Festivals, sights across Korea

Set along Yangjaecheon, the Yangjae Art Salon is a multi-arts festival that blends nature, performance and local culture.

Visitors can explore weekly themed programs, from live busking at the Sunset Stage to a handmade market at Yangjae Atelier. The Healing Lounge offers picnic lawns, photo zones and book corners, while Bridge Dining features food trucks under Yeongdong Bridge. Special themed weeks include jazz, meditation and family-friendly activities.

The festival runs through May 17 at Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu. Admission is free, though fees are charged for select programs.

Held in Icheon’s Baeksa-myeon, this spring festival celebrates fields of bright yellow sansuyu (cornelian cherry) blossoms, many from trees over 100 years old.

The entire village of Dorip-ri transforms into a vivid floral landscape. Visitors can enjoy local singing contests, cultural performances such as taekwondo demonstrations and hands-on activities like cookie making and wood crafts. Traditional games and food stalls serving regional specialties, including sansuyu makgeolli and savory pancakes, add to the festive atmosphere.

The festival takes place through Sunday. Entry is free, with some experience programs requiring a fee.

Jinhae Gunhangje Festival runs through Sunday, across Jinhae-gu in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

Open 24 hours during the festival period, it is Korea’s largest cherry blossom event, attracting more than 2 million visitors annually. Highlights include Yeojwacheon, Gyeonghwa Station, a military band and honor guard festival, as well as parades, concerts and cultural performances. Visitors can also access usually restricted naval sites during the event.

Admission is free, though some experiences may incur fees. The area is reachable by bus or train from Busan or Changwon.

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival runs through Tuesday along Yeouiseo-ro and Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul.

Since the first edition in 2005, the festival has become one of Seoul’s most popular spring events, featuring nearly 1,900 cherry trees alongside azaleas and other seasonal blooms. Visitors can enjoy street performances, exhibitions, photo zones and food stalls, as well as live music and film screenings at the Spring Flower Stage.

The festival is free to attend and easily accessible via Yeouido Station, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring central Seoul.

The Seocheon Camellia Octopus Festival runs through Sunday at Maryangjin Port in Seocheon-gun, South Chungcheong Province.

Timed to coincide with the blooming of camellias at the nearby pavilion Dongbaekjeong, the festival highlights the seasonal delicacy of webfoot octopus.

Admission is free, though certain activities require a fee.

Children’s webfoot octopus fishing and boat fishing experiences cost 13,000 won per person. Visitors can sample freshly prepared octopus dishes at on-site food stalls and browse local specialty products. Family-friendly programs include treasure hunts in the camellia forest, flying kites and craft booths.