Dongnaeeupseong History Festival
Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026 · Busan
Overview
The Dongnaeeupseong History Festival is Dongnae-gu’s signature festival combining history education with hands-on experiences. First launched as Chungnyeolje in 1995, the festival is now celebrating its 32nd edition. Recognized as one of Korea’s leading cultural tourism festivals, it invites visitors to experience the vivid history of 1592 through immersive programs and performances. The festival opens with the Dongnae Magistrate Parade, a grand street procession featuring hundreds of participants. The Dongnaeseong Battle Reenactment Musical, staged at the actual site of an Imjin War battle and enhanced with media art, brings the story of Dongnae’s determined resistance vividly to life. Visitors can also join the Dongnae Three-Strand Tug-of-War, a communal event that brings people together, and enjoy contemporary hands-on activities such as an outdoor escape room and snack-making experiences. At Dongnae Market, visitors can carry yeopjeon (traditional coins) into a recreated Joseon-era marketplace and experience daily life as a resident of the old fortress town. Blending history with the future, the festival offers a rich variety of programs and creates special memories for visitors this fall.
Why go
Now in its 32nd edition, this is Dongnae-gu's signature cultural tourism festival, recreating the 1592 defence of Dongnaeeupseong through a street procession, a site-staged battle reenactment musical with media art, and a communal tug-of-war. Visitors can also step into a recreated Joseon-era market and pay with traditional yeopjeon coins, alongside newer additions like an outdoor escape room and snack-making activities.
Getting there from Seoul
Take the KTX (or SRT) from Seoul Station to Busan Station, then transfer to Busan Metro Line 1 toward Dongnae Station, which sits near Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town. An express or intercity bus from Seoul's bus terminals to Busan is a slower alternative, also followed by a metro or taxi connection to the venue.
Tips
- Admission is free, but some hands-on experience programs (such as the yeopjeon market activities) carry a separate fee, so bring small cash.
- The festival runs 10:00-21:00 over three days (16-18 October 2026); arrive early for the Dongnae Magistrate Parade and the Battle Reenactment Musical, which draw crowds at the North Gate area.
- The musical is staged on the actual historic battle site with media art elements, so an evening visit is worth planning around for the fullest effect.
Best for: history enthusiasts, families, photographers, culture seekers.
Program
Dongnae Magistrate Parade, Dongnae Three-Strand Tug-of-War, Dongnaeseong Battle Reenactment Musical
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Busan
Busan
Hurshimchung Bräu Oktoberfest
Oct 15 – Oct 17, 2026
Hurshimchung Bräu Oktoberfest takes place in October at the outdoor space of Hotel Nongshim in Busan. The festival aims to create a fun experience for visitors of all ages, despite the main theme of the festival being beer. Enjoy special brews made by the brewmasters of Hurshimchung, as well as the tasty foods prepared by the chefs of Hotel Nongshim while watching a range of performances.
Busan
Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge
Sep 19 – Nov 7, 2026
The Moonlit Night Exercise Busan Challenge is a Busan-specific community sports program designed to encourage even citizens who are not accustomed to exercise or have little interest in it to participate in community sports activities in an easy and enjoyable way. Its goals are to expand citizen participation in community sports, promote health, and foster a vibrant nighttime leisure culture. Hosted and organized by the Busan Metropolitan City, this citizen-participation event utilizes outdoor spaces—such as Busan’s iconic parks and waterfront areas—to allow residents to enjoy recreational sports regularly every week under the moonlight on autumn nights.
Busan
Busan Illustration Fair V.6
Nov 6 – Nov 8, 2026
The Busan Illustration Fair is a representative exhibition in the field of illustration held with the Busan and Gyeongsang regions as its main market. Busan Illustration Fair features approximately 600 booths with the participations of a large number of creators actively working both domestically and internationally in various fields such as illustration, painting, picture books, independent publishing, character design, graphic design, games, animation, webtoons, and calligraphy.
Reach travelers heading to Busan: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site