6 Korean Festivals Worth Attending in May 2025
If there were a festival that best captures the essence of Korea, what would it look like?
May is the perfect month to enjoy festivals. Here are six carefully selected events you won‘t want to miss.
1. Chunhyangje 춘향제
- Gwanghalluwon Garden (1447, Yocheon-ro, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do)
- April 30 – May 6, 2025
Namwon City holds the Chunhyangje every May to commemorate the day Chunhyang and Mongryong first met. The festival began in 1931 when the Chunhyang rituals were first held on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. With a history spanning 95 years, it is the oldest performing arts and citizen participation festival in South Korea, as well as the pioneer of regional festivals.
2. Seoul Circus Festival 서울 서커스 페스티벌
- Nodeul Island (445, Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)
- May 3 – May 5, 2025
The Seoul Circus Festival is the only circus festival in Korea, held over an exciting weekend filled with performances from artists around the world. The festival offers a variety of entertainment for all ages, including thrilling circus acts, as well as movies, exhibitions, and a flea market for guests to enjoy.
3. Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival 연천 구석기 축제
- 1510, Yangyeon-ro, Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- May 2 – May 5, 2025
A prehistoric cultural festival is held at the Jeongok-ri Archaeological Site, the first known human settlement on the Korean Peninsula. The Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival began in 1993 to promote the global significance of the site, where the discovery of an Acheulean hand axe in 1978 challenged the East-West division of Paleolithic cultures and drew worldwide attention. Now, the festival has grown into a large-scale event, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year.
4. Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival 차 없는 잠수교 뚜벅뚜벅축제
- Jamsu Bridge (Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul)
- May 4 – June 22, 2025 (Every Sunday)
The Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival takes place every Sunday on the Han River, offering a sensory healing playground. Visitors can enjoy both relaxation and play while recharging with the colorful Han River. The festival features various programs, performances, food trucks, a farmers’ market, flea markets, and interactive play areas, providing both fun and relaxation for all attendees.
5. McDonald’s Happy Walk 맥도날드 해피워크
- 251, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- May 25, 2025
Happy Walk is a family-friendly charity event where all registration fees are donated to RMHC Korea to support children undergoing long-term treatment and their families. This year, the event expands to 5,000 participants, featuring a 4km walk, opening ceremony, and additional programs. Registration opens April 29 on the official website, with hats, T-shirts, and socks provided to all participants.
6. Chuncheon Mime Festival 춘천 마임 축제
- Chuncheon, Gangwon Province
- May 25 – June 1, 2025
The Chuncheon Mime Festival is an annual performing arts event held in May, connecting the city and art through water, fire, body, and movement. Ranked as one of the top three mime festivals in the world, it creates a new genre by blending various art forms with the theme of “Chuncheon + Mime + Festival.” The 2025 festival, themed “Bodyscapes,” will be held from May 25 to June 1, with various programs across Chuncheon.
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