Travel
What’s on in Busan, South Korea: May 5 – 11
Haps Magazine Korea
May 4, 2025
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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.
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EVENTS HAPPENING
MUSIC
Hello Classic: Handel vs. Bach @ Busan Concert Hall — The latest pre-opening performance before the Concert Hall opens officially. Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Joe Hisaishi Film Concert @ Busan Citizens Hall – A classic concert dedicated to the famed Japanese composer. Busan Citizens Hall, Busanjin-gu, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
Kim Kaeun @ Busan Cultural Center — The popular soprano singer performs a mid-week concert. Busan Cultural Center, Daeyeon-dong, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m
Lee Ji-eun @ Busan Cultural Center — Lee Ji-eun performs an hour-long piano recital. Busan Cultural Center, Daeyeon-dong, Thursday, 7:30 p.m
A Night of Songs and Arias @ Busan Cultural Center — 18 performers take the stage in this two-hour concert. Busan Cultural Center, Daeyeon-dong, 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
Children’s Day — Several big events around the city are taking place Monday, including the Grand Festival at the Busan Cinema Center. Monday
Buddha’s Birthday — Temples around the city will host events big and small. Monday
Busan Wheat Festival @ Hwamyeong Ecological Park — A food festival dedicated to all things made from wheat. Hwamyeong Ecological Park, Buk-gu, Monday and Tuesday
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, Monday
Free Outdoor Theater @ Busan Cinema Center — The free outdoor theater season returns for another year on select Tuesdays. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Tuesday 8 p.m.
Art Busan @ BEXCO — One of the country’s most influential art fairs returns this week. BEXCO, Centum City, Thursday through Sunday
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
Gwangalli Eobang Festival @ Gwangalli Beach — One of spring’s biggest festivals in the city, dedicated to fishermen and the sea. Gwangalli Beach, Friday through Sunday
Lawn Library @ Busan Citizens’ Park — Enjoy an outdoor library at Hialehah Lawn Square. Busan Citizens’ Park, Busanjin-gu, Through June 15
Busan Ballet Season @ Busan Cinema Center — Two performances under Artistic Director Ballerina Kim Joo-won. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Saturday 5 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m.
Diamond Bridge Walking Festival –– Thousands of walkers begin their journey from BEXCO to PKNU over the famed local bridge. Sunday, 7:45 a.m.
Jakdang Festa @ Youth Workshop — The festival embraces contemporary trends, catering to the interests of young individuals through a diverse lineup of cultural and artistic events. Youth Workshop, Jung-gu, Saturday and Sunday
Busan Story Slam @ Arise Art Space — Battle for the title of best story under the theme “No one would believe me”. Arise Art Space, Suyeong-gu, Saturday, 7 p.m.
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
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