Events & Festivals in South Korea

Magical lantern displays illuminate Cheonggyecheon Stream with traditional and contemporary designs. The festival celebrates the lunar new year with thousands of handmade lanterns, cultural performances, and hands-on lantern-making workshops for visitors.

One of Korea's most famous winter festivals featuring ice fishing for mountain trout, sledding, ice sculptures, and bare-hand fishing competitions. The frozen Hwacheon River becomes a winter wonderland with various ice activities.

Korea's most important traditional holiday celebrating the lunar new year. Families gather for ancestral rites (charye), wear hanbok, play traditional games like yutnori, and eat tteokguk (rice cake soup) to gain a year of age.

A dramatic festival where farmers set fire to fields to eliminate pests and pray for good harvests. Features torchlight processions, traditional performances, and the spectacular burning of the daljip (moon house).

One of Asia's major marathons attracting elite international runners and amateur participants. The course runs through central Seoul past landmarks like Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul City Hall.

Korea's largest cherry blossom festival with over 350,000 cherry trees in bloom. Features military band performances, cultural events, and stunning blossom-lined streets and parks, originally commemorating Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

Popular night market featuring food trucks, handmade crafts, live performances, and cultural experiences at scenic locations along the Han River. Different themes each weekend with international cuisine and local specialties.

Celebrates Boseong's famous green tea fields with tea picking experiences, traditional tea ceremonies, green tea cooking classes, and cultural performances. The rolling green tea plantations provide stunning photo opportunities.

Celebrated with magnificent lotus lantern festivals nationwide. Temples are decorated with colorful lanterns, and evening lantern parades fill the streets. Free temple meals (sachal yongsik) are often offered to visitors.

South Korea's premier electronic dance music festival featuring world-class DJs and producers across multiple stages. Known for spectacular production, light shows, and enthusiastic crowds of K-EDM fans.

A massive mud-themed festival on Daecheon Beach featuring mud pools, mud slides, mud prison, and colored mud body painting. Originally promoting Boryeong's mineral-rich mud cosmetics, now a major summer attraction.

Showcases experimental and alternative performances including theater, dance, music, and visual arts from emerging Korean and international artists. Focuses on innovative, non-mainstream artistic expressions.

Korea's longest-running rock festival featuring international and Korean rock, indie, and alternative artists across multiple stages. Known for its diverse lineup and passionate music community atmosphere.

Major harvest festival where families gather to pay respects to ancestors, share food like songpyeon (rice cakes), and play traditional games. Many Koreans travel to their hometowns, creating the year's biggest travel period.

Celebrates Korea's traditional mask dance drama (talchum) with performances, mask-making workshops, and parades. Features both Korean mask dances and international mask performances in the historic Andong region.

Asia's premier film festival showcasing international cinema with a focus on Asian films. Features red carpet events, film screenings, master classes, and the Asian Film Market for industry professionals.

Spectacular fireworks competition between Korean and international pyrotechnic teams launched over the Han River. Accompanied by music, food stalls, and performances along Yeouido Hangang Park.

Celebrates Korea's most famous fermented dish with kimchi-making experiences, kimchi exhibitions, cooking competitions, and cultural performances. Highlights include the massive kimjang (group kimchi-making) event.

Celebrates Gangneung's famous coffee culture in the city known for its artisan coffee shops. Features barista competitions, coffee tasting sessions, latte art workshops, and visits to historic coffee houses.

Korea's largest fan convention for comics, anime, games, and cosplay. Features artist alleys, merchandise booths, cosplay competitions, and meet-and-greets with creators and voice actors.

Winter festival featuring ice fishing for trout in the clear waters of the Odaecheon Stream. Includes ice sledding, snow sculptures, and the opportunity to eat your freshly caught trout on site.

One of Korea's major year-end music awards shows featuring performances by top K-pop artists. Broadcast live on SBS, it includes special collaborative stages, award ceremonies, and chart achievements.

Seoul's most famous Christmas celebration with spectacular light displays, giant Christmas trees, street performances, and festive markets. The entire Myeongdong shopping district transforms into a winter wonderland.