At the end of May, when the slopes of Sobaeksan are covered in vibrant pink azaleas, Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province transforms into a spring festival venue for the entire family.
The '2025 Yeongju Sobaeksan Azalea Festival' will be held for two days from May 31 to June 1 at Sobaeksan and Yeongil Riverside.
This festival is hosted by Yeongju City and organized by the Yeongju Culture and Tourism Foundation. Timed to coincide with the peak bloom of azaleas and the breathtaking scenery of Sobaeksan, it is designed as a complex experiential event that combines healing in nature with cultural content in the city.
The festivities begin at 8 a.m. on the first day with 'Welcome to Sobaeksan' greeting visitors in front of the Huibang Exploration Support Center. SNS events, an azalea photo exhibition, and a safe hiking campaign will take place, while special memories await families near Punggi Station and Samga Campsite with activities such as azalea fan making and gallery experiences.
The 'Jukryeong Old Trail Walking' program, which allows participants to experience both the nature and history of Sobaeksan, will be held from 10 a.m., running from Huibangsa Station to Jukryeong. The program includes making rice balls, a three-line poem contest, and a Toegye photo zone experience, offering a blend of walking enjoyment and cultural inspiration.
Traditional culture will also be featured. At 11 a.m., the 'Jukryeong Jangseung Festival' will be held at Jukryeong Jangseung Park, and at noon, the 'Jukjuk Ritual' will honor the legendary figure General Jukjuk, allowing visitors to experience the elegance and beliefs of their ancestors.
The city center will also be filled with performances and experiences. At Yeongil Riverside, from 1 p.m., the traditional 'Dendong Mother Hwajeon Nori' will be reenacted, and from 2 p.m., the 'For:Rest Picnic Concert' will provide a stage where music and relaxation coexist. There will also be content for the whole family, including job experience activities for children, rope play, face painting, and caricatures.
In the family-oriented program 'Gagahoho: Our Sobaek,' visitors can sit on mats, read books, and share stories, enjoying a picnic-style healing experience in the city.
The excitement of the festival continues into the evening. The opening ceremony at 6 p.m. will be followed by celebratory performances featuring singer Lee Jiyo, Siren from Hidden Singer, and Cheeze, beloved for emotional pop music, who will light up the night at Sobaek together with the audience.
On the second day, June 1, a variety of experiential programs and concerts will continue at Sobaeksan and Yeongil Riverside. From 1 p.m., the third and fourth sessions of the 'For:Rest Concert' will be held, and from 6 p.m., singers Pyeon Haejun from Hidden Singer, trot singer Moon Chohee, and the emotional vocal group V.O.S will take the stage to bring the festival to a grand finale.
Lee Jaehun, acting mayor of Yeongju City, said, "On the last weekend of Family Month, I hope you will create special memories at the Sobaeksan Azalea Festival, where you can enjoy both nature and culture with your family," adding, "I wish everyone a bright and warm time together, just like the azaleas."
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