Pohang Steel Art Festival
Oct 24 – Nov 15, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do
Overview
The sea of Pohang extends deep inland, creating a landscape distinct from other places. The warmth of the people of Pohang also abundantly conveys a hospitality unlike anywhere else. Capturing the identity of Pohang, a city that lives with iron, and dreaming of the renewal of iron and the completion of ironware, the theme of the Pohang Steel Art Festival is set as "Takma" (琢磨), a Buddhist term meaning "Iron sharpens iron, Potatoes sharpen potatoes."
Why go
This festival explores Pohang's identity as a city built on iron and steel, themed around "Takma" (an idea of mutual sharpening and improvement). Events are spread across waterfront and cultural venues including the Dongbin Culture Warehouse 1969 and Songdo Beach, and admission is free.
Getting there from Seoul
Take the KTX from Seoul (Seoul Station or Yongsan) to Pohang Station, a direct high-speed rail connection. From Pohang Station, it's roughly a 20-30 minute taxi or local bus ride to the Dongbin/Songdo Beach area where the festival venues are located; an intercity express bus from Seoul's major terminals to Pohang is also an option.
Tips
- Hours differ by day: 10:00-21:00 Tuesday to Saturday, but only until 18:00 on Sundays, so plan evening visits accordingly.
- Admission is free, so no advance tickets are needed.
- Venues are spread across different parts of the city (Dongbin Culture Warehouse, Songdo Beach, Art 436), so budget time and local transport (taxi or bus) to move between them.
Best for: art lovers, photographers, day-trippers.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyeongsangbuk-do
2026 Pohang Steel Art Festival (2026PSAF)
Oct 24 – Nov 15, 2026
Tak-ma (琢磨, "polishing/grinding") – Iron sheds its rust by rubbing against iron, potatoes shed their skins by rubbing against potatoes.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pohang Nakhwa Night
Oct 9 – Oct 17, 2026
On a cool autumn night, a soft glow descends over the waters of Pohang Canal. Nakhwa is a traditional Korean fire art in which charcoal powder is wrapped in hanji (traditional paper) and slowly burned. Since no gunpowder is used, it doesn't burst like firecrackers; instead, the light slowly spreads along nakhwa lines strung across the canal. The festival's biggest highlight is the sight of two 75-meter nakhwa lines installed diagonally, richly illuminating the canal's night and water surface. At Pohang Canal, whose waterway was once cut off but was revived through citizens' efforts, the 'fire' of the industrial city of Pohang and the 'water' symbolizing restoration meet in a single scene. With no official ceremonies or singer performances, this festival—filled only with nakhwa and music—is a space entirely for citizens and visitors.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pohang International Fireworks Festival
Nov 19 – Nov 21, 2026
*The information below is based on the 2025 festivals. Details for the 2026 festivals will be updated as they become available.*The Pohang International Fire & Light Festival is an internationally renowned event themed around the images of “light,” symbolizing the global steel city of Pohang, and “fire,” representing the hot blast furnaces. Performers and local citizens dress up in all sorts of costumes and masks to join in the Fire & Light Parade, which marks the colorful beginning of the festival. The festival culminates in the International Fireworks Show, the highlight of the evening. The world’s best teams participate in the festival every year to give a spectacular show of fireworks against the backdrop of Yeongilman Bay. The festival began in 2004 to commemorate Pohang Citizens Day with a fireworks show and has since become a beloved celebrated annual festival, showcasing the pride of Pohang to its citizens.◎ TipYou can see the fireworks from Yeongildae Beach and Songdo Beach. Although you can’t hear the music from the show, you can watch the fireworks show peacefully at a less crowded seashore. After the show, you can move to Hyeongsangang Sports Park, the festival venue, to enjoy the rest of the festival’s programs.
Reach travelers heading to Gyeongsangbuk-do: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go.