Gwangju(Nam-gu)

In Gossaum, the term 'go' originates from otgoreum (the ribbon bow on a traditional Korean jacket) and refers to a knot tied in a long string to make a loop. Therefore, gossaum, a compound of go and "ssaum," which means fight, indicate a "match or fight against two teams pulling on knotted ropes." Traditionally, Gossaum has been a competitive team sport enjoyed by men. It was often played in the Jeollanam-do area around Jeongwol Daeboreum (the 15th of January according to the lunar calendar). Gossaum, which has been enjoyed for over 800 years, was designated National Intangible Cultural Asset No.33 in 1971. The Gwangju Gossaum Festival, a gala event for gossaum, was first held in 1982. It attracts more and more visitors each year and contributes to promoting the local economy. At the Gossaum Festival, one of the longest-running folklore festivals in Korea, various folk activities originating from traditional Korean culture are performed. The folk customs have gained recognizable names and diverse events that are planned each year, including a celebration of the eve, a service to worship the god guarding the village, a village exorcism, gossaum demonstrations, folk play performances and activities for visitors to participate in, such as a Daeboreum food tasting and a plaza where one can experience traditional folk games. On the eve of the festival, a wide range of events are organized for visitors including kite flying, a traditional costume exhibition with a chance to try them on, rope walking, Daeborum food tasting (rice balls, rice mixed with vegetables and seasoned herbs), and jumping over burning straw ropes to chase away one’s bad luck. There are also many other attractive spectacles to take in including a gossaum nori photo exhibition, a traditional folklore contest, a Nanta (percussion) performance, fireworks, the burning of a very large daljip (a “moon house”), a village exorcism and saem gut (well exorcism) that goes on until dawn. A variety of programs are also lined up including a Daedong farm music performance consisting of about 300 musicians, gossaum demonstrations, Korean traditional martial art performances and a tug-of-war between two teams pulling a thick rope. The greatest highlight of the Gwangju Gossaum Festival is the burning of a 20-meter high, 15-meter wide daljip, which translates literally to “moon house.” The daljip, a pile of branches, is the largest one in Korea and its flames can rise as high as 100 meters or more, inspiring awe among all viewers. Visitors can also enjoy the traditional cultural heritage of the Gwangju area since a number of cultural relics including General Go, Gyeong-myeong sites (Pochung Shrine and Samgangmun Gate) are located within one kilometer of the venue.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Yangyang Sunrise Festival is held to commemorate the end of the year and welcome the New Year, and to showcase the beautiful sunrise from the ocean. The festival takes place at Naksansa Temple and Naksan Beach. The main event is the tolling of a bell to mark the New Year at Naksansa Temple, followed by fireworks on the beach.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwacheon-si) , Seoul Grand Park

Let's Run Park Seoul Nighttime Cherry Blossom Festival takes place along a 1km-long pathway blooming with cherry blossoms each spring. Events and programs are available all day but are most spectacular at night when the blossoms are lit up.


Seoul(Seocho-gu)

Seeking to become better and more advanced every year, the Korea Food & Tourism Expo offers a wide array of hands-on experience programs and seminars on food culture. Those hoping to participate in contests or special exhibitions should sign up on the festival website. For more information on the festival schedule, please see the website or call festival organizers using the number provided.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The National Folk Museum is the leading museum depicting Korean folk culture that attracts 3 million visitors every year. Every Saturday, the museum offers free performances where Korean music, traditional dance, martial arts, and mask plays are performed for Korean and foreign spectators to illustrate Korea’s major seasonal events, special exhibitions, and traditional intangible cultures.


Jeju-do(Jeju-si)

The Jeju Udo Seashell Festival is held every year in mid April in conjunction with the Jeju Canola Flower Festival. Visitors can enjoy Jeju’s fresh seashells and beautiful yellow canola flowers by attending both festivals held the same weekend on Jeju-do Island.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

DMZ Peace Train Music Festival aims to promote freedom and peace through music. The festival is held at Seoul and Cheorwon, Gangwon-do providing conferences, showcase, main concert and special programs. 


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Held at Armiae World's Ganghwa Mugwort Zone, the Ganghwa Yakssuk (Mugwort) Festival is a regional agricultural festival that aims to promote health and beauty through mugwort. Armiae World is a theme park located in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. The festival venue will be composed of a mugwort well-being hall, an agricultural exhibition hall, a special farm products processing plant, an event plaza and the Onsaemiro Maze Park. For the past 5,000 years, mugwort has been rooted deeply in the lives our nation's people. Ganghwa Mugwort is widely known for its great medicinal effects, for it grows with the fragrant minty scent.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Cosmetics & Beauty Expo Osong Korea is held in Osong, Chungcheongbuk-do, where advanced science and nature come together. The expo aims to connect comstics businesses with buyers and visitors.


Busan(Nam-gu)

A representative international music festival of Busan, the second Busan Maru International Music Festival (BMIMF) is set to run for 5 days from August 30 to September, 3 2011. The festival will be held in various locations throughout the city, including the Busan Cultural Center. Hosted by the city of Busan and managed by the BMIMF organizing committee, the festival’s goal is to develop the regional art sector while building the grounds for forming a robust global cultural infrastructure. The word “maru” is a Korean word that means “the best” and reflects the goals of the BMIMF of becoming one of the most recognized music festivals both domestically and internationally. This year’s festivities, held under the theme “Musical Globalization,” include performances from 37 teams (500 participants) who hail from all over the world.