Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard-changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day. Special Programs: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace. As each ceremony follows the same procedure and lasts for thirty minutes, visitors can choose whichever time is most convenient. The ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders. Major Highlights: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. Be sure to bring a camera. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. While you cannot take pictures with the guards during the changing of guards, you can take a background picture of the guards and palace. You can also take photographs with the gatekeepers after the ceremony is over. Visit the palace and enjoy the beauty of Korean palaces following the ceremony.


Busan(Dong-gu)

The Busan Lotus Lantern Festival is an annual tradition that provides visitors with an opportunity to experience Buddhist cutlure through the many activities being offered. To celebrate Buddha's birthday, splendid lotus lanterns in different shapes and sizes will be on display.About a month before the festival, the festival committee, supported by the Busan Buddhism Association, starts to invite temples and individuals to participate in the festival. Around 1,700 temples, groups, and related organizations prepare diverse programs such as making lotus lanterns, sharing traditional tea, eating temple food, and celebratory performances.The main events are the Grand Buddhist Ceremony and the Lotus Lantern Parade, both of which attract a lot of spectators regardless of religous order. The Lotus Lantern Parade, followed by the Buddhist ceremony, will take place from Busan Station, Gudeok Playground, and Gwangbok-dong.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The Gangneung Danoje Festival was designated a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 and is Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in Korea in 1967. The festival serves to preserve the folk culture of the Joseon Dynasty and has been a popular festival since 1975.Danoje Festival includes rituals such as the Daegwallyeong Guksa Seonghwangje (a tribute to Monk Beomil, believed to protect Gangneung) and Yeongsinje (a deity greeting ritual). Folk performances, ssireum wrestling, swing riding, and tug-of-war competitions follow these rituals. During the Danoje Festival, visitors are also invited to participate in various events: watching a traditional wedding ceremony, making surichui rice cake, washing one's hair in iris-infused water, and drinking alcoholic beverages offered to the gods. There are also regional dialect contests and other cultural programs.


Jeollabuk-do(Jeonju-si)

Organized to promote the excellent qualities of Korea’s traditional paper Hanji, the previous Jeonju Paper Culture Festival was renamed the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival. As the name suggests, the festival’s main specialty is paper, featuring all kinds of products made from Hanji as well as contests, exhibitions, hands-on programs for visitors, and a traditional market.


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

ULTRA KOREA was the first music festival in Asia and continues to dominate the scene. This grand production has a great line-up with top EDM artists from around the world, including Alesso, Dash Berlin, Dubfire, Hardwell, KSHMR, Martain Solveig, Nic Fanciulli, Nicky Romero, Pendulum, Sasha & John Digweed, Steve Angello, Tchami, Tiesto, and more.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

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  


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si) , Yongin

The Romantic Illumination festival will begin Nov 12 and continue until Mar 1 for 110 days with beautiful and enchating illumimation for a romantic and memorable holiday season.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

The Water Gun Fight Festival was started as a fun way to ward off the summer heat. Young, old, male or female, anyone can join in. With a single water gun, visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainments including a parade and music concert at the festival. Initiated as a social festival through Facebook in 2013, the festival offers all kinds of fun with water guns at Sinchon, the heart of youth and hip culture.


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Chungcheongnam-do()

Baekje Cultural Festival first started in 1955 to commemorate the three loyal subjects of the Baekje era, namely Seongchung, Heungsu, and Gyebaek through a Samchungje rite. The lonely souls drifting throughout Baekje’s land are also comforted through a separate ritual ceremony, known as the Suryukje rite.Also, Samchungsa Temple was established in 1965 and the scale of the festival became bigger in 1965, hosted by the province. Its name was changed to Baekje Cultural Festival since then.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

In ancient times, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty performed the given task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king ruled the country. Since 1469, the ceremony has taken place and its record has been consulted for the present reenactment ceremony. The reenactment of the original ceremony began from 1996. The gate guardsmen serve their sentry, perform the changing of the guards, and hold a parade. The guards' uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of passersby, especially foreign tourists, when guardsmen perform the changing of guards in traditional costumes at the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul. Since it is hard to experience traditional events in such a big city like Seoul, citizens and tourist really enjoy and love it. It takes place every day except Tuesday. Major Highlights: The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea. Be sure to bring a camera to take lots of pictures. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a real pleasure to see. If you have some spare time to kill, make sure to visit the palace and enjoy the beauty of Korean palaces following the ceremony.