Korea’s big festivals

The festivals worth planning a trip around: when they usually happen, where, how to get there and how to beat the crowds.

• Busan Fireworks Festival7 November 2026One of Asia’s biggest fireworks shows, fired from barges in front of Gwangan Bridge over Gwangalli…
• Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom FestivalUsually about ten days from late March to early AprilKorea’s biggest cherry blossom festival, in the naval port town of Jinhae (Changwon), with some…
• Boryeong Mud FestivalUsually about ten days in mid to late JulyA summer party on Daecheon Beach on the west coast: mud slides, mud wrestling and mud pools with…
• Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)Usually the weekend before Buddha’s Birthday, in late April or May (lunar calendar)Seoul celebrates Buddha’s Birthday with a night parade of thousands of glowing lanterns from…
• Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)Usually ten days in early OctoberAsia’s biggest film festival, with hundreds of films, open-air screenings and red carpets at the…
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival9 January 2027 – 31 January 2027Ice fishing for mountain trout through holes in a frozen river in Hwacheon, Gangwon, plus bare-hand…