Cool breezes, clear skies, vibrant foliage, special foods, and diverse festivals all make fall the best season to visit Korea. From magical fireworks and traditional mask dances to local foods and regional specialties, discover Korea’s diverse festivals celebrating the season of harvest!
Festivals rooted in Korean culture and traditions are hands down the most popular among international tourists. These festivals include royal parade reenactments from the Joseon period, traditional dances and music that have been passed down for generations, and other events where the past and present coexist.
-
■ Suwon Hwaseong Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
- Event period：October 4-11, 2026
- This festival is held in the area surrounding Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main highlight is a large-scale reenactment of the royal procession honoring the filial piety and reform spirit of King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty. Visitors can also enjoy nighttime access to the fortress and traditional performances.
- View more >>
-
■ Andong Maskdance Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Event period：September 24 – October 4, 2026
- This festival takes place in Andong, a city home to heritage sites and traditions inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage, Memory of the World, and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity lists. In addition to Korean mask dance performances, the festival features mask dance troupes from around the world, celebrating mask dance traditions from diverse cultures. With a spectacular parade, diverse traditional and contemporary performances, and an abundance of food and attractions, the festival is a must-visit event.
- View more >>
Many consider food to be the best part about traveling, and Korea offers a wide variety of flavors and dishes. From traditional Korean foods and specialties like ginseng, fermented pastes, and kimchi to must-try foods like gimbap and ramyeon, attend any one of these festivals to explore Korea’s food culture.
-
ⓒGeumsan Culture & Tourism Festival Foundation ■ Geumsan World K-Insam Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do
- Event period ：October 2-11, 2026
- The Geumsan World K-Insam Festival is held in Geumsan, the largest ginseng-producing region in Korea. Visitors can experience the appeal of Korea’s iconic health food firsthand through hands-on activities like digging up ginseng and sampling ginseng dishes.
- View more >>
-
■ Gangneung Coffee Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Gangneung, Gangwon State
- Event period ：October 21-25, 2026
- Gangneung is renowned as a coffee city due to its influence on Korea’s coffee culture and the variety of local roasteries found in the city. This festival is dedicated to Korea’s growing café culture, offering visitors the chance to sample a wide variety of coffee and try their hand at roasting coffee beans.
- View more >>
-
■ Gimcheon Gimbap Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Event period： October 23-25, 2026
- This unique festival is dedicated to gimbap. It became famous because the name of the host city, Gimcheon, resembles the shortened name of “Gimbap Cheonguk,” a well-known gimbap franchise in Korea. Visitors can enjoy a variety of gimbap-themed activities, including hands-on gimbap-making, booths selling unique gimbap creations, and gimbap cooking competitions.
- View more >>
-
ⓒGumi Ramyun Festival's official website ■ Gumi Ramyun Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Event period： November 6-8, 2026
- This is Korea’s only downtown ramyeon festival, held in Gumi, home to the country’s largest ramyeon factory. Experience Korea’s ramyeon culture by buying freshly fried ramyeon and sampling original ramyeon dishes.
- View more >>
-
■ Sunchang Jangryu Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Sunchang, Jeonbuk State
- Event period ：October 15-18, 2026
- This festival celebrates Korea’s traditional “jang” culture, which refers to fermented pastes like gochujang (chili pepper paste) and doenjang (soybean paste). The tradition of making jang is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival’s highlights include making jang and watching a reenactment of a royal tribute procession, offering a glimpse into Korea’s traditional fermentation culture.
- View more >>
-
■ Gwangju Kimchi Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Seo-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City
- Event period ：October 23-25, 2026
- This festival celebrates kimchi, a staple of Korean cuisine. Take part in kimchi-making experiences and taste a variety of kimchi at this unique festival celebrating one of Korea’s most iconic foods.
- View more >>
Korea after dark presents a different charm than during the day. Korea’s signature nighttime festivals in fall feature lanterns floating on the river and fireworks that light up the sky, offering picture-perfect scenes for an unforgettable travel experience.
-
■ Seoul International Fireworks Festival- Region : Seoul
- Event period ：September 5, 2026
- Held in the Hangang Park area, this is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Asia. Professional fireworks teams from around the world come together to create a magnificent show across the night sky against the backdrop of the Hangang River.
- View more >>
-
■ Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Event period ：October 3-18, 2026
- This special festival features more than 70,000 lanterns floating along the Namgang River in Jinju. From fireworks over the water to spectacular drone light shows, there’s plenty to see and do. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this nighttime festival.
- View more >>
-
ⓒMuju Firefly Festival ■ Muju Firefly Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Muju, Jeonbuk State
- Event period ：September 4-12, 2026
- This ecological festival takes place in Muju, home to pristine natural surroundings, and offers opportunities to explore firefly habitats. Watch in awe as the glow of fireflies turns your night into something magical.
- View more >>
Travelers who enjoy music and performances, take note! The Seoul Street Arts Festival is an event open to everyone, held around the Hangang River in Seoul. In Busan, internationally renowned film and rock music festivals are held every year. With artists and tourists from around the world coming together, these festivals offer a vivid glimpse into global cultural exchange in Korea.
-
■ Seoul Street Arts Festival- Region : Seoul
- Event period ：September 19-20, 2026
- Seoul’s leading outdoor performing arts festival is expanding to the Hangang River this year, with events held at Seoul Forest and Ttukseom Hangang Park. A variety of street performances, music, and shows featuring works from France, Brazil, and other countries as well as Korea will take place throughout the festival.
- View more >>
-
■ Busan International Rock Festival [Cultural Tourism Festival]- Region : Sasang-gu, Busan
- Event period ：October 2-4, 2026
- This is one of Korea’s leading outdoor rock festivals, held at Samnak Eco Park for 27 years. Camp out and rock out in nature with popular bands from Korea and abroad.
- View more >>
-
■ Busan International Film Festival- Region : Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Event period ：October 6-15, 2026
- As Asia’s largest international film festival, the Busan International Film Festival screens acclaimed films from around the world in the Haeundae area and features a variety of special events, including red-carpet events and opportunities to meet actors and directors.
- View more >>
[FAQ]
- Q1. Which autumn festivals can I attend within the Seoul metropolitan area?
- A. In Seoul, you can enjoy the Seoul Street Arts Festival (Sept. 19-20) in downtown Seoul and the Seoul International Fireworks Festival (Sept. 5) along the Hangang River. Within the Seoul metropolitan area, the Suwon Hwaseong Festival (Oct. 4-11) takes place at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. For more information, please visit the official website of each festival.
- Q2. Which autumn festivals can I attend in Busan?
- A. Two major Busan events take place in fall: the Asia’s largest film festival, Busan International Film Festival (Oct. 6-11), and the Busan International Rock Festival (Oct. 2-4). They are held in Haeundae and Samnak Eco Park, respectively.
- Q3. When do the autumn festivals take place in Korea?
- A. Almost all autumn festivals take place from early September to early November, with many taking place in October. The cool weather and beautiful fall foliage make this an ideal time for outdoor events. For festival dates and other details, please visit the official website of each festival.
- Q4. Which festivals can I attend to experience Korean foods and regional specialties?
- A. Several food-themed festivals take place in fall. Festivals such as the Geumsan World K-Insam Festival (Oct. 2-11), Sunchang Jangryu Festival (Oct. 15-18), and Gwangju Kimchi Festival (Oct. 23-25) feature ingredients and foods that are staples of Korean cuisine, whereas festivals like the Gimcheon Gimbap Festival (Oct. 23-25) and Gumi Ramyeon Festival (Nov. 6-8) celebrate popular dishes. Visit one of these festivals to sample a wide variety of foods and experience Korean food culture firsthand.
- Q5. Which autumn festivals can I attend at night?
- A. You can attend the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (Oct. 3-18), where you can see more than 70,000 lanterns floating along the Namgang River in Jinju, as well as fireworks and a drone light show. You can also enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the Hangang River at the Seoul International Fireworks Festival (Sept. 5).
- Q6. Which autumn festivals can I attend to experience traditional Korean culture?
- A. Two of the most notable autumn festivals celebrating traditional Korean culture are the Suwon Hwaseong Festival (Oct. 4-11), which features a reenactment of a royal parade from the Joseon era, and the Andong Maskdance Festival (Sept. 24-Oct. 4), which celebrates mask dance traditions from around the world. Both festivals seamlessly blend the past and present through diverse performances and events.
- Q7. Can non-Koreans attend the festivals?
- A. International tourists and non-Korean residents are welcome to freely attend the festivals, and most do not require advance reservations. Only in rare cases are festivals limited to a select group within the community. If you need any assistance during your trip, call the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline at +82-2-1330, with support available in Korean and English.
