Listing period ended

This edition’s advertised period has ended. Below is the information published for 2026; it does not confirm that the event took place.

Busan Mackerel Festival · 2026 · Historical listing

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Information for this edition

Dates
Oct 30, 2026 — Nov 1, 2026
Place
Busan Songdo Beach · 100 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (Amnam-dong)
Admission at the time
Free
Published hours at the time
10:00~21:00
Facts last checked
2026-11-01
First preserved here
2026-10-20
Busan Mackerel Festival

Published programme

The Busan Mackerel Festival has been held every October since 2008 at Songdo Beach, Korea's 1st public beach and a popular destination with attractions including Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge, Songdo Cloud Walk and Songdo Marine Cable Car. The region is home to the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative, which catches about 90% of the mackerel produced in coastal and offshore waters, and the Busan Cooperative Fish Market, which trades 80% of the nation's mackerel volume. Building on those local characteristics, the festival was planned to stimulate the regional economy and tourism by combining food, arts and culture with tourism resources. Centered on mackerel, a staple fish in Korea, it brings fisheries workers and residents together in planning, participation and promotion. It is gaining a reputation as a fisheries culture festival that offers sights and activities alongside food while supporting related industries. Signature programs include a visit to the Busan Cooperative Fish Market, catching mackerel by hand, surprise mackerel auctions, finding mackerel by kayak, mackerel paper-boat races, a direct seafood market and a mackerel food market. Activities, tours, exhibitions, competitions and performances offer domestic and overseas visitors a distinctive festival experience.

Official source · for reference ↗

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Image credits & terms

Busan Mackerel Festival

Korea Tourism Organization · Type3