Event runs 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Busan Citizens Park's Hayaria Lawn; four themed zones offer performances and hands-on activities

A scene from last year's Busan General Folk Arts Festival [Provided by Busan city]
A scene from last year's Busan General Folk Arts Festival [Provided by Busan city]

Busan city announced Thursday that it will hold the 2026 Busan General Folk Arts Festival on Sunday at the Hayaria Lawn of Busan Citizens Park, giving residents a chance to watch and experience the city's traditional folk arts firsthand.

The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 24-25 but was postponed after organizers cited safety concerns for attendees and cast members due to rain and deteriorating weather. It will now run as a single-day event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival carries the theme "Flowing and Swelling — Busan's Tradition and Spirit Overflow," expressing the hope that the energy and elegance of Busan's traditional folk arts will resonate with the public. The program is organized around four themed zones — Pungnyu Madang (traditional performance), Somssi Madang (craft skills), Janchi Madang (celebration) and Hongbo Madang (promotion) — offering a wide range of things to see and do.

The festival opens with a children's mock civil-service exam in which young participants dress in traditional Confucian scholar robes and solve problems, followed by a communal gourd-smashing performance. Traditional folk arts performances — including Busan Nongak (farmers' music), Dongrae Yayu (mask dance drama) and Donghae-an Byeolsingut (coastal shamanist ritual) — will take the stage alongside Daegu's Nalmoe Drum Dance, fusion gugak and traditional tightrope walking, rounding out a diverse lineup from across the country and beyond.

Hands-on craft workshops led by holders of intangible heritage skills include embroidery (making phone straps) and the craft of traditional flower shoes known as hwahye. Visitors can also try building a traditional tiled roof as part of a national heritage care experience, pound rice cakes, take part in a cultural heritage stamp tour, and make a daenggi (traditional ribbon) keyring. An intangible heritage art fair will also be on offer, with activities suitable for all ages.

The event runs until 5 p.m., and some hands-on programs accept both advance reservations and on-site registration. For more information, visit the festival's website at www.busanfolkartfestival.com or call the organizing office at 051-714-1508.

In the event of rain, some outdoor performances and programs may be modified or canceled, with operations adjusted flexibly depending on weather conditions.


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