Visitors attending the annual Korean International Art Fair (KIAF) in Seoul (Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Travelers to Korea fill itineraries with their own areas of interest – some may want to immerse themselves in traditional culture by donning Hanbok and visiting palaces, some may crave street food or fine dining and others may seek beautiful scenery in mountains or on a beach.

 All of these itineraries become more enriching and colorful when cultural events and festivals are added to the mix. For visitors seeking such experiences, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) recently introduced “100 K-Culture Tourism Events” that span the fields of art, culture, sports, games, food and architecture and take place in various regions of the country throughout the year.

Some of the biggest cultural events slated during April and May include Seoul Festa 2023, the Royal Culture Festival and the lotus lantern lighting festival Yeondeunghoe.

The Festa aims to introduce the capital’s diverse appeal by offering a concert featuring multiple K-pop acts; art and cultural events at multiple locations, including Hangang riverfront parks; shopping events; and more. 

The lineup for this year’s concert has yet to be confirmed. Last year’s show included NCT Dream, Stray Kids, The Boyz, ENHYPEN, Le Sserafim, NMIXX and Psy.

The Royal Culture Festival is Korea’s largest cultural heritage festival and spans all five of Seoul’s extant 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty royal palaces – Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung – as well as Jongmyo Shrine and Sajikdan Altar. It consists of culture and art programs that highlight each site’s charms and history. This year’s spring edition is slated for April.

Yeondeunghoe, which was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List in 2020, is held every year to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday. An array of traditional performances, lotus lantern-making events and a lantern parade are expected to take place around Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on May 27 this year. 

The Busan International Film Festival draws movie fans from around the world to the southern port city every October by screening hundreds of films and holding sessions with stars and directors. (Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Three big events have been lined up for music fans in September and October: the massive MCST and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)-sponsored Incheon K-pop concert (INK); another K-pop concert-centered festival in southern Seoul, the Gangnam Festival; and the Jarasum Jazz Festival, the country’s biggest jazz festival. 

Must-see art fairs for enthusiasts and collectors include Frieze Seoul and the Korean International Art Fair (KIAF) in September. Last year’s inaugural Frieze Seoul proved a huge success, showing Korea’s growing status as an art hub. From April 7 to July 9, the 14th Gwangju Biennale, one of the nation’s three major art biennales, will be held in five venues in the southwestern city.

The Bucheon International Comics Festival and Busan International Film Festival provide fans of those two art forms with excellent opportunities to experience acclaimed domestic and foreign productions in September and October, respectively.

Game enthusiasts might consider attending the League of Legends (LoL) World Championship in Seoul in October or the G-STAR game show in Busan in November. The LoL World Championship will be held in Korea for the first time since 2018.

Suncheonman Bay in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province. The Suncheonman International Garden Expo will be held here from April to October. (Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization, Live Studio)

People can also enjoy Korea’s beautiful scenery outside of Seoul by visiting seasonal festivals.

The 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo will take place from April 22 to October 22, while the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Korea’s largest cherry blossom festival, is expected to take place from the end of March to early April. 

The Seogwipo Canola Flower International Walking Festival will take place on Jeju Island in March. Twice this year, in May and again in October, runners can get a rare peek inside the normally restricted Demilitarized Zone during the DMZ Run.

The MCST said the “100 K-Culture Tourism Events” will highlight culture as a key driver of the country’s tourism in step with both 2023 and 2024 being designated official Visit Korea Years.

“In and beyond Seoul, all over the country, visitors can experience Korean culture at events and festivals planned throughout this year,” Culture Minister Park Bo Gyoon said in a press release. “We will support the development of tourism programs that link cultural content … we’ll make sure Korea is on everyone’s travel bucket list.”