What’s on in Busan: Jan. 12-18

Gwangalli Beach with buildings and a bridge at night.

(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

Here is what’s going on around the city this week.

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Events Happening

MUSIC

Busan Philharmonic Orchestra @ Busan Citizens Hall — The BPO’s New Year’s concert is headlined by violinist Kim Hyun-seo. Busan Citizens Hall, Busanjin-gu, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

MC the Max and ISU @ BEXCO — MC the Max and ISU visit Busan with their “Wintering” tour. BEXCO, Centum City, Saturday

Lee Chang-sub @ BEXCO Auditorium — Lee Chang-sub performs two concerts under the theme “End And”. BEXCO Auditorium, Centum City, Saturday, 6 p.m. and Sunday, 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

Haeundae Polar Bear Festival @ Haeundae Beach — The 39th edition of the festival sees a pre-event schedule on Saturday before the main event Sunday morning. Haeundae Beach, Saturday and Sunday

Films in Our Memories 2025: Bringing a Story to the Screen @ Busan Cinema Center — The final 2025 film event recaps the best movies of the year. Busan Cinema Center, Centum City, Through January 18

MBC Wedding Expo @ BEXCO — All your wedding needs in one place. BEXCO, Centum City, Friday through Sunday

Wicked @ Dream Theatre — The first original Broadway production to perform in Korea in 13 years begins its Busan run. Dream Theatre, Busanjin-gu, November 13 through January 18

Gwangbok Winter Tree Festival @ Nampodong — The popular winter festival lights up Nampodong for the holiday season. Nampodong, Through February 22

Oncheoncheon Light Festival @ Dongnae Station — The 45-day festival promises dazzling light sculptures, delicious food, and festive activities for all ages. Dongnae Station, Through February 1

Haeundae Light Festival @ Gunam-ro, Haeundae Beach — The 12th edition of the Light Festival lights up the beach and Gunam-ro for the holiday season. Gunam-ro and Haeundae Beach, Saturday through January 18

Domoheon Winter Illumination @ Domoheon — Enjoy a radiant lawn garden and Christmas trees inside the main building. Domoheon, Suyeong-gu, Through late February

A Romantic Light Journey through the Park @ Busan Citizens Park — The popular park lights up nightly, with a 12-meter Eiffel Tower as the highlight. Busan Citizens Park, Busanjin-gu, Through June

Millak Luce Festa @ Millak Waterside Park — The 2nd annual light festival brings festive spirit to Millak-dong. Millak Waterside Park, Suyeong-gu, Through January 31

Green Barley, Becoming the Sea @ Millak Beach Park — The popular end-of-year flower arrangement let’s you walk amongst the manmade barley field. Millak Beach Park, Suyeong-gu, Through May 17

PNU University Road Light Street Re:naissance @ PNU University Road area — Underway since late October, the PNU University area streets come alive with light from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily through January 18. PNU University Road area, Through January 18

2025 Seo-gu Light of Hope @ Songdo Beach, Gudeok Stadium, Chungmu Intersection — Running from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, the streets of Seo-gu are transformed into an array of light sculptures. Songdo Beach, Gudeok Stadium, Chungmu Intersection, Seo-gu, Through March 14

Seomyeon Light Festival @ Around Seomyeon 1st Street — Eight events spread over a few weeks brings the downtown area alive. Around Seomyeon 1st Street, Busanjin-gu, Through February 14

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

CULTURE EVENTS

Banksy Photo Exhibition “Who is Banksy” by Martinbull @ Busan Citizens Hall — Enjoy works with photographs by British Banksy expert Martin Bull. Busan Citizens Hall, Busanjin-gu, Through March 29

Nakdong Arts Center Opening Festival @ Nakdong Arts Center — The city’s newest cultural center opens with a variety of performances. Nakdong Arts Center, Gangseo-gu, Through March 5

The Treasure Island of Busan, Yeongdo @ Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum — The Busan Museum of Modern and Contemporary History will hold a special exhibition in 2025 titled “Yeongdo, Busan’s Treasure Island,” which focuses on the history and culture of Yeongdo, which fully embodies Busan’s modern and contemporary history. Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, Jung-gu, Through March 2

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

Arte Museum Busan — The exhibition features 19 works themed ‘CIRCLE’, highlighting the natural and cultural elements of Busan. Arte Museum Busan, Yeongdo-gu, Ongoing

Fleet Chinhae