A Guide to Summer Festivals in Korea – Must-Try Summer Destinations & Activities for Foreigners

Summer in Korea brings exciting water fun festivals, traditional events, and music festivals. From refreshing water fights to energetic EDM parties, even in the hot weather! This guide introduces summer destinations and activities that foreigners should definitely experience in Korea.

1. Must-Visit Summer Festivals in Korea

1) Boryeong Mud Festival – The Best Water Fun in the Mud

The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of Korea's representative summer festivals, famous worldwide. It offers a variety of mud-based activities for a cool summer experience.

✅ Recommended Activities
• Mud slide & mud bath experience
• Mud wrestling & mud rugby competition
• EDM party and fireworks

Local Tip:
• Pack waterproof bags and a change of clothes during the festival!
• You can also expect beauty benefits from the mud massage experience.

2) Busan Sea Festival – Summer Romance at Night

The Busan Sea Festival is one of the largest marine festivals in Korea. Enjoy swimming and various sports activities during the day, and fireworks and music performances at night.

✅ Recommended Places
• Haeundae Beach – Surfing and marine sports during the day, DJ parties at night
• Gwangalli Beach – Fireworks and night view of the beach
• Songjeong Beach – A surfing spot where you can relax in a quiet atmosphere

Local Tip:
• Haeundae Beach is crowded, so go early in the morning to enjoy a quieter atmosphere!
• Enjoying a beer on the beach with the night view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge is also recommended!

3) Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival – Korea's Representative Rock Music Festival

The Pentaport Rock Festival in Incheon is one of Korea's largest rock festivals, offering an energetic stage with world-class artists.

✅ Recommended Points
• Performances by global rock, metal, and indie music artists
• Camping zone – Enjoy outdoor camping with music
• Enjoy drinks and food at various food trucks and pubs

Local Tip:
• The festival site is large, so wear comfortable sneakers and a raincoat (in case it rains)!
• It can get hot in the summer, so a hat and sunscreen are essential!

2. Top 4 Summer Activities in Korea

1) Jeju Surfing – Enjoying Riding in the Blue Sea

Jeju is the perfect place to enjoy surfing in the summer. Surfing lessons are available for beginners, and you can enjoy the summer with the cool sea breeze on the beautiful beaches.

✅ Recommended Surfing Spots
• Jungmun Saekdal Beach – A spot for everyone from beginners to experts
• Woljeongri Beach – Take amazing photos with the emerald sea
• Iho Tewoo Beach – Enjoy surfing and a beach walk in a quiet atmosphere

Local Tip:
• If you're a beginner, signing up for a surfing lesson will make it easier to learn!
• After surfing, enjoy Jeju-only desserts and drinks at a beach cafe.

2) Han River Water Sports – A Cool Summer in Seoul

You can enjoy various water sports on the Han River in Seoul, allowing you to fully enjoy summer even in the city.

✅ Experiencable Activities
• Kayak & paddleboard experience
• Flyboard & wakeboard lessons
• Sunset cruise on a Han River cruise ship

Local Tip:
• In summer, taking a sunset cruise while enjoying the night view on the Han River is also recommended!
• Many people buy mats and chicken and enjoy "Chi-maek" (chicken and beer) at the Han River Park.

3) Gangwon-do Valley Camping – A Cool Healing Trip in Nature

Gangwon-do has many valleys and campsites perfect for escaping the summer heat. Enjoy camping while healing in nature.

✅ Recommended Valley Camping Spots
• Odaesan Sokumgang Valley – A representative valley camping spot with clear water and cool shade
• Inje Naerinchon Valley – A place where you can enjoy camping with rafting
• Chuncheon Uiam Lake Camping Ground – A spot where you can experience water sports along with camping

Local Tip:
• Reservations for campsites are essential! They can fill up quickly in the summer.
• You can enjoy BBQ or water play using tubes in the valley.

3. Cool Foods to Try in Korea During Summer

Cool food is a must to beat the summer heat! Korea offers a variety of summer delicacies.

1) Kongguksu – A Savory and Refreshing Summer Delicacy

Kongguksu is a summer delicacy made with thin noodles in a rich soybean soup. It's known for its nutty flavor and refreshing broth. It's good for your health and is a great option when you don't have much of an appetite. It's a representative Korean summer food.

✅ Recommended Reason
• The deep nutty flavor of the soybean soup that gets better the more you chew
• Popular as a vegan dish
• A refreshing meal perfect for a hot day

Local Tip:
• Some regions add sugar to Kongguksu, while others add salt! Find the taste that suits you.

2) Chogye Guksu – The Meeting of Chicken and Tangy Broth

Chogye Guksu is noodles in a chilled chicken broth with mustard and vinegar for a tangy and sweet flavor. It's especially famous for stimulating the appetite in the hot summer.

✅ Recommended Reason
• The tangy broth helps beat the heat
• Packed with chicken, it's also good for protein
• A traditional dish particularly famous in Gangwon-do

Local Tip:
• In Gangwon-do, many restaurants use home-grown chicken for a richer flavor! It tastes even better when eaten locally.

3) Watermelon Hwachae – A Representative Sweet Summer Dessert

Watermelon Hwachae is a traditional summer dessert made with chilled water, watermelon, and carbonated water. The unique sweetness and refreshing taste of watermelon make it the best summer snack.

✅ Recommended Reason
• The sweet and tangy taste helps beat the heat
• A good snack to enjoy with children
• Adding carbonated water enhances the refreshing feeling

Local Tip:
• Adding rice cakes, red bean paste, and ice cream to the watermelon Hwachae makes it even more delicious!

4) Patbingsu – A Combination of Refreshing Ice and Sweet Red Bean

Patbingsu is a representative dessert loved in Korea every summer. From the traditional style with finely shaved ice, sweet red bean, rice cakes, and condensed milk, to modern versions with various toppings, the choices are wide.

✅ Recommended Reason
• You can create your own bingsu by adding various toppings
• High-end bingsu from franchise cafes are also popular
• Loved by people of all ages for its sweet and refreshing taste

Local Tip:
• In addition to traditional Patbingsu, various variations such as mango bingsu, green tea bingsu, and injeolmi bingsu are also popular!

5) Milmyeon – A Chewy Summer Delicacy You Must Try in Busan

Milmyeon is a cold noodle dish similar to naengmyeon, particularly famous in Busan. The chewy noodles and refreshing broth make it a beloved summer treat.

✅ Recommended Reason
• Chewier noodles than naengmyeon
• Sweet and refreshing broth
• A local food you must try when visiting Busan

Local Tip:
• The oldest Milmyeon restaurants in Busan have long lines during lunchtime! If you go at opening time, you can eat without waiting.

Which summer festival in Korea are you most interested in visiting? Share in the comments below!