Every spring, Haeundae Beach transforms into something most people don’t expect from one of Korea’s busiest tourist strips as the popular Haeundae Sand Festival returns from May 15 to 18.

This year’s theme, “A Journey Through Busan’s History in Sand”, takes a notably local angle.

Eleven international artists from Korea, Canada, China, France, and Taiwan have created 17 large-scale sculptures and relief works tracing the city’s identity across different eras. Historic subjects include the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions, Busan’s role as South Korea’s temporary capital during the Korean War, and the growth of Busan Port. On the modern side, expect sculptures representing the Busan International Film Festival, baseball culture, surfing, and the city’s famous hot springs.

The centrepiece is a panoramic sand recreation of Haeundae itself accompanied by a seven-metre-high sand observatory giving visitors an elevated view over the beach and sculptures below.

After dark, nighttime media facade projections transform the works entirely, making an evening visit well worth planning separately from a daytime one.

Beyond the sculpture trail, the festival offers sandboarding, hands-on sculpture-making workshops, sand playgrounds, and stage performances across all four days making it a solid option for families, solo visitors, and groups alike.

The sculptures will also remain on display at Haeundae Beach Event Plaza until June 14 which is a quieter way to see them once the crowds have cleared.

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Inside Busan’s Annual Sand Festival — 17 Giant Sculptures at Haeundae Beach

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu