Festivals, sights across Korea

The Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival, running from Friday to Aug. 14, commemorates Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s historic naval victory over Japanese invaders during the Great Battle of Hansan. Held in the coastal city of Tongyeong, the festival features reenactments of the Samdo naval guard ceremony, traditional military drills and the famed crane wing formation — a tactic first used in the battle. Visitors can witness Turtle Ships and local fishing boats recreating the strategic formation off Hansando Island. Evening highlights include fireworks over the sea and a Turtle Ship rowing competition. Events take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily at Hansan Daecheop Square and across Tongyeong.

The Boryeong Mud Festival, one of South Korea’s most iconic summer events, runs through Sunday at Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province.

This hands-on festival features mud zones for adults, families and water park lovers, with activities like mud wrestling, colored mud painting and even mud-based beauty care. Daytime fun transitions into nighttime performances and fireworks.

Admission to the general zone is 10,000 won for adults Monday through Thursday and 14,000 won on weekends. The family zone is 9,000 won for children on weekdays and 11,000 won on Friday and Sunday.

Visitors can also explore exhibitions and shop Boryeong’s signature mud cosmetics and regional specialties.

Sejong National Arboretum is welcoming visitors to its annual nighttime opening through Oct. 11 — a chance to experience a romantic, illuminated garden.

This year’s event features enhanced lighting displays across key areas, including the Four Seasons Greenhouse, Festival Plaza and the Korean Traditional Garden in Sejong. Weekend cultural events such as orchestra performances, traditional Korean music festivals, open-air cinema and immersive story-based shows will be held every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is 2,500 won for adults, 2,000 won for teens and 1,500 won for children.

Semiwon’s Lotus Cultural Festival in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, celebrates the beauty of lotus and water lilies through Aug. 10.

Held in a water garden dedicated to ecological harmony, it features nighttime concerts, traditional performances, art exhibits and hands-on classes such as lotus tea-making.

Admission is 7,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for children, teens, seniors and groups.

The Yangpyeong Catfish Whiskers Festival in the village of Sumimaru in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, runs through Sep. 7.

Known for its clean water and presidential award-winning rural charm, the festival offers hands-on experiences such as fishing for catfish, fruit syrup-making, all-terrain vehicle rides and more. Visitors can enjoy bubble play zones, picnics and traditional meals like spicy fish stew.

Admission ranges from 19,000 won to 49,000 won, depending on activity packages.