Festivals Archives | Discovering Korea

International Horticulture Goyang Korea

A young man leans into the mouth of a model dinosaur, putting his head between the sharp teeth, while a woman in the right of the frame takes a photograph. The backdrop is pink and white flowers in bright sunshine.

International Horticulture Goyang Korea is one of Greater Seoul’s biggest flower festivals with 37 acres of display gardens and exhibits.

The Year of the Horse and Celebrating Seollal in Korea

Three panels side by side, from the left: an illustration of a horse, standing beside a tree trunk, the middle is a mythical horse, dressed as a human in red robes, and on the right is a blue tile mosaic horse's head.

This year, January 31 marks Seollal, or the lunar New Year and the day Koreans celebrate the year of the horse in Korea.

Celebrate Seollal and the Year of the Snake in Korea

A painting of a mythical snake-like creature, mottled gray in color, wearing green, yellow, red and blue robes and brandishing a sword.

This year, February 10 marks Seollal, or the lunar New Year and the day Koreans celebrate the year of the snake in Korea.

Remembering the Korean War

Two soldiers raise a white, blue, red and black flag with a soft focus dark background and a building to the right of the frame.

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the start of the Korean War, which took the lives of an estimated three million soldiers and civilians.

Welcoming Seollal and the Year of the Rabbit in Korea

A painting depicting two rabbits, a white one sitting on the ground, and behind it, a black and white one.

This year, February 3rd marks Seollal, or the lunar New Year and the day Koreans welcome the Year of the Rabbit in Korea.

Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival

The Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival is among the year’s biggest events, when thousands of Seoulites come together to celebrate the birth of the Buddha.

The Jongmyo Royal Shrine’s Great Rite

Men in a line, dressed in black and multicolored robes, take part in the Jongmyo Great Rite, outside the royal shrine.

When the Joseon Dynasty was founded in 1394, the Jongmyo Royal Shrine was built to honor its royal family. Each May, these rites are open to the public.

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul

A close up image of spring cherry blossom on Yeouido Island, in the background is a street with cars in soft focus.

The Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival celebrates Seoul’s most spectacular collection of king cherry trees, which erupt into ephemeral clouds of pink for a few short days each spring.

Celebrating Seollal in Seoul

Traditional Korean dancers, in pink with black waistcoats perform a traditional Seollal dance outside a building.

Seollal, or the lunar New Year, is among the traditional Korean calendar’s most important holidays. Here are some of the events taking place in Seoul and elsewhere around Korea.

Celebrating Chuseok in Korea

Yellow, blue and red background with white text 'Korean Festivals' in the center of the frame.

Celebrating Chuseok in Korea is an annual affair where millions of Koreans return to their ancestral homelands. For the Seoul-bound, a list of activities!

Seoul Fringe Festival

During Seoul’s hot summer weeks, a seasonal highlight is the always funky Seoul Fringe Festival, which takes place in the trendy Hongdae neighborhood.

The Korea Queer Culture Festival

A man in a light blue t shirt carrying a rainbow flag over his shoulder, walking through a crowd of people.

Despite Korea’s conservative culture, the annual Korea Queer Culture Festival in Seoul is one of Asia’s longest-running gay and lesbian pride events.