KOREA
Gwangalli Beach with buildings and a bridge at night.

Gwangalli Beach, Busan (Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)

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

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You can check out future events for this month on our recent video.

Music events

Busan Music Festival: ING Korea Red Wave @ Yeonghwa-uijeon-dang Outdoor Plaza (Dureraum Square)

A major three-day outdoor music festival featuring a lineup of Korean artists including Cho Sung-mo, Kim Hyun-jung, Lee Ha-neul, Jeong Jae-yong, Hyun Jin-young, Kim Sung-su, and Lee Sang-min. Nine hours of performances across three evenings.

Yeonghwa-uijeon-dang Outdoor Plaza (Dureraum Square) | Friday August 28 – Sunday August 30, 6:00 p.m. | Ages 7+

THORNAPPLE Concert ‘My Century’ – Busan @ BEXCO Auditorium

One of Korea’s most acclaimed indie rock bands performs two nights at BEXCO Auditorium.

BEXCO Auditorium, Haeundae-gu | Saturday August 29, 7:00 p.m. / Sunday August 30, 5:00 p.m.

MC Mong Concert ‘A Midsummer Night’s Ice Break’ – Busan @ KBS Hall Busan

Beloved Korean hip-hop artist MC Mong brings his summer tour to Busan for one night.

KBS Hall Busan | Saturday August 29, 5:00 p.m.

Ghibli & Disney Film Music FESTA @ Busan Concert Hall

A live orchestral concert featuring beloved music from Studio Ghibli and Disney films, performed by soloists Baek Yun-hak and Lee Hee-ju. Suitable for ages 4 and up.

Busan Concert Hall, Busanjin-gu | Saturday August 29, 2:00 p.m.

Busan Immersed in Jazz II @ Domoheon

A candlelit jazz concert at the historic Domoheon cultural space in Geumjeong-gu.

Dahal Lecture Hall, Domoheon | Saturday August 29, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Salome @ Busan Citizens Hall

Richard Strauss’s opera Salome performed at Busan Citizens Hall, starring XIA (Kim Junsu) and Yu Tae-pyeong. Ages 12 and up.

Busan Citizens Hall (Grand Theater) | Saturday August 29, 3:00 p.m.

Dureraum Summer Special 2026 @ Busan Cinema Center

The outdoor Saturday concert series continues with rotating lineups of Korean indie and pop artists. Running every Saturday through September 2.

Busan Cinema Center, Haeundae-gu | Saturday | Free

2026 11 O’Clock Film Music Concert @ Busan Cinema Center

A late-night outdoor film music concert at Busan Cinema Center featuring live performances of beloved film scores under the summer sky.

Busan Cinema Center, Haeundae-gu | Wednesday August 26

Live Music @ Ol’55

A relaxed weekend vibe with open-stage performances featuring local musicians and guest acts.

Nam-gu | Friday–Saturday, after 7:00 p.m.

Events

Beach Summer Operations @ City Beaches

All beaches are open for summer operations.

Citywide | Through August 31, Haeundae — September 15

14th Busan International Comedy Festival @ BEXCO Auditorium & Around Busan

Korea’s biggest comedy festival continues its run through August 30 with stand-up, improv, sketch, and international comedy performances across BEXCO Auditorium and other Busan venues.

BEXCO Auditorium & various venues, Haeundae-gu | Through August 30

MAD Stars 2026 @ SIGNIEL Busan & Haeundae Area

Korea’s premier global advertising and creative industry festival returns to Haeundae, bringing together international creative directors, brand strategists, and marketers across three days of talks, workshops, and awards. Open to industry and public attendees.

SIGNIEL Busan & Haeundae area | Wednesday through Friday, August 26–28

23rd IFAC World Congress @ BEXCO

The world’s largest gathering of automatic control and systems engineering professionals brings delegates from over 60 countries to BEXCO for six days of talks and workshops. Several public lectures and cultural events run alongside the main programme.

BEXCO, Haeundae-gu | Sunday August 23 – Friday August 28

1st Bunecia Friends Day @ Jangnim Port Bunecia Food Village

A new community festival at Jangnim Port’s Bunecia Food Village featuring busking performances, local food, and branch-specific cultural experiences. Free to attend.

Jangnim Port Bunecia Food Village, Saha-gu | Saturday August 29, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Free

2026 Jeonpo Saitgil Beer Festival @ Jeonpo-daero

An outdoor beer festival on the streets of Jeonpo — one of Busan’s most popular café and culture districts — featuring craft beer, live music, and food along the closed-off street. Running 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. both evenings.

Jeonpo-daero 210beon-gil to Seojeon-ro area, Busanjin-gu | Friday and Saturday, August 28–29, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

BISCO Park Running Class @ Bukhang Waterfront Park

A free community running class at Bukhang Waterfront Park in North Port, open to all levels.

Bukhang Waterfront Park, Jung-gu | Friday August 28, 7:00 p.m. | Free

14th Busan Nail Expo @ BEXCO

Korea’s biggest nail art and beauty industry expo, open to the public. Featuring nail art demonstrations, product launches, competitions, and tutorials from leading Korean and international nail artists.

BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1, Hall 3A, Haeundae-gu | Friday through Sunday, August 28–30

BIC 2026 – Busan Indie Connect Festival @ BEXCO

Public festival days continue through the weekend with hands-on indie game demos, developer meetups, and presentations. Final days — closes Sunday August 23.

BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1, Haeundae-gu | Through Sunday August 23 (final days)

Night Music Campnic @ Dadaepo Beach Park

The popular outdoor music and picnic series continues every Friday and Saturday evening at Dadaepo Beach through September 19. Live performances across multiple genres alongside pet-friendly and food activities.

Dadaepo Beach Park, Saha-gu | Friday and Saturday, 5:00 p.m. onwards

Suyeong Fortress Youth Cinema: That Summer of Ours @ Suyeong Fortress

Free outdoor film screenings running weekdays through August at the historic Suyeong Fortress. Three screenings daily. Advance registration required.

Suyeong Fortress, Suyeong-gu | Weekdays through August 31, 10:00 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. | Free (registration required)

Culture Camping @ Millak Waterside Park

Weekend relaxation spaces, hands-on activities, and live performances. Running through October 5.

Suyeong-gu | Through October 5

Free Movie Screenings @ Busan Cinema Center

Enjoy a free movie screening on select Tuesdays through the beginning of September. Centum City | Through September 1

40 Steps Flea Market @ 40 Steps Culture & Tourism Street

A recurring creative market featuring handmade goods, accessories, and craft items in a historic downtown setting. Nampo-dong | Tuesdays & Thursdays through November, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gorilla Running Club @ Gorilla Beach

Community coastal run from Haeundae toward Gwangalli, bringing runners together along the seaside route. Haeundae-gu | Monday

Trivia @ HQ

Midweek pub quiz night featuring rotating categories and a lively Gwangalli crowd. Nam-gu | Wednesday, 9 p.m.

Gwangalli M Drone Light Show @ Gwangalli Beach

The drone show returns to its regular schedule. Gwangalli Beach | Saturday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. 

Dadaepo Dream Sunset Fountain @ Dadaepo Beach

Enjoy the nightly fountain and music shows at one of the city’s unique attractions. Saha-gu | Through September 30

International Meet-up @ Cafe With

Language exchange and culture program every Friday night.

Kyungsung University Area | Friday, 7:00 p.m.

Cultural events

Jean-Michel Othoniel: In the Labyrinth of Love @ F1963 Sukcheon Hall & Moonlight Garden

A major new exhibition from French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel opens this week at F1963. Known for his glass bead sculptures and architectural installations, this is one of the most significant gallery shows in Busan this autumn. Running through December 31.

F1963 Sukcheon Hall & Moonlight Garden | Opens Friday August 28 – December 31

Busan Biennale 2026: Dissident Chorus @ Busan Museum of Contemporary Art & Former Busan Nam High School

One of Korea’s most important contemporary art events opens this week. The 2026 edition is titled ‘Dissident Chorus’ and runs through November 1 at the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art and the neighbouring historic former Busan Nam High School building. A major event for anyone interested in contemporary art.

Busan Museum of Contemporary Art & Former Busan Nam High School, Nam-gu | Opens Saturday August 29 – November 1

Nuances: Archaeology of the Present @ Alliance Française Busan Art Space

A debut group exhibition from Nuances, a multidisciplinary collective of French-speaking artists living in South Korea. Through photography, drawing, film, installation, music, and performance, the show explores Korea’s rapidly changing society as if uncovering an archaeological site — revealing layers of history, tradition, and modern life. Presented as part of the 140th anniversary of French-Korean diplomatic relations.

Alliance Française Busan Art Space, GoEun Museum of Photography, Haeundae-gu | August 6–30 | Free

Garden of Pungryu @ National Busan Gugak Center

Visual artist Nanan reimagines flowers and nature found in traditional Korean songs and poetry through intricate paper flower installations. The exhibition blends contemporary art with the beauty of Korean musical heritage.

Gugak Experience Hall, National Busan Gugak Center | Through August 29

Seed Stories @ GoEun Museum of Photography

A photography exhibition tracing themes of origin, growth, and transformation through the lens of seeds as a metaphor for life, memory, and the natural world.

GoEun Museum of Photography | Through August 30

Moon Journey: Busan Moon Jars @ Haeundae Dalmaji Park & Busan Museum

An exhibition celebrating the iconic Korean moon jar — the round, white ceramic vessels of the Joseon Dynasty — displayed across two locations including the scenic hillside setting of Haeundae Dalmaji Park overlooking the sea.

Haeundae Dalmaji Park & Busan Museum | Through August 30

The Black Trilogy @ GoEun Gibson Photo Museum

More than 120 gelatin silver prints from Ralph Gibson’s iconic photographic series.

GoEun Gibson Photo Museum | Through August 30

Beyond the Edge of Vision: Media Art of Lee Lee-nam @ Beomeosa Seongbo Museum

A media-art exhibition blending traditional Korean landscapes with digital technology.

Beomeosa Seongbo Museum | Through August 30

Textile Hands, Women’s Time: ASEAN Textile Traditions @ KF ASEAN Culture House

A survey of textile traditions from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

KF ASEAN Culture House | Through August 30

Awakening @ O Gallery

Park Cheong-yong explores spirituality, reflection, and inner awareness through painting.

O Gallery | Through August 30

Works and Other Political Things Not Necessarily Meant to be Viewed as Art’ @ Space Heem

A group exhibition featuring works by Kim Taehyun, Moon Suhjeen, Jung Donggyu, and Heo Yoonseok, curated by Jin Seyoung. Running through September 20. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Space Heem B1F, 3 Sumi-ro, Busan | August 19 – September 20 | Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays

Alice Dalton Brown Retrospective: Briefly, and Forever @ Village de Ananti

The first Busan exhibition by renowned American artist Alice Dalton Brown, known as the “Painter of Light and Wind.” The retrospective features approximately 120 paintings and 40 drawings spanning nearly seven decades, highlighting her masterful depictions of sunlight, movement, and everyday landscapes.

Culture Club, Village de Ananti, Gijang | Through September 27

Busan, Maritime Capital 2050: Beyond the Waves to the Future @ Geumgo Art Museum

Created to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of Busan Port, this exhibition imagines the future of Busan in a world shaped by climate change and rising sea levels. Through contemporary art, visitors are invited to explore floating cities, Arctic shipping routes, and the future of Korea’s leading maritime city.

Geumgo Art Museum, Busan Museum of Modern and Contemporary History | Through September 27

Alice Dalton Brown: For a Moment, Forever @ Village de Ananti

The first Busan retrospective of the acclaimed American painter known for luminous depictions of light and water.

Village de Ananti | Through September 27

2050 Maritime Capital Busan: Beyond the Waves, Toward the Future @ Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum

An exhibition imagining floating cities, Arctic shipping routes, and Busan’s future as a global maritime hub.

Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum | Through September 27

Again, the Age of Romance @ Museum One

A contemporary reinterpretation of Romanticism featuring artists from four countries working across multiple media.

Museum One | Through October 11

ART WALK Project @ BNK Busan Bank Headquarters

A rotating exhibition series showcasing emerging and established Busan artists.

BNK Busan Bank Headquarters | Through October 16

Jaesoo’s Sketchbook @ Dong-gu Cultural Platform

A large-scale exhibition by Busan-born illustrator Jaesoo featuring thousands of drawings, comics, and original works.

Dong-gu Cultural Platform | Through October 25

The Greatest Colorist: Michel-Henry @ Busan Cultural Center

A vivid new exhibition spotlighting the French colorist’s work, with free docent tours running through summer.

Nam-gu | Through October 25

Arte Museum Busan

Immersive media art exhibition themed “CIRCLE,” highlighting the nature and culture of Busan. Yeongdo-gu | Ongoing

Sports events

Lotte vs. LG @ Sajik Stadium

The Giants host a weekend series with the Twins.

Dongnae-gu | Friday through Sunday

2026 Busan Night Walk 42K with dsec @ APEC Naru Park

A non-competitive overnight walking event following Busan’s coastline and river routes, departing from APEC Naru Park at 4:00 p.m. Saturday and finishing Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m.

APEC Naru Park, Suyeong-gu | Saturday August 29, 4:00 p.m. – Sunday August 30, 7:00 a.m.

Busan IPark vs. Suwon @ Gudeok Stadium

The IPark host table leaders Suwon in a must-win match.

Dongnae-gu | Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

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