Ulsan Whale Festival

The 30th Ulsan Whale Festival is Ulsan's premier cultural tourism festival, hosted by Nam-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and organized by the Whale Culture Foundation. Set against the history of Jangsaengpo, once the center of whaling, which has transformed into an eco-city where whales and humans coexist, the festival marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 and will be held under the theme "Whale's Invitation, Thirtieth Birthday Party!" and the slogan "Whales to Share." The festival runs for 4 days from Thursday, October 15, 2026 to Sunday, October 18, 2026, throughout the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone. The main event spaces include the Whale Theater (the main stage), Shrimp Square, Whale Experience Square, the Busking Zone, and a flea market zone exclusively for small business owners. For visitors' convenience, a transfer-type welcome gate will operate around the plaza of Taehwagang Station. During the festival, a variety of signature programs will be held, including the opening and closing ceremonies, a special fireworks show, a theme performance, a 300-person citizens' chorus, and a whale parade. In addition, a variety of cultural experiences and competitions for all generations will take place, including the Whale Country Kids Festa, Challenge! Whale Rider Challenge, the Wishing Whale Project, AR and interactive media experiences (Whale's Dream AI Zone), and the Whale Family Dancing Star and Family Song Festival. The festival also features the 30th anniversary archive exhibition "Time of the Whale," a food zone (Whale Table), a whale flea market, and connected tourist facilities (the Whale Sea Tour Ship, Whale Ecology Experience Center, Jangsaengpo Culture Warehouse, etc.), offering visitors a wide range of sights and activities to enjoy.