June Festivals
In June, as spring comes to an end but summer has not yet kicked into full swing, towns throughout Korea are celebrating the season with festivals. A visit to one of the nation’s festivals is the perfect chance to get outside and enjoy the scenery, experience the culture of Korea, and meet the locals. Before the weather gets too warm, take a trip to the beach festival, flower festival, firefly festival, or any other of the exciting festival’s happening in Korea this month!
Haeundae Sand Festival
When: June 03, 2011 - June 06, 2011
Where: Haeundae White Sand Beach, Busan
Description: An eco-friendly celebration running under the theme of ‘Sand,’ the festival features beach-related events like sand walking paths, a Ssireum (씨름, Korean wrestling) competition, beach soccer, and beach volleyball. Hands-on experience programs are available including a ‘sandboard festival’ and making sandcastles. On the seashore, take pictures of the large sand sculptures created by the winners of the World Sand Sculpture Competition.
Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival
When: June 04, 2011 - June 06, 2011
Where: Chungcheongnam-do Seocheon-gun Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Museum area
Description: Hansan Mosi (한산모시, Ramie Fabric) is one of the world’s oldest fabric crops. On display at this unique festival are hundreds of beautiful clothes made from this humble plant. Skilled artisans guide visitors in the processing of the famed Hansan Ramie, demonstrating all the parts of the process: from how the plant is grown to how it’s spun into thread and used to make clothing.
Muju Firefly Festival
When: June 03, 2011 - June 11, 2011
Where: Jeollabuk-do Muju-gun region
(Hanpungnu Park, Namdaecheon Stream, Banditbul Stadium, Bandiland)
Description: The Namdaecheon Stream in the Muju region is a very special part of Korea; it’s a clean environment that provides the perfect habitat for fireflies. Visitors to the Firefly Festival are greeted by an unforgettable sight: tens of thousands of fireflies lighting up the warm summer night.
Gangneung Danoje Festival
When: June 02, 2011 - June 09, 2011
Where: Gangwon-do Gangneung-si Danojang
Description: The Gangneung Danoje Festival is an international celebration that has been designated as an ‘Intangible Cultural Asset’ by UNESCO. During the festival, visitors may enjoy traditional folk games played on Dano (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month) while sampling traditional Dano cuisine. Two of the main festival events are the cultural performances: ‘Danogut,’ a ritual performed to ask spirits for the good health and happiness of people; and the ‘Gwanno’ masked dance, a traditional masked dance where the ‘nobles’ and ‘commoners’ of society mingle together, their identities hidden by their masks.
July Festivals
July has a variety of refreshing, exciting festivals that will help you beat the summer heat. There’s no need to stay indoors this summer when you can visit a film festival and watch movies under the stars, roll around in the mud at the famous Boryeong Mud Festival, or enjoy a massive taekwondo demonstration. Keep reading to learn more about this month’s exciting events!
World Taekwondo Culture Expo
When: July 08, 2011 - July 13, 2011
Where: Jeollabuk-do Muju-gun Area (Muju Banditbul Stadium and Muju Resort)
Description: The World Taekwondo Expo, a representative Taekwondo festival, takes place in Muju and Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province. In addition to taekwondo competitions (Pumsae-movement, Gyeorugi-sparring, and Taekwondo aerobics) there will be various side programs including Taekwondo performances, cultural activities, and sightseeing tours of Muju, Buan and Jeonju.
Boryeong Mud Festival
When: July 16, 2011 - July 24, 2011
Where: Chungcheongnam-do Boryeong-si Daecheon Beach
Description: At the Boryeong Mud Festival (one of Korea’s most famous festivals) visitors slather themselves with mud for fun and to soak in the mud’s many nutrients. This zany, action-packed festival offers mud wrestling, mud slides, and a giant mud bath. To take a break from the festival mayhem, head on over to the mud massage zone for a little R&R.
Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival
When: July 21, 2011 – July 24, 2011
Where: Chungcheongnam-do Buyeo-gun Buyeo-eup Gungnamji Pond (Seodong Park)
Description: One of the major draws of this festival is the Gungnamji artificial pond, which dates back to the Baekje Period (19 BC – 600 AD). During the festival period, the surface of the pond is covered with more than 50 different kinds of beautiful lotus flowers all in full bloom. Events on the festival program include a Korean traditional music concert, a performance entitled ‘Love story in Gungnamji,’ and a lotus flower drawing program.
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
When: July 14, 2011 - July 24, 2011
Where: Gyeonggi-do Bucheon-si Wonmi-gu Boksalgol Cultural Center, Citizens’ Hall and City Hall
Description: Movies are shown throughout the entire festival and audiences can attend discussions with film directors. This unique film festival screens movies from all over the world, including horror, mystery, thrillers, and sci-fi.
Gangjin Celadon Festival
When: July 30, 2011 - August 07, 2011
Where: Jeollanam-do Gangjin-gun Daegu-myeon Pottery Kiln Site of Goryeo Cheongja
Description: The festival is held at Gangjin, the largest production site of celadon in Korea from the 8th to the 14th century. Visitors can not only gain a deeper appreciation of Korean celadon’s impact on the global art community, but also have a chance to make their own pottery.
August Festivals
There’s no better way to cool off in the hot hot heat then by heading seaside! This month’s schedule has something for everyone; thrill-seekers can head to the Busan Sea Festival to try their hand at water sports and history buffs can check out the Great Battle of Hansan Festival to watch a reenactment of Korea’s greatest naval victory. If the heat is really getting to you, then escape into the cool of the air-conditioned cinemas and enjoy films and music at the festival in Jecheon. Keep reading to learn more about some of our favorite summer shindigs.
Busan Sea Festival
When: August 01, 2011 - August 09, 2011
Where: Busan-si Haeundae-gu Haeundae Beach, other 6 Beaches and Yacht Stadium
Description: The Busan Sea Festival is a huge event that combines several other events and festivals, such as a rock music festival, a beach dance festival, and a number of water sports. Having trouble deciding which thing to try first? Take some time to relax and sunbathe on the beach while you make up your mind.
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
When: August 05, 2011 – August 07, 2011
Where: Incheon-si Seo-gu Haekseok-dong Dream Park
Description: Over 60 bands will be playing at this major outdoor rock festival, including several famous international groups. Past guests have included Travis, Muse, Feeder, and Gossip (formerly, The Gossip). Hot summer nights and rocking beats make for a great music festival. The festival is held in Incheon city, meaning that there are a variety of cultural activity programs and city tours readily available.
The Great Battle of Hansan Festival
When: August 10, 2011 - August 14, 2011
Where: Gyeongsangnam-do Tongyeong-si Yi Sun-Sin Park and Culture Place
Description: In 1592, the great Admiral Lee Sun Shin led Korea to victory at the naval battle of Hansan. This is one of the proudest moments in Korean history and is celebrated every year at this festival. Events on the festival’s program include a reenactment of the battle, a parade, and many hands-on activities.
Jecheon International Music & Film Festival
When: August 11, 2011 - August 16, 2011
Where: Chungcheongbuk-do Jecheon-si Jecheon Media Center and Multiplex Theater TTC Cinema
Description: Visitors to this festival can enjoy various genres of movies such as music videos, fiction films, and documentaries, as well as enjoy concerts by well-known musicians from Korea and abroad.
