Traditional Festivals in South Korea You Shouldn't Miss

If you plan to travel to the land of kimchi, you definitely shouldn't miss South Korea's incredibly vibrant and unique traditional festivals. These festivals offer not only entertainment and fun but also a chance to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture. Let's explore these traditional South Korean festivals with Vietjet!

South Korea is known for its rich traditional festivals deeply rooted in its culture.

1. Hwaseong Suwon Cultural Festival

Every year on Suwon Citizens' Day in October, the Hwaseong Suwon Cultural Festival takes place in the city of Suwon, located in Gyeonggi Province. This festival attracts numerous tourists from around the world and is centered around the UNESCO-recognized Hwaseong Fortress, which received World Cultural Heritage status in 1997.

At this Korean festival, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of traditional events such as the Jangyongyeong Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, a reenactment of the royal procession of King Jeongjo, and citizen parades featuring traditional performances. Moreover, you can savor traditional Korean dishes and those from various other countries.

2. Seoul International Fireworks Festival

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is held on October 5th every year in the capital city, Seoul. Before the fireworks display begins, you can enjoy various performances and traditional Korean programs. In the evening, you'll be treated to a spectacular fireworks show performed by professional fireworks teams from South Korea and other countries like Canada, France, and Japan.

The Seoul Fireworks Festival offers mesmerizing fireworks displays.

3. Lotus Lantern Festival

Held annually on April 8th according to the lunar calendar, the Lotus Lantern Festival is a South Korean festival celebrated in the capital city of Seoul to commemorate the birth of Buddha. Several weeks prior to the festival, streets across Seoul are adorned with lotus-shaped lanterns in preparation for the event.

During the official festival, the largest lantern (Jangeumdang) is lit at Seoul's commercial center. Jangeumdang lantern is a symbol of Buddhism and the birth of Buddha according to Korean beliefs. The festival includes various Buddhist-related activities and concludes with an impressive lantern parade in the heart of Seoul.

4. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival takes place from January 4th to January 26th in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, South Korea. After a freezing winter, the local river freezes over, providing an opportunity for visitors to try ice fishing, catch fish, play ice soccer, go sledding, and make snow sculptures.

Additionally, this South Korean festival features giant snow sculptures created over 20 weeks. When attending the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, you can also enjoy dishes such as salmon salad and grilled salmon, which showcase the region's unique culinary flavors.

You can participate in the South Korean festival in January to try ice fishing in Hwacheon County.

5. Cherry Blossom Festival

The early springtime in South Korea is when the weather gradually warms up, creating the perfect conditions for cherry blossoms to bloom in profusion. Therefore, every April, you can visit Jeju Island to participate in the stunning Cherry Blossom Festival in South Korea.

The Cherry Blossom Festival attracts a large number of tourists to the sports complex and the city center of Seogwipo on Jeju Island. This area is known for its abundant cherry blossom trees with some of the largest and most beautiful cherry blossoms. Here, you can also listen to soothing music as you stroll amidst the cherry blossoms – an experience you shouldn't miss when traveling to South Korea.

6. Taebaeksan Snow Festival

If you have the opportunity to travel to South Korea, don't miss the Taebaeksan Snow Festival, which takes place from January 17th to January 26th each year. In Danggol Square within Taebaeksan Park in Gangwon Province, you'll have the chance to admire snow sculptures and various winter-themed artworks that are truly impressive.

Additionally, at the South Korean Taebaeksan Snow Festival, you can participate in activities such as snow sculpting, sledding with dog sleds, foot baths with the assistance of fish, and more. These programs have attracted tourists and made the Taebaeksan Snow Festival lively and filled with laughter.

7. Haeundae Sand Festival

The Sand Festival takes place from June 6th to June 9th every year at Haeundae Beach in the city of Busan. When attending the Haeundae Sand Festival, you'll have a unique experience with hot sand baths, which are beneficial for your beauty and health. Moreover, the festival organizes exciting activities such as marathons, beach volleyball tournaments, and a display of various sand sculptures from around the world.

In the evening, you can witness a beautiful fireworks display in the sky over Haeundae Beach, accompanied by impressive music. While in Haeundae, you can also visit other tourist attractions such as Jagalchi Fish Market, Taejongdae, Gwangalli Beach, or dine at any seaside restaurant to enjoy the famous sushi of Busan.

8. Boryeong Mud Festival

One of the activities that attract tourists to South Korea is the Boryeong Mud Festival, which takes place from July 18th to July 27th at Daecheon Beach in Chungcheongnam Province. The special feature of this South Korean festival is the opportunity to fully engage in mud-related activities like sliding, wrestling, or swimming in mud pools.

If you prefer outdoor activities, you can participate in mud training sessions on the beach. Alternatively, you can choose to relax with mud massages. Moreover, you'll immerse yourself in music and enjoy spectacular fireworks displays in the evening when joining the Boryeong Mud Festival.

To participate in the South Korean festival, you can visit Daecheon Beach at the end of July for a mud bath.

9. Jeju Fire Festival

The Jeju Fire Festival takes place in the winter in South Korea, from March 7th to March 9th each year on Jeju Island, with the aim of wishing for good health and a bountiful harvest. Before the festival, locals burn dried grass in the fields to turn them into ashes to eliminate pests. When this South Korean festival officially begins, you can participate in folk games and traditional activities full of excitement on Jeju Island.

10. Gwangju Kimchi Festival

If you're a fan of Korean cuisine, you won't be surprised by the Kimchi Festival held in Gwangju every November to celebrate the traditional dish. To participate in this festival, you can visit Gwangju to experience activities such as making kimchi, tasting Korean cuisine, or engaging in fun local traditional games.

You'll get to enjoy traditional Korean dishes when you participate in the Gwangju Kimchi Festival.

>> Read more: Delight in renowned dishes, a must-try when visiting South Korea.

Here is a summary of prominent festivals in South Korea:

 

Today, immerse yourself in Korean festivals by booking a flight ticket and coming here. The good news is that Vietjet currently offers a variety of flights from Vietnam to South Korea at incredibly attractive prices. Visit https://www.vietjetair.com/vi/ve-may-bay/ve-may-bay-di-southkorea/ to explore the details of the flights today.

Moreover, every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, you also have the chance to hunt for international flight tickets for 0 Vietnamese Dong. Stay updated with Vietjet's latest promotions at: 

• Fanpge: https://www.facebook.com/vietjetvietnam 

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/VietjetOfficial 

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vietjetvietnam 

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vietjet 

• Zalo: https://oa.zalo.me/vietjet