April and May are really good times to travel to South Korea. Why? Because there are many spring festivals going on during these months throughout Korea: from Spring flowers and foods, to cultural and art festivals. Some festivals have already finished since the end of February, but here I am listing the rest of festivals that will be held after this posting (not sorted). I wish I could go to all these festivals, but as you can see there are some festivals held in the same time in different (faraway) locations. I have already decided some interesting festivals I would love to visit. What’s yours?
Jongmyo Jerye
Location: Seoul
Date: 6 May
The royal ancestral rites, featuring Jeryeak, the royal music, and llmu, the royal dance, are held annually on the first Sunday of May.
http://www.jongmyo.net
Lotus Lantern Festival
Location: Seoul
Dates: 18-20 May
Experience the beauty of traditional Korean art and culture, as light, hanji (traditional paper) and dancheong (traditional multicolored pattern) come together to portray Korea’s distinct beauty.
http://www.llf.or.kr
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=972387
Chunhyang Festival
Location: Namwon
Dates: 27 April – 1 May
A world-class love story festival that strives for “more love”.
http://www.chunhyang.org
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697199
Bamboo Festival
Location: Damyang
Date: 1-6 May
Clean bamboos and clear minds.
http://www.bamboofestival.co.kr
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292954
Butterfly Festival
Location: Hampyeong
Dates: 27 April – 8 May
Lively festival held amidst wide-open fields of white rapeseed flowers and butterflies.
http://www.hampyeong.go.kr
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697182
Herb Festival
Location: Sancheong
Date: 3-9 May
Held by Mt. Jirisan, the home of Donguibogam, the Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine, this festival features the greatness of medicinal herbs.
http://scherb.or.kr
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697281
Wild Tea Cultural Festival
Location: Hadong
Dates: 2-6 May
Tea and culture, taste and enjoy the king’s green tea.
http://festival.hadong.go.kr
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697184
Yangyeongsi Herb Medicine Festival
Location: Daegu
Dates: 2-6 May
A representative festival highlighting the roots of Korean traditional medicine and medicinal practice.
http://herb.daegu.go.kr/festival
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697432
Daegaya Experience Festival
Location: Goryeong
Date: 19-22 April
Legendary ancient tombs
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697404
http://fest.daegaya.net
Whale Festival
Location: Ulsan
Dates: 26-29 April
Held under the theme of ‘City of Life, Dream of Whale’, the Ulsan Whale Festival delivers a message of hope and respect for the whales.
http://www.ulsanwhale.com
Traditional Chasabal Festival
Location: Mungyeong
Dates: 28 April – 6 May
The charm of traditional teacups meets the 100-year-old soul of Korean art.
http://www.sabal21.com
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292810
International Mime Festival
Location: Chuncheon
Date: 20-27 May
Body, motion and image come together in Chuncheon to create Asia’s largest mime festival.
http://www.mimefestival.com
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697189
Yeouido Spring Flower Festival
Location: Seoul
Dates: 13-17 April 2012
The Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is held every April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The street behind the National Assembly Building, called Yunjungno, is lined with 1,400 cherry trees and is the most famous cherry blossom street in Seoul. Visitors can stroll next to the Han River through a tunnel of these magnificent trees. There are also Street Cultural Arts Performances, a flower decoration exhibition, and a photo exhibition.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700464
http://www.ydp.go.kr
Jeju Canola Flower Festival
Location: Jeju
Dates: 20-29 April
The Jeju Canola Flower Festival is a major festival of Jejudo Island that draws a large group of tourists every year. A magnificent field of canola stretches 10 kilometers on both sides of Noksan-ro Road. Walking, hiking and bicycling events are organized along the road.
http://culture.jeju.go.kr/
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=292976
Cheongpunghoban Cherry Blossom Festival
Location: Jecheon
Dates: 13-15 April
The Cheongpunghoban Cherry Blossom Festival is held along the 13 kilometer road by Cheongpungho Lake, where thousands of mature cherry trees sit in waiting. Various shows and performances are scheduled, including a cherry blossom street concert, a magic show, and a dance parade. Visitors can also take part in samplings of herbal medicinal teas and food made of wild herbs. Near the venue are the Cheongpung Cultural Property Complex, a TV drama filming location, and bungee jump sites.
http://english.okjc.net/main/index.do
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival
Location: Jinhae
Dates: 1-10 April
Held in early April when the cherry tree flowers are in full bloom, the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival draws more than 2 million tourists every year. Visitors are greeted by showers of cherry flower petals under the tunnel created by cherry trees. There are various events not to miss, such as the military band parade, the Korean Wave star concert, and multi-media fireworks show.
http://gunhang.changwon.go.kr/jsp/main/main.jsp
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700520
Gwangalli Eobang Festival
Location: Busan
Dates: 27-29 April
The Gwangalli Eobang Festival, which is held in the Gwangalli Beach area, is one of the largest and most famous festivals in Busan. Visitors can take part in hands-on programs to fish with nets or even catch fish with their bare hands. Seafood is also available at affordable prices at the impromptu fish auction and marketplace. Don’t miss the magnificent sight of Gwangan Bridge lit up at night, beach performances, a street parade, and water sports.
http://festival-eobang.suyeong.go.kr/eng/index.asp
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697426
Green Tea Festival
Location: Boseong
Dates: 16-20 May
Boseong accounts for 40% of the nation’s total green tea production. Its beautiful green tea fields draw a large crowd of visitors every year. During the festival, attendees can pick green tea leaves or make green tea. There is also a tea ceremony organized for teenagers. Green tea products (food and beverages) are on exhibit and for sale.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700867
http://dahyang.boseong.go.kr/
Ceramic Festival
Location: Yeoju
Dates: 21 April – 13 May
Yeoju has produced ceramics 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 boosted the city’s ceramic production. Come and visit the works of ceramic designers as well as those made by famous artists. The Product Sales Pavilion features 90 or so ceramic producers selling white porcelain, celadon porcelain, and everyday ceramic items at reasonable prices. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=703303
Ceramic Festival
Location: Icheon
Dates: 28 April – 20 May
Held for the 26th time this year, the Icheon Ceramic Festival is a leading ceramics festival in Korea. It is held under the theme of ‘Ceramics, sharing, and resting.’ At the festival venue, visitors can see exhibitions of various types of ceramics. The festival also features ceramic sales, hands-on programs using ceramics, and performances.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700890
http://www.ceramic.or.kr/
Bullfighting Festival
Location: Cheongdo
Dates: 18-22 April
The Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival celebrates one of Korea’s traditional folk games of bullfighting. The nation’s most powerful cows (top eight cows) compete for the trophy. There are also various performances by the participating cows. Also organized are a fine arts exhibition highlighting cows, and other cultural events.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=700911
http://www.xn--hq1bj5xh5aw0hv6i.kr/
Great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin Festival
Location: Asan
Dates: 27-29 April
Admiral Yi Sun-Sin led the Korean military to victory in a famous naval battle against the Japanese in the late 16th century. For this reason, he is revered as a great hero. Held in memory of Admiral Yi, the Asan Great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin Festival opens with a splendid fireworks display followed by musicals, performances, and a parade honoring Great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697245
http://www.e-sunshin.com/eng/index.htm
http://festival.e-sunshin.com/index.asp
Paleolithic Festival
Location: Yeoncheon
Dates: 4-8 May
This traditional festival is held in Yeoncheon’s Jeongok Village, where relics from the Paleolithic era still remain. There are many interesting programs for children, such as making huts while dressed as cavemen, cutting meat with an ax and grilling it with fire, and exploring a cave. Children can also take part in various games and learn about archaeology or attend a paleolithic performance. The festival is especially popular among family groups.
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697247
http://www.paleolith.org/