Korea Festivals

Busan International Magic Festival

Jun 28 – Dec 26, 2026 · Happening now · Busan

Busan International Magic Festival
Busan International Magic Festival. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Overview

The Busan International Magic Festival began in 2006. Themed around 'magic,' a rising blue ocean in the cultural content industry, it is the dream festival for Korea's one million magic enthusiasts and the only festival of its kind in Korea — the largest magic festival in the world. This year's 21st Busan International Magic Festival features a variety of events, including a magic convention, the 8th Busking Championship, and a Christmas special magic gala show.

Why go

This is Korea's only festival dedicated to magic and the largest magic festival in the world, running its 21st edition in Busan. The program mixes a magic convention, the 8th Busking Championship, and a Christmas special magic gala show, so visitors can see both staged illusion and street-style performance.

Getting there from Seoul

Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station, a journey of roughly two and a half to three hours. From Busan Station, continue by taxi or local bus to the venue on Suyeonggangbyeon-daero in Haeundae-gu (Woo-dong), which is a separate trip across the city from the station itself.

Tips

  • The festival runs from late June through late December 2026, so check which specific event (convention, busking championship, or Christmas gala) is on before you go.
  • Woo-dong is a residential/business address rather than a major tourist hub, so confirm the exact event venue and hours in advance.
  • If you want the Christmas special gala show, plan your visit for December, near the end of the festival's run.

Best for: magic and illusion fans, street performance enthusiasts, families, holiday-season visitors.

  • Busan International Magic Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Busan International Magic Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Busan International Magic Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
  • Busan International Magic Festival
    Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Other festivals in Busan

  • Busan

    Christmas Village Busan 2026

    Nov 26 – Dec 25, 2026

    Busan Christmas Village takes place at the Busan Cinema Center for one month leading up to Christmas. In this vibrant village welcoming visitors, visitors can enjoy a snowy plaza, parades, choir performances, limited-edition Christmas menus by Chef Kang Leo and local Busan brands, gift shops, and season-limited pop-ups. This year, the event operates on a paid ticket system to reduce waiting times and congestion, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

  • Busan

    Busan Bridge Marathon

    Dec 6, 2026

    The Busan Bridge Marathon is a running festival where participants can fully enjoy the charm of Busan, Korea's beautiful coastal city. The event's gathering point is BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, a landmark of Busan, and it serves as a place of unity where runners from across the country gather and share an energetic atmosphere. The race categories are organized so that participants can choose according to their own fitness level and goals. It is run as a full-course marathon for those who want to challenge their limits, and a 10km course that anyone can enjoy in good health. In particular, for the full-course marathon, to ensure a safe and well-run event, participants must hold an official finish-time record of within 4 hours and 30 minutes from another race's official record certificate; the 10km course is open to any healthy man or woman aged 18 or older.

  • Busan

    Game Culture Festival

    Nov 19 – Nov 22, 2026

    The '2026 Game Culture Festival' is Korea's leading game festival, spreading the cultural value of games and offering diverse experiences and enjoyment that people of all ages and genders can joyfully immerse themselves in. This year's festival presents a wide range of attractions and activities, from an exhibition of representative K-culture game IPs that have captured the hearts of people around the world, to a moving live performance of game OSTs reborn with grand gugak (traditional Korean music) melodies. In addition, the venue will be filled with a game experience zone where the whole family can bond and build memories together, thrilling esports competitions that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and a variety of event programs that anyone can join. A special experience that goes beyond simple play, connecting art, culture, and communication across generations! You can feel it for yourself at the '2026 Game Culture Festival,' where there is emotion beyond just fun.

Festivals: Busan

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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site