Korea Festivals

Pohang Sunrise Noodle Festival

Oct 2 – Oct 4, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do

Pohang Sunrise Noodle Festival
Pohang Sunrise Noodle Festival. Photo: Korea Tourism Organization

Overview

The Pohang Sunrise Noodle Festival is a grand culinary festival held at Ara Plaza in Guryongpo on the Homi Peninsula. The festival’s name intuitively captures the symbolic significance of the Homi Peninsula—where the sun rises first in South Korea. Visitors can sample everything from Pohang’s best noodle restaurants to representative noodles from across the country, global noodles, and recipes by star chefs—all in one place. The festival also offers plenty of entertainment for all ages, including a music festival, cooking competitions, and retro experiences. Equipped with an eco-friendly system featuring smart QR ordering and reusable containers, the festival offers a unique culinary journey exclusive to Pohang—where the flavors and excitement are first awakened amidst the vibrant energy of the East Sea.

Why go

This is a food-focused festival on the Homi Peninsula, known as the first place in South Korea to see the sunrise, bringing together Pohang's best noodle restaurants alongside noodle dishes from other regions and countries, plus dishes created by guest chefs. Live performances, cooking competitions, food trucks, and retro-themed activities run alongside the food stalls, and the event uses a QR ordering system with reusable containers.

Getting there from Seoul

Take the KTX to Pohang Station, then continue to Guryongpo (on the Homi Peninsula) by local bus or taxi, as it is a separate area outside central Pohang. An express bus from a Seoul terminal to the Pohang intercity bus terminal is also an option, followed by the same local connection to Guryongpo.

Tips

  • Festival entry is free, but food items are likely purchased individually via the on-site QR ordering system, so bring a card or cash for vendors
  • Guryongpo Ara Plaza is on the coast near the Homi Peninsula sunrise point, so pair the food festival with a visit to that landmark
  • Hours run 14:00-22:00, so plan an afternoon-to-evening visit rather than an early start

Best for: food lovers, families, day-trippers.

Program

Performances, food trucks, etc.

Other festivals in Gyeongsangbuk-do

  • 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.

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Yeongcheon Traditional Korean Medicine Festival

    Oct 2 – Oct 4, 2026

    Yeongcheon Traditional Korean Medicine Festival features areas for oriental medicine health consultations and experiences, medicinal food, oriental medicine crafts, as well as spaces for family play and relaxation. The event introduces oriental medicine culture through health consultations and experiences with doctors of Korean medicine, as well as K-MEDI wellness programs based on oriental medicine. Programs such as herbal tea tasting, making medicinal herbs and scented pouches, skin, beauty, and healing experiences, and crafts and making activities for families are also offered. This festival is designed to allow visitors of various ages to experience Yeongcheon's traditional medicine resources through a program that extends from health consultations to hands-on activities, food, and relaxation.

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Cheongsong Apple Festival

    Nov 4 – Nov 8, 2026

    *The information below is based on the 2025 festivals. Details for the 2026 festivals will be updated as they become available.*The Cheongsong Apple Festival is held in autumn when the renowned Cheongsong apples, called a “masterpiece crafted by nature,” are at their peak. The festival celebrates the joy of a bountiful harvest, sharing the delicious taste and nutrition of Cheongsong apples through various enjoyable and educational activities.

Festivals: Gyeongsangbuk-do

Reach travelers heading to Gyeongsangbuk-do: sponsor this page.

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