Top 10 Korean Festivals
Famous Korean Festivals that you must experience at least once!
Hello LAK friends,
Do you long for a trip to Korea but find yourself at a loss as to when to travel and what sights and sounds you must see? The wonderful festivals and traditions of Korea are what we'll be focusing on in this issue of our newsletter. You'll want to jot this down and add it to your list of things to do in Korea, so make sure you have a notebook and pen on hand.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
January-February
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will transport you to a magical winter wonderland. This event in the charming South Korean town of Hwacheon is known far and wide as the place to be for daring adventures on a frozen river. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of frozen activities, from ice fishing to ice sledding. Catching mountain trout via a hole drilled in the thick ice is the focus of the Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Competition, which is the centerpiece of the festival. Still, there's more! The festival also has a lively market selling regional specialties and fascinating ice sculptures. You won't want to miss the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, a magical event that will live long in the memories of you and your loved ones.
Jeju Fire Festival
March
The Jeju Fire Festival, an amazing event that will set your senses on fire and leave you in awe. This festival is both a visual treat and a celebration of local culture, taking place against the backdrop of South Korea's beautiful Jeju Island. At nightfall, the event becomes a spectacular show of fire, music, and age-old rituals. Performers wow audiences with their hypnotic performances, while fireworks paint the sky in a rainbow of hues. The festival has greater meaning since it acknowledges the island's volcanic past and the role that fire played in shaping its geography. Delicious regional cuisine, traditional handicrafts, and interactive experiences are also available to guests. The Jeju Fire Festival is an event that will spark your interest in cultural pursuits and leave you with lasting memories, so be sure to put it in your calendar and come with us.
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
March-April
If you want to feel like you are in a pastel paradise like in Kdramas, come during the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival! The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is a visually stunning and sensory extravaganza. This event, held annually in the picture perfect city of Jinhae, South Korea, is a beautiful celebration of the city's signature cherry blossoms. The entrancing scent and the magical look of the petals swaying in the breeze as you stroll through the streets and parks lined with cherry blossom trees will leave you spellbound. Cultural performances, parades, and traditional music concerts are just some of the events that take place throughout the festival, which takes place against a backdrop of blossoming cherry trees. The city's beautiful naval port and its array of culinary delights are further draws for tourists. Don't miss out on the chance of a lifetime to experience the beauty of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.
Gwangju World Culture Kimchi Festival
May–December
Are you craving Kimchi? The Gwangju World Culture Kimchi Festival is a fascinating event that honors South Korea's varied culinary history and vibrant culture. The event, which takes place in the lively city of Gwangju, is a veritable feast for the senses, with the enticing scent of kimchi filling the air and the flavors of this traditional meal tantalizing your taste buds. The festival features numerous cultural performances, exhibitions, and workshops that highlight the beauty and value of kimchi in addition to the art of preparing it. Visitors can take classes in the art of making kimchi from local experts, feast on a broad range of meals featuring kimchi, and experience the country's rich cultural heritage firsthand during beautiful dance performances and music concerts. At the festival, you can immerse yourself in a world of brilliant colors, engaging sounds, and amazing flavors while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Korean people. Come enjoy the heart and soul of Korean culture with us at the Gwangju World Culture Kimchi Festival.
Ultra Korea
June
For the dancing machines out there, Seoul, South Korea, the Ultra Korea Festival is for you. With throbbing beats and indelible ambiance of this one historic event you don’t want to miss. Ultra Korea is one of the best electronic music festivals in Asia, bringing together world-class DJs and music fans from all over the world. Get ready to be blown away by incredible talent, jaw-dropping graphics, and an electric atmosphere that will have you on the dance floor all night long. There's something for every fan of electronic music, from house to techno to trance to EDM, thanks to the festival's many stages. Ultra Korea is more than just a music festival; it also features spectacular light shows, thrilling rides, and a plethora of tasty treats. Don't miss out on an incredible weekend of music, togetherness, and sheer bliss at the Ultra Korea Festival; mark your calendars now!
Boryeong Mud Festival
July
The Boryeong Mud Festival takes place, promising a muddy adventure unlike any other. This event, which takes place in the South Korean city of Boryeong on the seashore, is well-known all over the world for its soothing and fun celebration of mud. Get ready for a day of fun and games as you compete in mud wrestling tournaments, slide down mud slides, and create works of art with mud. The Boryeong Mud Festival is more than simply an excuse to cover yourself in mud; the mud is thought to have healing properties, making it a festival dedicated to health and beauty. The festival is more than just muddy games; it also features live music, unique cultural experiences, and a bustling marketplace where you can try some of the best regional cuisine. Get your loved ones together, prepare to get a little dirty, and come celebrate with us at the Boryeong Mud Festival!
Jinju Lantern Festival
October
The Jinju Lantern Festival takes place in October and is a beautiful event that draws in many people. This event celebrates South Korea's long history and vibrant culture and takes place in the city of Jinju. At nightfall, the city is illuminated by thousands of hand-made lanterns, transforming it into a mystical land. Traditional performances, parades, and cultural activities take place during the festival to further immerse attendees in the past. Floating lanterns on the Namgang River create a breathtaking landscape that encapsulates the spirit of beauty and calm, so get ready to be amazed by the sight. People from all over the world flock to Jinju for this festival to soak in the lively local culture and marvel at the intricate lanterns created by local artists. We invite you to share in the magic of the Jinju Lantern Festival with us.
Busan One Asia Festival
October
South Korean city Busan hosts the stunning One Asia Festival, which celebrates the region's many cultural traditions. This festival is a unique opportunity for people interested in Asian popular culture to experience a wide variety of musical styles, dance performances, visual arts, and other forms of entertainment. World-famous performers from all around Asia unite to dazzle audiences with their showmanship and skill. This festival is a utopia for those interested in Asian performing arts, with everything from K-pop concerts to stunning dance showcases. But that's not even the best part! The festival grounds are teeming with vendors selling regional specialties, displaying artifacts from different parts of Asia, and hosting hands-on activities for visitors. The Busan One Asia Festival is a fantastic example of how sharing one's culture and enjoying the arts can bring people together. Join us as we commemorate Asia's vivacious culture and make new memories at this spectacular event.
Busan Fireworks Festival
October
The Busan Fireworks Festival promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The beautiful coastline of Busan will provide a fitting background for what is sure to be an impressive display of pyrotechnic talent. Get ready to be mesmerized by a breathtaking symphony of fireworks, expertly orchestrated to the sound of enveloping music. Thousands of people show up every year to take part in the festivities and watch the fireworks at the Busan Fireworks Festival. The event is more than just fireworks; it also has live music, cultural displays, and delicious food booths selling regional specialties. People of all ages are united by this event, and they will take away precious memories of it for the rest of their lives. Make sure to set aside some time in your schedule to witness the breathtaking night sky that is the Busan Fireworks Festival.
Seongsan Sunrise Festival
December-January
Experience the wonder of the Seongsan Sunrise Festival on the beautiful South Korean island of Jeju at sunrise. Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction on the island of Jeju, and this event honors the natural beauty and majesty of the morning sun at this location. The spectacular volcanic landscape and the surrounding waters are bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors as the sun rises. Traditional performances, cultural immersion opportunities, and an arts and crafts market are just some of the highlights of the event. Every year, hundreds of people flock to Jeju to witness the spectacle that is the Seongsan Sunrise Festival, which celebrates the island's natural beauty and cultural diversity. Come with us to the Seongsan Sunrise Festival and let the beauty of the scene fill you with awe as you begin your day.
No matter what season you decide to visit Korea there is a fun filled festival for you to experience and make memories that you will never forget.
Have you ever been to any of the festivals? If not, what festival are you wanting to go to first? Let us know in the comments.
Our next newsletter will be about Korean literature and poetry where we explore famous poets and writers who made their mark in history!