Korea's Seasonal Festivals: From Cherry Blossoms to Ice Fishing

Korea throws a major festival in almost every season, from spring cherry blossoms and lantern parades to summer mud fights, autumn river lanterns, and winter ice fishing. Festival dates change every year, so treat the timing below as a rough guide and always confirm the schedule on the official website before you book.

Always check the official dates first

Most festivals keep to roughly the same season, but organizers set new dates each year. Cherry blossom events shift with the bloom forecast, and ice festivals depend on how thick the ice gets.

Weather or safety concerns can also scale back, postpone, or cancel events, so check the organizer's latest notice right before you travel.

Spring: Jinhae Gunhangje and the Lotus Lantern Festival

Held in Jinhae, a district of Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival has been running since 1963 and is Korea's best-known cherry blossom festival, usually timed to the late March–early April bloom. It grew out of a memorial for Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and the blossom-lined Yeojwacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station are its most photographed spots.

Yeondeunghoe, the Lotus Lantern Festival, lights up Seoul ahead of Buddha's Birthday (8th day of the 4th lunar month), with a lantern parade through downtown as the highlight. It was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020.

Summer: Boryeong Mud Festival

First held in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival takes place at Daecheon Beach in South Chungcheong Province, usually in July. Activities revolve around mineral-rich mud from the local tidal flats, and it's especially popular with international visitors.

Mud gets everywhere, so wear clothes you don't mind ruining and bring a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables.

Autumn: Jinju lanterns and Andong mask dance

Every October, the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival floats thousands of lanterns on the Namgang River in South Gyeongsang Province. The tradition traces back to the Siege of Jinju during the Japanese invasions of 1592–1593, and the festival runs alongside the Gaecheon Arts Festival.

In autumn, the Andong Maskdance Festival in North Gyeongsang Province brings together Korean mask dance and folk performances from around the world. Korean talchum (mask dance drama) was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022, and nearby Hahoe Village is a World Heritage Site.

Winter: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Since 2003, Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province has hosted an ice festival on the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream, usually in January. The main draw is ice fishing for sancheoneo (cherry salmon), along with sledding and other winter activities.

Programs depend on ice conditions, so dress for serious cold and follow on-site safety instructions.

FAQ

Where can I find exact festival dates?

Check each festival's official website or the Korea Tourism Organization's VisitKorea site. Dates change every year.

When is the best time for Jinhae cherry blossoms?

The festival usually runs late March to early April, but bloom timing varies. Check both the bloom forecast and the festival notice.

What is the Lotus Lantern Festival?

Yeondeunghoe is a centuries-old Buddhist lantern-lighting festival held for Buddha's Birthday. UNESCO inscribed it as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020.

What should I bring to the Boryeong Mud Festival?

Old clothes, a change of clothes, and a waterproof bag for your phone and wallet.

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-10-28