Travel
What’s on in Busan: Oct. 13-19
Haps Magazine Korea
October 13, 2025
Main image of What’s On in Busan (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Here is what’s going on around the city this week.
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MUSIC
Busan Chamber Music Society Regular Concert @ Busan Concert Hall — Enjoy an evening of classical music featuring Florin Iliescu and the BCMS Orchestra. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
London Philharmonic Orchesta @ Busan Concert Hall — Conductor Edward Gardner and pianist Son Yeol-eum join the LPO for an evening concert. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Friday, 7:30 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
106th National Sports Festival — 82 venues across the city host the top athletes in the nation. October 17-23
Chinatown Cultural Festival @ Busan Station, Choryang-dong — The annual Chinatown festival returns for another year. Busan Station, Choryang-dong, Friday through Sunday
Seomyeon Festival @ Jeonpo-dong — Eight events spread over a few weeks brings the downtown area alive. Jeonpo-dong, Busanjin-gu, October 13 – November 2
Busan Finance Week @ BEXCO — You can meet directly with expert instructors in various fields such as real estate, stocks, pensions, and insurance.. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday and Saturday
Busan Sea Library @ Dadaepo Beach — Each weekend brings the popular outdoor library to Dadaepo Beach. Dadaepo Beach, Saturday and Sunday through October 19
Busan International Photo Festival Festival @ F1963, Space Won-ji, Hakjang Industrial Complex Ilsan — The festival invites domestic and international artists and their works to showcase the aesthetic value of Korea’s unique spirituality and philosophy. F1963, Space Won-ji, Hakjang Industrial Complex Ilsan, Suyeong-gu, September 24 – October 23
Sea Art Festival @ Dadaepo Beach — Outdoor artworks blend with the coastal landscape in a major biennial. Dadaepo Beach, September 27-November 2
Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams Music Show @ Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams — The fountain show is back for another year of excitement. Daily except for Monday, Dadaepo, 8 p.m.
Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach — This week’s drone show returns to its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach, Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9 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
Aladdin @ Busan Dream Theatre — As the first Korean staging of Aladdin, the production is expected to introduce Busan audiences to this beloved musical in a grand new presentation setting over the summer. Dream Theatre, Busanjin-gu, Through September 28
GALLERY EVENTS
Writers Revealed – 500 Years of Literature and Art from Shakespeare Onward @ Busan Museum — This exhibition, the first of its kind in Asia, features works from Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, JK Rowling, andf 78 world-renowned British literary giants. Busan Museum, Daeyeon-dong, Through January 18, 2026
Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5 — Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, Through October 26
Brise-Soleil and Rounded Corners: Art Deco and Modernist Architecture in Southeast Asia Today @ ASEAN Culture House — The event aims to understand the background of the formation of major ASEAN cities through modern and contemporary architectural heritage. ASEAN Culture House, Haeundae-gu, Through November 9
Steidl Book Culture Magic On Paper @ Domoheon — This cross-genre archival exhibition illuminates the multifaceted world of Gerhard Steidl, the renowned German publisher of photography and art books. Domoheon Multipurpose Room, Suyeong-gu, Through December 7
Hilma af Klint: Proper Summons @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5 — Enjoy a collection of 140 works, including paintings, drawings, videos, and archival materials. Busan Museum of Contemporary Art Gallery 5, Through October 26
Topography of Labor – 12 Scenes @ Busan Museum of Modern Art – Eunbi Kwon’s installation explores invisible and peripheral labor through moving sculptures. Busan Museum of Modern Art, Saha-gu, Through October 19
Return @ National Museum of Forced Mobilization – Commemorating Korea’s liberation, this exhibition tells stories of repatriated forced laborers. National Museum of Forced Mobilization, Nam-gu, Through October 31
Sawadee Thailand @ Sasang Life History Museum — 437 cultural items from the Land of Smiles are on display. Sasang Life History Museum, Through November
Arte Museum Busan — The exhibition features 19 works themed ‘CIRCLE’, highlighting the natural and cultural elements of Busan. Arte Museum Busan, Yeongdo-gu, Ongoing