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Paddle, party, repeat: SUP FESTA takes over North Port

 

The 2026 North Port SUP FESTA rides into Busan from July 31 to Aug. 9, bringing watersports, live music and cultural programs to North Port Waterfront Park and the North Port Landmark Site.

This year's festival is bigger than ever, marking the 150th anniversary of Busan Port's opening and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' move to the city. Events run daily from 4 to 9 p.m. across three themed zones: the Maritime Leisure Zone, the Healing Culture & Performance Zone, and the Food, Exhibition & Market Zone.

The Maritime Leisure Zone puts visitors right in the action, with sunset and nighttime views over North Port as the backdrop. Beyond the festival's signature stand-up paddleboarding, guests can hop aboard moon-shaped and UFO boats, or try kayaking and hydrobikes. Pre-registration is required on the festival's official website.

The Healing Culture & Performance Zone keeps Busan's midsummer nights lively. A DJ set kicks off every evening at 7 p.m. (except Aug. 1), while the four-night Night of the North Port series brings indie bands, jazz and “fusion gugak,” a modern take on traditional Korean music, to the stage. Buskers at the park's stepped square add to the waterfront buzz.

Over at the North Port Landmark Site, the Food, Exhibition & Market Zone serves up food trucks, a craft market and hands-on fun, including keyring and keycap customization workshops, games and photo zones.

A few extras round out the lineup. The Luminous Run, an evening run through the park, takes place Aug. 1 and 8. The lawn square hosts the HeumSUP Show, a splashy performance built to cool down hot summer nights. A meditation program arrives Aug. 1, and the North Port Open Cinema screens the Irish musical film "Once" on Aug. 7, set against the glittering nighttime skyline of North Port.

Full schedules and registration are available on the festival's official website.

※ North Port SUP Festa, July 31 to Aug. 9

◎ North Port Waterfront Park: 164 Yi Sun-shin-daero, Dong-gu

◎ Google Maps: Click 

◎ Website: Click