Travel
Busan’s Suyeong-gu Office hosts October Festa IN Gwangalli Oct. 17-19
Haps Magazine Korea
October 15, 2025
(Photo by Suyeong-gu Office/Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Gwangalli Beach will take on a new identity this fall as it transforms into a vibrant cultural and business festival venue.
Suyeong-gu Office will host the inaugural “October Festa IN Gwangalli” from October 17 to 19, a three-day event celebrating the district’s neighborhoods, small businesses, and creative culture.
A Celebration of Neighborhood Identity
The festival’s highlight will be its “neighborhood-themed streets,” where each of Suyeong-gu’s five neighborhoodsS uyeong, Mangmi, Minrak, Namcheon, and Gwangan, will feature booths showcasing their signature shops, cafes, bakeries, bookstores, and florists.
Participating vendors include Boseong Green Tea Patbingsu from Namcheon-dong, Leather Workshop Bon from Suyeong-dong, and Juchaek Gongsa, an independent bookstore from Minrak-dong.
From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the white sands of Gwangalli Beach from Meeting Square to Daewoo I-Ville Officetel will be lined with booths where local artisans and entrepreneurs share their crafts, flavors, and ideas.
The Dongbyeol Theme Street section will provide a platform for young entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect with the public, helping to boost the local economy and Suyeong’s creative scene.
Music, Food, and Fun by the Sea
The festival will also feature a main stage with live performances, including street dance, traditional yard games, and local entertainment.
In the F&B pop-up zone, housed in a beachside air dome, visitors can enjoy Busan favorites such as Millak Hoe-chon Market seafood and Samjin Fish Cake, alongside a DJ party that will keep the beach buzzing after sunset.
Building a New Autumn Tradition for Busan
Suyeong-gu plans to use this year’s event as a pilot festival, refining it for a larger second edition next fall. The ultimate goal is to establish Octoberfesta as a signature autumn beach festival that continues the cultural legacy of Gwangalli’s drone shows.
The event is funded at 400 million won, with 280 million won supported through national and municipal grants under the Korea Cultural City Project.