Events

Event & Festival Schedule — Korea's Festivals and Events in Chronological Order

We have gathered festivals and events across Korea into a single chronological guide. Along with traditional and cultural festivals, this list covers dated happenings such as exhibitions, night openings, ticketed performances, and downtown pop-ups. Schedules are based on official 2026 announcements and press releases; past events are archived in the "Past Events" table below. Click the links in each row for detailed practical guides covering timetables, transit, and ticket reservations.

Ongoing & Upcoming Events — October–December 2026

October is Korea's most festival-packed month of the year. With Hangeul Day falling on Friday, October 9, the three-day holiday weekend (Oct 9–11) sees major overlaps including the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, Hoengseong Hanwoo Festival, LetsRun Park Autumn Festival, Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival, and Gwangju Chungjang Recalls Festival. Celebrating the centennial of Hangeul Day's declaration, the Sejong Hangeul Festival kicks off on October 9 with an aerial showcase by the Black Eagles aerobatic team at noon, followed by a 2,000-drone night show at 8:40 PM. The second weekend (Oct 15–18) brings simultaneous regional celebrations in Ganggyeong, Gochang, and Yangyang, preceded on October 14 by the Icheon Rice Cultural Festival, which moves to Bokha-cheon Riverside Park this year. The Gangneung Coffee Festival follows on October 21–25. Autumn blooms take the spotlight from late October: the Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival opens October 23, and the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival begins October 31, overlapping over the October 31–November 1 weekend. As November sets in, large county celebrations wind down, making way for the Busan Fireworks Festival, peak autumn foliage, and winter illuminations. To plan your trip around calendar timelines, check our Autumn Festival Calendar; for holiday transit routes, see Hangeul Day Long Weekend Outings.

Month-by-Month Guide — The Rhythm of the Year

Regional Highlights

Busan — Kicks off in June with the Gwangalli Eobang Festival and Busan Port Festival, transitions to the Pokemon Mega Festa and WATERBOMB Busan across July and August, hosts the Busan Biennale from August through November, and culminates with the spectacular Busan Fireworks Festival in November. For summer itineraries, browse Busan Summer Travel 2026; for general city travel, see our Busan Travel Guide.

Gangwon-do — June brings the Gangneung Danoje and Donghae Lavender Festival; July and August feature the Taebaek Sunflower Festival, Gangneung National Heritage Night Tour, and WATERBOMB Sokcho. October is filled with the Hoengseong Hanwoo Festival, Yangyang Songi & Salmon Festival, and Gangneung Coffee Festival, with Jeongseon's Mindungsan silver grass blanketing the slopes all autumn. Explore our comprehensive Gangwon-do Guide.

Seoul — Runs the open-air Seoul Outdoor Library from spring through autumn, Yeowoorak Festival and Seoul Summer Beach in July, Seoul International Fireworks Festival in September, Gwanghwamun Hangeul Week events and the Seoul Silver Grass Festival in October, and the Seoul Lantern Festival in December. High-summer events are gathered in our Seoul Summer Festival Guide.

Chungcheong, Jeolla & Gyeongsang — Chungnam hosts the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival, Boryeong Mud Festival, and Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival; Sejong stages the Sejong Hangeul Festival; Jeonbuk features the Muju Firefly Festival, Gochang Moyangseong Fortress Festival, and Iksan Chrysanthemum Festival; Jeonnam holds the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival; Gwangju hosts the Chungjang Recalls Festival; Gyeongbuk showcases the Andong Moonlight Heritage Night Tour, Andong Maskdance Festival, and Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival; Gyeongnam presents the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival and Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival; and Ulsan hosts the Ulsan Shipbuilding & Marine Festival.

Past Events — June–October 2026

Most annual festivals return around the same window each year. Use the dates above as a general planning baseline for next season, and always check official notices 1–2 months prior for confirmed dates.

Choosing by Event Type

• Nighttime Highlights — Lantern festivals, fireworks, National Heritage Night Tours, and illumination events. Because programs peak after dusk, always confirm return transit options and late-night shuttle schedules in advance.
• Harvest & Food Festivals — Hoengseong Hanwoo beef, Ganggyeong fermented seafood, Yangyang pine mushrooms & salmon, Icheon rice, Punggi ginseng, Gangneung coffee, and Daegu Chimac (chicken & beer). Hands-on programs and tastings often require advance booking.
• Traditional Culture & Stage Arts — Gangneung Danoje, Andong Maskdance Festival, Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, Yeowoorak Festival. Align your visit with performance timetables to catch marquee acts.
• Scenic Flora & Nature — Lavender, lotus, sunflowers, silver grass, chrysanthemums. Timing depends heavily on blooming peaks rather than opening dates alone.
• Ticketed Music Festivals — WATERBOMB, Pentaport Rock Festival. Ticketing schedules, tier releases, and admission policies vary by promoter.
• Exhibitions & Extended Showcases — Busan Biennale, Seoul Outdoor Library. Long run times make it easy to plan visits on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

How to Check Unconfirmed Festival Dates

Many regional festivals confirm their definitive dates only 1 to 2 months before opening. The most reliable information sources are the local municipal tourism portal and the festival's dedicated website. Outdoor events may postpone or cancel programs due to rain or strong winds, so always recheck official announcements on the morning of your trip. If you need to book accommodation well in advance, reserve rooms with flexible, free-cancellation policies until dates are finalized.

Verified Sources

• Busan Fireworks Festival Official Overview: https://busanfireworks.com/bbs/content.php?co_id=overview
• Seoul Silver Grass Festival (Seoul City Festival Portal): https://festival.seoul.go.kr/festival/main/festivalView.do?festacode=683
• Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival Official: https://yudeung.com/
• Gimje Horizon Festival Official: https://festival.gimje.go.kr/
• Seoul International Fireworks Festival Schedule (Hangang Parks): https://hangang.seoul.go.kr/www/eventMng/detail.do?evntSn=454&mid=538&srchType=list
• Mt. Myeongseongsan Silver Grass Festival (Asian Economy 2026-07-22): https://view.asiae.co.kr/article/2026072209583212206
• Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival (Korea Tourism Organization): https://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/kfes/detail/fstvlDetail.do?fstvlCntntsId=ce41cc99-42cf-4556-a3cf-f593b2736ab4
• Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival (Bridge Economy 2026-09-28): https://www.viva100.com/article/20260928500580
• Sejong Hangeul Festival Timetable & Parking (OhmyNews): https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0003271844
• 2026 Hangeul Week (Newspim 2026-10-02): https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20261002000056
• Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (Hankook Ilbo): https://daily.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1411322
• Icheon Rice Cultural Festival Official Schedule: https://www.ricefestival.or.kr/program/program.php?sp=schedule
• Gangneung Coffee Festival & Gwangju Chungjang Recalls Festival Schedules (Sukbak Magazine): https://www.sukbakmagazine.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=69578
• All other event schedules follow the official releases and press reports detailed in their respective linked guides.

Last verified: 2026-10-06