Want to see colourful blossoms and blooms in Korea this spring? Interested in learning more about Korea’s traditional and modern culture? Looking for a fun day trip for your spring itinerary? Then check out these amazing Korean spring festivals and add them to your plans.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Korea due to the warm weather, sunny days, and bright nature that reappears after the cold Korean winter. This is the busiest season for festivals of all kinds, including the famous cherry blossom festivals in late March / early April. There’s so much to do.
This guide to the best spring festivals in Korea covers all the fun festivals between March and May and in all parts of Korea. Learn about what’s on this spring, how to get to each festival, when the festivals start and end, and all the exciting activities you can do at each festival. Find out more below.
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The Best Korean Spring Festivals In 2024
There are various spring festivals to enjoy in Korea between March and May that happen across the country in this lovely season. Whether you want to see bright & beautiful nature, unique sights & experiences, or learn about traditional & modern culture, there is a Korean spring festival for you.
Here’s a brief overview of what you can find in each section of this article:
2024 Korean spring festival summary: All of the 2024 Korean spring festivals listed in month order to help you figure out what you can see during your visit. Also some top festival tour options.
Korean cherry blossom festivals: Cherry blossoms festivals are some of the most popular festivals during spring in Korea. Find out which ones to see and when the blossoms will be out this spring.
Spring nature festivals in Korea: Besides cherry blossoms, there are lots of nature-based festivals to visit in Korea, including festivals for plum blossoms, bamboo trees, green tea, and lots more.
Unique Korean spring festivals: These Korean spring festivals are like nothing you’ve experienced before, including a sea-parting miracle, modern Korean cultural shows, and a lantern festival.
Korean spring cultural festivals: Find the best of Korean traditional and modern culture, as well as international cultural events, at these spring festivals. Perfect for those looking to learn about Korea.
Guide to visiting Korea in spring: Make the most of your trip to Korea in spring with these tips about spring weather, public holidays in spring, how to get around, and where to stay to visit festivals.
Use the links above to jump to the section you’re most interested in, or read through to discover all of the best Korean spring festivals you can see and explore. There’s also some great tips at the end of this article to help you enjoy visiting Korea in spring and to travel more easily.
2024 Korean Spring Festival Summary
There are dozens of spring festivals in Korea to check out from March to May. To help you see what festivals are on when you’re visiting, I’ve added a summary of the festivals by month. These festivals are included in the article and you can find more information about each in the following sections.
Korean Spring Festivals In March 2024
March is the start of spring in Korea and there are lots of festivals celebrating the return of nature after the long winter. There are maehwa (plum blossom) and cherry blossom festivals to see in the southern part of the country, as well as cultural festivals featuring Korean and international culture.
- Everland Fairy Town Tulip Festival
- Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival
- Gwangyang Maehwa Plum Blossom Festival
- Holi Hai Festival
- House Of Yu Gi-Bang Daffodil Festival
- Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival
- Jeju Canola Flower Festival
- Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival
- Jeju Field Fire Festival
- Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival
- Nonsan Strawberry Festival
- Seocheon Camellia Octopus Festival
- Tongyeong International Music Festival
- Wondong Maehwa Festival
- Yeongam Wangin Festival
Korean Spring Festivals In April 2024
April is when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in the northern half of the country, including Seoul. Not only are the cherry blossoms on display, there are many other beautiful flowers that get their own festivals, including azaleas and tulips. Visit the Seoul Festa for a look at modern Korean culture.
- Boseong Green Tea Culture Festival
- Garden Of Morning Calm Spring Festival
- Gijang Anchovy Festival
- Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival
- Goyang International Flower Festival
- Gyeongju Cherry Marathon
- Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival
- Jindo Sea Parting Festival
- Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
- Seoul Festa Festival
- Suncheonman International Garden Festival
- Taean Tulip Festival
- Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival
Korean Spring Festivals In May 2024
May has fewer festivals than the other two months of spring, but there are several large festivals to visit, including the Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival, which celebrates Buddha’s Birthday. The Damyang International Bamboo Festival is a great festival for those looking to walk among giant bamboo trees.
- Busan Gwangalli Eobang Yellowtail Festival
- Changwon Jindong Midodeok Festival
- Chuncheon International Mime Festival
- Damyang International Bamboo Festival
- Eumseong Pumba Festival
- Yeon Deung Hoe (Seoul) Lotus Lantern Festival
- The Samgwangsa Lotus Lantern Festival
- Haeundae Beach Sand Festival
- The Seoul Jazz Festival
- The Color Run Korea
Available Spring Festival Tours In Korea
Why not take a day trip to a fun festival this spring? Travelling to Korea’s spring festivals by public transport can sometimes take longer and be more difficult than a guided tour. Here’s a collection of the best spring festival tours leaving from Seoul and Busan that you can add to your Korean itinerary.
Korean Spring Festival Tours From Seoul
- Available Cherry Blossom Tour from Seoul
- Daegu E-WORLD Land & Spring Cherry Blossom from Seoul
- Ganghwa Island Cherry Blossom & Luge Ride from Seoul
- Garden of Morning Calm & Eden Cherry Blossom Tour from Seoul
- Goseokjeong Flower Field/Cheorwon Historical Day Tour from Seoul
- Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival & Seafood Tour from Seoul
- Gwangyang Maehwa & Jeonju Hanok Village Tour from Seoul
- Jarasum Flower Festival & Nami island & Alpaca Ranch from Seoul
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Day Tour from Seoul
- Taean Flower Festivals Trip with Strawberry Picking from Seoul
- Yangpyeong Galsan Park Cherry blossom Tour from Seoul
Korean Spring Festival Tours From Busan
- Available Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan
- Cherry Blossom Hunting Tour from Busan
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan
You don’t have to book a day tour to visit most of the festivals in this article, but it can certainly help save time and planning if you do. Some of the festivals are in rural locations and I would certainly recommend using a day tour to see those. Alternatively, rent a car and drive there.
Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.
Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa, but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.
How To Stay Connected: Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.
Where To Stay: For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).
Incheon Airport To Seoul: Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.
Korean Tour Operators: Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook, Trazy, Viator, and Get Your Guide. These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.
Seoul City Passes: Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass. These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.
How To Get Around: For public transport, grab a T-Money Card. Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass. To see more of Korea, there are many rental car options from Klook, EconomyBookings, and RentalCars.
Travel Money: Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.
Flights To Korea: I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.
Travel Insurance: It is important to insure your trips to protect yourself against the unexpected. World Nomad is a specialized travel insurance provider with options for different coverage for travellers from around the world. You can also purchase cover when you are already travelling.
How To Learn Korean: The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.
Korean Cherry Blossom Festivals Spring 2024
The biggest Korean spring festivals have to be the cherry blossom festivals, which run in late March and early April. Starting on Jeju Island and finishing on the country’s northern border, the return of spring is truly encapsulated in the celebration of these soft blossoms.
These spring festivals can draw thousands of people each day, with millions attending popular locations like Jinhae, Seokchon Lake, and Yeouido Hangang Park. The festivals below are 6 of the most popular in Korea with some of the most incredible cherry blossom views to enjoy this spring.
Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
When: March 25 – April 5 2024
The Jinjae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival hosts more than 2 million people each year, making it one of the largest spring festivals in Korea and one that shouldn’t be missed. People flock to Jinhae to see the blossoms create a magnificent painting of colours, with lines of trees painting pinky-white stripes across the city. Enjoy walking along romantic riverside walkways, trying delicious street foods, and taking pictures with the colourful street murals at this festival.
How to get there: To get to the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival, take a bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Jinhae. The journey takes 4 hours and costs W27,000.
Address: 경상남도 창원시 창원시 진해구 여명로
Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
When: April 1 – April 4 2024
The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, located at the beautiful butterfly-shaped lake that sits below Lotte World Tower, is a free festival that’s extremely popular thanks to the long, tree-lined walkways along the edge of the lake. Visit on a sunny day to get views of the blossoms reflected on the lake’s surface and falling from above. It gets crowded during cherry blossom season, but fortunately there are many places to take pretty cherry blossom selfies.
How to get there: To get to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, take the subway to Jamsil Subway Station (Lines 2 & 8) and go out exit 2 or 3. The lake is visible in front of you.
Address: 서울특별시 송파구 잠실6동
Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival 2024
When: March 29 – April 2 2024
The Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is where you’ll find the scenic street of Yeouiseo-ro Road, which is lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees for you to walk under. This is a popular destination with locals who want to enjoy river views and lovely nature at the same time. At this colourful festival you can also see azaleas, forsythia, royal azaleas, and other spring flowers in full bloom. Stay for the night-time light show, where flowers are lit up as a backdrop to street performances and art exhibitions.
How to get there: Take the subway to either National Assembly Subway Station (Line 9) or Yeouinaru Subway Station (Line 5) and follow the festival signs.
Address: 서울특별시 영등포구 여의서로
Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
When: March 29 – April 4 2024
Head to Gyeongpodae Lake in the coastal city of Gangneung to see cherry blossoms with beaches. Gaze at the cherry blossoms floating on trees above you and blowing down to the lake’s waters when a sea breeze blows through the trees. With over 4km of trees to walk through, this is certainly a lovely way to spend a warm spring day. Check out the pavilion for romantic views that are best shared with a loved on. There are games and activities to enjoy, as well as unique festival foods, such as flower pancakes.
How to get there: Take a train or bus from Seoul to Gangneung City. From Gangneung Bus Terminal, take Bus 202 and get off at Gyeongpodae Lake.
Address: 강원도 강릉시 초당동 459-2
Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
When: March 22 – March 24 2024
The Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival, located near Jirisan National Park, is one of the most magical cherry blossom festivals in Korea. What makes this so amazing is the landscape, set in the Korean countryside for a view of cherry blossoms surrounded by nature. The attraction is the ‘marriage road‘, which is rumoured to guarantee a long and happy life together if couples walk down it holding hands. When the sun hits the blossoms from above, they cast a romantic pink glow on the road below.
How to get there: Take the intercity bus from Nambu Bus Terminal (Seoul) to Hwagae City. Get off at Hwagaejangteo Market and walk to the temple from Hwagae following the river. Roads will probably be crowded, so expect delays.
Address: 경상남도 하동군 화개면 쌍계로 15
Jeju Island Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
When: March 22 – March 24 2024
At the Jeju Island Cherry Blossom Festival you’ll find streets full of cherry blossom goods, arts and craft stalls, and festival food stalls, all overlooked by the cloudy cherry blossoms. This is the most popular cherry blossom festival on Jeju Island and a perfect place for blossom viewing. If you arrive a few weeks after the festival, towards mid-April, you can see the special Jeju King cherry blossoms. These cherry blossoms, native to Jeju Island, are bigger than the usual cherry blossoms and much brighter, too.
How to get there: Take bus 122 from Jeju Airport to Jeju Bus Terminal. Walk north along the river for 10 minutes or take a taxi. You can also see the cherry blossoms at Jangjeon-ri in Aewol and outside Jeju National University.
Address: 삼도일동 721-14번지 제주시
Korean Cherry Blossom Festival Tour Options
Here are some tours that will take you to these cherry blossom festivals if you want a simpler and faster way to visit the tours than by travelling on public transport.
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Day Tour from Seoul
- Available Cherry Blossom Tour from Seoul & Busan
- Ganghwa Island Cherry Blossom & Luge Ride from Seoul
- Garden of Morning Calm & Eden Cherry Blossom Tour from Seoul
- Yangpyeong Galsan Park Cherry blossom Tour from Seoul
- Daegu E-WORLD Land & Spring Cherry Blossom from Seoul
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan
- Cherry Blossom Hunting Tour from Busan
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan
- Jeju Canola Flower & Cherry Blossom from Jeju City
Want to know whether it’s worth visiting a spring cherry blossom festival in Korea? Check out this video of some of the prettiest, pinkest cherry blossom views in Seoul.
Korean Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024
The 2024 Korean cherry blossom forecast is now available and you can see the dates for the start and peak blossom dates in major cities and cherry blossom spots across Korea, including Jinhae, Seoul, and Busan. The cherry blossom forecast dates for South Korea in 2024 are on average a day or two earlier than 2023, indicating another early cherry blossom season in Korea.
The 2024 Korean cherry blossom forecast below will show you the start dates for cherry blossoms in Korea this spring. The cherry blossom peak (the best time to visit) is usually around 4-7 days after the start of the blossoming. The spring cherry blossom festivals typically run from the first blossoms.
For a more detailed guide to seeing cherry blossoms in Korea this spring, check out my Korean cherry blossom guide. This guide covers all the best festivals, riverside and lakeside walking spots, peaceful forests abloom with nature, and useful tips for getting around Korea in spring.
Spring Nature Festivals In Korea 2024
Spring is one of the best times to visit Korea. The main reason for this is the abundance of vibrant plants and flowers that come alive in this season. Korea has beautiful nature and shows it a lot of respect with a profusion of spring festivals focused on foliage, blossoms, and blooms.
From cool and shaded bamboo forests, to distinctly Dutch-looking tulip farms, there’s certainly plenty of nature-based spring festivals in Korea that will please outdoors lovers. These Korean spring festivals begin with the very first blossoms of the season, apricot plums, in early March.
Spring Nature Festival Tours
Many of these Korean spring nature festivals are located far from the major cities and are therefore quite difficult to get to, even if you are familiar with using public transport in Korea. Therefore, I’ve included some tours that will help you see these festivals and save you a lot of time.
- Gwangyang Maehwa & Jeonju Hanok Village Tour from Seoul
- Jeju Canola and Cherry Blossom Tour from Jeju City
- Taean Tulip Festival & Strawberry Picking Tour from Seoul
- Garden of Morning Calm & Gapyeong Day Tour from Seoul
- Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival & Seafood Tour from Seoul
The address of each of these spring festivals has been included below, as well as directions for how to reach the festival. Please note that some of these festivals may take up to 4 or 5 hours to get to one-way from Seoul or Busan, which is why tours really can be a much better option.
Damyang International Bamboo Festival 2024
When: May 11 – May 15 2024
The Damyang International Bamboo Festival is a beautiful Korean spring festival that is located in Juknokwon, a pretty bamboo forest with gigantic bamboo trees to walk through. The festival has lots of hands-on activities, including bamboo log rafting and water biking. There is also food made with bamboo, bamboo beer, and bamboo-based souvenirs to purchase. The Damyang bamboo forest is a peaceful, refreshing destination with lots of secretive pathways, babbling brooks, and traditional Korean buildings to explore.
How to get there: Damyang is far from Seoul, so a tour would be the easiest option. Take the KTX from Yongsan Station to Gwangju Station and then change to bus 311.
Address: 전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽녹원로 119
Boseong Green Tea Culture Festival 2024
When: May 03 – May 7 2024
The Boseong Green Tea Culture Festival is a collection of festivals and events held at the lush green tea fields in Boseong and showcases one of Korea’s healthiest drinks – green tea. This festival will give you the opportunity to pick your own leaves, make healthy Korean green tea, and try lots of green tea-based products. Other activities include learning about traditional Korean tea ceremonies and the manners involved, a green tea stamp tour, tea competition, and even an astrology experience.
How to get there: Boseong is far from Seoul and Busan and a tour would be the best option. From Gwangju, take the train to Boseong Station, then transfer to Yulpo Bus 70-5 or 71-5/6/8.
Address: 전라남도 보성군 보성읍 녹차로 775
Gwangyang Maehwa Plum Blossom Festival 2024
When: March 8 – March 17 2024
The Gwangyang Maehwa Plum Blossom Festival is one of the first of the Korean spring festivals as the apricot plum blossoms are the first to come out after winter. The apricot plum blossoms are often mistaken for cherry blossoms as they look quite similar and are equally as pretty. Spread over 83 acres, there are countless apricot plum blossoms to see in Maehwa Village. You can sample apricot plum blossom ice cream at this spring festival, too. All made locally.
How to get there: This is not easily accessed by public transport unless you’re staying locally. Take bus 35 from Gwangyang Bus Terminal (75 minutes) to reach the festival ground.
Address: 광양시 다압면 섬진강매화로 1563-1
Garden Of Morning Calm Spring Festival 2024
When: April 15 – May 31 2024
The Garden of Morning Calm Spring Festival celebrates the beautiful rebirth of nature with a plethora of different flowers on display throughout April and May. You can find such delights as magnolia, azalea, Japanese apricot, forsythia and even cherry blossoms. There is also the wild flower exhibition to see in the large greenhouses inside the Garden of Morning Calm. Certainly one of the most colourful and beautiful of the spring nature festivals in Korea.
How to get there: The Garden of Morning Calm can be accessed from Seoul by bus, train, or by driving. Check out the directions from their website to find the best way for you.
Address: 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432
Jeju Canola Flower Festival 2024
When: March 20 – April 10 2024
The Jeju Canola Flower Festival is held in Gasi-ri Town, which is famous for having the largest number of canola flowers on Jeju Island. This area has picturesque views of long, winding roads, cherry blossoms and canola flowers blooming together, and Jeju’s famous volcanic rock walls offering contrast to the bright spring colours. Drive down Noksan-ro Road between Noksanjang and Gammajang for one of the most scenic routes in Korea. Also visit Hueree Natural Park near Seogwipo for more canola sights.
How to get there: Both of these locations are not easily accessed by public transport. Car rental for Jeju Island is the easiest way to enjoy seeing canola flowers in spring.
Address: 서귀포시 표선면 가시리 산41-1
Nonsan Strawberry Festival 2024
When: March 21 – March 24 2024
The Nonsan Strawberry Festival is held in the central Korean city of Nonsan, the largest strawberry producing area in the whole country and one famous for large, succulent strawberries. The festival spreads across wide strawberry fields near the Nonsancheon Stream with millions of juicy strawberries to pick and eat. There are various events, such as strawberry picking, strawberry cake & jam making, and other strawberry-based activities. K-Drama fans can also visit the Sunshine Studio in Nonsan.
How to get there: Take the KTX from Seoul Station, change at Gwangmyeong Station and get off at Nonsan Station. Walk or take a taxi to the festival area.
Address: 충청남도 논산시 취암동 체육로 110
Gurye Sansuyu Festival 2024
When: March 9 – March 17 2024
The Gurye Sansuyu Festival is a spring festival celebrating the yellow sansuyu (cornelian cherry) blossoms and runs at the same time as the maehwa (plum blossoms) are on display in Jirisan National Park. This area has more than 30,000 sansuyu trees, making an ocean of yellow flowers to walk under and appreciate. There are also dance performances, traditional music, and other festival events to enjoy, including fireworks.
How to get there: From Gurye Bus Terminal, take bus 7-4, 7-7, or 7-9 until the Jungdong bus stop near the festival.
Address: 전라남도 구례군 산동면 좌사리 835-2
Taean Tulip Festival 2024
When: April 10 – May 7 2024
The Taean Tulip Festival is Korea’s largest flower festival and held at the Korea Flower Park in the coastal city of Taean on Korea’s west coast. Visitors to this festival can experience oceans of bright tulips in a variety of colours, from dazzling yellow to deep red. The flower park provides many photo opportunities for nature-lovers, with spring flowers as well as decorations, ornaments, and sculpted displays.
How to get there: Take a bus from Central City Bus Terminal in Seoul to the Anmyeon Bus Terminal. Take a taxi to the festival.
Address: 충청남도 태안군 안면읍 꽃지해안로 400
Everland Fairy Town Tulip Festival 2024
When: March 22 – June 18 2024
The Everland Fairy Town Tulip Festival is the spring 2024 festival for Korea’s biggest theme park and features not only beautiful tulips, it also has a fantastic fairy world to go with it. There are loads of fun photo zones with fairies and other magical creatures here. Everland hosts one of the largest spring flower festivals and primarily includes tulips and daffodils, as well as more flowers as they come into season through spring. Visitors to Everland can enjoy thrilling roller coasters, fun fairground activities, animals, fireworks, parades, and many pretty flowers.
How to get there: Take the Everland Shuttle Bus from Seoul to Everland directly or book a shuttle bus with entrance fee included.
Address: 경기 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199
House Of Yu Gi-Bang Daffodil Festival 2024
When: March 22 – April 30 2024
The House of Yu Gi-Bang Daffodil Festival isn’t actually a festival, but it’s worth adding to this list as it’s a seasonal event that’s on for a limited time. During March and April, visitors to The House of Yu Gi-Bang can witness thousands of golden daffodils shining upwards among the grounds of this historic hanok house. This house may be familiar to fans of ‘Mr. Sunshine’ as it was used in the K-Drama. It’s a lovely place outside of Seoul where you can walk and explore the gardens and buildings, surrounded by pine forests and experience traditional Korea.
How to get there: The house is close to Seosan, but you should take a bus and transfer several times. Driving is recommended.
Address: 충남 서산시 운산면 이문안길 72-10
Goyang International Flower Festival 2024
When: April 27 – May 8 2024 (2024 Dates TBC)
The Goyang International Flower Festival by International Horticulture Goyang Korea is an impressive flower exhibition held in spring and autumn each year at the Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang. Visitors to the spring festival can spend the day admiring creative flower displays along the shore of the lake, which features art pieces, photo zones, unique and rare plants, and flower-filled pathways. There are also cultural events, performances, and festival food to enjoy.
How to get there: Take the orange subway line (Line 3) to Jeongbalsan Station and use exit 1 or 2 to get to the park.
Address: 경기도 고양시 일산동구 호수로 595 KR
Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival 2024
When: April 26 – May 12 2024
The Ganghwado Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival is located on one of the islands of Incheon, just outside of Seoul. Mount Goryeosan is an area of natural wonder that is known for it’s roaming displays of vivid pink and purple azaleas spread over the mountain. Visit on a sunny day for impressive postcard-like scenes of traditional buildings, rocky mountains, and colourful pools of pink and purple azaleas. Also see azalea photo zones, art exhibitions, and street art.
How to get there: Take a bus to Ganghwa Terminal from Gimpo in Seoul. Transfer to bus 14 or 39 and get off at Seonhaeng-ri Entrance.
Address: 인천광역시 강화군 강화읍 국화리 550
Unique Korean Spring Festivals 2024
Spring in Korea is a time with many unique festivals that celebrate both local and international culture, traditions, and spectacles, including a miraculous sea parting. These spring festivals are not to be missed and will show you some sights you won’t normally see in other seasons.
This section contains diverse festivals that have happened for a long time, such as the Seoul Lantern Festival for Buddha’s Birthday, and the Jeju Fire Festival. These historic festivals are a window into Korea’s past, while others show modern and international cultural influences on Korea.
Jindo Sea Parting Miracle Festival 2024
When: Mar 12 – Mar 13 2024
The Jindo Sea Parting Miracle Festival is a unique annual occurrence in Jindo where the seas give way to form a 3km-long pathway between islands. You’re not likely to see an event like this elsewhere in the world. The ‘miracle’ occurs due to an extremely low tide, caused by tidal harmonics. During this time, you can walk from Jindo Island to Modo Island, hunt for clams and shells who have been abandoned by the waters, and take lots of pictures.
How to get there: Jindo is an island in SW Korea and not easily accessed from major cities. There are no current tours to the Jindo Sea Parting Festival, so driving is the best option.
Address: 전남 진도군 고군면 신비의바닷길 74
Yeon Deung Hoe (Seoul) Lotus Lantern Festival 2024
When: May 10 – May 12 2024
The Yeon Deung Hoe Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival is the biggest celebration of Buddha’s Birthday in Korea. At the Seoul Lantern Festival, which is held in two of Seoul’s most famous temples, Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam and Jogyesa Temple in Jongno, you can see lots of colourful lantern displays, cultural performances, and traditional decorations. The highlight of this festival is the lantern parade through central Seoul, held on May 20th from 7pm.
How to get there: The parade runs from Jonggak to Dongdaemun Station. Jogyesa Temple is near Anguk Station & Bongeunsa Temple is outside Bongeunsa Station.
Address: 서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55
Gyeongju Cherry Marathon 2024
When: April 6 2024
The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon Festival is a festival that combines beautiful cherry blossoms with the spectacle of a half marathon. The Gyeongju Cherry Marathon starts in the Bomun Lake area and goes around the lake, following the river into Gyeongju City and back along the opposite shore back past the lake again, running under cherry tree-lined river roads. The shorter 10km and 5km races stick to the Bomun Lake area, which is one of the most spectacular places for cherry blossoms in Gyeongju. The race starts at 8:00am.
How to get there: From Singyeongju KTX station, take bus 700 to Bomun Lake and get off at the K Hotel stop. Cross the bridge for the start.
Address: 경상북도 경주시 천군동 157-8
Jeju Fire Festival 2024
When: Skipped in 2024 (normally early March)
The Jeju Fire Festival is a unique Korean spring festival where Saebyeol Oreum (volcanic cone hill) is set alight as huge daljip (moon houses) are burnt at night. This cultural festival helps bring good fortune to the island, protects from evil, and ensures a strong harvest in autumn. It also signals the move from winter to spring with the first burning away the old grass. Watch the night skies glow red as the massive fires spread across the hill and watch other festival events, such as a torch march, fire show, entertainment shows, and try local foods.
How to get there: Take bus 282 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at Saebyeol Oreum stop. Walk towards Saebyeol Oreum.
Address: 제주 제주시 애월읍 봉성리 산59-8
Holi Hai Festival 2024
When: April 13 2024
The Holi Hai Festival is held by the Indians in Korea group to celebrate India’s largest festival. Running for more than a decade in Korea, this colourful festival will be held on Nami Island in 2024 and is open to people from all nationalities and ethnicities as a way to celebrate the coming of spring, the joy of friendship, and equality for all. Bring a white t-shirt to the event and prepare to get very messy as you throw coloured powders into the air and at each other while Bollywood music blasts out in the background. Please note, you should register on the Holi Hai website to be able to join the event.
How to get there: There are many ways to get to Nami Island, including a train from Seoul. Find out more in my guide to getting to Nami Island.
Address: 강원 춘천시 남산면 남이섬길 1
Seoul Festa Festival 2024
When: May 1 – May 6 2024
The Seoul Festa Festival, now in its second year, is a cultural festival in Seoul that highlights the best of the city’s culture and entertainment. The five themes of the Seoul Festa are music, style, taste, night-scape, and ‘boom-up’ events. There will be events and activities across Seoul. K-Pop acts will perform on April 30th at the Jamsil Sports Complex and there will be numerous events at the main venue in Gwanghwamun Square focusing on drama, beauty, fashion, and traditional crafts. Experience outdoor dining and light shows at the Hangang River Parks and the Myeongdong Festival in Myeongdong.
How to get there: Gwanghwamun Station for the main venue, Myeongdong Station for the Myeongdong Festival. Sports Complex Station for the K-Pop event.
Address: 인천광역시 강화군 강화읍 국화리 550
The Color Run Korea 2024
When: 2024 Date TBC
The Color Run Korea is another colourful spring festival that is all about enjoying the lovely weather and getting outside for fun with friends. Held in Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, join with a host of Korean celebrities and run 5km through 5 different colour-themed zones and get colourful as colour powder is thrown all around, just like in the Holi Hai festival. Food trucks, after-run parties, photo zones, and live performances make this a fun day out in spring.
Tickets required, so be sure to book in advance to guarantee a spot.
How to get there: Take the subway to Songdo Moonlight Festival Park Station and use exit 4. The subway line is Incheon Line 1.
Address: 인천광역시 연수구 센트럴로 350
Seoul Jazz Festival 2024
When: May 31 – Jun 2 2024
The Seoul Jazz Festival is one of the first big summer festivals (it actually happens in spring this year) and features lots of fantastic sets from artists such as Taeyang, Epik High, Balming Tiger, Damien Rice, and more. The Seoul Jazz Festival is held each year in Olympic Park in Seoul, a wide park with lots of indoor and outdoor venues that host the various types of acts. There is more than just jazz, with indie, hip-hop, dance music, and more by artists from around the world.
Tickets required, so be sure to book in advance to guarantee a spot.
How to get there: Take the subway to Olympic Park Station and use exit 3. Line 5 and Line 9 both stop at this station.
Address: 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 424
The Samgwangsa Lotus Lantern Festival 2024
When: May 5 – May 27 2024 (2024 Dates TBC)
The Samgwangsa Lotus Lantern Festival is a festival celebrating Buddha’s Birthday in one of Busan’s most beautiful Buddhist temples. See thousands and thousands of lanterns strung out between temple buildings, along pathways, hanging from trees, and wrapped around the temple buildings. This beautiful festival is best seen at night after the lanterns are turned on at 7pm, which creates a dazzling display of colours across the temple. Climb up the lantern-lined stairs of Baegyangsan Mountain and discover this awe-inspiring spring festival in Korea.
How to get there: Take bus 81 from outside Busan Station. Get off at Seonggok Traditional Market and walk to the temple.
Address: 부산진구 초읍천로43번길 77
Haeundae Sand Festival In Busan 2024
When: May 19 – May 22 2024 (2024 Dates TBC)
The Busan Haeundae Sand Festival is a unique spring festival that sees Busan’s most popular beach destination transformed into an outdoor canvas for the best sand artists. You can see a range of sand sculptures at this festival, from local characters and heroes, to gigantic replicas of famous sights, such as the Eiffel Tower. There are tall sculptures all along the beach to walk along and admire, or to gaze at while you rest in one of the beachside cafes or bars. Although the festival only runs for a few days, the sand art remains on display until June 6th.
How to get there: Take the subway to Haeundae Station and walk towards the beach. Take bus 1003 from Busan Station.
Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 중제1동 1411-25
These unique spring festivals are not to be missed if you’re in Korea at the right time, especially the Seoul Lantern Festival. It’s a massive parade that goes through the centre of the city and will be something you’ll remember for a long time. Here’s a video of what it looks like.
Korean Spring Cultural Festivals 2024
Korea has lots of unique culture and traditions that are best witnessed in these Korean spring festivals. You can experience traditional crafts, learn about folklore and historical events, and visit long-running festivals that celebrate life and harmony in Korea during spring.
As well as traditional Korean culture, some of these spring festivals showcase the best of international culture and performances, such as the Chuncheon Mime Festival and Tongyeong International Music Festival. These smaller festivals will offer a unique glimpse into Korea.
Chuncheon International Mime Festival 2024
When: May 26 – June 2 2024
The Chuncheon International Mime Festival is one of the 3 major mime festivals in the world and has been running for more than 30 years. The festival includes performances of Korea’s top mime artists, as well as mime artists from around the world. The mime festival is held in several venues in the city of Chuncheon, with the main area near the river. Visitors to this festival not only watch the interesting mime performances, they can also join in and be part of the show.
How to get there: Take the ITX from Yongsan Station to Chuncheon Station, then take a taxi to the main riverside festival area.
Address: 강원도 춘천시 삼천동 200-9
Busan Gwangalli Eobang Yellowtail Festival 2024
When: May 10 – May 12 2024
The Busan Gwangalli Eobang Yellowtail Festival is held on one of Busan’s most popular beaches, Gwangalli Beach, and is a festival dedicated to the fishermen of this coastal region. At the Busan Eobang Yellowtail Festival you can see parades, watch the fishermen go out to sea, see cultural performances, and be part of the local traditions. Visitors can try out bare-handed fish catching, take part in a cooking contest, and try lots of Busan’s famous local yellowtail fish.
How to get there: From Busan Station, take bus 40 / 41 / 1001 / 1003 to Gwangalli Beach or bus 38 / 1001 / 1003 from Haeundae Beach.
Address: 부산광역시 수영구 광남로
Seocheon Camellia Octopus Festival 2024
When: March 16 – March 31 2024
The Seocheon Camellia Octopus Festival is a festival held in the small town of Seocheon on Korea’s west coast that celebrates two local specialities; camellia flowers and webfoot octopuses. Held at the Maryangjun Port in Seocheon, visitors can walk around the beautiful pink, red, and white camellia flowers and take in views of the Yellow Sea where the octopuses roam. There are octopus-themed events such as octopus fishing and octopus cooking, as well as cultural performances and festival food.
How to get there: Seocheon is not easily accessed by public transport, so I recommend using a car to drive there.
Address: 충청남도 서천군 서면 서인로 56
Tongyeong International Music Festival 2024
When: March 29 – April 7 2024
The Tongyeong International Music Festival was created to celebrate the world-famous composer Yoon Lee-Sang, who was born in Tongyeong on Korea’s south coast. This spring festival is a good chance to experience classical music performances from Korean and international musicians, including the Korean National Symphony Orchestra. Tongyeong is not only a popular attraction for summer travellers who want to enjoy the areas many beaches, it’s also a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
How to get there: From Busan Seobu Bus Terminal, take the intercity bus to Tongyeong Bus Terminal, then change to bus 104 / 141 / 184.
Address: 경상남도 통영시 큰발개1길 38
Eumseong Pumba Festival 2024
When: May 22 – May 26 2024
The Eumseong Pumba Festival is a Korean spring festival dedicated to the tradition of begging and street singing. ‘Pumba’ is the word that street singers would sing as they moved around towns and villages looking for food or money or anything people would offer. The word is meaningless, but provides a basis for the chants and a beat for dancing. The Eumseong Pumba Festival has performances by gakseori, modern day performers who show their exicitng and colourful singing and dancing skills.
How to get there: From Seoul Nambu Terminal, take an intercity bus to Eumseong Bus Terminal, then walk to the park where the festival is held.
Address: 충청북도 음성군 음성읍 설성공원길 28
Yeongam Wangin Festival 2024
When: March 28 – March 31 2024
The Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival is held at the start of April to coincide with the cherry blossoms and offers a colourful look into the life of the famous Korean scholar, Dr. Wangin. Dr. Wangin travelled to Japan 1,600 years ago with his followers and taught the Japanese royal court about Confucian values, as well as teaching arts and singing techniques. This festival celebrates his achievements and features traditional Korean cultural events, including parades, performances, songs, and dancing.
How to get there: From Mokpo, take bus 101 and get off at the Historic Site of Dr. Wangin, which is where the festival is held.
Address: 전라남도 영암군 군서면 왕인로 440
There are lots more smaller cultural spring festivals in Korea that might appeal to those who want to see a different side of Korea. I won’t go into detail about these festivals, but you can learn more about them from the links below.
- Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival (Cancelled in 2024)
- Changwon Jindong Midodeok Festival (May 12 – May 14 2024)
- Daegu Hip Hop Festival (May 4 – May 5 2024)
- Daejeon Gyejoksan Red Clay Path Festival (May – 2024 TBC)
- Mungyeong Chasabal Festival (April 27 – May 6 2024)
Most of these links are in Korean. If you can’t read Korean, I recommend using a plugin like Google Translate, or translating via an app like Papago. There typically aren’t tours for these as major tour companies don’t bother to visit them. Trazy is probably the only tour company that might.
If you’re not sure how to use Papago, check out my guide to the Papago app and find out why it’s a must-have when travelling to Korea. I used it a lot when writing this article.
Guide To Visiting Korea In Spring
To get the most out of these Korean spring festivals, it is important to consider what travelling to Korea during spring is like. Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Korea as the weather is pleasant, nature puts on a good show, and there are many things to see and do.
However, there are some issues when travelling to Korea during spring, such as public holidays that might make it difficult to travel, seasonal air pollution, and peak travel problems. The following section of this guide to spring festivals in Korea offers lots of useful information to help you travel more easily.
What Is Korean Spring Weather Like?
Here’s a quick summary of the weather in Korea during each month of spring:
- March: cold and wintry still
- April: warmer and sunny, some rain.
- May: warm and sunny, some rain.
March is the start of spring in Korea and there’s still a chance of snow. Temperatures at night are below zero in the first half of March but may be up to 20 degrees during the day. The weather changes a lot during March and may be snowing one week and warm and sunny the next.
April has warmer temperatures, especially at night, but usually requires a jacket at the start of the month. There is more rain in April, which can be a problem if you want to see cherry blossoms, but it’s not usually constant. Generally, April is warm with clear skies and a great time to travel in Korea.
May is a much warmer than the start of spring and the summer weather starts to begin. Temperatures can be as high as 30 degrees, but typically stay around the low 20s with clear skies and lots of sunshine. There are still rainy days, but they’re not as bad as June, which is rainy season in Korea.
Fine Dust During Spring In Korea
Although the weather in Korea during spring is usually clear and sunny, with mild rain showers on some days, the air pollution is at its worst. The seasonal air pollution, known as Yellow Dust, hits Korea during spring and can cause thick pollution that’s dangerous to be outside in.
If you’re sensitive to air pollution, be sure to check out the current fine dust levels in Korea and wear an appropriate face mask. Use a weather or air pollution app to check the current situation and take appropriate actions. You can tell when the fine dust is serious as there will be a yellow haze in the sky.
Are There Any Public Holidays During Spring In Korea?
There are several public holidays during spring in Korea that might affect your travel plans or provide extra festivals to see. Most of these are fixed to a certain date, but Buddha’s Birthday, was is based on the lunar calendar, changes each year. Be sure to check the correct dates for the year.
May 15th: Buddha’s Birthday (celebrated May 15th in 2024). This public holiday is the Buddhist equivalent of Christmas for Christians. There are big celebrations at Buddhist temples across Korea on this day, with lanterns, cultural events, and food provided by temples. Tourist sites should be open.
March 1st: Independence Day. This is a public holiday for workers, so banks and government buildings will be closed. Tourist sights and shops should still be open with regular hours.
May 5th: Children’s Day. This is a public holiday to celebrate children. Banks and government buildings (incl. schools) will be closed. Expect family-oriented places to be especially busy on this day as families celebrate their children and the weather is usually good for being outdoors at this time.
June 6th: Memorial Day. This is a public holiday to remember those who have died in wars. This isn’t in spring, but may affect travel plans for those travelling between seasons. Banks and government buildings will be closed, but tourist sights and shops should be open.
Please note: holidays that fall on a weekend day will usually be moved to the following Monday.
How Can You Travel To Korean Spring Festivals?
The easiest option to see Korean spring festivals is with a guided tour. There are many tour companies that provide tours to popular festivals during spring, such as the cherry blossom and flower festivals. Here are some of the best tour companies operating in Korea:
To get around on Korea’s public transport, it is best to get a T-Money card, which is a prepaid transportation card used for buses, subways, and taxis in Korea. You can purchase a T-Money card at Incheon Airport when you arrive, or at convenience stores in Korea.
Travelling to city-based Korean spring festivals can be easy, depending on the location of the festival and its popularity. Korea has a well-connected public transport system that covers the country, as well as excellent bus, subway, and train networks in big cities that are mostly available in English.
However, travelling to remote spring festivals in the Korean countryside may be more challenging and might not be feasible without a car. You can rent a car in Korea to help you get around outside the cities and see a very different side to Korea than you’ll find in the urban areas.
Useful Apps For Travelling Korea In Spring
There are many apps and websites that can help you navigate in Korea and find your way to spring festivals more easily. The most useful apps include Naver Maps, which you can use to plan routes and check bus times, and Papago Korean Translation, which can help you translate Korean.
Kakao Taxi is the best Korean app for booking taxis in Korea. Kakao Taxi is easy to use and you can use my guide to help you setup Kakao Taxi with or without a Korean phone number. Finally, use the official Korean Rail website to check train times and book tickets in Korea.
For more tips about how to travel around Korea to see festivals and other attractions, read my South Korea Travel Guide. It’s full of useful tips to help you plan your journey to Korea and has more information about what to see, do, and discover during spring and other seasons.
Where Should You Stay To Visit Korean Festivals In Spring?
Tours that go to Korean spring festivals, such as the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, usually start from Seoul or Busan, so staying in one of these cities is the best option if you plan to book a day tour. If you’re planning to see festivals on Jeju Island, then Jeju City is a good place to stay.
Seoul and Busan have several spring festivals that can be accessed by public transport and each city has a good transport network that means you don’t need to stay near the festival to see it. I recommend finding a good location you want to stay in, then travelling to the festival that day.
For Seoul, I recommend looking for hotels in Myeongdong or hotels in Hongdae for first time travellers. These areas have good hotel options for budget to mid-range travellers, great transport connections, lots of interesting nightlife, and good food and cafe options nearby.
For Busan, I recommend looking for hotels in the Haeundae Beach area or in the downtown Seomyeon area. These two areas are popular with travellers and have lots of dining and accommodation options. Haeundae Beach is also close to attractions and has coastal views.
FAQs About Spring Festivals In Korea
Finally, here’s a few FAQs about Korean spring festivals, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.
What Are the biggest Korean spring festivals?
The biggest Korean spring festivals are the cherry blossom festivals in Seoul and the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. These festivals run for two weeks and attract over 1 million people per year during that time. The Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival and Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival in Seoul are the two most popular cherry blossom festivals in the capital.
What popular Korean spring festivals are there?
There are many popular Korean spring festivals to visit each year, including plenty of cherry blossom festivals. There are also flower festivals, a bamboo festival, a green tea plantation festival, cultural festivals, food festivals, music festivals and many more festivals in Korea during spring.
When does spring start in Korea?
Spring in Korea starts at the beginning of March and finishes at the end of May. However, early March still resembles winter and it’s not until mid-March that blossoms, such as the maehwa apricot plum blossom, starts to appear. By the end of March, spring is fully underway with cherry blossoms, sansuyu, gaenari, and other Korean flowers and trees in bloom.
Should I book tours to see Korean spring festivals?
Korean spring festivals held in large cities, such as Seoul and Busan, can be accessed by public transport and a tour won’t be necessary. Festivals in locations outside large cities, such as the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, can be difficult to access by public transport and therefore a tour is recommend to save time and for convenience. Also, some spring festivals, especially cherry blossom ones, are very popular and access can be difficult without booking a tour in advance.
How’s the weather During spring in Korea?
The weather during spring in Korea is varied, starting with cold nights and warm days during March and ending with hotter weather and the onset of the humid summer at the end of May. Spring is one of the best seasons for travelling as the temperature is relatively mild, there are lots of sunny days, and there is less rain than in summer.
Are there any spring festivals on Jeju Island?
There are several spring festivals on Jeju Island, including the Jeju Fire Festival in early March, the Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival in late March, and the Jeju Canola Flower Festival also in late March. The combination of the pink cherry blossoms and yellow canola flowers can be seen in many places on Jeju Island and they bloom at they same time.
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