of Chunhyang with traditional performances, costume parades, and reenactments of classical Korean thea…
- Gangreung Coffee Festival (All October · Gangneung · Gangwon) — Korea's premier coffee celebration in the mountainous region famous for specialty coffee cultivation. The festival features barista competi…
- Jeonju International Film Festival (All May · Jeonju · North Jeolla) — A prestigious film festival in Korea's cultural capital showcasing innovative independent and art cinema from around the world. The festiva…
- Suncheon Bay Ecological Festival (All October · Suncheon · South Jeolla) — Celebrating the wetlands ecosystem with nature walks, cultural performances, and environmental education in one of Asia's most beautiful ba…
- Korean Foundation Day (3 October · All regions · National) — A national holiday commemorating the legendary founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE, Korea's first kingdom. The day features cultural celebrati…
- Jindo Haenyeo Diving Festival (All July · Jindo · South Jeolla) — Celebrating the legendary female divers who harvest seafood by breath-holding, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Visitors can watch sp…
- Ulsan Whale Festival (All October · Ulsan · Ulsan) — Celebrating the return of migratory whales to Korean waters with performances, exhibitions, and marine education. The festival honors Korea…
- Daejeon Science Festival (All August · Daejeon · Daejeon) — Korea's hub of science and technology celebrates innovation with interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and performances. The festival inspi…
- Gimhae Gaya Cultural Festival (All October · Gimhae · South Gyeongsang) — Celebrating the ancient Gaya Kingdom with historical reenactments, traditional performances, and archaeological exhibitions. The festival p…
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (All January · Hwacheon · Gangwon) — Korea's most famous winter festival on a frozen river where visitors can ice fish for trout and enjoy winter games. The festival attracts h…
- Chungju International Film Festival (All September · Chungju · North Chungcheong) — A respected film festival showcasing quality cinema and emerging filmmakers in Korea's central region. The festival celebrates cinematic ex…
- Memorial Day (6 June · All regions · National) — A national holiday honoring those who died in wars and military service. Citizens observe moments of silence and visit memorials throughout…
- Boshinggak New Year Bell Ringing (1 January · Seoul · Seoul) — Ringing the historic Bosingak bell at midnight to welcome the new year is a Seoul tradition with thousands gathering for performances and c…
- Boseong Green Tea Festival (All May · Boseong · South Jeolla) — Celebrating Korea's premier tea-growing region with picking demonstrations, tastings, and cultural performances among scenic emerald tea fi…
- Wonju Paper Arts Festival (All October · Wonju · Gangwon) — Celebrating traditional Korean paper (hanji) craftsmanship with exhibitions, workshops, and performances by master artisans. Visitors can c…
- Gwangju Biennale (All September · Gwangju · Gwangju) — One of Asia's most important contemporary art exhibitions showcasing innovative works and addressing global themes. The biennale elevates G…
- Liberation Day (15 August · All regions · National) — A national holiday commemorating Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. The day features flag displays, patriotic ceremoni…
- Pohang Light Festival (All November · Pohang · North Gyeongsang) — Transforming a coastal industrial city with spectacular light installations and performances creating a magical winter atmosphere. The fest…
- Jeonju Hanok Festival (All October · Jeonju · North Jeolla) — Celebrating Korea's largest traditional hanok village with street performances, costume experiences, and cultural activities. Visitors imme…
- Damyang Bamboo Festival (All May · Damyang · South Jeolla) — Celebrating bamboo culture in Korea's premier bamboo forest with performances, crafts, and food made from bamboo. Visitors can walk through…
- Seoul Jazz Festival (All July · Seoul · Seoul) — Korea's capital celebrates world-class jazz with performances by international and Korean artists across multiple venues. The festival brin…
- Giheung Strawberry Festival (All December · Giheung · Gyeonggi) — Celebrating Korea's strawberry season with tastings, picking experiences, and cultural performances. The festival showcases the region's ag…
- Children's Day (5 May · All regions · National) — A national holiday celebrating children with special events, performances, and festivities throughout the country. Parks and venues offer f…
- Myeongdong Street Festival (All September · Seoul · Seoul) — Transforming Seoul's busy shopping district with street performances, flash mobs, and cultural celebrations. The festival brings artistic e…
- Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (All August · Incheon · Incheon) — Korea's premier rock and indie music festival attracting international and domestic bands to the port city. The festival showcases diverse…
- Hangeul Day (9 October · All regions · National) — A national holiday celebrating the invention of Hangeul, Korea's alphabet, in 1443. The day features cultural events highlighting Korean la…