The 21st Busan Fireworks Festival takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Gwangalli Beach, Igidae, and around Dongbaekseom Island in Busan. The main show begins at 7:00 PM with an international guest fireworks display and wraps up with curtain-call fireworks at 8:00 PM. Reserved seats are 100,000 KRW (~$76 USD) for R seats and 70,000 KRW (~$53 USD) for S seats, and regular sales close at 5:00 PM on Friday, November 6.
What Is the Busan Fireworks Festival?
The Busan Fireworks Festival is one of Korea’s biggest fireworks festivals. It uses Gwangalli Beach and the Gwangan Bridge as its stage and combines fireworks with multimedia effects over the water. The festival began as a fireworks show celebrating the 2005 APEC Summit. This year is its 21st edition, and it has become one of Busan’s signature autumn events.
The show is known for setting music and fireworks against Gwangan Bridge, using the bridge’s special lighting and a large-scale staging system. Huge numbers of fireworks are launched over the water, and the show is planned around the shape of Gwangalli’s bay, which brings crowds of visitors from Korea and overseas every year. Organizers say this year’s show will have more refined storytelling and more elaborate fireworks over the sea.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 21st Busan Fireworks Festival |
| Date | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Hours | 13:00 – 20:00 |
| Venue | Gwangalli Beach, Igidae, and the Dongbaekseom Island area |
| Address | 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구 광안해변로 219 (광안동)) |
| Organizers | Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Festival Organizing Committee ((사)부산축제조직위원회) |
| Inquiries | 051-713-5000 |
| Official website | https://busanfireworks.com/ |
Busan Fireworks Festival 2026 Schedule
This timetable comes from the event schedule on the official website. Organizers note that times may change, so check the website again before you head out.
| Time | Program | What’s On |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 – 16:00 | Fireworks Street | Busking, chalk art, hands-on booths |
| 18:00 – 18:50 | Fireworks Prologue | Preview fireworks, messages from citizens |
| 18:50 – 19:00 | Opening Ceremony | Touch-button ceremony |
| 19:00 – 19:15 | International Guest Fireworks Show | SUNNY (China) |
| 19:15 – 19:25 | Intermission | System check |
| 19:25 – 19:55 | Busan Multi Fireworks Show | Niagara fireworks, 25-inch shells, and more |
| 19:55 – 20:00 | Curtain-Call Fireworks | A thank-you display for citizens and staff |
Busan Fireworks Festival Highlights: What to See
Daytime: Fireworks Street
From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Fireworks Street has busking performances, chalk art, and hands-on booths. It’s a good way to get a feel for the festival before the fireworks start.
Early Evening: Fireworks Prologue and Opening Ceremony
The Fireworks Prologue starts at 6:00 PM with a short preview of fireworks and messages from citizens. At 6:50 PM, a touch-button ceremony officially opens the festival.
The Main Event: International Guest Show and Busan Multi Fireworks Show
At 7:00 PM, SUNNY from China puts on a 15-minute International Guest Fireworks Show. After a 10-minute intermission comes the highlight of the night, the 30-minute Busan Multi Fireworks Show, with Niagara fireworks and 25-inch shells over Gwangalli. The final five minutes are curtain-call fireworks, a thank-you to citizens and everyone involved.
Busan Fireworks Festival Tickets: Reserved Seat Prices and Where to Book
Reserved seating is on the sand in front of Hotel Aqua Palace (호텔 아쿠아펠리스) and Homers Hotel (호메르스호텔) at Gwangalli.
| Seat | Setup | Price |
|---|---|---|
| R seat | Table + chair | 100,000 KRW (~$76 USD) |
| S seat | Chair only | 70,000 KRW (~$53 USD) |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online | NOL Ticket, BNK Busan Bank mobile banking app |
| Offline | BNK Busan Bank branch counters (S seats only) |
| Sales period | Friday, September 4, 2026, 14:00 – Friday, November 6, 17:00 |
| Booking inquiries | 1544-1555 (09:00 – 18:00) |
Booking page: https://nol.yanolja.com/ticket/products/26009342
How Does the 10% Busan Resident Discount Work?
This year the festival is offering a 10% discount for Busan residents for the first time, with a limit of four tickets per person. Discounted tickets are not mailed out. You collect them on festival day at the NOL Ticket on-site pickup booth.
- Bring your booking confirmation and a physical photo ID that shows a Busan address.
- If your ID doesn’t show a Busan address, also bring a resident registration certificate (주민등록등본) issued within the last three months.
- Everyone in your party must go to the booth together.
- Without the required documents, you have to pay the difference from the full price to get your tickets.
Entry Times and Ticket Pickup
Reserved seat holders can enter from 3:00 PM. If you don’t reach your seat by 6:00 PM, you can’t get in and you won’t get a refund, so give yourself plenty of time.
| When You Booked | How You Get Your Ticket |
|---|---|
| By Sunday, October 11 | Shipped in order from October 12 |
| On or after Monday, October 12 | On-site pickup only |
To collect on-site tickets for someone else, you need a copy of the booker’s ID and the booking confirmation.
Cancellation Fees
Cancellation fees depend on how close to the event date you cancel:
| When You Cancel | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 days before | 2,000 KRW (~$1.50 USD) per ticket |
| 9 – 7 days before | 10% of the ticket price |
| 6 – 3 days before | 20% of the ticket price |
| 2 days before – cancellation deadline | 30% of the ticket price |
Booking Wheelchair Seating
Wheelchair seating can be booked only by phone through the customer center (1544-1555). Wheelchair users enter through a dedicated gate. No other seat is provided besides the wheelchair space.
How to Get to the Busan Fireworks Festival at Gwangalli
All viewing areas can be reached on Busan Metro Line 2. Heavy traffic is expected on festival day, and no parking is provided near the venue, so the official website also recommends public transportation.
| Viewing Area | How to Get There |
|---|---|
| Gwangalli Beach | Busan Metro Line 2, Gwangan Station, Exit 3 |
| Dongbaekseom Island | Busan Metro Line 2, Dongbaek Station, Exit 1 |
| Igidae | Busan Metro Line 2, Kyungsung Univ.·Pukyong Nat’l Univ. Station, then transfer to a bus |
| Busan Metro Fare (transit card) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 1,600 KRW (~$1.20 USD) |
| Zone 2 | 1,800 KRW (~$1.40 USD) |
※ Metro fares reflect the May 2024 fare increase.
Road closures are shown as images on the traffic page of the official website (https://busanfireworks.com/content/traffic), so check it yourself before you set out.
Busan Fireworks Festival Tips
- Get to your reserved seat before 6:00 PM. If you arrive later, you can’t get in and you won’t get a refund. Entry opens at 3:00 PM.
- Tickets booked now are picked up on-site. Tickets booked on or after October 12 aren’t shipped, so allow extra time on the day to stop at the pickup booth.
- Take the metro, not a car. There’s no dedicated parking near the venue, and heavy traffic is expected that day.
- Bring your documents for the Busan resident discount. Have your ID, booking confirmation, and a resident registration certificate if needed. Otherwise you’ll have to pay the price difference.
- Come early for the daytime program. Fireworks Street opens at 1:00 PM, so arriving early lets you enjoy the busking and booths while you wait for the show.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Busan Fireworks Festival, and what time does it start?
The festival is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, and the main fireworks show starts at 7:00 PM. The day opens with Fireworks Street at 1:00 PM, followed by the Fireworks Prologue at 6:00 PM and the opening ceremony at 6:50 PM. It ends with curtain-call fireworks at 8:00 PM.
How much are reserved seats for the Busan Fireworks Festival, and where can I book?
R seats are 100,000 KRW (~$76 USD) and S seats are 70,000 KRW (~$53 USD). You can book online through NOL Ticket and the BNK Busan Bank mobile banking app, or in person at BNK Busan Bank branch counters, which sell S seats only. Sales close at 5:00 PM on Friday, November 6.
Can I watch without a reserved seat?
Reserved seating is only on the sand in front of Hotel Aqua Palace and Homers Hotel at Gwangalli. The festival takes place across Gwangalli Beach, Igidae, and the Dongbaekseom Island area. For viewing outside the reserved sections, check the official website (https://busanfireworks.com/) or call 051-713-5000.
How do I get to the Gwangalli fireworks by subway?
Exit 3 of Gwangan Station on Busan Metro Line 2 is the closest to Gwangalli Beach. For Dongbaekseom Island, use Exit 1 of Dongbaek Station on Line 2. For Igidae, take Line 2 to Kyungsung Univ.·Pukyong Nat’l Univ. Station and transfer to a bus.
What are the entry times for reserved seats, and how do I get my ticket?
Reserved seating opens at 3:00 PM, and you must arrive before 6:00 PM. Tickets booked on or after Monday, October 12 can only be picked up on-site. To collect for someone else, you need a copy of the booker’s ID and the booking confirmation.
How do I get the Busan resident discount?
You get 10% off when booking, then collect your tickets on festival day by showing documents at the NOL Ticket on-site pickup booth. You need your booking confirmation and a physical photo ID with a Busan address. If your ID has no Busan address, also bring a resident registration certificate issued within the last three months. Everyone in your party must go to the booth.
Can I drive to the festival?
Public transportation is recommended. The official website says heavy traffic is expected on festival day and no parking is provided around the venue.
How much does it cost to cancel a reserved seat?
Up to 10 days before the event, the fee is 2,000 KRW (~$1.50 USD) per ticket. It’s 10% of the ticket price from 9 to 7 days before, 20% from 6 to 3 days before, and 30% from 2 days before until the cancellation deadline.
How do I book wheelchair seating?
Wheelchair seating can be booked only by phone through the customer center (1544-1555). You enter through a dedicated wheelchair gate, and no other seat is provided.
