South Korea is hosting a diverse array of cultural festivals and events throughout the winter season, offering both residents and international visitors opportunities to experience traditional Korean culture, cuisine, and modern entertainment. From food festivals in Seoul to drone light shows in Busan, these events showcase the country's rich heritage while embracing contemporary attractions.
The K-Food Festival Knock-Knock is currently taking place at Sejongno Park near Gwanghwamun Square, running through December 31. The event operates every Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering free admission to all visitors. This year's festival features an expanded lineup of 25 participating food trucks, a significant increase from the 15 vendors that participated last year. The festival now offers 15 different categories of Korean dishes, providing both local residents and international tourists with a broader selection of traditional Korean cuisine.
Organizers have increased vendor participation to give more small business owners a platform to showcase their menus and reach new customers. The festival's central location near one of Seoul's most iconic landmarks and its accessible format make it a convenient stop for those looking to explore Korean food culture in the heart of the capital city.
In South Jeolla Province, the Hampyeong Winter Light Festival is illuminating the Hampyeong Expo Park area through January 11. This free-admission festival features spectacular illuminated installations and carefully designed nighttime landscaping, creating a magical seasonal attraction for visitors of all ages. The festival's program includes interactive hands-on activities such as navigating a light maze, participating in tree decorating sessions, making glow bracelets, and enjoying Santa costume experiences.
Music and performance programs add to the festive atmosphere at Hampyeong, including Christmas marching band shows, carol busking performances, and various theater events. Visitors can also view large-scale media art installations created by renowned artist Lee Lee-nam, alongside exhibitions at the Hampyeong County Museum of Art, the butterfly and insect specimen hall, and various plant pavilions. The festival grounds also feature food trucks, snack vendors, a character pop-up store, and local specialty booths, offering a comprehensive range of shopping and dining options within the park.
Along Busan's scenic Gwangalli Beach, the Gwangalli Marvelous Drone Light Show continues to captivate audiences as Korea's first permanent drone show. The spectacular 12-minute performance takes place every Saturday evening, with two shows per night scheduled according to seasonal timing: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. from October to February, and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. from March to September.
The regular performances utilize approximately 1,000 drones to create large-scale images and animations across the night sky, while special occasions such as New Year's countdowns, Seollal (Lunar New Year), and Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival) feature up to 2,500 drones for even more impressive displays. The show is synchronized with the backdrop of the iconic Gwangandaegyo Bridge, offering visitors panoramic views from anywhere along the beach. The program includes both regular and special themed performances, as well as public participation events such as best-cut photo voting contests and proposal competitions. While admission is free, weather conditions may occasionally affect the scheduling of performances.
Looking ahead to 2025, several significant cultural events are planned to celebrate and preserve Korean traditions. The 2025 Korea Kimjang Grand Festival will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., serving as a nationwide participatory event designed to promote and preserve kimjang – the traditional communal practice of preparing kimchi that has been recognized as a key part of Korea's food heritage.
Hosted by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and co-organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Kimchi Association, the festival connects traditional practices with modern consumer trends. The event will feature kimchi and ingredient sales, master artisan demonstration booths, and cultural promotion displays. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on kimjang sessions and view comprehensive exhibitions about the UNESCO-listed kimjang culture. Additional programming includes traditional samulnori percussion performances, kimchi pairing tastings, direct-from-farm marketplace events, and various on-site activities, all with free admission.
The 2025 DanDanDan Festival is scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29 at the Gangneung Danoje Training Center. This festival is specifically designed to highlight traditional Korean culture while providing support for local artists, with the dual goals of broadening cultural access for citizens and boosting regional tourism in the Gangwon Province area.
The festival's opening performance on November 27 will feature Seodo Band, a group known for pioneering "Joseon pop," setting an energetic tone for the three-day event. The second day will showcase performances by five different children's groups, presenting traditional dance, samulnori percussion performances, and traditional mask drama. A creative theatrical production based on local Gangwon folklore, titled "The Bride of the Seonangdang, Becoming a Village Legend," will also be staged during the festival.
The DanDanDan Festival will conclude with the Yeongsanhong Concert, featuring genre-blending performances by acclaimed artists Park Ae-ri and Poppin Hyun Joon, demonstrating the fusion of traditional and contemporary Korean performance arts. Like the other festivals, admission to all DanDanDan Festival events will be free, making Korean cultural experiences accessible to all visitors and continuing the country's commitment to sharing its rich cultural heritage with both domestic and international audiences.
