The Top Summer Festivals to Hit In Korea

It’s summer in Korea! It’s finally here with the hot gusts of wind followed by the cool breezes sweeping down from the mountains and in from the shores. Sandals, t-shirts and clothing with very little there has suddenly been whipped out of closets. Here’s what to look forward to this summer in Korea from sunny beach fun to townie food based get-togethers. When it comes to summer festivals, there are a lot to enjoy in South Korea. Find one near or far and go have fun!

Geommeolle Beach (검멀레해변), Udo Island (우도), Jeju, Korea

Get ready for summer festivals in Korea:

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Summer in Korea: The Weather

Summer in Korea is hot hot hot and super humid. From June through August, expect high humidity. There can also be monsoon rains. Some years the monsoon rains last just a couple of weeks and some summers monsoon rains last the entire summer. If you’re planning on visiting Korea in the summer, cross your fingers for just a couple of weeks of rain.

In June, temperatures are usually around 25 – 27°C / 81°F during the day. In July, daily highs reach 29°C / 84°F. August is the hottest month of the summer and with the humidity can feel as hot as 36°C / 97°F or higher.

That said, the humidity and rain doesn’t stop people from traveling and enjoying the summer, so pack some flip flops that can get wet, an umbrella or parka, and don’t be afraid to get out and about.

Best Summer Festivals in Korea

Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung, Gangwondo, Korea

Gangneung Danoje Festival (강릉단오제)

This festival is for the culture seekers this summer. This celebration has been designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by UNESCO and during the festival visitors can partake in traditional games, eat traditional cuisine and watch traditional performances with masked dancers. To make the weekend even better, this festival takes place in the beach town of Gangneung so, learn about some traditional Korean culture and then hit the nearby beach for a great weekend getaway.

Where: 826-1 Noam-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원 강릉시 노암동 826-1)
Website: http://www.danojefestival.or.kr/

Toechon Tomato Festival (퇴촌 토마토축제)

Red ripe tomatoes are filling up markets and have gotten cheaper and cheaper as tomato season has come full swing. Toecheon is celebrating it’s 14th year of good ‘ole tomato fun. There’s nothing better than a townie get together to celebrate an agricultural crop complete with delicious Korean cuisine and a food fight, is there? Take some extra clothes because you’re going to get down and tomato-dirty at this fun festival.

Where: Gwangju-si Teochon-myeon Ori-gil 104-7 (경기도 광주시 퇴촌면 오리길 104-7)

Geochang Mountain Berry Juice & Watermelon Festival (고창 복분자와 수박축제)

Is there a food that truly encompasses the feeling of summer more than watermelon? And if you haven’t tried either the mountain berry juice or the mountain berry alcoholic beverage since coming to Korea, then you need to and this is surely the place to partake. From eating contests to hand fishing and more, this is definitely worth going to the country for to experience fun in the summer sun Korean style with fruit and delicious alcohol too. Geochang is a great town to check out. See what you can see and definitely eat eat eat.

Where: 158-4 Seonoonsa-ro, Asan-myeon, Geochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 고창군 아산면 선운사로 158-4)
Website: http://goboksoo.kr/

Boryeong Mud Festival (보령머드축제)

There’s not too much to say about this event that hasn’t been said before. Mud Mud Mud! This one of the most popular summer festivals in Korea.Though the fest started due to the professed benefits of slathering it all over your skin and soaking in the muddy goodness, now mud wrestling, sliding and slinging are what it’s all about. Here’s the best reason to get down and dirty this summer and do it on a beach where it’s easy to wash off too.

Where: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do (대천해수욕장 머드광장)
Website: https://www.mudfestival.or.kr/

Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival (부여서동연꽃축제)

If you’d like to enjoy some of the natural beauty of the lotus flower, the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival will be taking place in July. This festival seeks to preserve the wild flowers and highlight the importance of that preservation. Making paper lotus flowers and lotus flower soap are popular events if you need something more than just the beauty of the flowers themselves. Fireworks, a night parade, cultural ceremonies and performances also add to the fun at this festival. If you missed the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul, this might just be the next best thing.

Where: 181 Dongnam-ri, Buyeo-eup, Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do (충남 부여군 부여읍 동남리 181)

Sunflowers at Nanji Stream Park, Seoul, Korea

Taebaek Sunflower Festival (태백 해바라기축제)

Tall sunflowers weighing down their stalks as they look up to soak in the sunshine are a summer scene no one can complain about. The yellow petals will brighten anyone’s day. Taebaek has the largest sunflower field in Korea with 5 kilometers of the bloomers. Korean and international artists exhibit works along with a petting zoo, concerts, campfires and even nature films and documentaries will keep visitors busy along with hikes into the nearby forests.

Where: 38-20 Guwaoo-gil, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 태백시 구와우길 38-20 구와우마을)
Website: http://www.sunflowerfestival.co.kr/

Seoul Fireworks Festival, Yeouido, Seoul, Korea

Pohang International Fireworks Festival (포항국제불빛축제)

Fireworks fireworks are so fun! No summer would be complete without a fireworks display and Pohang, “The City of Light & Fire”, hosts a fireworks competition on its Yeongildae Beach. From lights in the sky to parades, street performances and more, not to mention the beautiful beach it’s all situated around, is reason enough to head to Pohang this summer. See the sights and enjoy the view

Where: 115-1 Haedo-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 포항시 남구 해도동 95)
Website: https://festival.phcf.or.kr/fireWorks/subMain.do

Huinnyeoul Culture Village (희여울문화마을), Yeongdo-gu, Busan, Korea

Busan Beach Festival (부산 바다축제)

The 21st Busan Sea Festival will take over the port city down south the first week of August. Busan beckons visitors each summer in August the fun and events are in full swing. The beaches are welcoming city dwellers to the shores with sand and sea and more. This festival actually encompasses the Busan International Rock Festival, the Busan International Dane Festival, the Korean Sea Literature Festival and about 30 other small festivals that happen all at once. There’s literally something for everyone with art, sports, music, performances and more. And if that’s not enough, there is plenty to see in Busan; here are the top spots I recommend visiting while you’re down south.

Where: Haeundae Beach, Gwanganli, Songdo, Songjeong, Dadaepo Beach (해운대·광안리·송도·송정·다대포해수욕장 등)

Chuncheon Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival (춘천막국수닭갈비축제)

Chuncheon, a city easily accessible from Seoul via subway and bus, is famous for a delicious stir-fried chicken and cabbage meal. From gorgeous views and little temples tucked away in mountains, the little city to the east offers a lot to see and do and this festival invites everyone to come over for a bite to eat and some fun along the way. This is a great reason to hop on the fast train and see what you can see. You can also stop by the very popular Nami Island on the way out or back.

Where: Gangwon-do Chuncheon-si Jungang-ro 68 (강원도 춘천시 중앙로68번길 37)
Website: http://www.mdfestival.com/

Chateau Miso Winery, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea

Yeongdong Grape Festival (영동 포도축제)

Summer wouldn’t be the same without heading into the bushes of berries or in this case grapes, to pick them and eat them under the shade of nearby trees. The Yeongdong Grape Festival goes above and beyond that though. Not only can you pick your own grapes from the vineyard, you can eat the different grapey foodie goodness, drink the wine the grapes are made into, enjoy chocolate dipped grapes and more. There’s plenty to enjoy at this festival that comes just in time at the end of the summer.

Where: 117 Yeongdong Healing-ro, Yeongdong-eub, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충북 영동군 영동읍 영동힐링로 117)
Website: https://www.ydgrape.co.kr/

Muju Firefly Festival (무주 반딧불축제)

To say goodbye to summer and hello autumn, head to Muju to end the summer with the lightning bugs you chased as a child. In 2014, more than 72 million people made it to this festival and it has become the second most popular fest in the country. Other than the lightning bugs, expect to enjoy traditional performances, music performances, sporting events and more among the natural settings that the fireflies prosper in at the 20th Muju Firefly Festival.

Where: 326-14 Hanpoongru-ro, Muju-eub, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전북 무주군 무주읍 한풍루로 326-14)
Website: http://www.firefly.or.kr/

Get out and about this summer! There’s fun to be had from the coast to the mountains and every where in between!

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The Top Summer Festivals to Hit In Korea

Summer in Korea: The Weather