The Gaya Culture Festival is a historical and cultural festival of Gimhae-si, whose long history and tradition is based on the Geumgwan Gaya, a leading power among the six Gaya groups. The festival is well known at home and abroad.King Kim Suro founded Gaya in A.D. 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in A.D. 48. This was the first known international marriage in the history of the Korean Peninsula. Gaya was quite advanced in the production of earthenware and iron implements, and traded with neighboring countries like China, Nakrang, and Japan. It thrived as a center of international exchange in Northeast Asia, and its culture was also remarkably developed.Gimhae, the birthplace of the Gaya culture, has a long history and unique culture. Through the Gaya Culture Festival, the region is continuing to preserve, build on, and develop the Gaya culture and heritage. The Gaya Culture Festival asserts Gaya’s rightful place alongside the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms.

Seoul National Cemetery hosts an event with weeping cherry blossoms that symbolize the protection of the nation. The color of its cherry blossoms of the cemetery are paticularly pink. Also, the view of the the weeping cherry blossoms with their branches hanging down makes people think about paying respect to the souls of all the patriots and to solemn one's mind. The festival is held in every April with varied sightseeing activities to enjoy weeping cherry blossoms fully.

Hangang Seoraeseom Canola Festival, which takes place on Seoraeseom Island near Banpo Hangang River Park, is a great opportunity for visitors to capture their memory of spring, with the many photo zones, culture & are performances and hands-on activities for children all over Seoraeseom Island. Please call +82-2-3780-0796 for more detailed information (Hangang Business Committee).

24 Martials Arts (Muye 24-gi in Korean) refers to the 24 martial art techniques in the Muyedobotongji (Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of Martial Arts). The manual was compiled in 1790 by Silhak (practical learning school of Confucianism) scholars Lee Deok-mu and Park Jae-ga, along with the martial art expert Baek Dong-su, under the orders of King Jeongjo (22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty). Regarded as a resource for understanding the nature of Korean military science, the manual is an exemplary martial arts compilation that was organized into 24 techniques by adopting the traditional martial arts of Joseon, as well as China and Japan. The 24 Martial Arts were practiced by the soldiers of the outer military unit of Jangyongyeong, the most elite military troop during the Joseon Dynasty. Soldiers stationed at the northern and southern military camps of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace practiced these techniques to effectively guard the palace. It is a considered as a significant intangible heritage because of its great historical, artistic, and athletic values. With the restoration of Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, a regular event is being held to demonstrate the 24 Martial Arts. The performance features 18 ground martial arts among the 24 techniques recorded in the Muyedobotongji. From every Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00, the 24 Martial Arts Trial Performance where eighteen martial arts will be performed as they fight on ground among twenty four martial arts written in Muyedobotongji (Korean Martial Art Book) at the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace.

Travel Back in Time to 1890! Visit the 1890 Namsangol Night Market to experience what life was like in the year 1890! This special event will run every weekend at Namsangol Hanok Village from June 3rd through Oct. 28th, 2017. The night market will feature a traditional layout, much like what would have been used during the Joseon Dynasty, but there will be fun modern touches to enjoy as well.  Visitors can enjoy activities and events that blend the traditional with the modern; that fuse East and West. There will be traditional games competitions, traditional music performances, and traditional clothing fashion shows, all featuring foreign nationals as performers. There will be a range of interactive events and visitors will also have a chance to try traditional Persian food. Enjoy tasty food, activities, and events at Namsangol Hanok Village! • Event Dates : Jun. 03, 2017 ~ Oct. 28, 2017  

Busan’s beautiful port city of Daebyeonhang Port sees the richest harvest of anchovies in Korea, especially in the months of April and May, therefore holds the Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival during this period. Daebyeonghang Port is also the film location for the 2001 box office hit movie featuring Jang Dong Gun and Yu Osung. The scene where Jang Dong Gun reminisces about his childhood memory of swimming in the ocean near a lighthouse while smoking a cigarette was filmed at this very location. The beautiful clear sea decorated with a lighthouse is not only popular during the Anchovy Festival, but is also a popular tourist attraction all year round.Event Programs: As a symbol of the fact that the festival is held by the sea, the Gijang Anchovy Festival begins with a fishermen’s parade around the port while carrying nets and other fishing equipment, while the fishermen themselves dress up in traditional fishing outfits which are white Hanbok. Gijang Anchovy Festival also offers rich seafood dishes, and visitors can enjoy the most fresh anchovy hoe (raw fish) in the area during its peak season. Pickled anchovy with seaweed is also a popular dish, and cuttlefish and cutless fish are also popular spring catches of Daebyeonhang. An outdoor food market offers a variety of hoe (raw fish) dishes, soups, and baked foods at moderate prices with an incredible view of the ocean.At nights, a musical performance is held with music, singing, and dancing, adding to the evening excitement. For even more fun, colorful fireworks light up the sky and give pleasure to the evening events. The Gijang Anchovy Festival is smaller in scale and simpler compared to other festivals, but it doesn’t diminish the spirit of fun at one of Korea’s cleanest ocean villages.Festival Highlights: For Korean movie fans, watch the 2001 box office hit to add more enjoyment to your trip. Comparing the red lighthouse and Daebyeonhang’s clean ocean waters to the scenes in the movie offers another sort of fun. Of course, the Anchovy Festival is fun as well if you don’t end up watching the movie. Buying a freshly caught fish and having it served on the spot is definitely the highlight of the festival.

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival will be taking place at Hwacheon county in Gangwon-do. This virtually untouched region is known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, and the river is covered with a thick layer of ice. Visitors can try ice fishing, and those who are feeling brave can try to catch the mountain trout with their bare hands. Many other fun activities and performances are available, including an exhibition of ice sculptures that took 20 weeks to prepare. Visitors can also sample raw and grilled mountain trout, both of which are delicious.

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.

B-Boy City in Seoul “Kung” is a non-verbal musical performance that tells the story of the dance group Gorilla Crew. The main character, Hochan, anguishes about the stark reality he is facing as a dancer. Through dynamic performances, the B-boys Hyeonmun, Donghui and Seongtaek relate their agony, happiness, and passion for dancing.Gorilla Crew had won previous acclaim as a talented dancing team for well-known performances such as “Ballerina Who Loves B-boy” and “Return.” The performance's energizing mix of dance techniques is certain to delight audiences.*Note: Due to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued until August, 2015; please call to confirm.

Pocheon Baegun Valley Dongjanggun Festival is full of hands-on events for family visitors. It is held at a convenient location as it is only about 1 hour away from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do. Nearby attractions include Ildong Oncheon (Korean hot spring) District, Sanjeong Lake and the Pocheon Art Vallery, which makes it a perfect winter destination this festival.※ Due to the abnormally warm temperature seen during the festival period, the event or some program may not be available and are subject to cancelation depending on the circumstance. Therefore, visitors are recommended to check the up-to-date information before visiting from the official website or by calling.