Enjoy Busan
What to do this weekend: The 2026 Gwangalli Eobang Festival
The 2026 Gwangalli Eobang Festival will take place at Gwangalli Beach and Suyeong Historical Park from June 12 to 14.
The Gwangalli Eobang Festival is nationally recognized as a Cultural Tourism Festival, one of 27 outstanding events designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as having deep cultural meaning and significant social and economic impact on local communities.
The festival has been a mainstay on Busan’s calendar for over two decades as a spirited celebration of traditional fishing culture from the Joseon Dynasty. “Eobang” refers to the fishing community in Suyeong-gu District, where fishing has been an active part of daily life since ancient times.
Highlights include the Joseon Dynasty Street Parade, a reenactment of the Gyeongsang Jwasusa Naval Command procession; the musical “Eobang,” a depiction of Suyeong-gu’s history; and “Jindueohwa,” or the practice of fishing at night by torchlight.
The Eobang Folk Village is the centerpiece of the event and features over 20 exhibitions and experiential programs throughout the festival period. Visitors can watch a changing of the guard ceremony, play traditional folk games, try their hand at archery and even bid on a platter of fresh fish during a sashimi auction. All the while, folk village characters such as naval commanders, tavern keepers and fishermen populate the area to enhance the village atmosphere.
Some of the festival’s biggest draws are for children. Every year, kids anticipate the hand fishing event, where groups of elementary-aged kids enter a wading pool and have 15 minutes to catch a fish with their bare hands. Then, they can take their prize to the “Eobang Suragan” where a chef will cut it up to make a plate of fresh sashimi.
Children can also enjoy a team-versus-team physical competition at the festival’s Naval Physical Training Center on the beach.
The festival also features a student program inspired by the “Gwageo,” the civil service examination prominent during the Joseon Dynasty. Open to elementary, middle and high school students, the Eobang Gwageo Exam invites young writers to compete in prose or poetry while dressed in traditional scholar robes and writing in the Joseon-era style.
In connection with the festival, 139 local businesses across Suyeong-gu will offer discounts of 5% to 10% or free drinks during the event. Participating spots include restaurants, cafés, some raw-fish markets in Millak Hoe Town and even local hair salons. Visitors traveling with luggage can also store their belongings at “Gwangan is Good,” a storage facility, for 50% off.
The festive atmosphere will continue after dark with drone shows on June 12 and 13. Two special sessions are scheduled each night: The first begins at 8 p.m. and highlights the Gwangalli Eobang Festival, while the second starts at 10 p.m. under the theme “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG BUSAN” in recognition of the highly anticipated concert.
For full details about programs and schedules, please visit the official website linked below.
※ The 24th Gwangalli Fishing Village Festival | June 12–14
◎ Gwangalli Beach: 219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu
◎ Google Maps: Click
◎ Suyeong Historical Park: 43, Suyeongseong-ro, Suyeong-gu
◎ Google Maps: Click
◎ Website: Click
◎ Instagram: @eobang_festival
<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>
recognized as: ~로 알려진 mainstay: 중심 reenactment: 재현 tavern: 선술집 prominent: 유명한
Editor: Song Soomi
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