Amanda LimSummer in South Korea is more than just warm weather and iced Americanos. It’s a season alive with culture, colour and celebration, where each weekend might hold a tomato fight, a beach concert or a serene lotus pond glowing with lanterns.
If you’re visiting between June and August, these are the summer festivals in Korea you won’t want to miss in 2025.
Also read: How to Travel Around South Korea by Intercity Bus: A First-Timer’s Guide
Daegu Chimac Festival
Image credit (L-R): VisitKorea Official Website
Location: Duryu Park, Daegu
Dates: 2–6 July 2025
Chimaek, Korea’s iconic pairing of fried chicken and beer, gets its own festival in Daegu each summer. What started as a casual food fair has become one of Korea’s most anticipated street events, blending culinary indulgence with summer nightlife.
Vendors dish up crispy, golden chicken in every variety imaginable, from sweet soy to fire-spicy, while local breweries and national beer brands keep the taps flowing. Live performances, foam parties, and cooling mist zones make this an essential stop for food lovers and partygoers alike.
Waterbomb Seoul 2025
Image credit (L-R): Waterbomb Official Website
Location: Kintex Outdoor Global Stage, Seoul
Dates: 4–6 July 2025
Arguably Korea’s wildest urban festival, Waterbomb is a hybrid of K-pop concert, water fight and summer rave. Armed with water guns, thousands of people gather to dance and soak under the sun as Korea’s hottest performers take the stage.
Expect high-profile appearances from artists like Kai (EXO) and Kwon Eunbi, with booming EDM, hip-hop and pop keeping the energy sky-high. The crowd is split into colour-coded teams, and friendly water battles erupt throughout the day, creating a uniquely interactive experience.
Also read: Korean Drama and K-Pop Activities and Experiences in South Korea
Buyeo Seodong Lotus Flower Festival
Image credit: aaron90311 via Canva Pro
Location: Gungnamji Pond, Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do
Dates: 4–6 July 2025
Set against the tranquil backdrop of Korea’s oldest artificial pond, this festival offers a slower-paced but no less captivating experience. As thousands of lotus blossoms bloom across the water, visitors are invited to take in the view on walking paths or traditional wooden boats.
Cultural performances, historical re-enactments and lotus-inspired art installations transform the area into a sensory retreat. Evening hours are especially enchanting, when lanterns reflect off the pond and the soft sounds of gugak (traditional Korean music) drift through the summer air.
Boryeong Mud Festival
Image credit: Hypnotica Studios Infinite | Wikimedia
Location: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong
Dates: 25 July–10 August
There’s nothing quite like the Boryeong Mud Festival. Held on Korea’s west coast, it started as a campaign to promote the town’s mineral-rich mud but has since evolved into a world-famous event drawing both locals and international tourists.
Think full-body mud wrestling pits, inflatable slides, military-style obstacle courses and even a “mud prison”. It’s messy, it’s wild, and it’s unbelievably fun. Beyond the mayhem, the beachfront hosts nightly concerts, fireworks and wellness programmes featuring mud-based skincare.
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival
Image credit: VisitKorea Official Website
Location: Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon
Dates: 1–3 August 2025
For those who prefer guitars over glowsticks, Pentaport Rock Festival delivers a serious soundscape. This three-day event has earned its place among Asia’s premier rock festivals, attracting major acts from Korea and abroad.
While the headline sets are always crowd-pleasers, the real magic lies in discovering up-and-coming indie bands on smaller stages. If you’re into live music with edge and atmosphere, this is the event for you.
Hwacheon Tomato Festival
Image credit (L-R): Visit Gangwon Official Facebook
Location: Hwacheon, Gangwon-do
Dates: August 2025 (exact dates TBC)
This mountain town in Gangwon-do hosts one of Korea’s largest tomato-themed gatherings each summer to celebrate the tomato harvest season. The festival’s main event is a massive tomato pool where children and adults alike dive in for playful battles and treasure hunts.
There’s also a tomato slide, themed games, and cooking contests for the more culinary-minded. The festival is set against a lush natural backdrop, with the Bukhan River and nearby forest trails offering post-festival relaxation.
Also read: 14 Bizarre Festivals in Asia You Have to Experience
Sejong Summer Festival
Image credit: Starcevic via Canva Pro
Location: Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul
Dates: 28–30 August 2025
Rounding out the summer season, the Sejong Summer Festival pays tribute to one of Korea’s most revered historical figures, King Sejong, the inventor of Hangul. This free, family-friendly event transforms central Seoul into a living museum with street performances, calligraphy booths, and interactive exhibits.
It’s a thoughtful way to close the summer on a note of cultural immersion, especially if you’re interested in Korean language and history.
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A hot, hot summer
South Korea’s summer festivals span the full range of human experience, from muddy mayhem to meditative artistry. Each event offers a uniquely Korean way to engage with the season. Plan your route, pack light, and prepare to dive into a summer you’ll never forget!
