- Introduction
2020-2021 Cultural Tourism Festivals at a Glance!
【 Photo: Gwangalli Eobang Festival (Credit: Suyeong City Hall) 】 The Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism has selected 35 representative Korean cultural tourism for 2020-2021. The list of selection consists of popular regional festivals recognized by the government as festivals that show great potential in future growth and development in the tourism industry.
In order to bring all festivals to the spotlight, the festivals are no longer divided by any rating categories. New festivals that have been made into the list are Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival, Jeongseon Arirang Festival, Cheongsong Apple Festival, Jinan Red Ginseng Festival, Ulsan Onggi Festival, and Gwangalli Eobang Festival.2020-2021 Cultural Tourism Festival List
- January-June Festivals
2020-2021 Cultural Tourism Festival
January
Pyeongchang Trout Festival LINK
【 Photo: Barehanded fishing at Pyeongchang Trout Festival (Credit: Pyeongchang Trout Festival Committee) 】 Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place at Odaecheon Stream and is packed with fun activities perfect for family outings. Popular programs include ice fishing and barehanded fishing. Visitors can also cook and eat their fish on the spot. The festival also offers popular winter activities such as snow sledding, traditional ice sledding, and ice-skating.
- Period: December 28, 2019 – February 2, 2020
- Venue: 3562, Gyeonggang-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 평창군 진부면 경강로 3562)
March
Jeju Fire Festival LINK
【 Photo: Jeju Fire Festival 】 Early in the New Year based on the lunar calendar, one of the many hills on Jeju Island is set ablaze to wish for a plentiful harvest and good year. The festival originated from Jeju's traditional farming custom of burning rice fields and vegetable gardens in early spring to exterminate pests so that the cows can feed on nutrient-rich grass as well as ease cultivation. The festival also offers Jeju’s traditional folk games that are both fun and easy to learn.
- Period: Canceled
- Venue: San 59-8, Bongseong-ri, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 애월읍 봉성리 산59-8)
April
Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival LINK
【 Photo: Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival 】 Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival takes place in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The festival celebrates the achievements of the Great Scholar Wangin, a Korean scholar who had traveled to Japan over 1,600 years ago to spread knowledge, culture, and art. This festival spans the area from Bongseondae to Sangdaepo History Park, creating a festive mood throughout the city for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.
- Period: Canceled
- Venue: 440, Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 영암군 군서면 왕인로 440)
May
Damyang Bamboo Festival LINK
【 Photo: Damyang Juknowon 】 Damyang in Jeollanam-do is well known for its lush bamboo forest near the Yeongsangang River. Damyang Bamboo Festival hosts a variety of hands-on activities such as bamboo drawing, traditional fishing with a bamboo basket, bamboo craft making, and many more. Visitors can also sample alcoholic beverages brewed in bamboo stalks and try dishes made with bamboo shoots. Traditional Korean music performance, such as gugak, and street performances also take place to entertain visitors.
- Period: Canceled
- Venue: 119, Juknokwon-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽녹원로 119)
Boseong Green Tea Festival LINK
【 Photo: Boseong green tea field 】 Boseong Green Tea Plantation is the largest green tea producer in Korea. Boseong-gun annually hosts the Boseong Green Tea Festival to promote Korea’s tea culture, which is a popular attraction among both domestic and international travelers. Visitors to the festival will get a chance to pick tea leaves, make green tea, learn traditional tea drinking etiquette and participate in craft making activities using green tea.
- Period: Canceled
- Venue: 775, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 보성군 보성읍 녹차로 775)
Daegu Yangnyeongsi Traditional Medicine Festival LINK
【 Photo: Daegu Yangnyeongsi Traditional Medicine Festival
(Credit: Daegu Yangyeong-si Cultural Properties Preservation Committee) 】The yangnyeongsi (Oriental medicine market) in Daegu is known for its rich history and hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) culture. The Daegu Yangneongsi Traditional Medicine Festival has become a signature celebration that promotes traditional Korean medicine worldwide. Throughout the festival, visitors can learn the history of traditional Korean medicine and experience traditional medical treatments.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 51-1, Namseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 중구 남성로 51-1)
Ulsan Onggi Festival LINK
【 Photo: Ulsan Onggi Festival 】 Ulsan Onggi Festival takes place in Onggi Village, the home of onggi (traditional Korean earthenware pottery), located in Oegosan, Ulju-gun. Visitors to the festival can watch master onggi artisans at work right in front of their eyes, as well as get a chance to try molding clay on a potter’s wheel. A variety of traditional onggi will also be available at discounted prices during the festival period.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 23, Oegosan-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan (울산광역시 울주군 온양읍 외고산길 23)
Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival LINK
【 Photo: Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival (Credit: Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival Organizing Committee) 】 Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival takes place at Yeoncheon Jengok-ri Historic Site, known to be where traces of one of the earliest settlements of mankind in Korea were discovered. The most significant fossil discovered at this site is the Acheulean hand axe that dates back to 300,000 years ago. The festival offers many hands-on programs such as making stone tools, drawing cave art, and cooking with fire, Paleolithic era-style.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 1510, Yangyeon-ro, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 연천군 전곡읍 양연로 1510)
Miryang Arirang Festival LINK
【 Photo: Scene from Miryang Arirang Festival (Credit: Miryang Cultural Foundation) 】 Miryang Arirang Festival is a representative folk festival of Gyeongsangnam-do that focuses on Miryang Arirang, a very well-known folk song and one of the nation’s top three variations of Arirang along with Jeongseon Arirang and Jindo Arirang. The festival holds dynamic events as well as music festival and experiences related to Arirang, a fireworks show, and performances presenting Korea’s intangible heritages.
- Period: May 14-17, 2020
- Venue: 324, Jungang-ro, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 밀양시 중앙로 324 영남루)
Chuncheon International Mime Festival LINK
【 Photo: Performance at the Chuncheon International Mime Festival
(Credit: Chuncheon International Mime Festival) 】Chuncheon International Mime Festival is a leading performing arts festival in Korea and its fame has now spread across the globe. Each year, renowned artists from home and abroad give outstanding live performances. During the day, fun water activities and performances will help beat the heat, while breathtaking fire shows provide entertainment at night. On the weekends of the festival period, performances are held practically nonstop.
- Period: May 24–31, 2020
- Venue: 112, Chuncheon-ro, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 춘천시 춘천로 112)
Eumseong Pumba Festival LINK
【 Photo: Eumseong Pumba Festival (Credit: Eumseong Pumba Festival) 】 Eumseong Pumba Festival recreates the customs and harsh living conditions of the peasants who lived during the Joseon dynasty in a satirical yet comedic way. The festival aims to promote charity, peace, and goodwill by inviting festival attendants through laughter and joy. The festival also offers diverse events like games, plays, and pumba performance.
- Period: May 27-31, 2020
- Venue: 28, Seolseonggongwon-gil, Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 음성군 음성읍 설성공원길 28 설성공원)
June
Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival LINK
【 Photo: Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival (Credit: Seocheon County Office) 】 Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival is an experiential venue that promotes the excellence and historical value of UNESCO-recognized Hansan ramie fabric, a traditional Korean natural fiber. Visitors will be able to observe traditional culture of Hansan ramie fabric that has continued for 1,500 years in Seocheon-gun and enjoy handicraft and clothes made with the ramie fabric. Hansan ramie fabric was given as a regional tribute to the king and has continued on as a local specialty product that is notable from past to present.
- Period: June 12-14, 2020
- Venue: 1089, Chungjeol-ro, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 서천군 한산면 충절로 1089)
- July-December Festivals
2020-2021 Cultural Tourism Festival
July
Daegu Chimac Festival LINK
【 Photo: Daegu Chimac Festival 】 Daegu Chimac Festival celebrates the combination of chicken and beer, called chimaek in Korean, at Daegu’s Duryu Park . The greatest perk of this festival is the opportunity to try out all sorts of chicken and beer. After an extravagant opening ceremony, performances are held spontaneously on outdoor stages and grass fields, welcoming festival attendants to relax and listen to live music while enjoying their chimaek. Visitors can also participate in water activities and forget the heat.
- Period: July 1-5, 2020
- Venue: 36, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 달서구 공원순환로 36)
Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival LINK
【 Photo: Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival 】 Jangheung County in Jeollanam-do is known for its water resources as it is located near Boseongman Bay and the lake created by the Tamjingang River and Jangheung Dam. Held every summer, Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival features more than just exhibitions and performances, offering the joy of summer and water fun through a variety of games and hands-on programs. Visitors can also enjoy riding a wooden boat, rafting, water bicycles, gigantic pool, making a water gun, and other fun activities.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 21, Jangheung-ro, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 장흥군 장흥읍 장흥로 21)
Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival LINK
【 Photo: Filling the activity area with sweetfish (Credit: Bonghwa County Office) 】 Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival takes place in Bonghwa, a region known for its clean water, fresh air, lush forests, and mountains. Among diverse activities such as night fishing and grilling sweetfish, the most popular of them all is none other than the barehanded fishing in the Naeseongcheon Stream. In addition, visitors can engage in other activities such as tug-of-war in water and aquatic sports.
- Period: July 25 – August 2, 2020
- Venue: 449-3, Naeseong-ri, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 봉화군 봉화읍 내성리 449-3)
August
Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival LINK
【 Photo: Scene from Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival
(Credit: Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival Organizing Committee) 】Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival commemorates the patriotic spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, a Korean naval commander respected for leading victories against the invading Japanese Army during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The festival presents a variety of hands-on programs such as marine sports, making geobukseon (turtle ship), making a bow, and many more.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 328, Tongyeonghaean-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 통영시 통영해안로 328)
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival LINK
【 Photo: Performance at Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (Credit: YESCOM Entertainment) 】 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is a prominent rock festival in Korea that presents performances by a wide range of artists. The music festival features new and local artists, performance by community groups, music businesses and other events. The rock festival was even ranked 8th among the best music festivals in the world by UK Magazine, Time Out.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 350, Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 연수구 센트럴로 350)
September
Pyeongchang Hyoseok Cultural Festival LINK
【 Photo: Pyeongchang Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village 】 Pyeongchang Hyoseok Cultural Festival takes place at Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village in Pyeongchang, the setting for Lee Hyo-seok's famous novel, "When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom." The festival highlights different locations depicted in the novel, as well as the area's folklore, and offers cultural programs and activities related to the novel. The festival is held at the most splendid time of the year when the buckwheat flowers blanket the entire Bongpyeong area. Don't miss the wide range of foods made from buckwheat, exciting programs, and the vast plain of buckwheat flowers.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 157, Ihyoseok-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 평창군 봉평면 이효석길 157)
Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival LINK
【 Photo: Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival (Credit: Wonju City Hall) 】 Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival features several global dance stages and programs, inviting the audience to feel the performers’ passion and excitement. The festival's main program “Dancing Carnival” turns the street into a stage for a grand parade featuring a variety of folk dances and magnificent military marching bands from international teams across the globe, as well as the local citizens' passionate performances.
- Period: September 8-13, 2020
- Venue: 170, Dangu-ro, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 원주시 단구로 170)
Siheung Gaetgol Festival LINK
【 Photo: Siheung Gaetgol Festival experience (Credit: Siheung City Hall) 】 Siheung Gaetgol Festival allows visitors to learn about nature in a fun way at the unique eco art playground located within Siheung Gaetgol Eco Park. The festival aims to raise environmental awareness through performances and programs such as musical playground, salt-making experience, art market, observing insects and more.
- Period: September 18-20, 2020
- Venue: 287, Dongseo-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 시흥시 동서로 287)
Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival LINK
【 Photo: Baudeogi Festival Royal Carriage Parade (Credit: Anseong City Hall) 】 Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival preserves the tradition of Namsadang, a troupe of entertainers who traveled around the country, and Kim Am-deok, the only female leader in the history of Namasadang. This festival features more than hundred traditional and contemporary performances, reenacting the old bustling market scenes of the Joseon dynasty. In addition, visitors can also look forward to parades, performances, hands-on activities, exhibitions and contests. Programs include a Baudeogi memorial ceremony and opportunities for visitors to personally experience traditional folk games, explore popular local delights of Anseong city and more.
- Period: September 23-27, 2020
- Venue: 198, Nasmadang-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 안성시 보개면 남사당로 198)
Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival LINK
【 Photo: Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival program (Credit: Medicinal Herb Festival Committee) 】 The home of UNESCO-designated medical encyclopedia Donguibogam, Sancheong is famous as a home to highly skilled doctors. In the past, before the development of modern medical practice, doctors relied on medical herbs and records on Doguibogam to treat patients. In appreciation of the medicinal herbs found in Jirisan Mountain, Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival takes place every year, offering excellent opportunities for visitors eager to improve their health through natural remedies. Visitors will be exposed to a wide variety of Korea’s medicinal herbs and medical traditions. If you are interested in traditional remedies or staying healthy, this is a unique event not to be missed!
- Period: September 25 – October 11, 2020
- Venue: 22, Chinhwangyeong-ro 2605beon-gil, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 산청군 금서면 친환경로 2605번길 22)
October
Gwangju Chungjang Festival LINK
【 Photo: Making rice puffs at Chungjang Festival (Credit: Chungjang Festival Office) 】 Gwangju Chungjang Festival is a cultural celebration that epitomizes the spirit of the youth and the good old days of the '70s and '80s. A wide range of events take place during the festival period including a street parade by the locals, an exhibition displaying the lifestyle during the ‘70s and ‘80s, traditional games, local dish sampling, a folk song festival, intangible cultural heritage performances, and street performances.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 1, Seonam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju (광주광역시 동구 서남로 1)
Imsil N Cheese Festival LINK
【 Photo: Imsil N Cheese Festival (Credit: Imsil N Cheese Festival) 】 Imsil is home to the first cheese production company in Korea. In celebration of cheese, Imsil N Cheese Festival is held every October with various performances, cooking competitions using cheese including making pizza, dairy farming experience and other family-fun activities.
- Period: October 8-11, 2020
- Venue: 50, Doin 2-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 임실군 성수면 도인2길 50)
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival LINK
【 Photo: Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (Credit: Suwon Cultural Foundation) 】 Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival is held throughout Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site built to commemorate King Jeongjo’s filial piety and his dream of national prosperity and military power. Festival programs include King Jeongjo’s procession to the royal tombs, jinchanyeon for Hyegeonggung Hong (the 60th Birthday Feast for King Jeongjo's mother), art performances, a lighting festival, cultural art programs, folk games, and more.
- Period: October 9-11, 2020
- Venue: 825, Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825)
Hoengseong Hanu Festival LINK
【 Photo: Stage performance at Hoengseong Hanu Festival (Credit: Hoengseong Culture Foundation) 】 Hoengseong Hanu Festival takes place annually to promote quality Korean beef from cows raised in Hoengseong. Visitors can observe and buy beef products as well as enjoy grilled beef and beef deboning performance. Other events include cow photo exhibition, ssireum (traditional wrestling) tournament, and singing contest. Cultural performances and fireworks show will continue to entertain visitors at night.
- Period: October 15-19, 2020
- Venue: 47, Munhwacheyuk-ro, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 횡성군 횡성읍 문화체육로 47)
Pohang International Fire & Light Festival LINK
【 Photo: Pohang International Fire & Light Festival 】 Pohang International Fire & Light Festival takes place in Pohang, the city of fire and light. Now an international fireworks show, the festival first began when the renowned steel company POSCO hosted a fireworks show with a theme of “Light and Fire,” symbolizing Pohang’s Yeongilman Bay and a blast furnace. Fabulous fireworks will embroider the Pohang’s night sky over Pohang’s seawater while exciting performances and activities continue to entertain visitors on land.
- Period: October 16-18, 2020
- Venue: 11, Munye-ro 170beon-gil, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 포항시 남구 문예로 170번길 11)
Sunchang Fermented Food Festival LINK
【 Photo: Sunchang Fermented Food Festival bibimbap mixing event
(Credit: Sunchang Fermented Food Festival Organizing Committee) 】Sunchang, a town famous for its citizens’ longevity and the production of jang (food paste), holds Sunchang Fermented Food Festival every year. Sunchang gochujang (Korean chili paste) has been recognized for its excellent health benefits. Traditional performances, percussion performances, cooking with gochujang, and making Sunchang gochujang will take place, as well as a local specialty fair and a Sunchang gochujang cooking competition.
- Period: October 16-18, 2020
- Venue: 6-3, Minsokmaeul-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 순창군 순창읍 민속마을길 6-3)
Gwangalli Eobang Festival LINK
【 Photo: Gwangalli Eobang Festival (Credit: Suyeong District Office) 】 Suyeong is known to be the first region in Busan to have developed the fishing industry. The festival’s name eobang refers to Suyeong’s community fishery organization that have played a vital role in maintaining the fishing industry active since the past. Gwangalli Eobang Festival aims to preserve Suyeong’s tradition of eobang, with main festival events consisting of fabulous musical and fireworks show at Gwangalli Beach, street parade, gatekeeper changing ceremony, and more.
- Period: October 23-25, 2020
- Venue: 219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구 광안해변로 219)
Jeongseon Arirang Festival LINK
【 Photo: Jeongseon Arirang Festival (Credit: Jeongseon Arirang Festival Committee) 】 Jeongseon Arirang Festival is held every October to promote Jeongseon Arirang, Gangwon-do’s variation of Arirang, a traditional Korean folk song that has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List. Since its first event in 1976, Jeongseon Arirang Festival has made efforts to preserve and promote Jeongseon Arirang, Gangwon-do’s Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 1, and has now become one of the most significant festivals of Gangwon-do. Several performances and programs take place, notably chilhyeon jerye (ritual service to seven ancestors), reenactment of Ttetmok Arari, Jumak Arari Madang, demonstration of Jeongseon Arirang song and dance, and Nanta performance.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 112, Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 정선군 정선읍 봉양리 112)
Jinan Red Ginseng Festival LINK
【 Photo: Jinan Red Ginseng Festival (Credit: Jinan County Office) 】 Jinan Red Gingseng Festival is held in Jinan, the birthplace of Korea’s first master artisan of manufacturing and processing red ginseng. Red ginseng produced in Jinan are especially strong in both scent and flavor, which led the region to earn its reputation as the home of red ginseng. The festival first began in 2013 and have since been hosting diverse red ginseng related programs. Some noteworthy programs are red ginseng food tasting event, stacking red ginseng cans, and red ginseng tasting event.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 160, Maisan-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 진안군 진안읍 마이산로 160)
Seosan Haemieupseong Festival LINK
【 Photo: Seosan Haemieupseong Festival (Credit: Seosan Haemieupseong Festival Organizing Committee) 】 Haemieupseong Festival takes place in the city of Seosan, a historical city of culture along Korea's western coast. Haemieupseong Fortress is a great place to learn about Korea's history due to its heritage and relics found at the site. The festival provides a wide array of cultural events and history-related programs, namely gugak performance, fortress parade, military training and battle experience.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 143, Nammun 2-ro, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 서산시 해미면 남문 2로 143 해미읍성)
Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival LINK
【 Photo: Hwangpo dotbae 】 Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the region’s representative products, including rice, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. Guests can also take in the scenery of Namhangang River while riding on a hwangpo dotbae (yellow hemp sailboat). Additional events include watching traditional ritual ceremonies and jultagi (traditional Korean tightrope), participating in ssireum tournament, enjoying a concert, and more.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 13, Silleuksa-gil, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주시 신륵사길 13)
Gangneung Coffee Festival LINK
【 Photo: Gangneung Coffee Festival (Credit: Gangneung Culture Foundation) 】 Gangneung Coffee Festival takes place on the streets along Anmok Beach. The area was once famous for being occupied with many coffee vending machines, which is now replaced with lines of cafés and coffee shops, attracting coffee lovers throughout Korea. At the festival, visitors can enjoy coffee through their sense of smell and taste and encounter the diverse culture of coffee from all over the world.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 102, Surigol-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 수리골길 102)
Cheongsong Apple Festival LINK
【 Photo: Cheongsong Apple Festival (Credit: Cheongsong Apple Festival Organizing Committee) 】 With mountains, fresh air, and an average daily temperature gap of 12 degrees Celsius, Cheongsong-gun in Gyeongsangbuk-do is known to be ideal for growing apples. For this reason, Cheongsong Apple Festival takes place every October, celebrating the joy of harvest while promoting Cheongsong’s delicious apples. Several interactive activities are available during the festival, such as Find the Golden Apple, Apple Lottery, and Apple Nanta.
- Period: TBD
- Venue: 269, Geumwol-ro, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 청송군 청송읍 금월로 269)
Festival dates and venues are subject to change. Please confirm details before visiting.
This page was last updated on February 4, 2020, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here.