5 Festivals to Check Out This Fall in Korea

Sometimes, when you travel, you need a little something to really make your trip pop!Going back and forth to Korea for the past 3 years, if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that South Korea does not fall short of festivals or parties. If you’re traveling to the land of some of the biggest festivals in Asia, here are 5 festivals I recommend in Seoul and Busan. Can’t make these this year? Not a problem! I selected annual festivals so you can plan your future trip accordingly!

1. Busan International Film FestivalRunning Oct 4th – Oct. 13thOne of biggest film festivals in Asia – if not the biggest film festival in Asia – take place for almost 10 days at all of the major theaters in the city (mostly in Haeundae and Centum City area). Screenings for both international and domestic films, a BIFF shop, and so much more it is insane. This is a cannot miss festival for movie buffs and I am personally excited about the opening movie this year. Tickets information can be found HERE on BIFF’s official website along with other details for the events.
2. Seoul International Fireworks Festival and Busan International Fireworks FestivalSeoul’s IFF on Oct. 6th, Busan’s IFF on Oct. 27thI put these two together because of obvious similarities, but I have only been to Seoul’s annual fireworks show. And a show it is! Fireworks accompanied by lights, lasers, the whole multimedia sha-bang that reminded me of Thunder of Louisville, the firework show from my hometown – only bigger and brighter!Taken place along the Han River at Yeouido Hangang Park and perfected since 2000, there’s everything from food trucks, events, performances, a market and so much more starting at 1 PM. The opening ceremony is at 7 and will feature more than 100,000 fireworks. My tips are for you if you go are: bring something with sleeves to be able to put on (mosquitos and sometimes a wind chill) and to take the subway as there will be roadblocks for buses.
3. Jeon-ju Bibimbap FestivalRunning Oct. 25th to Oct. 28thStepping away from Seoul and Busan, I have only been to one festival outside of these two cities and that is Jeon-ju’s Bibimbap festival. A whole 3-day long event dedicated to just Bibimbap! This is where I learned everything I know about one of Korea’s most famous dishes.Cooking competitions, sampling different recipes from all over and even a place where you can learn to make it yourself and make a huge bowl of Bibimbap during the United Bibimbap opening event. And I mean huge. There’s plenty to see, eat, do, eat, try and eat during this festival. What makes it better is that it is held in Jeon-ju Hanok Village and Korean Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall. Admission is free and starts at 11 AM.
4. Seoul Lantern FestivalRunning Nov. to Nov. 18In Downtown Seoul, along the water path of CheongGyeCheon Stream for 1. 2 km, the 10th anniversary Seoul Lantern Festival will take place. This year’s theme, “Seoul Dream, Flowing Light” will feature hundreds of lanterns made by both local artist and those from all over the world, broken up into 4 different categories: Sparkling Memories, Dreaming of a Future, Traditional flow, and New Dream. Some known events are contest both at the festival and on social media, making your own lanterns, sending of wish lanterns (the ones released to fly), and much more.
5. Busan One Asia FestivalRunning Oct. 20 to Oct. 28Last but not least, one of my personal favorites, the Busan One Asia Festival! Busan One Asia Festival is a huge Kpop event full of concerts, exhibitions, fan meetings, and so much more. There’s honestly so much to do here that it can’t be summarized.