Fun Korean

Cheongsong Apple Festival

청송사과축제

Cheongsong's mountain valleys grow some of Korea's most prized apples, and this harvest festival celebrates them along Yongjeoncheon Stream near Hyeonbiam Cliff. Taste and buy fresh apples, join hands-on activities and catch the stage shows.

Juwangsan National Park, famous for its autumn colors, is close by.

Jeju Olle Walking Festival

제주올레걷기축제

Three days of walking the Jeju Olle trail along the island's northeast coast, about 11 to 13 km a day. Local music, village food stalls and small shows wait along the way. Walk one day or all three.

Day 1: Jocheon → Dongbok-ri. Day 2: Dongbok-ri → Jeju Batdam Theme Park. Day 3: the reverse route from the Haenyeo Anti-Japanese Movement Memorial Park.

Goesan Gimjang (Kimchi-Making) Festival

괴산김장축제

Gimjang is the Korean tradition of making a winter's worth of kimchi together. In Goesan you can do it all in one place with fresh local produce: make kimchi yourself and take it home.

Open 10:00–20:00. Entry is free; the kimchi-making experiences cost extra.

BeautySum Suwon (K-Beauty Expo)

뷰티썸 수원

A K-beauty trade show at the Suwon Convention Center that covers the whole industry: skincare, makeup, hair, nails, fragrance and derma products, plus ingredients, packaging and manufacturing. It's aimed mainly at the business side, but visitors can browse the newest products.

10:00–17:00. 10,000 won, or free with online pre-registration.

Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival

김해분청도자기축제

Buncheong is Korean stoneware with a white slip coating and a relaxed, everyday style. Gimhae's festival, around the Buncheong Ceramics Museum and Clayarch Gimhae Museum, shows and sells work by local potters, with hands-on pottery and a traditional kiln firing.

Gumi Ramyun Festival

구미라면축제

Gumi is home to Nongshim's ramyeon factory, and this downtown festival by Gumi Station is all about instant noodles. Buy ramyeon fresh off the production line, try creative ramyeon dishes and enjoy exhibitions, photo spots and live shows.

Yanggu Punchbowl Siraegi & Apple Festival

청춘양구 펀치볼 시래기사과축제

A harvest festival in Yanggu's Punchbowl, the bowl-shaped Haean valley, for its two specialties: apples and siraegi (dried radish greens). Taste local food, try apple and siraegi activities, visit farm-village booths and catch the concerts.

Free entry.

Tongyeong Fishermen's Market × Port Village

어부장터X포트빌리지 통영

A seaside food festival in Tongyeong. Booths cook with the city's famous seafood (oysters, eel, sea squirt, red sea bream) and local produce, with live cooking shows, menus made with chefs, street performances, crafts, a stamp tour and pop-up shops of local brands.

Free.

Busan Illustration Fair

부산일러스트레이션페어

About 600 booths of illustrators and creators at BEXCO in Haeundae: illustration, painting, picture books, indie publishing, character design, webtoons, calligraphy and more. A great place to buy prints, stickers and goods straight from the artists.

10:00–18:00 (until 17:00 on the last day). 11,000 won; children free.

Busan Fireworks Festival

부산불꽃축제

Busan's biggest night of the year. Fireworks light up the sea and Gwangan Bridge, timed to music, and you can also watch from Igidae and Dongbaekseom. Watching from the beach is free. Paid seats sell out early.

Huge crowds and road closures. Arrive by mid-afternoon and take the subway (Line 2).

Brotherly Love Festival (Uijoeun Hyeongje)

의좋은 형제 축제

A family festival in Daeheung, Yesan, built on the local folk tale of two loving brothers who cared for each other. Storytelling activities, traditional games, shows, a village tavern and a local food and produce market.

Free. The Yedangho Suspension Bridge and monorail are nearby.

Hwasun Unjusa Culture Festival

화순운주문화축제

Unjusa is the temple of a thousand Buddhas and a thousand pagodas, with stone statues and towers in every valley and a legendary reclining Buddha. The festival brings temple bell ringing, pungmul drumming, concerts, temple-food and woodcraft experiences, and wish-writing on roof tiles.

Free. Food stalls sell pajeon and fish cakes.

Sanbuk AI Gimjang Festival

산북AI김장문화축제

The 22nd Sanbuk Pumsil Festival is about gimjang, Korea's kimchi-making tradition (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013), made easy with new technology. Come empty-handed and make kimchi with salted cabbage and fillings from local farms. Kids can grind beans on a millstone and make injeolmi and kkakdugi.

Free entry. The kimchi-making experience needs booking and costs extra.

Goheung Yuja (Citron) Festival

고흥유자축제

Goheung is Korea's biggest yuja (citron) growing area, and this autumn festival takes place among its yuja orchards. Make your own yuja syrup, relax in a yuja spa, taste yuja dishes, pick yuja and walk the orchard trails. At night the orchards light up, with busking and a fire-art show.

Entry is free; some experiences cost extra.

Citywide Energy Walk Festival

온시민에너지걷기한마당

A free, non-competitive autumn walk through central Daejeon, held for the 2026 World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-9). Start at Expo Citizens' Plaza, walk past Hanbat Arboretum, scan four QR stamp missions on your phone for a finisher's reward, then try the energy quiz and eco activities.

Sun, Nov 15, 13:30–17:00. Bring a charged smartphone for the QR stamps.

Pohang International Fireworks Festival

포항국제불빛축제

Pohang, Korea's steel city, celebrates "fire and light" with a costume parade, drone light shows and a light-art walkway, ending with an international fireworks show over Yeongilman Bay. It began in 2004 for Pohang Citizens' Day and is free to attend.

The international fireworks show is planned for Saturday night, Nov 21. Expect big crowds around Yeongildae Beach.

Unconfirmed: Dates differ by source: KTO's English TourAPI lists Nov 19–21, the Korean VisitKorea festival page Nov 20–22. KTO's details are still from 2025.

Incheon International Design Fair (INDEF)

인천국제디자인페어

The 20th Incheon International Design Fair, hosted by Incheon City and run with Incheon's design associations. This year's theme, "Twenty; Meet Incheon", looks at the city through design.

The venue is the Incheon Culture & Arts Center (149 Yesul-ro, Namdong-gu), not Songdo.

Sunchang Korea Tteokbokki Festa

순창 떡볶이 페스타

Two days of tteokbokki in Sunchang, home of the Traditional Gochujang Folk Village. Eat tteokbokki from village and snack stalls, make tteokbokki sauce with a master, watch chef cooking shows and a university tteokbokki contest, and join street drawing, magic and bubble shows.

Saturday from 10:00 (with overnight camping), Sunday 10:00–17:00. Some programs need booking on the official site.

Seoul Design Festival

서울디자인페스티벌

The 25th Seoul Design Festival, a four-day design show at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul.

Tickets ₩15,000 on site (early-bird ₩12,000 until Nov 22). Nov 26–28 10:30–18:30, Nov 29 10:30–17:00; last entry one hour before closing. Entry by QR code.

Paju Jangdan Bean Festival

파주장단콩축제

The 30th festival for Paju's Jangdan beans (Jangdan-kong), held at Imjingak near the inter-Korean border. Farmers sell beans and other local produce, stalls make fresh tofu, rice cakes and fried snacks on the spot, and there are hands-on activities and street artists.

K-Rice Festa (Korean Rice & Traditional Liquor)

우리쌀 우리술 K-라이스페스타

Korean rice and traditional liquors from all over the country in one hall: taste and buy rice snacks, rice-based foods and traditional drinks. Tastings, makgeolli brewing, cocktail and drinking-table contests and kids' activities.

Free. Nov 27–28 10:00–18:00, Nov 29 10:00–17:00.

Jinyeon: Royal Banquet Gugak Show

국악공연 진연

A one-hour show of Korean traditional instruments in a small hanok-style theater in Insadong, inspired by the music of royal banquets. The players move from court and folk pieces to arrangements of modern and world music, and you sit close enough to see every string.

Shows at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00, none on public holidays. Tickets 65,000 won.

Jindo Saturday Gugak Show "I Love Gugak"

국립남도국악원 토요상설공연 '국악이 좋다'

Every Saturday the National Namdo Gugak Center on Jindo Island puts on a free show of southern Korean traditional music: instrumental pieces, folk songs and pansori. Jindo is the home of Ganggangsullae and many other folk arts, and each month has a theme. November's is the start of winter.

Free. A free shuttle runs from Jindo-eup before and after the show (about 70 minutes).

Anyang Public Art Project (APAP) Artwork Tour

APAP 작품투어 (안양공공예술프로젝트)

Since 2005 the Anyang Public Art Project has filled the city's parks and streets with outdoor artworks. Guided tours start at Anyang Pavilion in Anyang Art Park, at the foot of Gwanaksan, and also visit Pyeongchon's Central Park. A relaxed 60 to 90 minutes of art and greenery.

Tours Tue–Sun at 10:30 and 14:00 (closed Mondays). Adults 3,000 won, ages 19 and under 1,000 won.

Daejeon Saturday Gugak Show

대전시립연정국악단 토요국악

The Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center, opened in 1981, was the first gugak venue run by a Korean city. Its orchestra, singers and dancers give a themed show on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from court music to new gugak, in the small hall by Hanbat Arboretum.

November shows: Nov 14 and 28. About 60 minutes, ages 8 and up.

Ssokssokdeul-i Festival (National Theater of Korea)

국립극장 쏙쏙들이페스티벌

The National Theater of Korea's Stage Arts Support Center in Heyri Art Village runs free performances through the year in its small "Ssok" Experience Theater, with acts across popular genres for all ages. Free tickets are handed out at the information desk from noon on the day, first come, first served.

Shows usually 14:00–15:00. Tickets can run out early, so get there before noon.

K-Gugak Stage in Namwon

K-국악 스테이지

Namwon is the setting of Chunhyangjeon, Korea's best-loved classic love story, and a home of pansori. At Yewondang Theater the resident troupe performs scenes from pansori stories such as Chunhyangga and Heungbuga, plus salpuri dance and farmers' music, in about 70 minutes.

Ages 8 and up. Afterwards, see the gugak exhibition hall and walk to Chunhyang Theme Park.

ARI – The Spirit of Korea (Jeongseon Arirang Musical)

아리아라리

A musical built on Jeongseon Arirang, one of the best-known regional versions of Korea's Arirang folk song, mixing traditional melody with modern music and 3D holograms. A daughter sets out for Hanyang (old Seoul) to find her father, a Jeongseon carpenter who went to help build Gyeongbokgung Palace. It won an award at the Adelaide Fringe in 2023.

About 75 minutes, all ages. It runs with the Jeongseon Arirang Market, held on dates ending in 2 and 7.

Gombaengi Teotta: Namsadang Nori in Anseong

곰뱅이텄다

Namsadang Nori, the art of Korea's traveling folk troupes, is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. This weekend show in Anseong tells the story of Baudeogi, a 15-year-old girl who became the head of a Joseon-era troupe, in six acts: puppetry, pungmul drumming, plate spinning, ground acrobatics, tightrope walking and a mask play.

Weekends, about 90 minutes, all ages.

Raftman (Ttetkkun): A Jeongseon Arirang Stage Show

뗏꾼

A stage drama about the raftmen who floated timber from Jeongseon down the river to Seoul. Set in the Japanese colonial era, it follows a veteran raftman and a newcomer who secretly carry gold for the independence army, with Jeongseon Arirang, once the raftmen's work song, woven through the story.

About 75 minutes, all ages, at Arirang Hall in Jeongseon town.

Hongseong Namdang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival

홍성남당항 대하축제

Namdang Port on Cheonsu Bay is known for West Sea seafood, and every autumn it hosts Korea's biggest jumbo shrimp (daeha) festival. Eat shrimp grilled on a bed of salt at the harborside restaurants, then walk the port at sunset.

Gyeonggi Ceramics Biennale

경기도자비엔날레

Korea's big ceramics show spreads across three pottery towns southeast of Seoul: Cerapia in Icheon, Gonjiam Ceramic Park in Gwangju and Yeoju Dojasesang. Expect exhibitions of contemporary ceramics, talks and hands-on classes for all ages.

Last day Nov 1. Open 10:00–18:00; combination ticket 11,000 won for adults.

Han River Walk

한강수계 걷기행사

A free walking series along the Han River and its branches in three sessions: Jarasum Island in Gapyeong (Sep 19), the Hantangang River in Pocheon (Oct 10) and, in November, Hajungdo Island in Chuncheon (Nov 7). An easy walk in nature, with a finisher's medal and extra events on the day.

Nov 7, 08:30–13:30. Free.

Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge

달밤에체조 부산 챌린지

Busan's free autumn evening fitness series in its parks and by the water: group calisthenics, yoga, circuit training, Zumba and kids' exercise led by fitness instructors, plus sports shows, try-it booths such as archery and basketball, and fitness checks. Made for beginners and families.

Weekly until Nov 7. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

대한민국 국향대전

Every autumn since 2004, Hampyeong Expo Park in South Jeolla has been covered in chrysanthemums, from flower gardens to huge sculptures made of blooms. It's an easy, family-friendly day out with food stalls and stage programs.

Namsan Night Festival

남산 나이트 페스티벌

Autumn nights on Namsan in Seoul: a picnic with music and an outdoor movie at Baekbeom Square (Namsan Campnic), an evening walk among the autumn leaves on the Namsan trail, and a silent-disco party with the city lights by Palgakjeong near N Seoul Tower.

November dates: Campnic and the night walk Nov 6–7, the silent disco Nov 14 (17:30 and 19:30). Book ahead on the official site; you pay a small deposit (₩10,000 per team or ₩5,000 per person), refunded after you take part.

Suseong International Biennale

수성국제비엔날레

An architecture and landscape biennale that puts projects by Korean and international designers into Suseong-gu's parks, lakes and empty lots, centered on Sanghwa Park by Suseongmot Lake. Exhibitions, forums and hands-on programs show how design shapes everyday city life. Free.

Weekdays 12:00–21:00, weekends 10:00–21:00. The lakeside is lovely after dark.

Hongseong Global BBQ Festival

홍성글로벌바비큐페스티벌

Barbecue styles from Korea and around the world, made with Hongseong's own hanu beef and pork, around the old Hongjueupseong walled town. There are cooking demos by chefs, a drone show, busking and hands-on activities for families. Free entry.

Open 10:00–21:00; the last day is Nov 1.

Wolchulsan Chrysanthemum Festival

월출산 국화축제

About 200,000 chrysanthemums of 23 kinds fill Gichan Land at the foot of Wolchulsan, with flower sculptures, bonsai chrysanthemums, flower paths and a silver-grass photo zone. A relaxed autumn walk, with a Yeongam produce market.

Free.

Buyeo Chrysanthemum Festival

부여국화축제

The 23rd Buyeo Chrysanthemum Festival fills Seodong Park around Gungnamji, the old Baekje royal pond, with colorful chrysanthemum sculptures, performances and hands-on activities for all ages.

Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival

마산가고파국화축제

Masan is where Korea's commercial chrysanthemum growing began in 1961, and this festival, held since 2000, celebrates it by the sea. Chrysanthemum artworks and exhibitions fill the waterfront parks of Masan Marine New City.

International Ki Sports Festival

키스포츠페스티벌

A multi-sport event on Yeongdo island in Busan where elite athletes and everyday sports fans take part side by side. It has four parts: competitions, an expo, a conference and side events.

10:00–19:00 at P.ARK and the Busan Environmental Corporation (BECO) site. KTO lists the fee as 30,000 won.