Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The World Korean Business Convention is organized to build a global network for Korean businessmen in the nation as well as who are operating overseas. It is one of the biggest conventions recognized by businessmen, with more than 2,500 to 3,000 participants every year attend, including Korean businessmen from worldwide countries and home. The World Korean Business Convention is organized primarily by the Overseas Korean Foundation, which was established in 2002 to raise the competitiveness of Koreans around the world. Also, an exhibition of photos, goods and records of Korean emigrants will be held in order to understand the life and history of overseas Koreans. An Overseas Employment Exposition will take place to offer opportunities and information to distinguished Korean youths at home.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The first Pyeongchang Biennale in Gangwon-do is being held in the hopes of pulling off a successful run of the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in 2018 and to put a more cultural touch to the big event. Under the theme of “Earth Harmony”, the biennale will take place in Pyeongchang Alpensia Resort and Donghae Mangsang Angva Expo Hall. Around 120 art pieces from home and abroad, largely consisting of installation projects, sculptures and media works, will be on exhibit. Other programs include a sculpture symposium, special guest artists exhibitions, a media art display, a nationwide students art contest and a media workshop. What’s also on the agenda is the Art Bank Project which intends to nurture new talents and rookie artists. This project is expected to fill Alpensia Resort and downtown Hoenggye with a more artistic vibe. The Pyeongchang Biennale, with the theme "Earth Harmony - Human, Peace and Environment", is a consideration toward a life in harmony and finding a balance between humans and Mother Nature while positioning itself as a starting point of greater harmony and unity.


Gyeonggi-do(Gwacheon-si)

Gwacheon Hanmadang Festival, held every fall, is a unique celebration embodying the unique spirit of the street art culture. The festival’s main events are a large selection of performances by various performance teams from home and abroad as well as other invited performers. Shows include street theatre, Madang plays, dance performances, circus acts, mimes, and street music, held in the open-air stages around Gwacheon City Hall. Favorite programs include: Festival Explore Program (an interactive program allowing spectators to experience the joy of street art) and Guest Performances from abroad (giving viewers a rare look at the culture of countries around the world). Besides street performances, there are hundreds of festivities visitors may enjoy including an ‘artist area’, academic events and a marketplace filled with delicacies.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

The annual Suncheon Lantern Festival takes place around Suncheon Jorye Lake Park. Hosted by Buddhist associations in Suncheon City, the festival features a variety of Buddhist cultural programs such as a children’s writing contest, drawing competition, B-POP festival, folk games, pagoda circling, lantern and light balloon floating in prayers for peace, and fireworks show. The festival also screens a number of Buddhist films in celebration of Buddha’s birthday.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

The Maengbang Flower Festival is one of the landmark spring celebrations in Korea and is held every April near Samcheok-si City in Ganwon-do Province. The festival boasts a breathtaking view of canola flowers, cherry blossoms and the blue sea of the East Coast. The festival also offers a diverse set of events and programs including a local produce market, fresh strawberry picking, and exhibition on canola flowers and bees. The Samcheok Tourist Center will also be at the festival to help any tourists to the area visit the variety of tourist attractions nearby such as Haesindang Park, New Millennium Ocean Road, Wife of King Suro Park, and the filming place for “One Fine Spring Day.”


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

The Homigot Octopus Festival is an annual festival held at the end of April. Visitors can enjoy freshly caught octopus from the East Sea. Various programs and events will be also be held including watching sunrise on a boat, octopus auction, etc.


Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)

Korean Folk Village hosts the Good Luck Feast for Welcoming the New Year to celebrate the New Year in February. During this feast, various traditional events including daljip (bundle of twigs that is burned to bring good luck), jisin bapgi (prayer ritual involving singing and playing instruments), sharing tteok (rice cake), stamping bujeok (charms preventing bad lucks), reading Tojeongbigyeol (Korean traditional fortune-telling book) and Yutjeom (new year’s fortune-telling by throwing yut) are available as New Year’s event. Visitors can pound rice cake (tteok) and also try boktteok (복떡) made in the traditional way. Unique programs such as stamping bujeok and reading tojeongbigyeol will entertain visitors who wish to enjoy Korean traditional holidays. In celebration of Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year’s Day), Korean Folk Village plans to introduce a new character, ‘Bok jangsu’ (복(福)장수), followed by Eoggaegeoji, Yeotgeol, and Gumiho. The varied characters each have their own personality. ‘Bok (福) geoji’ likes begging, ‘Bok (福) gumiho’ loves hanbok (Korean traditional costume) and ‘Bok (福) pojol’ cares for folk games. These characters can be seen throughout the festival venue, sharing well-wishing remarks for the New Year. In addition, people can be selected as a winner of ‘Daebak (big luck) lottery’ which provides prizes when playing a simple game with ‘Bok (福) jangsu’. A mask dance performance will be prepared at the entrance of Korean Folk Village to greet the New Year. Other events include face-painting, and deokdam (well-wishing remarks) photo zone. On the day of Lunar New Year’s Day, performance events such as ‘Beauty of Traditional dance, Tradition of Flowers’ and ‘Gukak B-boy’ are planned. Furthermore, visitors who enter the folk village wearing hanbok and visitors born in the year of the sheep can receive a 50% discounted one day ticket. To get the discount, please bring valid ID to the festival site.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Osong International Bio Industry Exposition in Korea will take place at Osong Biovalley (near Osong KTX Station) and is sponsored by Chungcheongbuk-do, Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, and Cheongju City. With a theme of “The Secret of Life, Beautiful Future,” the expo aims to develop and promote Chungcheongbuk-do’s bio industry field. The festival is in its 10th year and 223 copmanies from all over the globe will participate. The expo is dived into themed halls like a Bio Future Universe Pavilion, varied hands-on participation halls, the Industrial Hall and others related to the bio industry.


Jeollabuk-do(Jangsu-gun)

Jangsu embraces the spirit of Uiam Joo (“Red”) Nongae’s spirit, who gave her life to kill the Japanese General responsible for taking over her city. The city specializes in red-colored agricultural products, making it unique that the local legendary figure, agricultural products and regional specialties are all red hued. It is well known as a major producer of Hanu (Korean beef) and Sagwa (apple). Accordingly, the theme of the Jangsu Hanurang Sagwarang Festival is “RED,” the first of its kind in Korea. The festival promotes urban and rural exchange and high quality farm products and regional specialties. It also provides an opportunity for local residents to enjoy the fruits of their labor and share the joy of the harvest together. Visitors are sure to enjoy the array of cultural aspects of the festival, in addition to a wide range of hands-on activities and sampling local food.    


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Korean Ginseng Festival is held every year to promote value of Korean ginseng, at the open square near Cheonggyecheon stream. Visitors can purchase ginseng products at a discounted price and enjoy the exhibits, ginseng market, performances, singing contests, and many more.