How to Experience South Korea's Seasonal Festivals

While South Korea has been making waves with the Kpop takeover of the global entertainment sphere, there are more compelling reasons to visit the country than attending a BTS concert. As a culturally rich nation with its own proud heritage, the large numbers of local festivals that take centre stage each year are among these reasons. From celebrating Seoul's cultural heritage to music festivities, here are the top seasonal events visitors should try to attend during a holiday in South Korea.

Royal Culture Festival

Called the biggest cultural festival in all of South Korea, the Royal Culture Festival also takes place in some of the most iconic heritage sites scattered around the nation's capital. Hosted for the benefit of history buffs and tourists, the event is known to encompass locations such as the palaces at Gyeongbokgung, and Changdeokgung as well as the Jongmyo Shrine. In addition to encompassing education exhibitions and interactive experiences, the Royal Culture Festival allows visitors the chance to witness historic reenactments and demonstrations of ancient customs while there is a special program for children as well.

Seoul Rose Festival

Apart from offering travellers the chance to witness the lengthiest rose tunnel in all of South Korea, the Seoul Rose Festival also invites visitors to take part in painting competitions and its rose parade. Taking place in the Jungnang-gu region of Seoul, this festival also incorporates cultural showcases and live performances. The Rose Tunnel which extends across 5km is the reason flower fanatics from various corners of the globe flock to Seoul for this festival each May as the backdrop is picture-perfect for posting inspirational Instagram stories.

Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival

Including retellings and reenactments from the Baekje dynastic era, this one-of-a-kind cultural festival takes centre stage in its namesake Baekje Experience Village. Known for its street parades and the soul-fire lighting ceremony, the equally popular Dongmyeongje Festival is hosted alongside the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival. As one of the few free local festivals in Seoul, the events organized for the festival will take place in famous venues around the city including its Olympic Park, the Seokchon-dong Ancient Tombs and the shores of Seokchon Lake.

Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

Whether you are staying at a hotel near Myeongdong Shopping Street such as the Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro or any similar resort, a trip to Seoul in spring would not be complete without taking part in this festival. This April event celebrates the season in which 88,000 spring flowers belonging to over a dozen species are in full bloom next to the Hangang River. The more than 1885 cherry trees in the city are also full of pink blossoms during this time of year when floral enthusiasts gather in Seoul to mark the beginning of spring.

Seoul Gugak Festival

Fans of traditional South Korean music must take part in the Seoul Gugak Festival which takes place over two days each year. Key locations that are part of the Seoul Gugak Festival program include Marronnier Park in trendy Daehak-ro and other performance hubs in the city such as Banpo Hangang Pak, Apgujeong Rodeo Street and Jamsil's Seokchon Lake. Students and teachers of traditional Korean music perform on conventional instruments such as the Hojeok Pungryu which is believed to be among the loudest musical instruments in the country.

Seoul Lantern Festival

Held near the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, this lantern festival has been a red letter event for local re residents since 2009.  The 1.2km long street which stretches from Cheonggye Plaza all the way to Supyogyo Bridge is decorated with LED showcases and Hanji paper lanterns. A whopping 2 million people head to Seoul to take part in this festival every year.