Travel
What’s on in Busan: April 28 – May 4
Haps Magazine Korea
April 28, 2025
Main image of What’s On in Busan ()
Here is what’s going on around the city this week.
Please Note: Due to the Public Official Election Act, some events and festivals may be postponed or canceled without notice until the Presidential election on June 3.
EVENTS HAPPENING
MUSIC
An Evening of Opera Arias and Art Songs With Busan Vocalists @ Busan Concert Hall — A pre-opening performance features six local vocalists. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Busan Philharmonic Orchestra @ Busan Cultural Center — The BPO performs as part of its Chamber Series II – ‘Zoom-In I’. Busan Cultural Center, Daeyeon-dong, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m
John Daversa with Friends @ Busan Cinema Center — The Grammy-award winning trumpeter joins an ensemble for a Friday night concert. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Christian Tetzlaff Violin Recital @ Busan Cultural Center — Christian Tetzlaff is joined on the piano by Kiveli Dörken. Busan Cultural Center, Daeyeon-dong, Friday, 7:30 p.m
Saturday Classical Concert for Kids @ Busan Citizens Hall – A classic concert for kids under the theme ‘Classic Dance Dance’. Busan Citizens Hall, Busanjin-gu, Saturday, 3 p.m.
2025 Active Singer 2 National Tour Concert @ BEXCO — Nine performers take the stage for two concerts this Sunday. BEXCO, Centum City, Sunday, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Jihoon Jun @ Haeundae Cultural Center — Enjoy a piano recital this Tuesday evening. Haeundae Cultural Center, Haeundae, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m
Skipjack @ Club Realize — The four-member band performs this Saturday evening in Busan. Club Realize, Kyungsung University Area, Saturday, 5 p.m.
Open Mic @ Basement — Head on out to hear some live local talent in PNU. Basement, PNU, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Open Mic @ Ol’55 — Open mic returns to Ol’55 each Wednesday evening. Ol’55, KSU, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
OTHER STUFF
Busan Lotus Lantern Festival @ Song Sang-hyeon Square, Busan Citizens Park — The Lantern Festival is the oldest Buddhist event and festival, along with the Palgwanhoe, and will run daily from 6 p.m. until May 6th. Song Sang-hyeon Square, Busan Citizens Park, Busanjin-gu, Through May 6
Busan International Short Film Festival @ Busan Cinema Center — The festival will feature not only screenings of competition films but also director talks, special invitations, and industry programs. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, April 24-29
Our Ocean Conference @ BEXCO — Experts from around the world converge on Busan to discuss the world’s oceans. BEXCO, Centum City, Monday through Wednesday
Busan Spring Flower Exhibition @ Busan Citizens’ Park — The 5th edition of the flower festival returns with colorful blooms filling the park. Busan Citizens’ Park, Busanjin-gu, May 2-6
Seeing with Ten Fingers @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art — Featuring the works of 20 multidisciplinary artists from Korea and abroad, the exhibition showcases over 70 synesthetic works. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Through September 7
Asia Poker Series @ BEXCO — 260 million won is up for grabs with the region’s best poker players facing off. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday
Lawn Library @ Busan Citizens’ Park — Enjoy an outdoor library at Hialehah Lawn Square. Busan Citizens’ Park, Busanjin-gu, Through June 15
World Magic Star Concert @ Haeundae Cultural Center — Five performers take the stage to show off their magic talents. Haeundae Cultural Center, Haeundae-gu, Saturday, 2 p.m.
Nikang Naekang Busan Mokang Green Yard @ Busan Museum of Modern Art Outdoor Garden — Eco-friendly products like agricultural goods, flowers, food, and seafood will be sold, along with a “Children’s Sharing Market” run by kids. Busan Museum of Modern Art Outdoor Garden, May 4-5
2025 Earth Day @ Space 101.1 and Daecheong Gallery — This multidisciplinary exhibition brings together 44 artists, academics, performers, and creators whose works explore the intersections of art, nature, technology, and human connection in the face of global climate challenges. Space 101.1 and Daecheong Gallery, Jung-gu, Through May 4
Loop Lab Busan — The Loop Lab Busan Exhibition is a collaborative digital and media art event held across approximately 23 cultural spaces, including public and private museums, alternative spaces, and galleries throughout Busan. Throughout Busan, Through June 26
GAYA+TOON @ Bokcheon Museum — The exhibition features the winning works from the Gaya Webtoon & Illustration Contest held by the National Gimhae Museum. Bokcheon Museum, Dongnae-gu, Through August 10
BusanMoCA Performing Arts: Green Shivering @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art — Focusing on the diversity of performing arts, this exhibition presents works of overlapping media such as installation, video, performance, and sound art. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Through June 15
Sawadee Thailand @ Sasang Life History Museum — 437 cultural items from the Land of Smiles are on display. Sasang Life History Museum, Through November
BusanMoCA Performing Arts: Green Shivering @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art — Focusing on the diversity of performing arts, this exhibition presents works of overlapping media such as installation, video, performance, and sound art. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Saha-gu, Through June 15
Armor of Armor: Joseon Armor Unearthed in Busan @ Busan Museum — This exhibition focuses on the types of armor and manufacturing techniques from the Joseon Dynasty, centered on armor discovered through excavations in Busan. Busan Museum, Daeyeon-dong, Through May 11
Portrait of Water @ Date Gallery — Chae Seong-pil’s solo show uses pearl pigments and water to create lyrical abstract landscapes. Date Gallery, Haeundae, Through April 30
Topological Landscape @ Izelli Gallery — A two-person exhibition by Kim Bom and Moon Jun-ho reinterpreting nature’s patterns and forms. Izelli Gallery, Suyeong-gu, Through May 3
Embrace the Universe @ Soul Art Space — Kim Deok-yong’s latest series combines mother-of-pearl and wood to visualize cycles, nature, and cosmic imagery. Soul Art Space, Haeundae, Through May 20
A Tale of Two Cities @ GoEun Museum of Photography — Featured participants include Italian artist Pablo Ventura, who was the museum’s first overseas guest in 2019, and Josef Schulz. GoEun Museum of Photography, Haeundae, Through August 8
Ramine’s Lighthouse Impressions @ Busan Marine Natural History Museum — French marine anthropologist and writer Ramin Debrest visited Busan and created 24 artworks featuring lighthouses from France and Europe, including the Oryukdo Lighthouse. Busan Marine Natural History Museum, Dongnae, Through June 1
Plastic: Remaking Our World @ Hyundai Motorstudio Busan — The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Vitra Design Museum, titled “Plastic: Remaking Our World,” highlights the dual nature of plastic—both as a symbol of innovation and a significant environmental challenge. Hyundai Motorstudio Busan, Suyeong-gu, Through May 25
Arte Museum Busan — The exhibition features 19 works themed ‘CIRCLE’, highlighting the natural and cultural elements of Busan. Arte Museum Busan, Yeongdo-gu, Ongoing
Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach — This week’s drone show returns to its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach, Saturday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Trivia @ HQ — The weekly trivia night changes back to Wednesday nights. HQ Bar, Gwangalli, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Gorilla Running Club @ Gorilla Beach — Runners depart together from Gorilla’s new Haeundae location towards Gwangalli. Gorilla Beach, Haeundae, Monday