10 Best Festivals in South Korea
South Korean Celebrations You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
The best festivals in South Korea are often aligned with seasons, lunar cycles and agricultural rituals, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the nation’s storied folk religion. South Korea might be known for its technological savvy and bouncy K-pop music, but peek behind the veil of this fascinating Far East country and discover a culture that’s rich with ancient customs and time-honoured traditions.
Whether you’re spending time in vibrant Seoul or venturing through a rural province, South Korea’s many festivals will make your holiday a joy. See the cherry blossoms in all their glory, set fire to a hillside or listen to jazz chanteuses and saxophonists. These South Korean festivals will keep you celebrating all year long.
1. Jeju Fire Festival
An unforgettable inferno
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Opciones económicas
One of South Korea’s most visually spectacular events, the Jeju Fire Festival takes place once a year on the Saebyeol Oreum Volcanic Cone, within Bongseong Village in North Gyeongsang. Harnessing rituals of old, this 4-day extravaganza celebrates the region’s rich agricultural traditions such as setting fields alight to help usher in spring.
Marvel at the event’s mass-scale hill burning, glittery fireworks display and spellbinding torch march that sees parades of Jeju Island natives carry fiery lamps into the dark. Attracting over 300,000 visitors annually, admission to the festival is completely free, making it a budget day out the whole family will love.
Ubicación: 1, Seongeup-ri, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in March
Teléfono: +82 (0)64-728-2736
Jeju Fire Festival
2. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
The nation’s eminent winter event
Categoría: Fotos, Viajes diferentes, Aventura
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival attracts anglers of all skill levels with its exhilarating ice fishing on Hwacheoncheon Stream, and family-oriented activities like skating, snowman making and bobsledding. Step inside the world’s largest ice plaza to photograph glinting sculptures that have been carved by hand, including life-size temples and humungous animals.
The festival also features a Winter Cultural Village that serves some of the tastiest street food in South Korea including dalgona sweets made with melted sugar, steamed or boiled silkworm larvae called beondegi and hotteok, a fluffy pancake that’s slathered with syrup. Save yourself the travel hassle and book a seat on one of Seoul’s outbound shuttle buses as it’s a 3-hour drive from the heart of the city.
Ubicación: 137, Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in January
Teléfono: +82 (0)16-883-005
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
3. Seoul International Fireworks Festival
An incendiary display of colour
Categoría: Fotos, Gastronomía
Every October, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival lights up the night sky of South Korea’s capital with a jaw-dropping show of gunpowder glitter. Taking place in Yeouido Hangang Park, over 100,000 pyrotechnics go off with a bang thanks to participating countries like Korea and America
While SIFF is awash with food trucks, punters often pack a picnic blanket and a cool box, so they can toast with champagne as they watch the display. For a truly epic vantage point, take a boat ride down the atmospheric Hangang River. We recommend the delightful Eland Cruise as it comes with a tasty buffet.
Ubicación: Yeouido Hangang Park, 330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea
Horario: Held in October
Teléfono: +82 (0)23-780-0561
Seoul International Fireworks Festival
4. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
Blossoms to signify spring has sprung
Categoría: Fotos, Gastronomía, Viajes diferentes
The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival takes place every year in spring, in a leafy district of Changwon City. Here, the streets are transformed into a candyfloss-pink wonderland with their flamboyant displays of transient flowers that burst into life from the Yoshino cherry trees.
The best places to witness this visual feast include Yeojwacheon Stream where the blossoms create a romantic arched canopy and Gyeonghwa Station railway track to see trains passing through an ephemeral tunnel. If you opt for Jehwangsan Park, you can get a bird’s eye view of this flowery spectacle from its elevated observatory. While you’re there, sample South Korean street food and botanical-themed edibles like mandu dumplings and cherry blossom soft serve.
Ubicación: Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
Horario: Held between late-March and early-April
Teléfono: +82 (0)55-225-3691
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
5. Lotus Lantern Festival
Seoul’s greatest spectacle
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Viajes diferentes
Held in celebration of Buddha’s birthday, Yeon Deung Hoe, or the Lotus Lantern Festival, was awarded a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity nod for its extraordinary visuals. Every May, Seoul bursts to life as lanterns of every size, shape and colour are hung across the capital, many of which are made by local Buddhist temples.
Gather at Dongdaemun Gate for the Lantern Parade of 100,000 illuminations, which features colourful lotus flowers, life-size buddha statues and huge mythological dragons that breathe fire as they move. Later in the evening, stop outside Jonggak subway station for after-party revelry including dancing in the streets and the tossing of confetti.
Ubicación: Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun), 288 Jong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Horario: Held in May
Teléfono: +82 (0)22-011-1744
Lotus Lantern Festival
6. Jarasum Jazz Festival
Magical music on Jaraseom Island
Categoría: Fotos, Vida nocturna, Gastronomía
First launched in 2004, Jarasum International Jazz Festival has previously hosted legendary artists like Sadao Watanabe, Maceo Parker and the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars. Every year, over 100,000 jazz aficionados attend this 3-day event, which takes place in the month of October along the banks of the Han River.
Recently, patrons have enjoyed world-class tunes from performers as diverse as American post-bop icon Kenny Garret, English jazz singer and lyricist Norma Winstone, Italian master pianist Giovanni Guidi and South Korean drummer Sun-Mi Hong. The festival grounds also showcase eclectic food and drink vendors serving delectable global cuisine, as well as a solid selection of beer, wine and coffee.
Ubicación: 1-1, Daljeon-ri, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in October
Teléfono: +82 (0)31-581-2813
Jarasum Jazz Festival
7. Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival
An agricultural extravaganza
Categoría: Fotos, Historia, Gastronomía
One of South Korea’s more unusual festivals, Yeoju Ogok Naru is a mass celebration of Gyeonggi Province’s agricultural products including rice, sweet potatoes and peanuts. Held every October, visitors are treated to a Joseon reenactment complete with historic costumed performers, as well as ferry rides, folk culture workshops and harvesting experiences.
Held at the Silleuksa Temple Resort, along the upper section of the Namhangang River, the event is popular for its Hwangpo sailboat rides and Jumak experiences, which is a traditional Korean tavern or inn that serves alcohol and meals. You can also partake in a makgeolli rice wine tasting, before sampling authentic Korean dishes like sundae-gukbap, a type of sausage and rice soup.
Ubicación: Silleuksa Temple Resort, 73, Silleuksa-gil, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in October
Teléfono: +82 (0)31-887-2864
Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival
8. Ansan Street Arts Festival
Draws performers from around the world
Categoría: Fotos, Vida nocturna, Gastronomía
Ansan Street Arts Festival, also known as ASAF, is a monumental creative event, held every May, in the city of Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. Utilising the streets as a stage, this popular spectacle draws over 700,000 punters with its electrifying live performances that span theatre, music, dance and circus.
In previous years, audiences have been treated to shows by Project NALDA, an aerial troupe that specialises in jaw-dropping acrobatics, and GWANGDAE, a theatre company that shines a spotlight on Korean folk-art traditions. What’s more, kids will love taking part in ASAF’s creative workshops where they can master printmaking, drama and sculpture building.
Ubicación: Ansan Culture Square, 157 Gwangdeok-daero, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in May
Teléfono: +82 (0)31-481-4000
Ansan Street Arts Festival
9. Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival
A prehistoric party
Categoría: Historia, Aventura, Viajes diferentes
Celebrating all things Stone Age, Yeoncheon Palaeolithic Festival delivers a rare glimpse into ancient mankind, including the clothes worn and the tools used. Held at Jeongok-ri, the Korean Peninsula’s earliest human habitat, visitors are invited to experience life as it was, dressed in full costume.
Enjoy a Palaeolithic BBQ, where you’ll learn to cook meat like your ancestors did, before taking part in primeval activities like archery, cave painting and crafting workshops. Make cordage from plant fibres, pouches from animal skins and simple beaded jewellery from seeds, shells and cherry stones.
Ubicación: Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site, 2386, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Horario: Held in May
Teléfono: +82 (0)31-839-2378
Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival
10. Gwangju Kimchi Festival
A feast for the senses
Categoría: Gastronomía, Compras, Opciones económicas
An epicurean event like no other, Gwangju Kimchi Festival celebrates kimchi, ‘the red gold of Korea’. It’s a traditional dish made from salted and fermented vegetables like napa cabbage and Korean radish. Come for the cooking demonstrations, kimchi tastings, farmers’ market and fashion parade that features local folk dressed in Korean ceremonial dress, called hanbok.
Watch a kimchi mukbang eating contest before heading to the festival’s sampling arena where you can try dozens of different kimchi flavours, made by local restaurateurs. Budding chefs can take part in a cookery class to learn how to prepare this flavourful dish, while the All-In-One Market offers plenty of jars to take home.
Ubicación: 111, Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Horario: Held in October
Teléfono: +82 (0)62-613-3992
Gwangju Kimchi Festival
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