Gwangan Bridge lit up in blue at night, over the bay where the Busan Fireworks Festival is held

Travel guide

Festivals4 min read

Busan Festivals by Season: Fireworks, Film, Sand and Winter Lights

When Busan's main festivals usually happen and where: the Fireworks Festival, the film festival, the Sand and Sea festivals and the winter lights, with the official pages to check each year's dates.

Published 2026-10-31 · TODAK

In this guide
  1. The year at a glance
  2. Spring into early summer
  3. Summer
  4. Autumn
  5. Winter
  6. Every Saturday: the Gwangalli drone show
  7. Planning around a festival

Busan has a festival or a seasonal event in most months, and many of them happen right on the beach. Dates move every year, and sometimes the venue does too, so this guide gives only the rough season and where to confirm it. If a festival is the reason for your trip, check its official page before you book anything.

The year at a glance

Haeundae Beach on a cloudy day; the Sand Festival and winter Light Festival are held here
Haeundae Beach on a cloudy day; the Sand Festival and winter Light Festival are held here

Spring into early summer

Haeundae Sand Festival

Usually around May in recent years. Sculptors from Korea and abroad build large works on Haeundae Beach around a new theme each year, and a deck lets you walk around them without sinking into the sand. Recent editions have also had a parade, a flea market and activities such as sandboarding, and the sculptures have stayed up for a while after the main days. Official information comes from the Haeundae-gu Office (haeundae.go.kr).

Gwangalli Eobang Festival

Recent editions have fallen around May or June, but the timing has shifted over the years. An eobang was a fishers' cooperative formed here in the Joseon Dynasty, and the festival at Gwangalli Beach and Suyeong Historical Park draws on that history, with a naval commander's parade, a traditional fishers' performance and a bare-handed fish-catching contest. See suyeong.go.kr/festival.

Summer

Busan Sea Festival

Usually around August. Recent editions have been held at Dadaepo Beach in the southwest of the city, mixing cultural events and hands-on activities with the beach and the sunset as a backdrop. In the past the festival has spread across several beaches, so confirm the location at festivalbusan.com/seafestival. Summer is also when the beaches are at their busiest, so book your room early.

Gwangalli Beach and the Gwangan Bridge by day; this is the main viewing area for the fireworks
Gwangalli Beach and the Gwangan Bridge by day; this is the main viewing area for the fireworks

Autumn

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)

Usually between September and October. The main venue is the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City, with other screens around Centum City and Nampo-dong. You don't need industry credentials to enjoy it: anyone can buy film tickets, and there are open talks and outdoor stage greetings with filmmakers. The Community BIFF program takes place at BIFF Square in Nampo-dong. The program and ticketing details appear at biff.kr.

Busan Jagalchi Festival

Usually around October, for a few days at Jagalchi Market on the waterfront. Expect food made with fresh seafood, performances, hands-on activities and an evening auction. Visit Busan (visitbusan.net) lists it; confirm the dates there.

Busan Fireworks Festival

The 21st Busan Fireworks Festival is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, according to the official site. The fireworks are set off over the water at Gwangalli, and the official viewing areas are Gwangalli Beach, Igidae and Dongbaekseom. Reserved seats are sold through the official ticket page. The organizers expect heavy traffic and ask visitors to use public transport; there is no parking near the Gwangalli area. For Gwangalli, use Gwangan Station on Line 2; for Dongbaekseom, Dongbaek Station. Bring a warm layer, because a November evening by the sea is cold. The next date is at busanfireworks.com.

Winter

Haeundae Light Festival

Recent editions have started around late November or December and run into January or February. Light installations and media art line Haeundae Beach and the Gunam-ro shopping street, so it makes an easy walk after dinner. It is run by the Haeundae-gu Office (haeundae.go.kr).

Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival

This one has also begun between November and December in recent years, with the lights staying up into winter. A large tree and streets lined with lights fill the Gwangbok-ro area in old downtown Busan, and weekends have brought busking and hands-on programs. It pairs well with an evening at the Nampo-dong markets.

Every Saturday: the Gwangalli drone show

If you miss every festival, there is still this. The Gwangalli M Drone Light Show runs on Saturdays throughout the year over Gwangalli Beach, with the bridge behind it. Rain, strong wind or technical problems can cancel or delay it, so look at gwangallimdrone.co.kr on the day. There is more about the area in our guide to the bridge at night.

Planning around a festival

Festival dates, venues and programs change every year, and outdoor events can be changed by the weather. Please check the official page before you go.
Opening hours, prices and events change. Please check the official page before you go.

More guides

Itinerary3 min read

3 Days in Busan: An Itinerary for Women Traveling SoloA relaxed three-day Busan itinerary for solo female travelers: Haeundae and Gwangalli, Gamcheon and the old harbor, a seaside temple and Seomyeon, with practical tips on getting around.

Night views3 min read

Where to See the Gwangan Bridge at Night in GwangalliThe best places to watch Busan's Gwangan Bridge light up after dark: the beach itself, cafés with a view, the Millak waterfront, Hwangnyeongsan and Igidae, with subway directions.

Rainy days3 min read

What to Do in Busan on a Rainy DayRain in Busan doesn't have to spoil a day: department stores and a spa in Centum City, art museums, an aquarium, covered markets, the Seomyeon underground arcade, Jeonpo's cafés and a quiet evening in your room.

Where to stay3 min read

Where to Stay in Busan: Haeundae, Gwangalli or Seomyeon?How to choose a base in Busan: Haeundae for the beach and big hotels, Gwangalli for the bridge view and a local feel, Seomyeon for transport and food, with notes on getting in from the airport and Busan Station.

Rest3 min read

Tired After Sightseeing? How to Rest Well on a Korea TripKorea trips mean long walks, steep streets and a lot of stairs. Simple, practical ways to pace yourself, look after your feet, sleep well and build real rest into your days in Busan and Seoul.

Itinerary4 min read

3 Days in Seoul: An Itinerary for Women Traveling SoloA relaxed three-day Seoul itinerary for women traveling alone: Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon, Myeongdong and Namsan, Hongdae and Seongsu, with subway tips and the closed days worth knowing.

Itinerary4 min read

Gyeongju Day Trip from Busan or Seoul: One-Day and Overnight PlansHow to reach Gyeongju from Busan or Seoul by KTX or bus, with a day-trip route and an overnight plan: Bulguksa, Seokguram, Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, Hwangnidan-gil, Woljeonggyo and Donggung at night.

Itinerary4 min read

One Day on the Busan Coast: Haedong Yonggungsa, Blueline Park and CheongsapoA one-day route along Busan's east coast, heading one way with no backtracking: Haedong Yonggungsa in the morning, the Beach Train and Sky Capsule through Songjeong, Cheongsapo and Mipo, then an evening on Haeundae Beach.

Things to do4 min read

Best Things to Do in Busan: A Pick-and-Choose List for Women TravelersBeaches, cliff walks, the Sky Capsule, a sea cable car, hillside villages and markets in Busan, sorted by type so you can choose what suits your mood and the weather.

Food4 min read

What to Eat in Busan: Local Dishes and Where to Try ThemBusan's signature food and where to find it: pork and rice soup in Seomyeon, wheat noodles, seeded griddle cakes in Nampo-dong, fish cake in the markets, raw fish at Jagalchi, and how to choose when you eat alone.

Tired after a day out?

TODAK is a women-only aroma body care service in Korea. All guests are women and all therapists are men; the care is professional body care only. We visit hotel rooms across Korea and have a private studio in Seomyeon, Busan. There is no deposit; you pay in cash (Korean won) on the day. We publish these guides for travelers and don't run tours, so plan freely, and if you would like a quiet hour in your room after sightseeing, send an inquiry or message us.

Send an inquiryLINEWhatsApp
LINESend an inquiry