The Best Fall and Winter Festivals in South Korea

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Many festivals take place in South Korea during the fall and winter, but some are better suited for foreigners, as language isn’t required to fully enjoy them. These festivals are visual, fun, and filled with great food and traditions. As cooler months approach, South Korea becomes an ideal place to experience the country’s rich traditions. Here isn’t just a shift in weather; it’s a celebration of the harvest, culture, and community. This post highlights the top fall festivals that make this season unforgettable.

Table of Contents

• Must-See Fall Festivals in South Korea
• Chuseok
• Andong Mask Dance Festival
• Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival
• The Busan International Fireworks Festival
• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
• Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival
• Herb Island Light Festival
• Everland Winter Wishes
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Must-See Fall and Winter Festivals in South Korea

Best Festivals For Cooler Days

Name it and there is probably a festival for it in South Korea. From fish to films, South Korea enjoys celebrating everything. Here are the must-see Fall and winter Festivals within a few hours from Camp Walker in Daegu South Korea. Most of them reflect the Autumn harvest, the people’s dedication to their culture and traditions as well as its new-found influence on the rest of the world. Although there are a dozen festivals I can think of, here are four of my personal favorites.

Chuseok 

All Over South Korea
Sun, Oct 5, 2025 – Wed, Oct 8, 2025

This is not your typical festival. Chuseok is the South Korean equivalent of the American Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a three-day festival devoted to the harvest and ancestors. Chuseok foods have ceremonial relevance, as does their placement on the dinner table. It’s all very visual and complicated (to foreigners) simultaneously. So look for it next year. Hopefully, you’ll get an invite from a friend.

Chuseok is mainly celebrated at home with family and friends. However, there are also public performances: singing, dancing, and storytelling. And if you are lucky enough to be invited, I wholeheartedly recommend that you go. But don’t forget a gift. Common Chuseok gifts include pears, apples, grapes, and Spam. Yes Spam.

Andong Mask Dance Festival 

Andong Hahoe Village
Friday, September 27, 2024 – Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The festival has over 50 events, but the highlight is the National & International Mask Dance Performances and World Mask Competitions. Competitors come from all around the world. We went the day they had performances by the Philippines and Japan. A taste of Thailand just before our first of three trips: Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai.

There are dozens of vendors hawking everything from sneakers to kitchen spoons to soaps and perfumes. Fresh and dried fish, octopus, silkworms, and fresh fruits and vegetables baked under the intense sun. Nuts, spices, berries, and something that resembled rice crispy treats toppled into tall towers… easily toppled by unsteady hands. Hands-on demonstrations of mask making, dance groups including very young (and possibly mildly inappropriately dressed) belly dancers.

Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival

beneath Jinjuseong Fortress and Chokseongnu Pavilion
October 1 – October 13, 2024

I loved the lantern festivals the most. This beautiful festival features brightly colored lanterns floating on the glassy stream. Visitors can make their own wish lanterns and send it downstream or even submit an entry to the most innovative lantern contest. Traditional lanterns from all over the world are on display as well. But the festival’s main draw is the simple beauty of thousands of lanterns lighting up the night near the Jinjuseong Fortress.

If you can’t make the lantern festival in Jinju, check out the Seoul Lantern Festival next month. The 10th annual festival will be held from November 2nd through the 18th. And although, I haven’t been to this one. But I have walked the 1.2 km long water path along the Cheonggyecheon Stream from Cheonggyecheon Square to Supyogyo Bridge where it will be held.

The Busan International Fireworks Festival

Gwangali Beach
November 9, 2024

Fireworks are always fun. An hour of fireworks synchronized to music is amazing. And laser lights over the longest suspension bridge in South Korea, adding to the excitement of millions of people, are a spectacle.

The Busan Fireworks Festival takes place every October on Gwangalli Beach in Busan. The festival has cultural events and entertainment, high-tech laser light shows, and culminates with one of the, if not the best, fireworks display I’ve ever seen. It is one of the area’s most popular festivals, drawing crowds of more than 1 million visitors every year. As a result, most people flock to the beach for a closer view of the festivities. However, nearby Hwangnyeongsan Mountain also offers the best panoramic view of the fireworks This year, the festival was held on October 22nd. Click here for the video.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

January

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (January)
Located in Gangwon Province, this famous festival offers ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, sledding, and ice sculptures. It’s one of Korea’s most popular winter events.

Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival

(December to February)

Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival is one of my favorite events. The famous green tea fields of Boseong transform into a sea of lights during this winter festival. The hills are covered in festive lights, creating a magical nighttime experience.

Herb Island Light Festival

(November to April)

Herb Island Light Festival in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, features an enchanting garden filled with millions of twinkling lights. It’s a perfect spot for couples or families looking for a romantic or festive atmosphere.

Everland Winter Wishes

(December to February)

Korea’s largest theme park, Everland, hosts a winter festival featuring Christmas lights, parades, and winter-themed shows. The park transforms into a winter wonderland with ice rinks and snow play areas.

Final Thoughts

There are many more festivals during this darker and colder period in South Korea. Be sure to check Facebook and Instagram for updates, as well as Korean sources like Line, Naver, and KakaoTalk. Additionally, you can text the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline, which provides 24/7 assistance in multiple languages, including English, for information on events, festivals, and other travel-related queries. You can also reach out through KakaoTalk for more details on upcoming events and festivals.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips for finding festivals and events in South Korea, especially for foreigners:

1. Tourism Websites: Check official tourism websites like the Korea Tourism Organization (Visit Korea) for updates on major events and festivals throughout the year.
2. Expat Communities: Join expat groups on Facebook or platforms like Meetup, where members often share local event recommendations and tips.
3. Event Apps: Download apps like Mangoplate for food festivals or Klook for ticketed events and guided tours. These apps often have event listings with reviews from other foreigners.
4. Local Tourist Information Centers: When traveling within Korea, stop by the local tourist information centers. They often have brochures and up-to-date details on seasonal festivals.
5. KakaoTalk Event Groups: Besides using the 1330 hotline, some regions or cities have KakaoTalk groups dedicated to foreigners, sharing event information in real-time.

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