Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival


The annual Gunsan and Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival will take place from Nov. 18 to 20. The festival will be held throughout the Geumgang River Migratory Bird Observatory, Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park and the Seocheon Bird Village Exhibition Hall.

Held by Gunsan-si and Seocheon-gun, the festival kicks off with an opening ceremony in Gunsan-si and will continue to offer participants a wide a variety of nature-intensive programs such as ecological hands-on programs and exploration tours.

To reach Gunsan from Seoul, take an intercity bus at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or the Seoul Central City Terminal to the Gunsan Intercity/Express Bus Terminal. For more information on available programs, visit gmbo.gunsan.go.kr.

Seoul Lantern Festival


Launched in 2009, this year’s Seoul Lantern Festival will be held from Nov. 4 to 20 along Cheonggyecheon 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 along the 1.2 km-long stream from Cheonggye Plaza to Supyogyo Bridge. The lanterns will be lit daily starting at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

A 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 purchases. 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.

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 until 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 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 Korean cuisine without mentioning the country’s No. 1 staple -- kimchi. And the annual festival is being held 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 be able 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 the Kimchi Presidential Prize.