Off-base festivals to check out in South Korea

(Boryeong Mud Festival)

Daegu Chimac Festival

(Daegu Chimac Festival)

Date: Until Jul. 7

Venue: Duryu Park area (7 Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu)

Introduction: Koreans love “chimac” (a combination of fried chicken and beer, maekju in Korean), and what better place to enjoy the combo than Daegu, the center of the “chimac” culture and the host of the Chimac Festival? After all, Daegu is where many of Korea’s fried chicken franchises got their start, from Kyochon to Mexicana. The best thing about Daegu Chimac Festival is the fact that you can sample a truly delicious variety of fried chicken in one giant picnic held on a grassy field. From unique pubs serving the titular combo to EDM parties hosted by famous singers, the festival never disappoints when it comes to side activities.

Instagram: @daegu_chimac_festival

Boryeong Mud Festival

(Boryeong Mud Festival)

Date: Jul. 19 - Aug. 4, 18:00-23:00

Venue: Mud Plaza (123 Meodeu-ro, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do)

Introduction: This is a festival dedicated to Boryeong’s famous mud from Daecheon Beach. The Boryeong Mud Festival has a global reputation, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors from all over the world every year, and for good reason, as the festival offers a variety of attractions and interactive programs for unforgettable memories. In the Regular Zone, which is for adults, you can enjoy full body activities such as large mud baths and mud slides. In the Family Zone, both adults and children can cover themselves with mud and play together. You can also participate in programs such as mud self-massage and colored mud painting, which utilize the benefits of Boryeong mud in different ways.

Instagram: @mudfestival_korea

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival

(Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival)

Date: Aug. 2-4

Venue: Songdo Moonlight Festival Park (350, Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon)

Introduction: As one of the most famous rock festivals in Korea, Pentaport Rock Festival is a global festival that unites the world through music. Each year, the festival invites top musicians from around the world to create stages that set the hearts of the audience on fire. This year’s Pentaport Rock Festival features the legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Jack White; Turnstile, one of the world’s leading hardcore punk bands in the world; as well as Jannabi, sunwoojunga, and SE SO NEON. The festival will feature standing areas for the dancers and the headbangers, as well as a picnic area for a more relaxed experience.

Instagram: @pentaportrf

Gangneung Culture Night

(Gangneung Culture Night)

Date: Aug. 15-17, 18:00 - 23:00

Venue: Gangneung-daedohobu Government Office (6 Imyeong-ro 131beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do)

Seobu Market (6 Imyeong-ro 155beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do)

Introduction: This is a night festival celebrating the cultural heritage of Gangneung, a coastal city on the East Sea. It will be held at the Gangneung-daedohobu Government Office, a designated cultural heritage site, with special nighttime exhibitions, performances, and experience programs. The highlight of the festival will be a reenactment of the street performance held by Gangneung residents to welcome the new governors during the Joseon dynasty. Other features include a drone light show, light tunnels inspired by Gangneung’s cultural heritages, and hanbok fashion shows featuring Gangneung residents.

Instagram: @culture_tour_

Cheonan World Dance Festival

(Cheonan World Dance Festival)

Date: Sept. 25- 29

Address: 208 Beonyeong-ro, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do

Introduction: The Cheonan World Dance Festival attracts some of the best dancers from around the world to celebrate the traditional dances, songs, and costumes of their countries. Visitors can watch very polished traditional dance performances from all around the world, as well as an electrifying dancing competition.

Admission/Fees: Free

Gimje Horizon Festival

(Gimje Horizon Festival)

Date: Oct. 2- 6

Address: 442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do 온라인개최

Introduction: Gimje Horizon Festival takes place in the heart of the Honam rice bowl and is the only place in Korea to see the far-distant horizon. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is an important foundation of the nation, with the theme of the sky and land meeting at the horizon. Many dynamic and active programs are available for festival-goers to participate in before the golden horizon.

Admission/Fees: Free

USAG Daegu