Entertainment
Niche K-pop and K-culture festivals thrive across Asia, focusing on cultural exchange and music, despite major events stealing the spotlight.
The sound of K-pop is resonating louder than ever, sparking a whole scene of K-pop and K-culture festivals across the globe, with Asia at the heart of these festivals. While popular events like KCON and the K-Pop World Festival continue to garner significant attention every year, here are some lesser-known, more niche events worth having on your radar if you love all things K-culture.
MyK Festa, Seoul, South Korea
The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KFICE) collaborated to host MyK Festa, a new event, from June 19 to 22, 2025.
The four-day event — envisioned as a way to promote Hallyu’s commercial value — featured performances by popular K-pop acts, including Aespa, Illit, Lee Young-ji, AHOF, Itzy, and Chung Ha, as well as traditional Korean music performances by gugak bands ADG7 and UheeSka. Other highlights included pop culture zones with exclusive merchandise, exhibits, and props from popular K-dramas; an international conference with industry experts like Billboard CEO Mike Van and Visa’s Danielle Jin; a meet-and-greet with celebrities; and food pop-ups serving authentic Korean dishes. It was a huge success, setting the tone for next year’s event, scheduled from June 25 to June 28, 2026.
K-Pop Lovers Festival, Hanoi, Vietnam
If you’re a fan of K-pop, a culture buff, or just want to experience something really unique, this festival is worth attending. A Korean Cultural Center, Vietnam initiative, in association with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KCCA) and The Seoul Newspaper, the K-pop Lovers Festival has evolved from a small gathering to a grand celebration, attracting thousands of participants with its K-pop dance and singing competitions, cultural showcases, and performances by homegrown and Korean artists.
The festival is typically held in late spring or summer, around May, July, or August, and acts as a precursor to the K-Pop World Festival in South Korea. One of the major highlights is the singing and dance cover competition, where winners in the dance category get to represent Vietnam at the K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final in Korea. And the best part? It’s a free, open-to-all event.
K-Town Festival, Mumbai, India
Riding the Hallyu wave, K-Town Festival is a full-on cultural immersion, where fans can dive into all things Korean, from fashion and food to fan meet-ups, all while celebrating and sharing their love for the biggest hits and brightest stars in K-pop.
For Indian K-pop fans, K-Town is an annual highlight that usually takes place in November, bringing some of K-pop’s biggest names to Mumbai. We’ve seen Chen and Xiumin of EXO, BamBam of GOT7, B.I, Taemin of Shinee, Super Junior-D&E, Onewe, and artists worth their salt rocking the stage. Such lineups and hands-on activities, including dance workshops and beauty tutorials, make this event totally worth checking out
The Orchid Music Festival, Sikkim, India
Sikkim is all set to make some noise on the global stage. Nestled in the Himalayas, this small, quaint state in Northeastern India is hosting its first-ever international music concert, The Orchid Music Festival 2025. This community-driven fest, backed by the local government, is going to be one for fans of K-pop and music in India. On Dec. 13, 2025, Paljor Stadium in Gangtok will be the stage for an epic night featuring local artists, UK pop sensation Blue, and K-pop stars Everglow, who are making their India debut.
Positioning it as a landmark moment for Sikkim’s tourism and cultural landscape, Jason Manners, founder of Rockski, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to host Everglow in Sikkim,” adding that the performance “is not just a concert — it’s a statement that Sikkim is ready to stand on the global stage. Everglow’s performance will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s international entertainment footprint.” The anticipation is building, promising a heady mix of K-pop energy and Himalayan splendor.
Jeonju International Sori Festival
Celebrating music from around the world, with a special focus on traditional Korean music such as pansori, this festival, taking place from late August to early September, is a global stage where artists fuse traditional and contemporary styles, bridging cultures through music.
Ansan Street Arts Festival
An open-air stage for intriguing local and international performances, this May event is a melting pot of diverse art forms—dance, circus, parades, and so much more—performed on the streets of Ansan for a kaleidoscopic experience like no other.
Gimje Horizon Festival
Gimje Horizon Festival will definitely pique your interest if you’re in for something offbeat. Taking place every year in early October, it’s a chance to sink your teeth into the region’s agricultural traditions, surrounded by the beauty of rice paddies. You can try your hand at farming, cooking, and other local activities. Besides, a nighttime torch parade is a major highlight not to be missed.
Jeju Fire Festival
As part of Jeju’s farming traditions, the Jeju Fire Festival revives the ancient culture of burning fields to prepare them for the new season. The ritual continues with grand fire and light displays happening around early March against the backdrop of Saebyeol Oreum, a volcanic cone with breathtaking views. It’s a major tourist attraction that has won several awards for its cultural significance.
WeSA Festival
A December highlight, the WeSA Festival in Seoul is a playground for experimentation, where sound design meets art and technology. Founded to build a sustainable ecosystem for sound artists, the festival goes beyond traditional performance formats, bringing together installations, workshops, and artist-led sessions that blur the lines between music and media art. An immersive three-day exchange of ideas and frequencies, past editions have explored themes like “Urban Moments,” blending modular synthesis, live visuals, and performance art to reimagine what a festival can be.
The Andong Mask Dance Festival
Traditional Korean mask dances, known as Talchum, and mask cultures from around the world steal the show at this lively celebration that happens across late September and early October. Through performances, marches, and workshops, it highlights a rich culture that originated in Hahoe village, where mask dances were an integral part of spiritual and social traditions.
Gwangju Kimchi Festival
Join kimchi-making workshops, sample a world of kimchi varieties, and if you’re interested in knowing more about Korea’s favorite spicy delight, then you get that opportunity too — learn the history and traditions related to kimchi while enjoying live performances, making it a memorable culinary experience. October is the usual month for this event, though the dates can vary and occasionally push into early November.
Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival
Set along the scenic Tamjingang riverfront and Jangheung dam Lake in South Korea, the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival, between late July and early August, turns the three-week summer stretch into a high-energy arena of water-wars, canoe rides, and live music, blocking off streets for splash parades and hosting rock and EDM stages well into the night.
Muju Firefly Festival
Set against Muju’s lush mountains and rivers, the Muju Firefly Festival, spanning late July and early August, feels like stepping into a living fairytale. Each summer, thousands of fireflies illuminate the night sky, transforming the town into a glowing spectacle that captures both the eye and the imagination. But beyond the visual magic, the festival also champions a deeper purpose: to celebrate biodiversity and raise awareness about environmental conservation. Visitors can enjoy nature walks, firefly habitat programs, and live performances under the stars, all while soaking in the beauty of nature’s own light show.
Jeongseon Arirang Festival
“Jeongseon Arirang,” a beloved Korean folk song, takes center stage at this festival, typically held in October. Reimagining the cherished folk anthem as a full-blown celebration of heritage and harmony, the festival is a living tribute to the song’s enduring spirit. From traditional music and dance to local games and cultural showcases, the festival turns Jeongseon into a vibrant stage where Korea’s past and present move in rhythm together.
Seoul Blues Dance Festival
The Seoul Blues Dance Festival, held between late May and early June, is an invitation to dancers worldwide to join its workshops, live music, and dance battles, and get swept up in the raw emotion of blues and the spirit and energy of people around the world who love the genre.