Lotte World Christmas Miracle

Lotte World is gearing up to play host to its annual Christmas Festival every day until Dec. 27. This year’s festival will tackle the theme of “A White Christmas,” allowing visitors the chance to see spectacular Christmas decorations at every corner of the theme park. The park will also feature a Santa Village and a snowman photo zone for the children.

There will also be a special snowfall show twice a day at the Adventure Park and during the new Christmas Parade. The Christmas Character Parade will show off Lotte World’s Lotty and Lorry mascots, and all their fury friends, in the style of a family musical parade. For more information, http://www.lotteworld.com. 



Bangeo Festival in Jeju

The annual Bangeo Festival is returning to Moseulpo Port this month. This popular festival is held every year in November at the southernmost region of Jeju Island, celebrating the almighty Bangeo, or yellowtail, which is the staple food of the area.

Visitors can also try fishing for yellowtail as well as having the opportunity to sample other Jeju specialties such as grilled black pig and galchi jorim (spicy braised white fish). Festival participants can not only enjoy sampling fresh bangeo at the festival, but also have some fish packed up to bring home.

The festival will be held until Sunday and will also include a fireworks show and live singing competition. For more information, visit http://bangeofestival.com. 



Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival

The annual Gunsan, Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival will be holding its festivities this year until Sunday. The festival will be held throughout the local area at 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 on offering 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 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

First launched in 2009, this year’s annual Seoul Lantern Festival will be held until Sunday at the Cheonggyecheon stream 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 all along the 1.2 km-long Cheonggyecheon, stretching all the way from Cheonggye Plaza and Supyogyo Bridge. The lanterns will be lit daily starting at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

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 purchase. For more information, visit www.seoullantern.visitseoul.net.



Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival

It is not possible to talk about Korea cuisine without mentioning the country’s No. 1 staple -- kimchi. And the annual festival is being held in none other than the home to the nation’s only kimchi theme park, the Gwangju Kimchi Town.

This year’s festivities is being held until Tuesday. During the festival, participants will not only have the opportunity 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 with the Kimchi Presidential Prize.