Traditional and cultural festivals in Korea

These festivals are rooted in a specific place and history: the Hahoe mask dances of Andong, the Baekje kingdom's capitals at Gongju and Buyeo, the Silla capital at Gyeongju, the shamanic rites of Gangneung Danoje, Namwon's festival of the Chunhyang love story, the royal procession to Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress, the walled Joseon towns of Haemieupseong in Seosan, Moyangseong in Gochang and Naganeupseong in Suncheon, the namsadang folk troupes of Anseong, Admiral Yi Sun-sin's sea victory re-enacted at Tongyeong, King Sejong's alphabet in Sejong, the World Heritage festival at the Joseon royal tombs, the fire festival that grew out of Jeju's old custom of burning off dead pasture, the moon-house burning on Haeundae Beach at the first full moon of the lunar year, the New Year sunrise at Jeongdongjin and Homigot, Busan's UN Peace Festival beside the UN Memorial Cemetery, and Seoul's Yeon Deung Hoe lantern procession, inscribed by UNESCO.

On now, coming up and expected

Jeonju Hanok Village, where the parade runs, in 2022 Happening now
Apr – Oct2026
18 –31
Sat–Sat
TraditionJeonjuFreeEnds todayAbout 1 h 55 min from Seoul

Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade

The Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performing Arts Parade (노상놀이야) is a free, one-hour folk parade along Taejo-ro, the main street of Jeonju Hanok Village, led by the giant dragon banners of Jeonju Gijeop-nori and pungmul drummers, with comic street plays on the way and a closing communal play in front of Gyeonggijeon Shrine. The 2026 season runs every Saturday, 15:00–16:00, from 18 April to 31 October, so the last two dates are 24 and 31 October; the 2027 season had not been announced as of 19 October 2026.

The main hall of the Tripitaka Koreana Theme Park in Hapcheon, the festival's venue Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
9 –1
Fri–Sun
TraditionHapcheonEnds tomorrowAbout 2 h 36 min from Seoul

Tripitaka Koreana Cultural Festival

The Tripitaka Koreana Cultural Festival (대장경기록문화축제) is Hapcheon County's autumn festival at the Tripitaka Koreana Theme Park in Gaya-myeon, Gyeongsangnam-do, about 5 km from Haeinsa Temple, where the 81,258 Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks are kept. The 2026 edition runs 9 October–1 November, 09:00–18:00, with autumn-flower sculptures, chrysanthemum bonsai, Tripitaka exhibitions and family craft workshops.

Mokpo Modern History Museum 1 in the old town, one of the festival's venues Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
30 –1
Fri–Sun
TraditionMokpoFreeEnds tomorrowAbout 3 h 5 min from Seoul

Mokpo National Heritage Night

Mokpo National Heritage Night (목포 국가유산야행) is a free three-evening festival in the old town of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, where the modern-history district around the Modern History Museums, Gyeongdong Cathedral and the Mokpo-jin fort site stays open after dark with lighting, media art, walking tours, a parade, concerts and a food-truck night market. The 2026 edition, themed on Mokpo's port opening in 1897, runs Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, 18:00–22:00 each night, with no booking listed.

Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
30 –1
Fri–Sun
TraditionYecheonFreeEnds tomorrowAbout 2 h 38 min from Seoul

Yecheon Bow Festival

The Yecheon Bow Festival (예천활축제) is a free archery festival at Hancheon Sports Park in Yecheon-eup, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the home county of archers Kim Jin-ho, Yun Ok-hee and Olympic champion Kim Je-deok: you can try Western and traditional Korean archery, a team bow battle and children's bow games. The 2026 edition runs Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November, 10:00–21:00, together with the Yecheon Agricultural Festival; as of mid-October it was going ahead as planned despite foot-and-mouth cases in Yecheon in 2026.

Yeongdo Bridge in Busan with its drawbridge span raised Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
30 –1
Fri–Sun
TraditionBusanFreeEnds tomorrowAbout 2 h 30 min from Seoul

Yeongdo Bridge Festival

The Yeongdo Bridge Festival (영도다리축제) is a free three-day district festival in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, celebrating Yeongdo Bridge, which opened in 1934 as Korea's first drawbridge. The 34th edition runs 30 October–1 November 2026, 10:00–20:00, on two sites: the Bongnae-dong wharf beside the bridge (opening ceremony, retro shows) and Amir Park by the National Maritime Museum (song contest, cooking show, closing ceremony).

Unjusa Temple in Hwasun, the festival's venue Upcoming
Nov2026
7 –8
Sat–Sun
TraditionHwasunFreeStarts in 7 daysAbout 3 h 30 min from Seoul

Hwasun Unju Culture Festival

The Hwasun Unju Culture Festival (화순운주문화축제) is a free two-day festival at Unjusa, the "thousand Buddhas, thousand pagodas" temple in Doam-myeon, Hwasun, Jeollanam-do. KTO lists the 2026 edition for Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, 10:00–17:00, with temple bell-ringing, pungmul and music, the unveiling of a Buddha statue, a local market and hands-on crafts.

Homigot in Pohang, the festival's venue, in January 2024 Expected
Expected2026
Dec / Jan
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TraditionPohangFree

Homigot New Year Sunrise Festival

The Homigot New Year Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전) is Pohang's free all-night New Year's Eve festival at Homigot Haemaji Plaza, the cape at the eastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, where crowds watch the year's first sunrise beside the bronze Hand of Harmony rising from the sea. The 2026–27 edition is expected on 31 December 2026–1 January 2027 (not yet announced as of 19 October 2026), with sunrise at about 07:33.

Jeongdongjin on the east coast, the festival's venue, in October 2015 Expected
Expected2026
Dec / Jan
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TraditionGangneungFreeAbout 2 h 10 min from Seoul

Jeongdongjin New Year Sunrise Festival

The Jeongdongjin New Year Sunrise Festival is Gangneung City's free New Year's Eve and first-sunrise event at Sandglass Park beside Jeongdongjin Station on Korea's east coast, where an 8 m hourglass is turned over at midnight. In 2025–26 it ran 20:00–00:30 on 31 December and 06:00–08:00 on 1 January, with sunrise at 07:39; the 2026–27 edition is expected on the night of 31 December 2026 but had not been announced by 19 October 2026.

The moon house burning at the 2012 Haeundae Dalmaji Hot Spring Festival Expected
Expected2027
Feb / Mar
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TraditionBusanFreeAbout 3 h 35 min from Seoul

Haeundae Dalmaji Hot Spring Festival

The Haeundae Dalmaji Hot Spring Festival (해운대달맞이온천축제) is Haeundae's Jeongwol Daeboreum festival: on the first full moon of the lunar year, a large pine moon house (daljip) hung with people's wishes is set alight on Haeundae Beach in Busan at the minute of moonrise, after an afternoon of folk dance and rituals. The 41st edition was on 3 March 2026, with the burning at 18:11.

Saebyeol Oreum ablaze during the fire-setting at the 2015 Jeju Fire Festival Expected
Expected2027
Mar
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TraditionJeju CityFreeBy air from Seoul

Jeju Fire Festival

The Jeju Fire Festival (제주들불축제) is Jeju City's March festival at Saebyeol Oreum, a 519 m grassy volcanic cone in Aewol-eup, rooted in the island's old custom of burning off dead pasture. The famous burning of the whole hillside was abolished in 2023; in 2026 the slope was lit instead by a laser, fireworks and media-art 'digital fire', alongside torch parades and a bonfire.

The Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace at night in April 2013 Expected
Expected2027
Apr / May / Sep / Oct
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TraditionSeoul

Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour

The Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour (창덕궁 달빛기행) is a ticketed, guided night walk by lantern light through Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden in central Seoul, with a daegeum flute solo, court dance, and tea with traditional sweets. It runs in spring and autumn: the autumn 2026 season ended on 17 October, and no 2027 dates had been announced as of 19 October 2026 (recent spring seasons have started in mid-April).

Jogokgwan, the second gate of Mungyeong Saejae, near the festival site Expected
Expected2027
Apr / May
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TraditionMungyeongAbout 2 h 30 min from Seoul

Mungyeong Chasabal (Tea Bowl) Festival

The Mungyeong Chasabal Festival (문경찻사발축제) is a ten-day pottery and tea festival at the Mungyeong Saejae Open Set, a Joseon-era drama set inside Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where potters who fire tea bowls in traditional wood-burning mangdaengi kilns show, demonstrate and sell their work. The 28th edition ran 1–10 May 2026, 09:00–18:00; 2027 dates have not been announced, but recent editions fell between late April and mid-May.

A view of the 2009 Chunhyang Festival in Namwon Expected
Expected2027
Apr / May
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TraditionNamwonAbout 2 h from Seoul

Namwon Chunhyang Festival

The Namwon Chunhyang Festival (춘향제) is a seven-day festival of traditional performance at Gwanghallu Garden and the Yocheon riverside in Namwon, Jeonbuk State, built around Korea's best-known love story and first held in 1931. The 96th edition ran 30 April–6 May 2026 and drew about 1.51 million visits; the 97th is expected in late April–early May 2027, dates not yet announced.

Rows of lotus lanterns over the courtyard of Jogyesa Temple in Seoul before Buddha's Birthday, with monks walking beneath Expected
Expected2027
Apr / May
usual window음력 기준
TraditionSeoulFree

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)

Yeon Deung Hoe is Seoul's Buddhist lantern festival for Buddha's Birthday (8th day of the 4th lunar month). Its centrepiece is a free Saturday-evening parade of about 100,000 lanterns from Heunginjimun along Jongno to Jogyesa Temple, with lantern exhibitions at Jogyesa, Cheonggyecheon and Bongeunsa.

Masked performers staging the Gwanno mask drama, a Gangneung Danoje tradition, in front of an audience Expected
Expected2027
May / Jun
usual window음력 기준
TraditionGangneungFreeAbout 2 h from Seoul

Gangneung Danoje Festival

Gangneung Danoje is Korea's oldest surviving community festival, a UNESCO-listed eight-day event on the Namdaecheon riverside in Gangneung, Gangwon, built around Dano (5th day of the 5th lunar month). The 2026 edition ran 15–22 June; 2027 is expected 5–12 June, with Dano on 9 June.

Gwangalli Beach in Busan, the festival's venue Expected
Expected2027
May / Jun
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TraditionBusanAbout 2 h 40 min from Seoul

Gwangalli Eobang Festival

The Gwangalli Eobang Festival (광안리어방축제) is a three-day folk festival on Gwangalli Beach and at Suyeong Historic Park in Suyeong-gu, Busan, recreating the Joseon-era fishing village where naval sailors and fishermen worked the nets together. The 24th edition ran 12–14 June 2026, a month later than the May dates of 2023–2025; the 2027 dates are not announced, and May or June is expected.

The red and white horse-shaped lighthouses of Iho Tewoo Beach at sunset Expected
Expected2027
Jul / Aug
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TraditionJeju CityBy air from Seoul

Iho Tewoo Festival

Iho Tewoo Festival is a three-day summer beach festival at Iho Tewoo Beach on the west coast of Jeju City, near the airport. The 21st edition ran 31 July–2 August 2026 with a traditional tewoo raft launching, an anchovy-fishing re-enactment, a haenyeo torch parade, fireworks and raft-rowing races.

The view over the Hallyeo waterway toward Hansan Island, where the 1592 battle was fought Expected
Expected2027
Aug
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TraditionTongyeongFreeAbout 4 h 8 min from Seoul

Tongyeong Hansan Daecheop Festival

The Tongyeong Hansan Daecheop Festival (통영한산대첩축제) is a free summer festival around the old harbour of Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, marking Admiral Yi Sun-sin's 1592 sea victory off Hansan Island with a naval procession, a battle reenactment on the water and fireworks over the sea. First held in 1962, its 65th edition ran 12–16 August 2026; the 66th is expected in early to mid-August 2027, around the 14 August anniversary, with dates not yet announced.

Masked dancers performing the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori at the 2018 Andong Maskdance Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionAndongAbout 2 h from Seoul

Andong Maskdance Festival

Andong Maskdance Festival (안동국제탈춤페스티벌) is a 10- or 11-day celebration of Korean and international mask dance held each late September–early October in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, at the old Andong Station site, Mask Dance Park and the old downtown. The 2026 edition ran 24 September–4 October (opening ceremony 25 September); 2027 is expected in the same window.

Lights along the Geumgang River below Gongsanseong Fortress at night during the 70th Baekje Cultural Festival in Gongju Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionBuyeo and GongjuFreeAbout 2 h 20 min from Seoul

Baekje Cultural Festival

The Baekje Cultural Festival is a nine- or ten-day heritage festival held at the same time in Buyeo and Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, the two former capitals of the Baekje kingdom. The 72nd edition ran 3–11 October 2026 with free admission; Buyeo events ran 10:00–22:00 and Gongju 11:00–22:00.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace lit up at night and reflected in its pond Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionSeoul

Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour

The Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour (경복궁 별빛야행) is a ticketed, guided night tour of the northern part of Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul, with a modern 12-dish royal meal in the palace kitchen, live traditional music and, in 2026, a short changgeuk opera about King Gojong at Jibokjae. The 2026 season runs 2 September–24 October, Wednesday to Sunday, in two sessions (18:20–20:10 and 19:30–21:20), and foreign visitors have their own sessions on 21–24 October, sold through Creatrip.

Cheonjiyeon Falls in Seogwipo, beside the festival's main site Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionSeogwipoFreeBy air from Seoul

Seogwipo Chilsimni Festival

The Seogwipo Chilsimni Festival is Seogwipo's own civic festival, held on the car park beside Cheonjiyeon Falls and in the old town on Jeju's south coast. The 32nd edition runs Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 10:00–22:00 according to KTO, and entry is free.

The main gate of Haemieupseong Fortress in Seosan, the festival's venue Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionSeosanFreeAbout 1 h 35 min from Seoul

Seosan Haemieupseong Festival

The Seosan Haemieupseong Festival is a free history festival of three or four days inside Haemieupseong, a walled Joseon-era fortress town completed in 1421 in Haemi-myeon, Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, with royal procession re-enactments, martial-arts shows, hands-on Joseon activities and night media art on the walls. The 23rd edition ran 9–11 October 2026; the 2027 dates are not announced, but the festival is usually held in late September or early to mid October.

Soldiers in red uniforms marching in the King Jeongjo royal procession reenactment held with the 2023 Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Expected
Expected2027
Sep / Oct
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TraditionSuwonAbout 1 h 15 min from Seoul

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival

The Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (수원화성문화제) is Suwon's autumn festival inside the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, south of Seoul on subway Line 1. The 63rd edition ran 4–11 October 2026, opening with the King Jeongjo royal procession reenactment on 4 October.

A namsadang troupe performing acrobatics, music and dance in 2008 (not taken at this festival) Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionAnseongFreeAbout 1 h 3 min from Seoul

Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival

The Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival (안성맞춤 남사당 바우덕이 축제) is a free four-day festival of namsadang folk performance (pungmul drumming, tightrope walking, bowl spinning, masks and puppets) with visiting folk troupes from abroad, held every early October since 2001 in Anseong Machum Land and along Anseong Stream in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do. The 2026 edition ran 2–5 October, 10:00–21:00; the 2027 dates are not announced, but early October is expected.

The Busan Citizens Park sign among pine trees at the park entrance, the festival venue Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionBusanFreeAbout 2 h 40 min from Seoul

Busan Folk Arts Festival

The Busan Folk Arts Festival (부산종합민속예술제) is a free two-day showcase of Busan's intangible heritage, with folk performances, shaman rituals, farmers' music, traditional games and craft classes led by heritage artisans, held on Dasom Square in Busan Citizens Park. The 6th edition runs 24–25 October 2026 (Saturday–Sunday), 11:00–17:00, hosted by Busan Metropolitan City.

Rice-field art spelling out the festival's name at the 2023 Gimje Horizon Festival Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionGimjeFreeAbout 2 h 15 min from Seoul

Gimje Horizon Festival

The Gimje Horizon Festival is a five-day rice-farming festival at Byeokgolje, a 4th-century reservoir embankment in Gimje, Jeonbuk, where the land is flat enough to see the horizon. The 28th edition ran 1–5 October 2026, 09:00–21:00, with free admission and paid hands-on activities.

Gochang Eupseong (Moyangseong Fortress), the festival's venue Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionGochangFreeAbout 3 h 6 min from Seoul

Gochang Moyangseong Festival

The Gochang Moyangseong Festival (고창모양성제) is a five-day heritage festival at Gochang Eupseong, a walled Joseon county town built in 1453 in Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk State. Its signature event is the dapseong: walking the 1,684 m fortress wall in hanbok with a stone balanced on your head.

Hanbok Culture Week 2023 at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art in Jongno-gu Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionSeoulFree

Hanbok Culture Week

Hanbok Culture Week (한복문화주간) is a free nationwide week of events celebrating hanbok, Korea's traditional dress, held each October around Hanbok Day (21 October). The ninth edition runs 19–25 October 2026 at about 410 sites, with the Hanbok Day commemorative event and fashion show at the National Museum of Korea's Open Yard in Seoul on 21 October, 17:00–18:30 (Ichon Station, Exit 2).

Jeju horses grazing on open pasture on Jeju Island Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionJeju CityFreeBy air from Seoul

Jeju Horse Festival

The Jeju Horse Festival (제주마축제) is a free two-day family festival about Jeju's native horses, held at Let's Run Park Jeju, the Korea Racing Authority's racecourse on Pyeonghwa-ro in Aewol-eup, Jeju City. The 21st edition runs Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October 2026 from 10:00 (KTO gives the closing time as 17:00 in one place and 18:00 in another), with pony feeding, riding, horse-history exhibitions and contests, and evening events from 18:00: a night run on the racecourse's sand track on Saturday (₩10,000) and an outdoor concert on Sunday.

Sejong Lake Park, one of the festival's venues, in June 2019 Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionSejongFreeAbout 1 h 35 min from Seoul

Sejong Hangeul Festival

The Sejong Hangeul Festival (세종한글축제, called the Sejong Festival until 2024) is Sejong City's free festival of King Sejong and the Korean alphabet, opening every year on Hangeul Day, 9 October, in Sejong Lake Park and Sejong Central Park. The 2026 edition ran 9–11 October, 10:00–21:00, with a Black Eagles air show, the Hangeul Run, drone shows and fireworks.

Woljeonggyo, the reconstructed Silla-era covered bridge in Gyeongju and one of the festival venues Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionGyeongjuFreeAbout 2 h 35 min from Seoul

Silla Culture Festival

The Silla Culture Festival (신라문화제) is Gyeongju's city-wide autumn festival of the Silla kingdom, first held in 1962 and one of Korea's oldest local festivals. The 53rd edition ran 9–11 October 2026 around the Bonghwangdae tomb park and Woljeonggyo Bridge, 15:00–24:00 with free admission; its centrepiece is the Hwabaek Jejeon night show on a floating stage at Woljeonggyo, with drones and fireworks.

Thatched-roof houses inside the walls of Naganeupseong Folk Village in Suncheon, seen from above Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionSuncheonAbout 3 h 5 min from Seoul

Suncheon Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival

The Suncheon Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival is a weekend of Joseon-era reenactments, folk games and traditional music inside Naganeupseong, a walled town in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, where about 230 people still live in thatched houses. The 31st edition runs 24–25 October 2026, 11:00–17:00, opening with the Nagan magistrate's arrival procession.

Performers in costume parading through the streets of Jeju City at the 63rd Tamna Culture Festival in 2024 Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionJeju CityFreeBy air from Seoul

Tamna Culture Festival

The Tamna Culture Festival is Jeju Island's main folk-culture festival, named after the island's ancient kingdom. The 65th edition runs 17–21 October 2026 at Jeju Citizens' Welfare Town Plaza in Jeju City, moved from the Tapdong seafront to sit beside the National Sports Festival.

Graves at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Busan, beside the festival's venue, in April 2023 Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionBusanFreeAbout 2 h 45 min from Seoul

UN Peace Festival

The UN Peace Festival (UN평화축제) is a free festival in Peace Park, beside the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, held each October around UN Day to remember the UN forces who fought in the Korean War. The 28th edition runs 23–25 October 2026 (Friday to Sunday), 10:30–21:00, under the slogan 열린 기억, 열린 미래 ("open memory, open future"), with a peace parade, six themed zones, world-culture booths, food and stage shows.

The red spirit gate and T-shaped shrine at the Yungneung and Geolleung royal tombs in Hwaseong in autumn Expected
Expected2027
Oct
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TraditionHwaseong

World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival

The World Heritage Joseon Royal Tombs Festival (세계유산 조선왕릉축전) is an annual autumn programme of performances, guided tours, exhibitions and hands-on activities at the UNESCO-listed Joseon royal tombs in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Yeongwol. The 7th edition runs 17–25 October 2026 at 12 royal tomb sites, after an opening ceremony on Friday 16 October at Yungneung and Geolleung in Hwaseong.

Ulsan Dongheon and Naea, one of the festival's venues Dates TBA
Dates TBA2027
Oct
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TraditionUlsan

Ulsan Jung-gu Heritage Night

Ulsan Jung-gu Heritage Night (울산 중구 국가유산야행) is a free three-evening heritage festival in the old town of Jung-gu, Ulsan, held at Ulsan Dongheon, the Joseon-era magistrate's office, with its inner quarters (Naea), and at the Gyeongsang Jwado Byeongyeongseong army-command fortress. The 2026 edition runs Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 17:00–22:00 each evening, with a magistrate's procession, performances, civil- and military-official experiences, night lighting and a stamp tour.