Summer is a time for fun vacations and outings with family and friends. Wherever one’s destination in Korea may be, check out some of these fascinating summer festivals to help you forget the scorching heat.

July

Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

Period: July 9-16, 2020

Venues: Bucheon Gymnasium, Bucheon City Hall, Fantastic Cube, Korea Comics Museum, CGV Bucheon (5 theaters), CGV Sopung (5 theaters) / Special showings: Bucheon City Hall Square, Bucheon Art Bunker B39

(부천체육관, 부천시청 어울마당, 판타스틱큐브, 한국만화박물관, CGV부천 (5개관), CGV소풍 (5개관) / 부천시청 잔디광장, 부천아트벙커B39)



Bucheon International Film Festival screens independent movies from all over the world, and offers a chance to engage in free-style conversations with directors. The festival showcases movies from a variety of genres, including horror, mystery, thriller, and sci-fi.

Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival

Period: Canceled for 2020

Venue: Area of Seodong Park and Gungnamji Pond in Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

(충청남도 부여군 서동공원과 궁남지)



The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is held at Gungnamji, the first man-made pond in the nation. Visitors can view many lotus flower varieties, including red and white lotuses as well as water lilies. At night, the pond is illuminated with LED lights and sculptures. The most popular event at the festival is the performance showcasing the love story between Prince Seodong (King Muwang’s childhood name) and Princess Seonhwa. Other programs include trying foods made with lotus and taking part in a lotus leaf tea ceremony demonstration.

Boryeong Mud Festival

Period: July 17-26, 2020 (Operating as online event)

Venues: Daecheon Beach Mud Square & Citizen’s Tower Plaza in Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do

(충청남도 보령시 대천해수욕장 머드 광장 및 시민탑 광장)



At the Boryeong Mud Festival, visitors jump into a huge pool of mud for more than just fun, as Boryeong mud is well-known for its excellent quality and efficacy. This fun, action-packed festival is popular among local and international visitors because it offers various programs such as the mud massage pack, colored-mud body painting, and mud soap-making.

Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival

Period: August 1-9, 2020

Venues: Areas of Naeseongcheon Stream & Sports Park in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

(경상북도 봉화군 봉화읍 체육공원, 내성천)



Bonghwa Sweetfish Festival is held in the pure waters of Naeseongcheon Stream in Bonghwa-gun. The festival focuses on sweetfish, small freshwater fish that have a light watermelon scent. The main programs are catching sweet fish with a net or with just one’s bare hands, and sweetfish-related exhibits.

August

Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival

Period: Canceled for 2020

Venues: Areas of Tamjingang River and Cypress Forest Woodland in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do

(장흥군 전라남도 탐진강, 편백숲 우드랜드)



The Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival has its foundations in the waters of the Tamjingang River and Jangheung Multipurpose Dam in Jangheung. The festival teaches the value of water for the environment, humans, and energy in many ways through exhibits, films, and hands-on programs. Exciting summer water programs such as riding in wooden boats, on rafts, or water cycling are popular among visitors.

Busan Sea Festival

Period: Canceled for 2020

Venues: Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Busan Songdo Beach, Songjeong Beach and Dadaepo Beach in Busan (부산광역시 해운대해수욕장, 광안리해수욕장, 송도해수욕장, 송정해수욕장, 다대포해수욕장)



The Busan Sea Festival is a huge event that combines several events and festivals, such as a rock music festival, a beach dance festival, and a number of water sports. Concerts on the beach are a highlight of the festival, along with the night pool party, water carnival, and Gwangalli dance party.

Related content

* Busan City Tour

Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

Period: August 13-18, 2020 (Operating as online event)

Venues: Areas of Megabox, Cheongpunghoban Lakeside Stage, Cultural Hall, and Uirimji Reservoir in Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 제천시 메가박스, 청풍호반무대, 문화회관, 의림지)



The Jecheon International Music & Film Festival showcases movies, documentaries, and animated films, focusing on the music used in the film industry. In addition to over 100 films showing during the festival period, musicians will also perform in locations all throughout the city.

Tongyeong Great Battle of Hansan Festival

Period: August 14, 2020 (Memorial ceremony only)

Venues: Areas of Donam Tourist Resort & downtown Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

(경상남도 통영시 도남관광단지 및 통영시일원)



The Tongyeong Great Battle of Hansan Festival is held to commemorate the patriotism of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), who led his people to victory during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The festival features a parade for Yi Sun-sin and a recreation of the Great Battle of Hansan, as well as ocean sports and hands-on experiences such as making models of geobukseon (iron-clad turtle ship built by Admiral Yi during the Imjin War) and arrows.

More Info 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)

* Festival dates and schedules are subject to change.



* This column was last updated in July 2020, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.