Fun in Busan: 2026 Haeundae Sand Festival reveals its theme for May event

(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Busan’s annual Haeundae Sand Festival will return to Haeundae Beach from May 15 to 18, with organizers unveiling this year’s theme.

Under the theme “A Journey Through Busan’s History in Sand”, the 2026 edition will feature 17 large-scale sand sculptures capturing Busan’s changing identity across time, from historic moments such as the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions, the Korean War temporary capital era, and Busan Port, to modern icons including the Busan International Film Festival, baseball cheering culture, surfing, and hot springs.

A total of 11 sand artists from Korea, Canada, China, France, and Taiwan will take part in the event, producing a mix of full sculptures and relief works.

The festival’s main attraction will be a panoramic sand installation of Haeundae, joined by a seven-meter-high sand observatory overlooking the beach.

Nighttime media facade projections, scenic lighting, and special visual effects will add an evening dimension to the displays, while visitors can also enjoy sandboarding, sand playgrounds, sculpture-making experiences, and a variety of stage performances during the four-day festival.

Fleet Chinhae