Jukbyeonhang Seafood Festival
Nov 6 – Nov 8, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do
Overview
The Jukbyeonhang Seafood Festival is Uljin County's signature festival, held from November 6 to November 8 around Jukbyeonhang in Uljin-gun. Centered on Uljin's fresh seafood, the festival features a variety of hands-on experiences, performances, and auction programs. Major programs include bare-handed live fish catching, a seafood butchering show, a mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) performance, and sea-craft workshop experiences, with Park Seo-jin, Park Hyun-bin, and Park Joo-hee performing at the opening celebration show. During the festival, a fishing boat parade set against the backdrop of Uljin's sea and a live seafood auction take place, offering a rich array of sights and food. In addition, a variety of booths let visitors experience local seafood and specialty products all in one place. This festival serves as a place of harmony bringing together local fishermen and tourists, aiming to promote the excellence of Jukbyeonhang seafood in Uljin and revitalize the local economy.
Why go
Uljin's signature seafood festival combines hands-on fun (bare-handed fish catching, sea-craft workshops) with spectacle (a seafood butchering show, a mulhoe performance, a fishing boat parade, and a live seafood auction). An opening celebration show with performers Park Seo-jin, Park Hyun-bin, and Park Joo-hee adds to the atmosphere around Jukbyeonhang harbour.
Getting there from Seoul
The simplest option is a direct express bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Uljin, which takes roughly 4-4.5 hours depending on the route. Travellers preferring rail can take a KTX/ITX service toward the east coast (e.g. to Donghae or Pohang) and connect onward to Uljin by local bus or taxi, though this usually takes longer overall than the direct bus.
Tips
- Book bus tickets ahead of time, as seats fill up fast on festival weekends
- Wear old clothes and waterproof footwear if joining the bare-handed fish catching event
- Bring cash for the seafood auction and harbourside food stalls
Best for: seafood lovers, families, photographers.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site