Events & Festivals in Gyeongju

A solemn and beautiful event where visitors gather before dawn to welcome the first sunrise of the new year from these sacred UNESCO sites. Buddhist ceremonies and traditional performances create a spiritually uplifting atmosphere to start the year.

A magical festival illuminating the historic Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong) with millions of LED lights. Features themed light tunnels, sculptures, and installations that create a fairy-tale atmosphere amidst the ancient tombs.

Celebrates the Korean Lunar New Year with traditional games, rituals, and performances at Gyeongju National Museum grounds. Experience ancestral rites (sebae), try folk games like yutnori, and enjoy traditional music and dance.

Celebrates the arrival of spring with the delicate pink and white blossoms of plum trees at the historic Poseokjeong Pavilion site. Features photo zones, traditional music concerts, and local food stalls amidst the fragrant blooms.

One of Korea's most picturesque races, with courses winding past Bomun Lake, ancient tombs, and tunnels of blooming cherry trees. Offers full, half, 10K, and 5K distances for runners of all levels.

The city's iconic spring festival centered around the breathtaking cherry blossoms lining Bomun Lake, Gyerim Forest, and the historic tomb complexes. Features night illuminations, street performances, food trucks, and cultural experiences.

A celebration of traditional Korean attire, with a focus on Silla-period styles. Highlights include a grand hanbok parade, fashion shows, photo contests, and opportunities for visitors to rent and wear hanbok for free at historic sites.

Temples across Gyeongju, especially Bulguksa and Hwangnyongsa, are adorned with thousands of colorful lotus lanterns. Ceremonies include lantern parades, ceremonial tea services, and traditional Buddhist chanting.

Revives the grandeur of the ancient Hwangnyongsa Temple, once the largest in Silla. Features historical reenactments, temple stay experiences, traditional craft workshops, and performances depicting Silla's Buddhist culture.

A colorful lakeside night market held every weekend evening. Features food trucks serving international and Korean street food, local craft vendors, live acoustic music, and family-friendly games with Bomun Lake as a backdrop.

An outdoor concert series featuring a mix of genres, from K-indie and rock to classical and traditional Korean music. Held at open-air venues, offering a cool summer evening under the stars.

A dynamic showcase of Korean intangible cultural heritage. Features performances by national heritage holders in traditional music, dance, and folk plays like pansori (narrative singing) and talchum (mask dance).

Celebrates the harvest moon festival with traditional games, songpyeon (rice cake) making classes, folk performances, and a large community circle dance (ganggangsullae) under the full moon.

A major international running event with a fast, certified course. Attracts elite and amateur runners from around the world. The route passes key historic sites, offering a unique running tour of the city.

Gyeongju's flagship historical festival, celebrating the glory of the Silla Kingdom. Features a spectacular reenactment of the Silla royal parade, Hwarang warrior demonstrations, traditional craft markets, and fireworks over Anapji Pond.

A culinary festival dedicated to Gyeongju's traditional alcohols (like Gyodong Beopju) and myriad rice cakes. Offers tastings, brewing demonstrations, hands-on rice cake making, and pairing competitions.

A serene festival held when the temple's grounds are ablaze with autumn foliage. Includes temple stay programs, Zen meditation sessions, tea ceremonies, and tranquil walks through the colorful maple trees.

Transforms the Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong) into a mesmerizing open-air media art exhibition. Uses projection mapping on the ancient fortress walls, laser lights, and installations to tell stories of Silla's history and astronomy.

A festive market set up in the city center with wooden chalets selling handicrafts, warm drinks, and seasonal treats. Centered around a giant Christmas tree lighting ceremony with carol singers.