Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Held for the first time in 1989, the Chuncheon Puppet Festival is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. Aside from the puppet performances, there will also be plenty of side events to entertain children and adults alike.


Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Uldolmok was the location of a naval battle 418 years ago, when 13 naval forces of Admiral Yi Sun-sin ran into 133 Japanese Naval forces and defeated them. The Japanese Navel force was planning on continuing to Hanyang (modern-day Seoul) after they won the battle in Namhae (South) sea at Uldolmok. The residents of Jeolla-do are the hidden helpers attributed to this victory, as they brought out their food and fishing boats to help the admiral and his naval forces. This battle is called ‘Myeongryangdaecheop’. The victory put an end to the Imjin War and saved the nation of Korea, which was hang on to its independence by a thread. Jeollanam-do hosts the Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival to commemorate the victory of Myeongryanghaejeon and celebrate the spirits of Yi Sun-sin and the residents of Jeolla-do who saved the country. Various programs are prepared for visitors of all ages to give them a feel of the real historical scene.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

The Yeongju Seonbi Culture Festival takes place from early to mid May every year at the Seonbichon Village and Korean Seonbi Culture Training Center in Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si. A celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony is held on the first day, marking the beginning of the festivities. Other activities included a calligraphy performance, Seonghaksipdo Pangakgoyje ceremony and a bibimbap performance added more fun and entertainment to the first day. Following the opening celebration, a special parade entitled ‘Shinbaram Street Parade’ inspired by the ideals, spirit and patriotism of Sambong Jeong Do-Jeon (one of the major figures in Yeongju) takes place. Other festival events include Jangseong (traditional totem pole) sculpting competition, Sobaeksan Mountain Trail Hiking, Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) Cooking Competition, traditional wedding ceremony for multi-cultural families, Hanbok (Korean traditional costume) fashion show, writing contest, children’s Seonbi exercise presentation, traditional head of the family cuisine exhibition, and a concert at an time-honored traditional house. Details on programs are subject to change for each year.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

'Buncheongsagi (a grayish-blue-powdered celadon)' is a type of ceramic ware used during the 15th and 16th centuries, during the transition period from Cheongja (green celadon porcelain) to Baekja (white porcelain). This Korean-style ceramic ware has received high acclaim for the simplicity of its beauty. This festival takes place in October every year in Gimhae, Korea’s most famous ceramic village. This festival sells this special ceramic ware, such as tea cups, made in the traditional methods with discounts of up to 30 to 40%. Visitors can also watch the ceramicists making ‘Buncheongsagi’. Furthermore, there are other programs that allow you to make your own ceramics or even write and draw your own artistic imprints on ceramics.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Museom Village is surrounded by water on three sides as it is located at the place where Naeseongcheon Stream (the upstream of Nakdonggang River) and Seocheon Stream meet. The village is called Sudori, or Museom, meaning an island in an inland area. It is a traditional village which has 9 cultural assets including Haeudang (Folk Item No. 92) and Manjukjae (Folk Item No. 93), both of which are beautiful old homes that exhibit the humble formality of old nobles. The Museom Single-Log Bridge Festival, a landmark celebration of Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do is held on October every year. The Museom Single-Log Bridge is one of the 100 most beautiful paths of Korea selected by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. The bridge is only 23-centimeters (nine-inches) wide and it connects the village to the land across the stream surrounding it. The festival aims to preserve and promote the nation’s traditional culture. During the festival, one can enjoy and take part in a wide variety of folk events including the intramural Ssireum (traditional wrestling) Competition, Nongak (farmer’s music) Performance, Satto (chief of the village) Parade, crossing the bridge with a cow, a groom marching on a horse and a traditional wedding ceremony.


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

Designated as the first Slow City in Asia, Cheongsando in Wando-gun hosts the annual Cheongsando Slow Walk Festival. The festival is held every April, which is the best time of the year to enjoy the canola blossoms and barley with the sea in the background. During the festival, visitors can participate in various cultural events and exhibitions, and enjoy the spring scenery.


Jeollanam-do(Jangseong-gun)

Jangseong Baegyang Maple Festival is held in the Baegyangsa Temple area of Baegamsan Mountain. Performances include "maple's harmony," "nostalgia 7080," and a music concert in the maple forest. Hands-on programs include hand painting maple ceramics, making maple bookmarks, and other exhibtions and additional events for visitors.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

The Jeonju National Museum hosts the Jageun Munhwa Festival to celebrate Seollal, Lunar New Year's Day, and Daeboreum, the day of the first full moon of the year. The museum prepares various cultural events and seasonal traditional games in order to give visitors an opportunity to participate in traditional cultural events and customs. Before the festival, there are diverse Korean folk games like jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), kite-fyling, a top-spinning game, and yutnori. During the Seollal holiday, visitors can enjoy movies, making an official hat of gilt bronze, and sharing ddeokguk (rice-cake soup). Also, a wide range of hands-on programs will be offered like making folk crafts, writing a family motto, and more. On the Daeboreum (the day of the first full moon of the year), a pungmul band (percussion band) will perform to drive away evil spirits and daljip (brushwood) will be burned as part of the finale.


Busan()

The Sunrise Busan Festival, has been held each year to welcome in the new millennium, has established itself as the premier coastal cultural festival, taking place on land, sea and sky, and including an air show and a ship flotilla at sea. Among those eager to greet the first sunrise of the new year after bidding farewell to the final sunset, the Sunrise Busan Festival is a popular winter festival, particularly among foreign tourists. At Yongdusan Park, there will be an array of artistic and festive events for the new year – as well as an opportunity to watch the first sunrise of the year, from this panoramic vantage point in downtown Busan. Events both large and small will be staged at many other popular tourist sites around Busan, including at Dadaego Beach, Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach and Dalmaji Park, for those intent on seeing the year’s first sunrise.


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun)

Lighting wrapped all around the Petite France emits an exotic and fairytale-alike atmosphere throughout . The Little Prince, along with Christmas decorations and sculptures found all around this French village certainly makes anyone feels as if he or she is in a fairytale!