KOREA
People are enjoying a show.

(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Check out what’s going on around the city this weekend in Busan.

Please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel so you can keep up-to-date on what’s happening around the city.

Take a look at what’s ahead this month.

YouTube: 25 Events to Check Out in Busan This August

This weekend’s weather
Weather forecast from August 7 to 9.

(Illustration by Accuweather/courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Music events

N.Flying Live ‘&CON5: Into REM’ @ BEXCO Auditorium

One of Korea’s most beloved rock bands performs two nights at BEXCO Auditorium.

BEXCO Auditorium, Haeundae-gu | Saturday and Sunday (6:00 p.m. Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Sunday)

Balcony Music Show @ Gwangbokro

The first of the regular Balcony Music Show series — part of the 2026 Byeolbada Busan Night Festa. K-pop, fusion gugak, film OST, and jazz performances from the second floor balcony of the Busan Brand Shop on Gwangbokro, every second and fourth Saturday through December.

Gwangbokro, Jung-gu | Saturday, first edition | Free

Live Music Nights @ Ol’55

A relaxed weekend vibe with open-stage performances featuring local musicians and guest acts. Expect an easygoing mix of genres and spontaneous sets every weekend. Nam-gu | Friday–Saturday, After 7 p.m.

Events

Beach Openings @ Citywide

All beaches are open for summer operations.

Citywide | Through August 31

Busan International Buddhism Expo 2026 @ BEXCO

A major international expo showcasing Buddhist culture, heritage, and contemporary practice from across Asia. Featuring exhibitions, performances, cultural experiences, and hands-on programs open to the public.

BEXCO, Haeundae-gu | Thursday through Sunday, August 6–9

30th Busan Sea Festival @ Dadaepo Beach

The 30th edition of one of Busan’s most beloved summer festivals returns to Dadaepo Beach with live performances, beach events, and summer activities. Running through August 13.

Dadaepo Beach, Saha-gu | From Friday, August 7 – August 13

Gwangdae Theatre Festival @ Gwangalli Beach

Enjoy the 22nd Gwangdae Theatre Festival, a midsummer theatre celebration at Gwangalli Beach.

Gwangalli Beach | Friday through Sunday

2026 Youth Art Fair: Under 39 @ Shinsegae Department Store

The world’s largest gathering of library and information professionals, bringing 3,000+ delegates from 140 countries to BEXCO. Several public cultural events and exhibitions run alongside the formal sessions.

Haeundae-gu | Through August 16

2026 Splash Festival @ ClubD Oasis Spa & Water Park

A week of water-themed entertainment, live performances, and summer activities at ClubD Oasis Spa & Water Park in Haeundae. Running through August 12.

ClubD Oasis Spa & Water Park, Haeundae-gu | Through August 12

Suyeong Fortress Youth Cinema: That Summer of Ours @ Suyeong Fortress

A free outdoor film screening programme running weekdays through August at the historic Suyeong Fortress. Three screenings daily at 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Advance registration required.

Suyeong Fortress, Suyeong-gu | Weekdays through August 31, 10:00 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. | Free (registration required)

2026 Geumjeong Splash Festival @ Spo 1 Park Geumjeong Sports Park

A free outdoor water festival for children aged 3–12 (ages 3–13 in Korean age), running through August 9. Adult accompaniment required.

Spo 1 Park Geumjeong Sports Park Outdoor Plaza, Geumjeong-gu | Through Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Free

BCC Film Music Festival: Silent Film 2026 @ Busan Cinema Center

The Busan Cinema Center’s Film Music Festival presents a special silent film programme with live musical accompaniment. Final days this week.

Busan Cinema Center, Haeundae-gu | Through Sunday, August 9

Busan International Photo Festival 2026 @ Busan Port International Passenger Terminal

Korea’s leading international photography festival continues, showcasing works from Korean and international photographers. Running through August 18.

Busan Port International Passenger Terminal, Jung-gu | Through August 18

Pokémon Mega Festa @ Citywide

Visitors can enjoy themed photo zones, a stamp rally, limited-edition QR transit tickets, Pokémon-themed subway trains and buses, a pop-up store, drone shows, and a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the festival.

Busan Station, Beomnaegol, Jeonpo, Gwangalli, and Centum City Metro Stations | Through August 9

Pungnyu Garden Special Exhibition @ Busan National Gugak Center

A free summer-long look at Korea’s traditional gugak culture inside the Gugak Experience Hall.

Yeonje-gu | Tuesday–Saturday, through August 29

Yeongdo Bridge Night Openings @ Yeongdo Bridge and Yurari Plaza

Busan’s iconic Yeongdo Bridge will host its annual Night Bridge Opening every Saturday from August 1 to August 29, giving visitors a chance to see the historic drawbridge raised after sunset.

Yeongdo-gu | Every Saturday through August 29

Heritage of Busan as the Wartime Capital @ Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum

A free exhibition tracing the city’s pivotal role as Korea’s wartime capital.

Jung-gu | Daily except Mondays, through September 27

2026 Yeongnam Dance Festival @ Busan National Gugak Center

Korea’s premier traditional dance festival returns to Busan, showcasing the finest performers of Yeongnam-style traditional dance across a two-week run. Opening weekend this week.

Yeonje-gu | Through August 8

The Greatest Colorist: Michel-Henry @ Busan Cultural Center

A vivid new exhibition spotlighting the French colorist’s work, with free docent tours running through summer.

Nam-gu | Through October 25

Culture Camping @ Millak Waterside Park

The 2026 Millak Culture Camping offers weekend visitors a mix of relaxation spaces, hands-on activities, and live performances through early October.. Busanjin-gu | Through October 5

Busan Ocean Cinema @ Millak Waterside Park

Friday and Saturday nights become host to the unique ocean cinema. Suyeong-gu | Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Through July 31

Culture Camping @ Millak Waterside Park

The 2026 Millak Culture Camping offers weekend visitors a mix of relaxation spaces, hands-on activities, and live performances through early October. Suyeong-gu | Through October 5

Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach

This drone show returns for its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach | Saturday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Canceled

Dadaepo Dream Sunset Fountain @ Dadaepo Beach

Enjoy the nightly fountain and music shows at one of the city’s unique attractions. Gwangalli Beach | Through September 30

International Meet-up @ Cafe With

Join a new language exchange and culture program each Friday night Kyungsung University Area | Friday, 7 p.m.

Cultural events

Nuances: Archaeology of the Present @ Alliance Française Busan Art Space

A debut group exhibition from Nuances, a multidisciplinary collective of French-speaking artists living in South Korea. Through photography, drawing, film, installation, music, and performance, the show explores Korea’s rapidly changing society as if uncovering an archaeological site — revealing layers of history, tradition, and modern life. Presented as part of the 140th anniversary of French-Korean diplomatic relations.

Alliance Française Busan Art Space, GoEun Museum of Photography, Haeundae-gu | August 6–30 | Free

Reverie @ space bv

Kim Choon-ja creates dreamlike forests filled with organic forms, sound, and memory.

space bv | Through August 9

Garden of Pungryu @ National Busan Gugak Center

Visual artist Nanan reimagines flowers and nature found in traditional Korean songs and poetry through intricate paper flower installations. The exhibition blends contemporary art with the beauty of Korean musical heritage.

Gugak Experience Hall, National Busan Gugak Center | Through August 29

Seed Stories @ GoEun Museum of Photography

A photography exhibition tracing themes of origin, growth, and transformation through the lens of seeds as a metaphor for life, memory, and the natural world.

GoEun Museum of Photography | Through August 30

Moon Journey: Busan Moon Jars @ Haeundae Dalmaji Park & Busan Museum

An exhibition celebrating the iconic Korean moon jar — the round, white ceramic vessels of the Joseon Dynasty — displayed across two locations including the scenic hillside setting of Haeundae Dalmaji Park overlooking the sea.

Haeundae Dalmaji Park & Busan Museum | Through August 30

The Black Trilogy @ GoEun Gibson Photo Museum

More than 120 gelatin silver prints from Ralph Gibson’s iconic photographic series.

GoEun Gibson Photo Museum | Through August 30

Beyond the Edge of Vision: Media Art of Lee Lee-nam @ Beomeosa Seongbo Museum

A media-art exhibition blending traditional Korean landscapes with digital technology.

Beomeosa Seongbo Museum | Through August 30

Textile Hands, Women’s Time: ASEAN Textile Traditions @ KF ASEAN Culture House

A survey of textile traditions from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

KF ASEAN Culture House | Through August 30

Awakening @ O Gallery

Park Cheong-yong explores spirituality, reflection, and inner awareness through painting.

O Gallery | Through August 30

Alice Dalton Brown Retrospective: Briefly, and Forever @ Village de Ananti

The first Busan exhibition by renowned American artist Alice Dalton Brown, known as the “Painter of Light and Wind.” The retrospective features approximately 120 paintings and 40 drawings spanning nearly seven decades, highlighting her masterful depictions of sunlight, movement, and everyday landscapes.

Culture Club, Village de Ananti, Gijang | Through September 27

Busan, Maritime Capital 2050: Beyond the Waves to the Future @ Geumgo Art Museum

Created to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of Busan Port, this exhibition imagines the future of Busan in a world shaped by climate change and rising sea levels. Through contemporary art, visitors are invited to explore floating cities, Arctic shipping routes, and the future of Korea’s leading maritime city.

Geumgo Art Museum, Busan Museum of Modern and Contemporary History | Through September 27

Alice Dalton Brown: For a Moment, Forever @ Village de Ananti

The first Busan retrospective of the acclaimed American painter known for luminous depictions of light and water.

Village de Ananti | Through September 27

2050 Maritime Capital Busan: Beyond the Waves, Toward the Future @ Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum

An exhibition imagining floating cities, Arctic shipping routes, and Busan’s future as a global maritime hub.

Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum | Through September 27

Heritage of Busan as the Wartime Capital @ Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum

A free exhibition tracing the city’s pivotal role as Korea’s wartime capital.

Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum| Daily except Mondays, through September 27

Again, the Age of Romance @ Museum One

A contemporary reinterpretation of Romanticism featuring artists from four countries working across multiple media.

Museum One | Through October 11

ART WALK Project @ BNK Busan Bank Headquarters

A rotating exhibition series showcasing emerging and established Busan artists.

BNK Busan Bank Headquarters | Through October 16

Jaesoo’s Sketchbook @ Dong-gu Cultural Platform

A large-scale exhibition by Busan-born illustrator Jaesoo featuring thousands of drawings, comics, and original works.

Dong-gu Cultural Platform | Through October 25

The Greatest Colorist: Michel-Henry @ Busan Cultural Center

A vivid new exhibition spotlighting the French colorist’s work, with free docent tours running through summer.

Busan Cultural Center | Opens Friday, through October 25

Sports events

North Port SUP FESTA 2026 @ North Port Waterfront Park

A stand-up paddleboard festival at Busan’s North Port Waterfront Park, featuring SUP races, water activities, and a seaside festival atmosphere. Running through August 9.

Jung-gu | July 31 – August 9

The best stories from the Pacific, in your inbox

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more.

Sign Up Now