Ilgwang Beach Festival 2026: Busan Summer Guide

Gijang Ilgwang Sea Festival: Dates, Events, and Info

The Ultimate Busan Summer Destination – Ilgwang Beach

If you're hunting for the ultimate summer vibe in Busan, you absolutely have to check out the inaugural Gijang Ilgwang Sea Festival! Set against the backdrop of the cool, refreshing ocean, this brand-new festival packs everything from hands-on activities and live concerts to a spectacular fireworks show. It's the perfect summer getaway for families, couples, and friends alike.

What makes it even better is that it takes place right on Ilgwang Beach, meaning you can dive into the ocean and the festival energy all at once! Just a quick heads-up: the coastal road along the beach will be turned into a pedestrian-only zone. Since the public parking lot on the one-way street right next to the beach will be blocked off, make sure to read up on the temporary parking info below!

1. Busan Gijang Ilgwang Sea Festival Schedule

This year, 2026, marks the historic 1st annual Ilgwang Sea Festival! Here is a quick overview of the dates and times. Keep in mind that the hours vary slightly each day.

I've put together a handy table below, so be sure to check it out before you make your way there!

Throughout the three-day festival, an incredible lineup of artists will be taking the stage. I’ve shared the details on the guest performers for each day below!

2. Parking Information

During the festival, parts of the coastal road around the venue will be closed to vehicles. Because of this, cars won't be allowed on the streets directly in front of the beach, so you'll need to follow detours as directed by on-site staff.

A temporary parking lot will be set up near the area across from the A Twosome Place café. However, given how popular this festival is bound to be, it'll likely fill up super early! Taking public transit is your best bet for a stress-free trip. If you do decide to drive, we recommend arriving well before the event kicks off. Alternatively, you can pay a small parking fee and park at the public parking lot near the entrance of Ilgwang Beach.

3. Guest Artist Lineup

Son Bin-a, Lee So-na, Choi Ji-ye, Chae Yoon, Park Sung-eun, Minhee

To turn the heat up even further, some amazing guest artists are ready to rock the stage! Here is the daily lineup:

Since Saturday and Sunday's performances start right after the music festival preliminaries and finals, there's no exact start time listed on the schedule. But since the entire festival runs until 9:00 PM, you can easily plan your visit with that in mind!

The main stage is set up right next to the water fountain play area at Ilgwang Beach. Note that it's located on the side of the beach heading toward A Twosome Place, rather than the Gijang Ilgwang steamed bun (hoppang/jjanppang) street side.

4. Types of Programs & Activities

The best part about the Ilgwang Sea Festival is that it's not just a spectator event! It's packed with interactive, hands-on programs where you can jump right into the action.

One of the main highlights is the "I Am a Fisherman" experience, where you can try traditional beach seine netting (Hoorit net pulling) and catching fish with your bare hands! It's super popular because both kids and adults can get in on the fun.

The event will be held in shifts of 10 minutes each, going in the order of Children -> Women -> Men.

Another highly anticipated activity is the "Underwater Treasure Hunt." It's designed for families to enjoy together, and because it starts as soon as the announcement plays over the speaker, it's a good idea to hang out near the ocean stage beforehand. The first people to find the pebbles hidden near the stage will win a bar of Gijang kelp soap! You probably already know Gijang is famous for its seaweed and kelp, right? They hide 10 treasures a day, so make sure to scan the area quickly and grab yourself some local kelp soap!

On August 1, there's also a "Children's Clam Digging Experience." On-site registration runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the day of the event, with spots for 100 kids. Elementary school students who are at least 120 cm (about 3'11") tall can participate with a guardian, and they'll be provided with clam collection nets and protective gloves. Make sure to double-check your little one's height in advance so no one walks away disappointed!

On top of that, with traditional rituals (Seonghwangje), street parades, beach fringe performances, healing concerts, and the music festival preliminaries and finals, there is so much going on that you easily spend the whole day here without a single dull moment!

5. Why is this a must-visit spot in Busan for the summer?

Busan is home to so many fantastic summer festivals, but it's rare to find one where you can dive right into the ocean and enjoy live performances all in one place.

Especially on the final day, Sunday, August 2nd, following the music festival finals, guest performances, and the closing ceremony, a spectacular fireworks show will light up the sky starting at 9:05 PM. Over the last year or two, the quality of the fireworks in the Gijang area has stepped up significantly. Since this is the first year for the Busan Ilgwang Sea Festival, I have high hopes that the fireworks display will be absolutely stunning!

Watching fireworks directly from the beach with a cool ocean breeze on your face—could it get any better? It’s bound to be the perfect highlight of your summer, making romantic memories with your partner or creating beautiful moments with your family.

If you're planning your summer getaway, the Ilgwang Sea Festival is absolutely worth the trip. You can splash around in the water at Ilgwang Beach, join in on fun activities, watch live performances, and top it all off with a brilliant fireworks show. If you're searching for the ultimate summer spot in Busan, head over this weekend with your family, friends, or loved ones and make some memories that will last a lifetime.

And that's a wrap on our guide to the Gijang Ilgwang Sea Festival schedule, event details, and Ilgwang Beach—your go-to summer destination in Busan!