[theList] Maehwa, Sansuyu, Cherry Blossoms, Dongbaek... 'Spring Festivals' Are Here

Major Spring Festivals Held in March and April

As COVID-19 transitions to an endemic phase, we are gradually moving closer to a full return to everyday life.

Spring festivals across the country, which were halted or scaled down due to social distancing measures, are making a vibrant comeback thanks to the easing of quarantine guidelines.

How about enjoying the charm of spring amidst the lively atmosphere of festivals held after a long time?

Here is a summary of major spring festivals taking place in March and April.

Jeju Fire Festival (March 9?12)

[Photo by Jeju-si]

Jeju City plans to hold the '2023 Jeju Fire Festival' from March 9 to 12 after four years, at locations including Saebyeol Oreum and other areas around Jeju City.

On the first day, March 9, the festival will open with the Fire Seed Lighting Ceremony at Samseonghyeol, followed by an opening performance at Jeju City Hall.

The second day will feature an opening concert, a torchlight parade praying for the safety of residents and tourists, and the burning of a Daljip (large bonfire).

On March 11, the main event of the fire festival, the Oreum Fire Lighting, along with cultural and artistic performances and laser shows, will take place. The final day, March 12, will include tree seedling giveaways and the grand sale event for agricultural, fishery, and livestock products called the Fire Festival Grand Market.

However, event schedules such as the Oreum Fire Lighting may change due to adverse weather conditions, so prior inquiries may be necessary.

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (March 10?19)

[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

The 2023 Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, under the slogan "Gwangyang is Spring, Meeting Maehwa Again," will be held for ten days from March 10 to 19 in the Gwangyang Maehwa Village area. Against the backdrop of the Seomjin River, white and red plum blossoms bloom along the village stone walls, creating a "flower palace."

Gwangyang City has prepared a prize event where one tourist each from Jeollanam-do and other regions will receive a golden maehwa worth approximately 5 million KRW. From March 9, the day before the festival opens, until March 20, the day after it closes, visitors who spend over 30,000 KRW at restaurants or accommodations in Gwangyang and submit receipts with their name, contact information, and address can enter the draw.

Yangsan Wondong Maehwa Festival (March 11?12)

[Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

The 2023 Wondong Maehwa Festival, themed "Wondong Maehok (梅惑): Enchanted by Wondong Maehwa," will be held over two days from March 11 to 12. The festival area stretches from Wondong Station to the weekend market, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the charm of the plum blossoms and Wondong.

There are event programs such as photo zones and magic shows, as well as experiential activities like planting strawberry seedlings and making maehwa chocolates, offering a variety of sights and fun.

This year, programs involving local residents, including a food village, specialty product booths, and pottery exhibitions, will be organized to create a festival enjoyed by both residents and tourists.

Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival (March 11?19)

[Photo by Gurye County Office]

The sansuyu flower blooms earlier than other flowers in March, signaling the arrival of spring. The 2023 Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival will be held under the theme "In Search of Eternal Love," the flower language of sansuyu. It will take place in the Jirisan hot spring tourist area in Sandong-myeon and the sansuyu cluster village.

The festival will open with a performance featuring Jang Minho, a contestant from "Mr. Trot," followed by busking performances by local youth and young adults, and a traditional Nongak (farmer’s music) performance, designated as a national intangible cultural asset.

A representative experiential event is the "Sansuyu Fruit Peeling Contest," where participants separate the seeds and pulp of sansuyu fruits. Visitors can participate, and winners will receive commemorative prizes.

Uiryeong Gare Bat Minari Festival (March 17?19)

The scene of harvesting minari. / Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

Uiryeong Bat Minari (field-grown water parsley) was the first in the nation to be cultivated in fields instead of rice paddies starting in 1994, eliminating concerns about parasitic infections such as leeches. The Gare-myeon area is a major production region.

The Bat Minari Festival will be held for three days from March 17 to 19. Visitors can taste minari dishes such as bat minari samgyeopsal (pork belly) and bat minari fresh salad bibimbap, and also participate in harvesting bat minari themselves.

Most notably, fresh bat minari can be purchased on-site at prices cheaper than the market.

Seocheon Camellia Flower and Webfoot Octopus Festival (March 18?April 2)

[Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

When the bright red camellia flowers bloom in the Camellia Forest of Maryang-ri, Seogu, Seocheon, a natural monument and one of Seocheon’s eight scenic spots, local fishermen catch fresh webfoot octopus in season. The Camellia Flower and Webfoot Octopus Festival will be held from March 18 to April 2 around Maryangjin Port in Seomyeon.

Activities include children’s webfoot octopus fishing experience, treasure hunts in the camellia forest, and a webfoot octopus food market.

This year, a special boat tour from Dongbaekjeong will be offered, providing unique sightseeing opportunities. Various programs themed around camellia flowers and webfoot octopus will be operated.

Changwon Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (March 24?April 3)

[Photo by Changwon City Hall]

The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, the pinnacle of cherry blossom celebrations in South Korea, will be held from March 24 to April 3 under the theme "Naval Port, Cherry Blossoms, Bangsan."

The most famous spot is Yeoja Stream between Jangboksan and Jinhae Station, centered around Jinhae Girls' Middle and High Schools. A deck path has been installed for comfortable walking, allowing visitors to feel as if they are walking through a shower of cherry blossoms. At night, LED lights create a spectacular night view. The "Romance Bridge," famous as a filming location for the 2002 drama "Romance," is a must-see attraction.

Normally restricted areas like the Naval Academy and the Naval Jinhae Base Command are popular places to visit during the festival. Visitors can experience the Naval Academy Museum, view the Turtle Ship, try on naval uniforms, and take yacht cruises. They can also enjoy the splendid cherry blossoms of over 100-year-old king cherry trees and learn about the Korean naval base.

Suncheonman International Garden Expo (April 1?October 31)

[Photo by Suncheon City Hall]

The 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo, themed "Living in the Garden," will open on April 1 to coincide with the spring flower blooming season and run for seven months until October 31 at Suncheonman National Garden and the Suncheon city area.

This expo focuses on sharing garden culture worldwide and setting a standard for future urban development. Eleven countries, including France and the Netherlands, will participate, showcasing gardens with unique styles and charm from each nation.

Notably, the expo introduces the "Garden Stay," allowing visitors to spend a full day in the 600,000-pyeong garden for the first time. This experience aims to evolve gardens from merely visual appreciation to interactive experiences.

The latest health trend, the "Earthing (barefoot walking) Trail," has also been introduced. This wellness program offers rest and healing while enjoying nature, with eight courses totaling 12 km spanning the national garden, Ocheon Green Plaza, and Suncheonman Wetland.

Ganghwa Goryeosan Azalea Festival (April 15?23)

[Photo by Ganghwa County Office]

The Ganghwa Goryeosan Azalea Festival will be held from April 15 to 23 at the Goryeosan azalea cluster.

The festival began as a private initiative in 2003 and gained nationwide recognition, leading Ganghwa County to officially host it from 2008 onward.

Every April, the azaleas bloom pink from mid-mountain to the summit. Goryeosan is legendary as the birthplace of Goguryeo general Yeon Gaesomun and features historical sites such as Jeokseoksa Temple, Baekryeonsa Temple, Goguryeo earthen fortresses, and dolmen clusters.

The festival plans to hold cultural performances and experiential events linked with the "Wagle Wagle Ganghwa-eup Old Town Event" and the "Ganghwa Fortress North Gate Cherry Blossom Festival." Various programs will also be organized in conjunction with major tourist sites.

Busan Gijang Anchovy Festival (April 28?30)

[Photo by Gijang County Office]

The Gijang Anchovy Festival is held in late April, the peak season for anchovies, to promote this representative spring seafood nationwide. The festival takes place around Daebyeon Port, a harbor city in Busan, from April 28 to 30 this year.

Daebyeon Port, where the East Sea and South Sea meet, was also a filming location for the 2001 movie "Friend." The port’s fame as a filming site has helped popularize the Gijang Anchovy Festival.

The first festival was held in 1997, and this year’s events include an opening celebration concert, surprise seafood auctions, an anchovy song contest, and a silver concert. Experience programs such as anchovy harvesting and fishing boat rides are available. At Daebyeon Elementary School, children can participate in making underwater scenery frames and folk culture experiences.