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.


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.


Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

Gongju National Museum is holding a Seollal·Daeboreum Tradition & Cultural Event so that visitors can celebrate Seollal and Daeboreum with their families at the museum.During the event, visitors can enjoy varied programs such as a jegichagi contest, new year's card making, folk games, and a samulnori performance.


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.


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.


Chungcheongnam-do(Hongseong-gun)

Namdanghang Port, located at the west end of Hongseong, is a famous west coast port known for its exceptional seafood. Surrounded by the clean waters of Cheonsuman Bay, Namdahang Port is home to a wide array of sea life including blue crab, cockle and webfoot octopus. Namdanghang Port also draws throngs of visitors from early September to mid-October every year for the country’s largest Jumbo Shrimp Festival, which has been held since 1907.A major jumbo shrimp party unfolds along the west coast of Korea from October to November, and as the shrimp are in season, this is the ideal period to enjoy the savory food. The Jumbo Shrimp Festival offers not only food but also various activities for visitors to take part in such as catching clam in the mud flats or even personally catching jumbo shrimp. It also holds a diverse range of events such as traditional rites (rituals for a big catch of fish), fishing boat parades, singing contests as well as hands-on experience programs for catching and peeling jumbo shrimp. Regional products are also sold, making it possible to purchase quality jumbo shrimp at low prices. With much to offer, the festival draws over 700,000 visitors each year.


Busan(Haeundae-gu) , Haeundae

G-Star 2012 is a global game exhibition taking place from November 8th through 11th at BEXCO in Busan. It is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of Korea together with the Busan Municipal City, and aims to improve the domestic game industry and introduce new gaming trends and the latest technologies. This year, 434 companies from 31 countries (the largest scale to date) will participate in the event under the theme of ‘Game, Touching the World’ Along with the game exhibition, there will be various programs including a business consulting session, recruitment fair, networking party, seminars and talks, game zone, Korea-China Game Culture Festival and so on. Admission is 6,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children. Tickets are available online (Interpark) and at the door.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

The theme of this festival is ‘soybeans’, a health food that has long been popular in Korea. In particular, the ‘Jangdan Soybeans’ produced in the Paju province have always been highly regarded for their taste and outstanding nutritional value and were even served to the king. Furthermore, in the early 20th Century, the 'Jangdan Soybeans’ were designated as the most superior soybeans in Korea and were distributed throughout the country.During the festival visitors can taste the soybeans and learn how to make dishes made from soybeans including tteok (rice cakes), tofu, and preserved soybeans.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

The annual Suwon Theatre Festival features diverse shows showcasing contemporary theater and events including an exhibition, vocal performances and citizen-led programs. The festival offers participants the opportunity to step into a historic space in the city of Suwon. The venue also features creative decorations using materials from recycled vehicles, tires and fabric. Individuals and families will be able to enjoy the range of events at the festival, located at a UNESCO World Heritage site.  


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.