Pohang Sunrise Noodle Festival
Oct 2 – Oct 4, 2026 · Gyeongsangbuk-do
The 2026 edition ran Oct 2 – Oct 4, 2026. 2027 dates have not been announced yet; this page is updated automatically when the organizer publishes them. Check the official site for the latest.
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
Homigot Sunrise Festival
Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
The Homigot Sunrise Festival takes place in Homigot Village at the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pohang Marine Corps Culture Festival
Nov 14 – Nov 15, 2026
The Pohang Marine Corps Culture Festival is Korea's leading military culture festival, held in Pohang — the cradle of the Marine Corps and home to the Marine Corps 1st Division — where the history and spirit of the Marine Corps are shared with citizens and tourists. Built on the values of mutual growth that the Marine Corps and the local community have built together over many years, the festival reflects on the resilient spirit of the 'Ghost-Catching Marines' and the meaning of national defense and patriotism, turning them into cultural content that anyone can enjoy. Held every year throughout Pohang, the festival presents distinctive programs not normally accessible to the public, such as military equipment exhibitions, military band and honor guard performances, and military parades. It also runs a variety of programs spanning generations, including Marine Corps experience activities, performances involving fellow Marines, families, and citizens, and food markets. Through this, the festival opens a space of unity bringing together active-duty and veteran Marines and their families, citizens, and tourists. It is also a festival that makes a significant contribution to revitalizing the local economy and enhancing the city's brand value by using the Marine Corps — a resource unique to Pohang — as a tourism asset.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pohang International Fireworks Festival
Nov 19 – Nov 21, 2026
Every year, Pohang, known as the “City of Fire and Light,” hosts the Pohang International Fireworks Festival, one of the city’s signature cultural events. The festival began in 2004 as a fireworks display held to celebrate Pohang Citizens Day. Its theme was inspired by the “light” of Pohang’s steel industry and the “fire” of its blazing furnaces. Over the years, the festival has grown into an international event featuring leading fireworks teams from around the world. More recently, it has expanded beyond fireworks to include media façade shows, nighttime parades, and other cultural and artistic programs that reflect the city’s industrial identity. With Pohang’s coastline and urban spaces as its stage, the festival offers residents and visitors plenty to see and do. It also helps raise Pohang’s profile and boost its competitiveness as a nighttime tourism destination.
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go.