Revealing 12 outstanding summer festivals in Korea 2025: Vibrant cultural experiences not to be missed

1. Haeundae Sand Festival – Busan

Impressive sand sculptures at the Haeundae festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: End of May every year.

As one of the most popular summer festivals in Korea , the Haeundae Sand Festival brings a unique art space right on the beach. Sand sculptures with diverse themes such as cinema, history, and Korean culture attract tens of thousands of visitors every year. When the bright yellow sunlight shines on the giant sand blocks, the entire Haeundae beach turns into a lively and poetic outdoor gallery.

2. Busan Lotus Lantern Festival

The sparkling lights illuminate the space, creating a mysterious and peaceful scene at the Lotus Lantern Festival, Busan. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: May (coinciding with Buddha's birthday).

Imbued with Buddhist tradition and spirituality, the Lotus Lantern Festival in Busan is held to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. Colorful lanterns in the shape of lotus flowers, dragons, phoenixes, etc. are lit up throughout temples and streets, creating a magical, shimmering scene. This is not only an occasion to pray for peace but also an opportunity to explore the depth of Korean spiritual culture.

3. Busan One Asia Festival – BOF 2025

The vibrant and energetic atmosphere from K-pop stars and participants at the Busan One Asia festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: June - July.

A must-see on the list of summer festivals in Korea is the Busan One Asia Festival – a large-scale music and cultural event featuring top K-pop stars. BOF is not only a destination for young music lovers, but also an opportunity for visitors to explore Korea ’s modern, dynamic lifestyle through exhibitions, fairs, and interactive games.

4. Seoul World DJ Festival – Seoul

Seoul World DJ Festival, where the world's top DJs create passionate music nights, attracts thousands of music lovers. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: Late June - Early July.

For electronic music lovers, the Seoul World DJ Festival is a true “sound party”. The world’s top DJs come together to create a fiery night of music in the heart of Seoul . The combination of music, lights, stage effects and thousands of audiences dancing to every beat will bring you an unforgettable summer.

5. Pohang International Fireworks Festival 2025

Brilliant fireworks at the Pohang festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: July every year.

With dazzling fireworks displays on Yeongildae Beach, the Pohang Fireworks Festival offers a visual feast for all visitors. The event brings together many international fireworks teams, competing artistically under the night sky, reflecting on the sea in a magical setting. This is one of the most anticipated summer festivals in Korea because of its grandeur and romance.

6. Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival

The quiet and poetic space of the Buyeo lotus festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: Mid-July.

Taking place at Gungnamji Park in Buyeo, known as the kingdom of lotus flowers, this festival is an opportunity to admire the lotus ponds in full bloom, combined with traditional cultural activities such as folk performances, masked dances, and Hanbok performances. The peaceful and fragrant space brings a gentle, profound summer experience.

7. Boryeong Mud Festival

Boryeong Mud Festival, where visitors can play in the mud, participate in fun sports activities and enjoy vibrant musical performances. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: Mid-July every year.

There’s nothing more fun than rolling around in the mud at Korea’s most famous summer festival , the Boryeong Mud Festival. With activities like mud wrestling, mud sliding, sports competitions, and even spectacular music shows, the festival not only brings laughter but is also a unique way to bring people together from all over the world.

8. WATERBOMB Festival – Busan

WATERBOMB Busan Festival, a vibrant EDM event combined with water gun battles. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: July.

If you love loud music and fun water activities, then Busan ’s Waterbomb festival is the place to be. With epic EDM stages, water gun battles between teams, and a line-up of top DJs, this event is the perfect way to blast and cool off during the hot summer months.

9. Naengmyeon Festival – Pyeongchang

Summer in Pyeongchang cannot be without the cold noodle festival, where visitors can enjoy the famous noodles in the cool air and exciting games. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: July.

Naengmyeon – Korea’s famous cold noodles – is the main character in the unique food festival in Pyeongchang. Visitors can not only enjoy cool and refreshing bowls of noodles, but also participate in interesting games such as noodle eating contests, creative cold noodle making… An ideal way to “cool off” on hot summer days.

10. Daegu Chimac Festival – Daegu Chimac Festival 2025

Daegu Chimac Festival, where fried chicken and beer are the perfect combination. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: End of July.

Summer in Korea becomes more “fiery” than ever with the Chimac festival – a combination of fried chicken and beer (maekju) in Daegu city. This is a paradise for food lovers and true “party-goers”. Hundreds of food stalls and outdoor music stages turn Daegu city into a vibrant party, where you can enjoy the taste of crispy fried chicken while sipping a cool glass of beer in the bustling atmosphere.

11. Busan Sea Festival

Exciting water sports activities and attractive music nights at Busan Sea Festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: Early August.

The Busan Sea Festival is a gathering place for water sports, art performances, and a bustling atmosphere around the clock. This is the perfect time to enjoy the blue sea, white sand, and vibrant outdoor music nights. Every summer, Gwangan and Haeundae beaches light up in festival colors, where you can cool off in the cool water and immerse yourself in the lively summer tunes.

12. Muju Firefly Festival

The magical scene of the Muju firefly festival. (Photo: Collected)

• Time: End of August.

Completely different from the noisy festivals, the Muju Firefly Festival has a poetic and mysterious atmosphere. When night falls, thousands of fireflies glow in the forest, creating a magical and shimmering scene. Visitors can also participate in ecological activities, release wish lanterns and experience the peaceful countryside of Muju.
Each summer festival in Korea is a colorful piece in the unique cultural picture. Whether you love art, music, food or nature – the land of kimchi has something wonderful for you. If you are looking for a journey not only to relax but also to live every cultural moment, this is the most ideal time to go. Plan today to make the summer of 2025 your most memorable journey!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/nhung-trai-nghiem-van-hoa-le-hoi-mua-he-noi-bat-o-han-quoc-2025-v17137.aspx