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Gwangyang Maehwa (Apricot Blossom) Festival
Dates : March 14, 2009 ~ March 22, 2009
Location : Maehwa Village, Daap-myeon region, near to Gwangyang city in Jeollanam-do province
Description : In Maehwa Village, the maehwa (apricot) trees cover over 100,000 pyeongs (about 83 acres) and in springtime they blanket the Baegunsan Mountains with white flowers. This festival is held when the maehwa flowers are in full bloom, and many people journey to this festival to enjoy the spectacular views.

Gurye Sansuyu (Cornus Fruit) Festival
Dates : March 19, 2009 ~ March 22, 2009
Location : Jirisan Mountain Hot Springs District, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun region, Jeollanam-do province
Description : Due to the abundance of sansuyu (cornus fruits), Gurye is famous for its teas, liquors, and various foods that are made from sansuyu flowers. Taking place in the hot springs region of the majestic Jirisan Mountains, the Gurye Sansuyu Festival not only is an opportunity to see the sansuyu flowers, but also visitors can enjoy performances, hands-on programs, and fireworks, which are all scheduled in the festival’s program.

Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu (Cornus Fruit) Blossom Festival
Dates : April 3, 2009 ~ April 5, 2009
Location : Dorip-ri Gyeongsa-ri, Songmal-ri, Baeksa-myeon region, Icheon city, Gyeonggi-do province
Description : Visitors to this festival will enjoy walking and taking photos amongst the 100-year-old flowering sansuyu (cornus fruit) trees. Other festival events include the sansuyu parade, and visitors can try out some traditional folk games.

Hwagae Marketplace Cherry Blossoms Festival
Dates : April 3, 2009 ~ April 5, 2009
Location : Tea Culture Center District Hwagae-myeon Hadong-gun region, Gyeongsangnam-do province
Description : It has been said that if couples in love walk through the beautiful white blooms of Hwagae’s Beotkkot-gil (Cherry Blossom Road), then they will get married and live a happy life together. The road is also known as ‘Hollye-gil (Marriage Road)’ due to this legend. The historic Hwagae Marketplace is located nearby the festival area along with restaurants where visitors can try some of the region’s famous dishes, such as Euneo-hoe (sliced raw sweetfish) and Chamgetang (king crab broth).

Jeju King Cherry Blossom Festival
Dates : April 4, 2009 ~ April 8, 2009
Location : Sports Complex District and downtown area of Jeju city, Jeju Island
Description: Here visitors can view the large luxurious petals of Jeju’s king cherry blossoms. The various performances held during the festival will create an unforgettable experience.

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival
Dates : April 9, 2009 ~ April 13, 2009
Location : Area behind Yeouido National Assembly Building and the surrounding areas of Yunjungno & Yeouido in Seoul
Description : The Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival is held in April every year when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The street behind the National Assembly Building, called Yunjung-ro, is lined with 1400 cherry blossom trees and is the most famous cherry blossom street in Seoul. Visitors can stroll next to the Han river through a tunnel of cherry blossom trees.

Jeju Canola Blossom Festival
Dates : April 4, 2009 ~ April 8, 2009
Location : Siminbokji Town, Jeju city, Jeju-do Island
Description: In Korea spring comes first to Jeju-do Island. From February the startling yellow yuchae (canola) flowers start to bloom, making Jeju’s spectacular landscape even more arresting. The Jeju Canola Blossom Festival celebrates the beauty of the canola flowers, and visitors can sample and purchase canola flower products, which are made locally. This is one of the most popular festivals in Jeju-do, attracting crowds of visitors every year.

Damyang Bamboo Festival
Dates : May 3, 2009 ~ May 8, 2009
Location : Jukhyang Culture Village, and the Korea Bamboo Museum, Jungnogwon, Damyang-gun Cultural Park, Jeollanam-do province
Description: Damyang in Jeollanam-do province is famous for its forests of bamboo trees. The Damyang Bamboo Festival has a long history, originating from the feast that was held at the end of the bamboo planting season. Visitors to this festival can sample alcohol and food made from bamboos.

Cheongpung Lake Side Cherry Blossoms Festival
Dates : April 11, 2009 ~ April 13, 2009
Location : Cheongpungho Lake area, Jecheon city, Chungcheongbuk-do
Description: During the festival period, not only can visitors walk alongside the lake admiring the blooming cherry blossoms, but they will also the enjoy the various cultural events and sports activities on offer, such as bungee jumping. Be sure that you don’t miss out on the traditional martial arts performances that will be held at various drama filming locations.

Hampyeong Butterfly Festival
Dates : April 24, 2009 ~ May 10, 2009
Location : Hampyeong Expo Park area, Hampyeong-gun region, Jeollanam-do
Description : The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival is held on over 8,300 acres of land in Jeollanam-do province. Visitors here will be delighted by the sight of tens of thousands of butterflies flying among the canola blossoms. This festival has been selected as the Best Festival of 2008 and 2009 by Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Mouthwatering Food Festivals

In Korea, almost more than anywhere else, cuisine is an integral part of the culture. Most dishes have a long history and the rich, spicy flavors mirror the vibrant character of Korean people. Korean cuisine uses natural organic ingredients whose remarkably healthy properties have been attracting fans all over the world. During springtime, an abundance of food festivals take place in Korea, celebrating unique and delicious local specialties. This spring discover Korean cuisine and really get to know Korean culture.

Busan Gwangalli Eobang Festival
Dates : April 24, 2009 ~ April 26, 2009
Location : Gwangalli Beach area, Suyeong-gu, Busan City
Description: The ‘Busan Gwangalli Eobang Festival’, which is held in the Gwangalli Beach area, is one of the largest and most famous festivals in Busan. Up until 2000, the festival was a small celebration called the Millak Raw Fish Festival held in Busan’s Millak-dong Raw Fish Center. Now, from 2001, the ‘Busan Gwangalli Eobang Festival’ became an exciting combination of the Millak Raw Fish Festival, the Beach Festival held on Gwangalli Beach and the Cherry Blossom Festival held in Namcheon.

Uljin Snow Crab Festival
Dates : April 3, 2009 ~ April 5, 2009
Location : Hanmaeum Square, Hupohang Port, Uljin-gun region, Gyeongsangbuk-do province
Description : Uljin is famous for crabs and during the festival visitors can try catching crabs as well as eating lots of this delicious specialty. One of the festival highlights will be the Guinness record-breaking attempt to make the world’s longest kimbap (rice roll) with Uljin snow crabs as an ingredient.

Korean Traditional Drink & Rice Cake Festival in Gyeongju
Dates : April 18, 2009 ~ April 23, 2009
Location : Hwangseong Park, Gyeongju city, Gyeongsangbuk-do province
Description : Traditional liquor and rice cakes are not merely food to Koreans, but are an integral part of their heritage and culture. Liquor is traditionally served in memorial ceremonies, while rice cakes were given to guests to celebrate joyous occasions. At this festival, held in Gyeongju, visitors can learn about and sample some of Korea’s most historic cuisine.

Sancheong (Jirisan) Herb Festival
Dates : May 2, 2009 ~ May 10, 2009
Location : Traditional Oriental Medicine Recreation Tourist Resort area, Sancheong Public Stadium, Sancheong-gun region, Gyeongsangnam-do province
Description : This region is not only the birthplace of Oriental medicine, but it grows a great variety of medicinal herbs that are still used in Oriental medicines today. The Sancheong (Jirisan) Herb Festival focuses on health and celebrates the traditional medicines of Jirisan mountain and Sancheon region. Visitors to this festival can personally experience unique and specialized forms of treatment.

Boseong Green Tea Festival
Dates : May 8, 2009 ~ May 11, 2009
Location : Daehan Daeop Tourist Plantation, Boseong Sports Park, Illimsan Mountain, and Daewonsa Temple in Bongsan-ri, Boseong-gun region
Description : Boseong is home to the largest tea plantation in Korea, which accounts for 40% of the country’s domestic tea production. Enjoy various tea-related cultural events and programs, and get away from it all wandering through the rolling fields of green tea leaves.

Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival
Dates : May 1, 2009 ~ May 5, 2009
Location : Ssanggaesa Temple in Hwagae-myean and the Porcelain Kiln Site in Doyoji, Baengnyeon-ri, Jingyo-myeon. Both located in Hadong-gun region in Gyeongsangnam-do province
Description : Surrounded by Jirisan Mountain and the Namhae Sea, Hadong is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in Korea, and it’s never more beautiful than during the Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival. Visitors can sample many the different types of high quality teas whilst relaxing in the glorious surroundings.

Festivals for the Arts and Culture Lovers
Koreans treasure their long history and rich cultural heritage. Every spring many festivals are held to celebrate Korean culture and to ensure it is passed down to future generations. The festivals on offer cover an incredibly diverse range of genres, celebrating everything from Korea’s world famous ceramic history, to mosi (ramie fabric) and to mime. There will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to both watch and to participate in festival events. This spring come be inspired at Korea’s cultural festivals.

Mungyeong Traditional Tea Bowl Festival
Dates : May 2, 2009 ~ May 10, 2009
Location : Ceramics Exhibition Hall District, Mungyeong,Gyeongsangbuk-do province
Description : The Mungyeong Traditional Tea Bowl Festival is full of traditions and culture, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the modest yet handsome styles of Mungyeong’s ceramic arts and a chance to try making the chassabal pottery for themselves.

Hi Seoul Festival
Dates :
Spring – May 2, 2009 ~ May 10, 2009
Summer – August 2009 (TBD – To Be Determined)
Fall – October 2009 (TBD)
Winter – December 2009 (TBD)
Location : Spring – Seoul Plaza / Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace
Summer – Yeouido, Ttukseom, Hangang River districts
Fall – Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, and various areas throughout Seoul
Winter – Seoul Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream area
Description : Organized in Korea’s capital city of Seoul, the Hi Seoul Festival celebrates both the history and the vibrant, passionate culture of Seoul. From 2008, the Hi Seoul Festival has started to hold festivals four times a year with a theme of ‘palace’ for the spring festival, ‘the Hangang River’ for summer, ‘art’ for autumn, and ‘lights’ for winter.

Yeoju Ceramics Exposition
Dates : April 25, 2009 ~ May 24, 2009
Location : Silleuksa Temple and Yeoju World Ceramic Livingware Gallery, Yeoju-gun region, Gyeonggi-do province
Description : Yeoju has been producing ceramics ever since the early Goryeo period, over 1000 years ago. In the early Joseon Dynasty, the province produced high-quality Goryeongto (Kaolin pottery) and Baekto (white clay pottery), whose fame substantially boosted the city’s ceramic production.

Icheon Ceramics Festival
Dates : April 25, 2009 ~ May 24, 2009
Location : Ceramics Village area and Icheon Seolbong Park in Gyeonggi-do province
Description : Icheon’s history in ceramic arts dates back 1000 years, and it now is the home of Korea’s most famous ceramic’s festival. Visitors to the festival will appreciate the wide variety of high-quality luxury ceramics on display, such as Cheongja (celadon porcelain), Baekja (white porcelain), and Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue-powdered celadon), and also can participate in a variety of ceramics making programs.

Namwon Chunhyang Festival
Dates : April 24, 2009 ~ April 28, 2009
Location : Jeonbuk Namwon-si Gwanghalluwon Garden, Chunhyang Culture and Art Center, downtown Namwon area
Description : Chunhyang’s continued love and devotion to Lee Mong-ryong, despite numerous adversities, is the most well known love story of Korea. The festival is held in Namwon, which was the setting for this beloved tale. A variety of unique and interesting programs, which take the theme of the Chunhyang story, can be enjoyed at this festival.

Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Festival
Dates : June 13, 2009 ~ June 21, 2009
Location : Hansan Mosi Fabric Hall, Seocheon-gun region, Chungcheongnam-do
Description : This festival celebrates mosi, a traditional fabric made from the ramie plant that is considered to produce beautiful, and elegant clothes. Highlights of the festival include a fashion show that features original designs of mosi items and clothes.

Lotus Lantern Festival
Dates : April 24, 2009 ~ April 26, 2009
Location : Jongno & Bongeunsa Temple District in Samseong-dong
Description : The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the birth of Buddha and is one of Seoul’s most famous festivals. Buddhists and non-Buddhists, locals and tourists, unite to participate in a magnificent lantern parade that culminates in singing and dancing at Tapgol park.

Chuncheon International Mime Festival
Dates : May 22, 2009 ~ May 31, 2009
Location : Chuncheon Mime House, Chuncheon Culture & Art Center, Chuncheon Puppet Theater, Dokkaebi Island, and various other areas, in Chuncheon city in Gangwon-do province.
Description : As one of the leading performance arts festivals in Korea, the Chuncheon International Mime Festival has also developed a strong international reputation. Every year, leading artists from Korea and abroad stage innovative performances that are mainly non-verbal.

Other Festivals
For those of you fed up of being inside during the cold winter months, Seoul’s many springtime festivals are the perfect opportunity to explore the country, to enjoy being outside in nature, and to learn new things about Korea. As well as flower festivals, food festivals, and culture festivals, there are a whole host of other festivals for visitors to enjoy.

Seoul International Marathon
Dates : March 15, 2009
Location : Sejong-ro Sageori (intersection) to Jamsil Main Stadium in Seoul
Description : The Seoul International Marathon attracts over 30,000 participants each year, and is held in Seoul under strict traffic restrictions. The 42km marathon course crosses through the heart of the city, starting from the Sejong-ro area near City Hall, and passes by the Cheonggyecheon stream and the Hangang river before ending up at the Olympic Stadium in Jamsil. The unique opportunity of running a full-course marathon through the streets of Seoul in safe conditions is available only once a year.

Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival
Dates : March 27, 2009 ~ March 31, 2009
Location : Seowoncheon district, Icheon-myeon, Cheongdo-gun region, Gyeongsangbuk-do province
Description : Bullfighting has long been a traditional folk pastime in Korea. In the past, the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival offered bullfights categorized by weight, but now, the festival has grown to an international level, generating national competitions, Korea-Japan friendly matches, rodeos featuring members of the Korea based US-army, the World Pro Bullfighter Champion Invitational Competition, and a national photo contest.

Jindo Sea Parting Festival
Dates : April 25, 2009 ~ April 27, 2009
Location : Between Modo-ri in Uisin-myeon and Hoedong-ri in Gogun-myeon in the Jindo-gun region of Jeollanam-do province
Description : Each year, in Jindo in Jeollanam-do Province the Korean version of the Moses miracle takes place. The sea waves part and a 2.8 kilometer pathway opens up, allowing visitors to walk through the sea all the way to Modo Island. Already well known both in Korea and internationally, the festival attracts thousands of people every year.

The Great Admiral Yi Sun-shin Festival
Dates : April 28, 2009 ~ May 3, 2009
Location : Chungnam Asan-si Hyeonchungsa Temple
Description : Admiral Yi Sun-shin led the Korean army to victory in a famous naval battle against the Japanese 460 years ago. For this reason, he is revered as one of the greatest heroes. ‘The Great Admiral Yi Sun-shin Festival’ is held every year around April 28, the birth date of Yi Sun-shin, to honor the spirit of the great general who created a remarkable new style of naval battle ship (the turtleship) and led an army to victory against overwhelming odds.

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Festival
Dates : May 2, 2009 ~ May 6, 2009
Location : Daegu Jung-gu Namseong-ro Herbal Medicine Alley
Description : Daegu is the only designated Oriental Medicine Special Zone in Korea, and it is here that the Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Festival is held every year. The festival opens in the Yangnyeong Alley, a street that is the home to many herbal medicine stores. Visitors will only enjoy the atmospheric Yangnyeong market, but can also try different types of medicines and medicine treatment programs, some of which are only available at the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Festival.

Yeoncheon Jeongok-ri Paleolithic Festival
Dates : May 1, 2009 ~ May 5, 2009
Location : Jeongok-eup Paleolithic Site, Yeoncheon region, Gyeonggi-do province
Description : This traditional festival is held in Yeoncheon’s Jeongok Village, where relics from the Paleolithic era still remain. This is a great festival for the entire family, featuring historical, educational, and entertainment programs.