The Ultimate Guide To Summer Festivals in Korea (2024)

Every season in Korea brings the best of the Land of The Morning Calm. Summer is festival season and there are so many summer festivals in Korea to go to!

If you find yourself in Korea during summer vacation, you’re definitely in for a treat! The summer months are a great time to get outside and especially go to water festivals to keep cool.

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Summer Festivals in Korea

Cherry blossoms or the Lotus Lantern Festival (which takes place during the Lunar Calendar) aren’t the only allure to The Land of the Morning Calm. I’m not a hot weather person, but you best believe I’ll be outside for a special event like summer festivals in Korea.

While the Hangang Parks may be full of screaming children, I highly encourage you to visit these festivals as many are 19 and over.

1. Seoul Jazz Festival

When: May 31, 2024 – June 2, 2024

This fun festival is one of the first to kick off summer festivals in Korea. The Seoul Jazz Festival features famous jazz artists from all around the world to perform and enjoy jazz music with crowd. It will take place at Olympic Park.

2. Pohang Space Walk and International Fireworks Festival

When: June 1, 2024

At the Pohang International Fireworks Festival, you can have a unique experience on a walkable roller coaster and then see the fireworks. Summer in Korea is all about fireworks festivals so you definitely don’t want to miss out on this!

3. Seoul Pride Festival

When: June 1, 2024

Among the annual festivals in Korea, this has always been my favorite and when I lived in Korea, I attended every year… After all, love is love ya’ll! The Seoul Queer Culture Festival and Pride Parade is back for its 25th year. Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride Month is where where allies and the community come to celebrate diversity and acceptance. This is one of my favorite Korea summer festivals because of all the different events. They even have live music performances and dances.

4. Ultra Music Festival Korea

When: June 7, 2024 – June 9, 2024

Ultra Music Festival is one the best places if you love EDM music. Be transported to a magical world of wonder! The main attraction for Ultra Korea this year will be Swedish House Mafia, DeadMau5, and Afrojack.

5. Busan One Asia Festival

When: June 8, 2024

The Busan One Asia Festival takes place in Busan which is one of my favorite coastal cities in Korea. Die hard K-pop music lovers definitely don’t want to miss out on this festival. At this event you can watch various concerts and attend various fan meetings.

This year’s line-up will feature ZEROBASEONE, BoyNextDoor, Billie, Super Junior, Lun8, Nowadays, and more.

6. Goseong Lavender Festival

When: TBD 2024

The Goseong Lavender Festival is one of the most unique summer festivals in Korea. Europe isn’t the only place in the world that has amazing lavender fields. Korea does too!

You can smell it before you even see the purple blooms. Snap a bunch of beautiful photos to your heart’s desire and even buy lavender products made at the farm.

7. World DJ Festival

When: June 15, 2024 – June 16, 2024

If you’re a lover of electronic music, you definitely wanna pop on by to Seoul Land for the World DJ Festival. This year’s headliners will be Eric Prydz, Alan Walker, Alok, and The Chainsmokers.

8. Daegu Chimac Festival | 대구치맥페스티벌

When: July 3, 2024 – July 7, 2024

Summer festivals in Korea would not be complete with Daegu’s annual Chimaek Festival. Chicken and beer or Chimaek is one of South Korea’s top food groups… So it’s no wonder they have an entire festival dedicated to it.

Korea’s fried chicken franchises will be there along with some local chicken places. Chimaek is a combination of chicken and maekju which means beer.

Here you can enjoy a refreshing picnic of chicken along with some tasty beer and other cultural events.

9. Waterbomb Festival 2024

When: July 5, 2024 – July 7, 2024

The Waterbomb Festival largest water festival in Korea. It kicks off in Seoul in July and does a tour to different parts of Korea including Jeju Island, Busan, and Daegu. Get ready for energetic live performances and water gun fights. Basically this is a giant water park for adults as no one under the age of 19 is permitted.

There is no seating and it is all a standing zone. This year’s Korean artists include Jay Park, Loco, Hwasa, Taemin, Sunmi, and Jessi at center stage.

10. Boryeong Mud Festival | 보령머드축제

When: July 19, 2024 – August 4, 2024

The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Korea. At this unique festival, you’ll have a great time mud wrestling and participating in various programs.

You can cake your whole body in mud and I promise your mom won’t yell at you. Don’t forget to try sun-blocking mud and large mud slide!

This is perfect for people of all ages and great for making incredible memories! It also brings the largest number of international visitors to Korea every year. It takes place at Daecheon Beach Mud Square.

11. Buyeo Seodang Lotus Flower Festival

When: TBD 2024

A lotus is often the symbol purity and strength in Buddhism. Growing from mud, a lotus shows that we can strive to be more.

Come see over 50 types of water plants and lotus in full bloom at the Buyeo Seodang Lotus Flower Festival. If you’re looking for cultural festivals, then I highly suggest visiting this one.

The tour will also take you around the iconic Jeonju Hanok Village.

12. Sinchon Watergun Festival | 신촌물총축제

When: TBD 2024

This festival always takes place toward the end of July, but you can feel like a kid again and have the time of your life with this street festival. Basically everyone brings their own water guns and prepares for the most epic water fight of their lives. The admission fee to get in is about 12,000 won.

13. Busan Sea Festival | 부산 바다축제

When: TBD 2024

In 1996, the first Busan Sea Festival was held to promote Busan as a beautiful beach town destination. It’s been happening a pretty long time and will be back for its 28th year. Nothing screams summer festivals in Korea like going to the beach.

The festival takes place at Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songdo Beach, Dadaepo Beach, Songjeong Beach, and at other places in Busan. You can definitely expect a fireworks show and water sports here. There will also be various activities native to Busan to participate in.

14. Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival | 인천 펜타포트 락페스티벌

When: August 2, 2024 – August 4, 2024

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival is Korea’s largest rock festival. The festival dates signify the end of the summer season as many students go back to school the following week. I’m a huge rock music fan.

The year I went The Fray headlined and I was rocking out. They usually have some great international artists performing as well.

15. Hwacheon Tomato Festival | 퇴촌 토마토축제

When: TBD 2024

Have you ever wanted to get into a giant food fight? Well, this Korean summer festival has answered your wildest dreams.

The main event at the Hwacheon Tomato Festival is a unique opportunity to fling tomatoes at random strangers to your heart’s desire.

I hope you’ve found the perfect way to enjoy your summer vacation in Seoul. The name of the game is summer in Korea! If you’re a music lover, you’ll experience the best summer festivals in Korea.

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