Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제)
2025-01-03
Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-3000
Arirang is a globally renowned Korean folk song. The song is rooted in many different regions and thus has several versions of “Arirang” in Korea. “Jeongseon Arirang” is the source of all “Arirang,” and in recognition of its value, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. The Jeongseon Arirang Festival is held to preserve and develop the folk song. It starts off with the Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony, held in honor of the patriotic fidelity of chilhyeon, the seven sages in the last years of the Goryeo Dynasty who appear in the origin story of “Jeongseon Arirang.” The ceremony also prays for a successful festival and the well-being of the county’s people. The festival features 83 events, including the Arirang Parade and the National Arirang Singing Contest.
◎ Jeongseon Arirang
Before attending the Jeongseon Arirang Festival, it is recommended to listen to “Jeongseon Arirang.” Hearing its melodious highs and lows while viewing the winding mountain ridges surrounding Jeongseon will enhance your understanding and appreciation of “Jeongseon Arirang.”
◎ Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony
The Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony honors the patriotic loyalty of seven sages—Jeon O-ryun, Sin An, Kim Chung-han, Yi Su-saeng, Byeon Gwi-su, Kim Wi, and Go Cheon-u—who remained loyal to Goryeo Dynasty during its fall.
Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival (안성맞춤 남사당 바우덕이축제)
2025-01-02
198-2 Namsadang-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-678-2511
The Namsadang Nori Troupe, which was at the heart of popular culture during the Joseon Dynasty, can be likened to today’s touring musical theater companies. Anseong is the birthplace of the Namsadang, which expressed the joys and sorrows of the times through various forms of entertainment. The Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival inherits the tradition and culture of Namsadang and the artistic spirit of Baudeogi. It is designated as an official festival of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFFⓇ), an official partner of UNESCO since 2006. Namsadang Nori (Itinerant Troupe Performance) is held at the festival, along with other shows, including Pungmul Nori (Folk Music and Dance Performance) and foreign folk performances. Visitors can catch the tightrope show every day, which is performed on a rope three meters off the ground. Other attractions include the reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding and royal procession and the World Parade.
◎ Namsadang and Baudeogi
Namsadang was a performance troupe that went around singing, dancing, and performing various tricks. The troupe was initially composed of single men, but women also came to be members after the female performer and leader Baudeogi.
Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival (대구약령시한방문화축제)
2025-01-08
51-1 Namseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu
+82-53-253-4729
Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival, held in the 366-year-old Daegu Yangnyeongsi, offers a rich experience of traditional herbal medicine culture. Visitors can enjoy free consultations with herbal medicine doctors, herbal foot baths, and unique programs such as Joseon Gutpan: Herbal Club and Zombie Street.
Gwangalli Eobang Festival (광안리어방축제)
2025-01-03
219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
+82-51-610-4062
The Gwangalli Eobang Festival, held on the famous Gwangalli Beach, known for its fireworks and drone shows, aims to showcase Gwangalli‘s rich history beyond its popularity as a tourist destination. The festival is a manifestation of the history and cultural value of Jwasuyeong Eobang Nori (Fishing Village Festival of the Left Naval Headquarters), a national intangible cultural heritage of Korea. The festival provides attractions and activities of a fishing village that retains its tradition and elements of modernity. A street parade reenacts the procession of Gyeongsang Jwasusa, commander of the Busan naval forces during the Joseon Dynasty. Visitors can check out the musical Eobang, which is the main event of the festival, as well as more than 20 exhibitions and activities in the folk village. The village has recreated the old naval barracks and fishing villages, and actors dressed as jwasusa, sugun (navy soldier), and jumo (barmaid) go around the village to entertain visitors.
◎ Eobang
Following the establishment of Gyeongsang Jwasuyeong (naval forces) in the Suyeong regions during the Joseon Dynasty, the affiliation “Eobang” was formed between the naval forces and local fishermen. “Eobang” holds a similar meaning to the fishery cooperatives of today.
Cancelled: Daegaya Festival (대가야체험축제)
2022-05-09
1216, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-54-950-6424
Daegaya (AD 42-562) was a nation that inhabited the Korean Peninsula around the 4th Century. The nation was a sophisticated nation that even at this early age possessed extremely high standards of culture. They created the Gayageum (a twelve-stringed traditional Korean harp). Through the relics found in the area, the nation was thought to be a powerful force in the area (now Gyeongsangnam-do). This festival offers various interactive programs to experience the nation with relic exhibition, wooden boat-making and others. Also, tourists can experience the farming culture like harvesting strawberries from the nearby rural village.
Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival (영암왕인문화축제)
2025-01-07
440 Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-470-2347
The Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival is a local event held to honor the birth of the Baekje scholar Wangin and his achievements. The festival’s main event is the parade. With the dance troupe leading the procession, the Pungmul troupe and Yeongam-gun residents follow in the dance, playing musical instruments and waving flags. The parade takes you to historical sites where traces of the scholar remain. The festival reinterprets Wangin’s humanistic values through modern perspectives, featuring major content utilizing letters and typography. It also highlights the craftsmen (ceramics, tile, and Buddhist artisans) who, along with Wangin, influenced the Asuka culture in Japan. The festival is praised for showcasing the social, political, and economic changes in Japan initiated by Wangin’s visit to Japan, making it one of Korea’s prominent humanities festivals.
Ulsan Onggi Festival (울산옹기축제)
2025-01-06
36 Oegosan 3-gil, Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
+82-52-980-2233
Ulsan Onggi Festival is held annually in early May in Oegosan Onggi Village in Ulju-gun, renowned for its traditional onggi (earthenware)-making techniques. The festival promotes the regional specialty, onggi, contributing to the spread of everyday onggi and the development of traditional industries. The main event, “Touch of the Onggi Master,” features demonstrations by master onggi artisans from Oegosan. There are various hands-on activities for children, including stepping on clay, playing with clay, and making and firing onggi. Visitors can also learn about the uses of onggi in food storage and fermentation, and view onggi from around the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste local specialties and foods from Ulju.
◎ Onggi
Onggi is a type of bowl crafted from soil, using water, fire, and wind. This traditional pottery has been produced since the Three Kingdoms period and is well-suited for long-term food storage due to its excellent ventilation and preservative capabilities.
Jarasum Jazz Festival (자라섬재즈페스티벌)
2023-05-24
1-1, Daljeon-ri, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-31-581-2813~4
The Jarasum International Jazz Festival is held every October on the beautiful Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. During the festival, world-famous jazz artists come together to delight audiences with the smooth vibes of live jazz.
As a Green Life Honorary Ambassador, the festival is also passionate about environmental protection. In order to share the external growth with the community, the festival holds Gapyeong Band Contest, publishes Gapyeong Restaurant Guidebook, and produces Jazz Makgeolli and Jazz Wine made from the region’s produce.
Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치축제)
2025-01-10
111 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-3955
The Gwangju Kimchi Festival is Korea’s representative kimchi festival, offering a variety of kimchi products for purchase and the chance to taste various kimchi dishes. Highlights include the “Thousand People’s Table” featuring diverse kimchi cuisine, a competition to discover kimchi masters, and a kimchi experience school with a range of engaging programs.
Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (경북영주 풍기인삼축제)
2025-01-06
Seongnae-ri, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-635-0020
Ginseng is a well-known traditional Korean medicinal herb. The Punggi Ginseng Festival, held in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, famous for its high-quality ginseng, is a health-themed food festival centered around ginseng. The festival features health-related exhibits and offers opportunities to taste healthy ginseng dishes at the ginseng cooking exhibition. Visitors can also participate in Punggi ginseng-related interesting activities such as making Punggi ginseng wine and peeling ginseng in the traditional Korean way. The festival offers a variety of ginseng products, including fresh ginseng, original ginseng, red ginseng, and ginseng processed foods, which are all grown by local farmers in Yeongju and sold at reasonable prices. Additionally, the festival showcases local specialties and symbols such as ginseng and Yeongju apples through oil lantern displays along Namwoncheon Stream. With so many attractions, visitors are sure to have a great time at the festival.
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