Namsadang Baudeogi Festival, a popular culture and art festival, will be held in the hub of art and culture in Anseong. Since it first started in 2001, this festival has been promoting the preservation of the tradition of Namsadang (troupes of entertainers who traveled around the country). It also became the official festival of CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts) in 2006.Based on the Namsadang Baudeogi, Anseong World Folkloriada (안성세계민속축전) is considered as the most successful festival ever, drawing seven hundred thousand visitors. In 2013, It has been renamed as the Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival and will be held at Anseong Matchum Land.During the festival, visitors can look forward to parades, performances, hands-on activities, exhibitions and contests. Programs include a Baudeogi (leader of one of the best Namsadang groups) memorial ceremony, parades, an opening ceremony, special autumn events, guerilla performances, the Anseong citizen Beona dolligi (dish spinning), themed village and connecting farm village experience programs, etc.

The Yeoncheon Jeongok-ri Paleolithic Festival takes place in Jeongok-ri in Yeoncheon region, where relics of the Paleolithic era still exist. This festival is the first Paleolithic cultural event in Korea, and provides a great opportunity for international visitors to discover Korea’s prehistoric cultures. Moreover, this festival will be a great event for families, since children can learn about paleolithic cultures, farming village lifestyles, and take part in traditional cultural programs.

Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is the biggest festival of lights in Korea, covering 100 thousand pyeong illuminated by 30,000 lights. The gleaming lights add a festive glow to the garden during the winter season. The main gardens are Hakyung Garden, Hometown House Garden, Bonsai Garden, Moonlight Garden, Sky Path and Garden of Eden, with colorful lights adorning the trees. In the event of inclement weather, lights may be turned off for safety.

The Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale first started in 2001 and has continued to contribute to the field of ceramics by showcasing hidden talents and allowing artists to experiment with their art. In a further attempt to push the boundaries of ceramic art, the festival in 2011 encouraged artists to expand their art by using elements from other art genres.This 2015 festival’s theme will be called “Color: Ceramic Spectrum,” and it will demonstrate the creative aspect of ceramic arts. Generally, the word ‘color’ carries a physical and optical connotation, but this festival intends to expand the term’s meaning into a more idiomatic definition that encompasses the concepts of classifying objects and defining identity. Thus, the meaning of ‘color’ is portrayed by the artists’ own expression and artistic attitude at the festival. This festival divides color into three categories: “Isaek” (이색; distinctive color), which focuses on new trends and possibilities of ceramic art; “Chaesaek” (채색; multicolored), which shows modern ceramic art through a combination of other genres; and “Bonsaek” (본색; traditional color), which reflects the traditional factors of the three East Asian countries, connecting the past, present, and future of ceramics.※ The festival is held every second year.

Icheon’s Baeksa Village is home to a number of Sansuyu trees (known as the Japanese Dogwood or Cornus Fruit trees), which have been growing naturally in the area for over 100 years. In early spring, the trees turn a striking bright yellow, whilst in autumn the village is filled with the trees’ vivid red fruits. During the festival, visitors can participate in Korean traditional folk games and watch the Sansuyu flower parade. When the Sansuyu trees blossom, many professional photographers travel to Baeksa Village just to take pictures of this beautiful sight.  

Icheon is famous for producing the best rice in Korea. In fact Icheon rice is so good that it used to be served to the kings of Korea in the past, and is still highly thought of today. The Icheon Rice Culture Festival celebrates its famous rice and also the local agricultural practices.Major events of the festival include a reenactment of the parade that transported rice to Hanseong (the old name for Seoul) for presentation to the king, and the huge rice cauldron that is capable of feeding thousands of people.

The Jarasum International Jazz Festival is held every October on the beautiful Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do. During the festival world-famous jazz artists come together to delight audiences with the smooth vibes of live jazz.The festival was designated as one of the “Outstanding Festivals” for three consecutive years by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and as one of the “Top Festivals” in 2014. As a Green Life Honorary Ambassador, the festival is also passionate about environment protection. In order to share the external growth with the community, the festival holds a Gapyeong band contest, publishes a Gapyeong restaurant guidebook, and produces Jazz Makgeolli and Jazz Wine made from the region’s products.

Baudeogi made history by becoming the first female entertainer in Korea to lead the vaudeville troupe Namsadangpae. Armed with her artistic personality and an array of special talents, Baudeogi entertained the construction workers working on Gyeongbokgung Palace in the 19th century with popular folk performances. In recent years, Namsadang’s Jeonsugwan was recreated to share the indomitable spirit and artistic talents of Baudeogi with the people of today.The reformatted performance is comprised of six exciting acts of Namsadang: Salpan (a tumbling performance), Deolmi (a puppet show), Deotboegi (a mask show), Pungmulnori (a traditional folk dance), Beonanori (spinning hoops and dishes), and Eoreum Jultagi (tightrope walking). Much like in the olden days, the show embodies the spirit of coming together and is a fascinating and energetic display of folk art that is as captivating the first time you see it as it is the hundredth.Major Highlights: The most popular portion of the program is the tightrope walking act called “Eoreum Jultagi,” which starts with audiences breathlessly watching the risky tricks upon the rope and ends with thunderous rounds of applause.

Yeoju has been producing ceramics ever since the early Goryeo period (AD 918-1392), and through the production of high-quality Goryeongto (Kaolin) and Baekto (white clay), it played an integral role in the development of the early ceramic industry. Yeoju laid the foundations for becoming a major ceramic city by hosting the World Ceramics Expo in 2001. And since hosting the World Ceramics Biennale in 2003 and 2005, it is now internationally recognized as a world center for ceramics.Started in May 1990, the Yeoju Ceramic Festival is held every year to promote the excellence of its ceramics both nationwide and abroad. As the first and best ceramic festival in Korea, the festival exhibits unique, high quality ceramic artwork and products. At the festival, you can see works of art by ceramics masters and buy a variety of ceramic products at discounted prices.

Icheon has been a valuable city for ceramic arts since originating in the Bronze Age. It was designated as a “City of Crafts and Folk Art" on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2010. Here visitors can see a variety of Korea's finest ceramics such as Cheongja (celadon porcelain), Baekja (white porcelain), and Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue powdered celadon). The festival is Korea's largest ceramic culture festival.