Korea Places to Visit

Jamunbak Cultural Festival (자문밖문화축제)

5 Pyeongchang 31-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Jamunbak Festival is a celebration of the artistic life of Seoulites. At the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, the festival features exhibitions, performances, forums, workshops, and field trips that bring together artists of different generations and citizens of Seoul—who have long led Korea’s artistic culture—to reflect on and propose new directions for their own artistic lives. The festival aims to create a platform where emerging artists experimenting with new aesthetics, mid-career artists who form the backbone of Korean art, collectors, critics, students, and the general public can all engage in dialogue together.

Jeju Canola Flower Festival (서귀포유채꽃축제)

381-17 Noksan-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

The Jeju Canola Flower Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Jeju, bringing news of spring arrival with fields upon fields of bright yellow flowers. Large numbers of visitors come to the festival every year to take in this beauty. In addition to enjoying the vibrant landscape, visitors can participate in a variety of festival events that showcase the unique spirit of Jeju Island.

Jeju Food and Wine Festival (제주푸드앤와인페스티벌)

38 Sinhwayeoksa-ro 304beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

The Jeju Food & Wine Festival (JFWF), Jeju’s premier gastronomic festival, is a cultural event that showcases the value of Jeju’s local ingredients and culinary heritage to both domestic and international audiences through dishes crafted from the island’s pristine produce. The festival presents a diverse program of culinary experiences, including Gala Dinners featuring multi-course fine dining by renowned chefs, and Gourmet Week, which highlights collaborations with chefs, celebrities, and brands at leading local establishments. Signature ingredients of Jeju, such as its famed pork, are showcased through curated dining events led by top restaurants and guest chefs. Visitors can also take part in interactive cooking classes, dessert and café showcases, and other programs that allow one to fully experience Jeju's gastronomic culture.

Jeju International Tourism Marathon Festival (제주국제관광마라톤축제)

209 Gimnyeong-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

The Jeju International Tourism Marathon Festival, which began in 1995, is the first citizen-participation marathon in Korea that allows the general public to participate. It is a sports festival that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, families, and couples, featuring a marathon course along the beautiful coastline of Jeju.

Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해맞이 축제)

Jeongdongjin2-ri, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do

Many people come to celebrate a fresh start at the Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival on the eve of one year and the first day of the New Year at Sandglass Park. The sandglass at the park has a diameter of 8.06 meters, a x_width of 3.2 meters, a weight of 40 tons, and holds 8 tons of sand, making it one of the biggest sandglasses in the world. It takes a whole year for sand to trickle to the bottom and then the sandglass restarts again on New Year’s Day each year at midnight. Festival events include a fireworks display, the turning of the sandglass to start another year, and performances by various artists.

Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival (정남진 장흥 물축제)

83, Chilgeoriyeyang-ro, Jangheung-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do

The Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival is one of Korea’s leading summer festivals. It has been named an Honorary Culture and Tourism Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and selected as a Preliminary Global Festival. Set against the clean waters of the Tamjingang River and Jangheung Dam, the festival is packed with water-themed programs and continues to strengthen its presence on the global stage. Its signature event, the Salsu Battle Street Parade, turns the city streets into a giant splash zone where anyone can join in the fun. Other highlights include the World’s Largest Water Fight, Catch the Golden Fish, and a range of action-packed water activities. During the day, visitors can cool off with lively water games and activities. After sunset, the energy continues with K-pop concerts, Jangheung Water Beat, and other spectacular night performances. Programs such as the Papillon ZIP experience and Jangheung Camping Stay also invite visitors to enjoy the area’s nature, food, and local attractions. Open to visitors of all ages and backgrounds, the festival is a refreshing summer getaway where everyone can escape the everyday and dive into the fun.

Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제)

Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

Arirang is a globally renowned Korean folk song. The song is rooted in many different regions and thus Korea has several versions of “Arirang.” “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 loyalists 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 ArirangBefore 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.

Jeonju Bibimbap Festival (전주비빔밥축제)

1055 Girin-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

The Jeonju Bibimbap Festival celebrates the taste and charm of one of Korea's representative foods in the city of it's origin, Jeonju. The city has been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy, and the festival promotes this branding. Visitors to the festival can enjoy a variety of immersive programs, including hadns-on activities and performances centered on Jeonju bibimbap.

Jeonju Gamaek Festival (전주 가맥축제)

303 Cheonjam-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

The nation's only festival where one can taste Hite beer fresh out of the factory on the same day. Jeonju Gamaek Festival is a festival where the locals' favorite drinking bars and the Korean beer brand Hite collaborate to beat the summer heat and make an unforgettable evening with fresh, cold beer.

Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performance Parade (한옥마을전통연희 퍼레이드-노상놀이야)

44 Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

The Jeonju Hanok Village Traditional Performance Parade is packed with various street performances, allowing visitors to experience Jeonju's folk culture on the streets. During the parade, visitors can witness Jeonju gijeopnori, a representative traditional performance of Jeonju; madangnori, a traditional performance featuring dance, music, and storytelling through various forms, or sing along to folk labor songs.

Jeonju International Film Festival (전주국제영화제)

22 Jeonjugaeksa 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

Jeonju International Film Festival features an exciting combination of fun and films for people to enjoy.

Jeonju International Short Film Festival (제8회 전주국제단편영화제)

72 Jeonjugaeksa 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

The Jeonju International Short Film Festival highlights the potential and experimental spirit of short films while exploring new possibilities of cinema through them. Throughout the festival, both Korean and international short films are screened, including award-winning works from competitions, along with an opening ceremony and performances, also offering opportunities to interact with audiences.

Jeonju International Sori Festival (전주세계소리축제)

31 Sori-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do

Jeonju International Sori Festival offers visitors a chance to enjoy various traditional Korean music as well as music from around the world. Held every year in Jeonju since 2000, music flows throughout the festival period.

Jinan Red Ginseng Festival (진안홍삼축제)

160 Maisan-ro, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Jinan-gun, known as Korea’s exclusive red ginseng special zone, is a plateau that lies at an average of more than 300m above sea level, producing high-quality red ginseng with a strong aroma and firm texture. The Jinan Red Ginseng Festival presents interesting programs based on the theme of red ginseng grown in the county, including the Fishing King, Plogging King, Healing King, and Treasure Hunt King. Additional activities include magic shows, bubble shows, balloon performances for children, and making red ginseng products such as red ginseng rice cake and red ginseng liquor.◎ Ginseng vs. Red GinsengGinseng is a well-known Korean traditional medicinal herb. When ginseng is steamed and dried nine times, it turns into red ginseng, which has a reddish color. This process enhances the preservation and increases the active components, making red ginseng beneficial for anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Its unique sweet-bitter flavor contributes to its popularity as a health food.

Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival (진도신비의바닷길 축제)

74 Sinbiuibadat-gil, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do

Jindo Island holds the Miracle Sea Road Festival in time for the path’s emergence from the sea. During the hour in which the path remains above sea level, visitors can walk across the middle of the sea and collect seafood such as abalone and octopus using their bare hands. The festival also showcases intangible cultural heritage performances and activities, including Jindo Arirang, Ganggangsullae (Circle Dance), Namdo Deullorae (Farmers’ Song of Jeollanam-do), and Jindo Ssitgimgut (Purification Ritual of Jindo). People from all over the world gather in the global zone for a global music trip, a global Ssireum (Traditional Korean Wrestling) competition, and an EDM night show. ◎ Jindo Sea RoadEvery year, the sea road appears during low tide and lasts for an hour a day but only for a few days. The path that stretches about 2km out to sea is referred to as Korea’s Miracle of Moses.

Jindo National Gugak Center’s Saturday Show ‘I Love Gugak’(국립남도국악원 토요 상설 공연 ‘국악이 좋다’)

전라남도 진도군 임회면 진도대로 3818 Jindo National Gugak Center Jinakdang