Seoul Lantern Festival
First launched in 2009, this year’s annual Seoul Lantern Festival will be held from Nov. 4 to 20 at the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul. As one of the most anticipated festivals in Seoul, the annual festivities attract roughly 3 million visitors every year.
Visitors can expect to see beautifully lit lanterns scattered all along the 1.2 km-long Cheonggyecheon, stretching all the way from Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge. The lanterns will be lit daily starting at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Lantern-making contest, hanging a wish lantern, floating a wish lantern and hanging a new year’s wish paper are some of the activities offered. Many of the festival’s additional activities require advance registration or on-site purchase. For more information, visit www.seoullantern.visitseoul.net.
Korean Folk Village Historical Drama Festival
The Historical Drama Festival, a festival dedicated to Korean historical dramas, is being held daily at the Korean Folk Village until Nov. 13.
At the event, K-drama historical fantasies come to life as the folk village is transformed into a center for Hallyu. The village offers entertainment such as performance arts and hands-on programs related to historical dramas and drama parodies. There is also the chance to dress up as characters from historical dramas.
Admission prices range from 8,000 won to 24,000 won. For more information, visit www.koreanfolk.co.kr.
Jeonju Bibimbap Festival
Bibimbap is inarguably one of Korea’s most well-known dishes and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province is home to the country’s most famous rendition of this iconic dish. In recognition of this, the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival will be held there from Oct. 20 to Oct. 23.
Visitors can discover more about this signature dish by learning how to cook it and how to make the best version. They can also participate in cooking competitions as well as sample other local food.
This year’s festival will be hosted in collaboration with a variety of food events including the Korea Food & Tourism Festival, International Fermented Food Expo, Jeonju Yakryeong Hanbang Expo and Traditional Liquor Festival.
Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival
The annual Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival is one of the best opportunities for travelers to experience the rich colors and fragrance of chrysanthemums, one of the most popular autumn flowers in Korea. Being held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6 in Seosan-si, South Chungcheong Province, the upcoming festival will feature a chrysanthemum exhibition showcasing various works of art including sculptures and bonsai art.
The festival will also include a large chrysanthemum flower tunnel, a pine tree garden and an apple park as well as a myriad of cultural arts performances, including traditional folk dances and music. Visitors will also be able to experience hands-on program activities such as goji berry and chrysanthemum picking, kite flying and small-scale woodworking.
Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival
It is not possible to talk about Korea cuisine without mentioning the country’s No. 1 staple -- kimchi. And the annual festival is being held in none other than the home to the nation’s only kimchi theme park, the Gwangju Kimchi Town.
This year’s festivities will be from Nov. 18 to 22. During the festival, participants will not only have the opportunity to learn how to make their own kimchi, but can also participate in a variety of cooking and kimchi-related programs. Visitors also have the chance to see a wide assortment of Korean kimchi, as well as similar fermented dishes from around the world.
One of the event’s highlighted programs is the “Kimchi Master Competition,” where the hands behind the festival’s best kimchi will be awarded with the Kimchi Presidential Prize.
