The 2026 Busan International Magic Festival, now in its 21st edition, unfolds in stages from June 26 through December 26. June’s Magic Convention and Busking Championship have already wrapped up, so the remaining draw is the Christmas Special Magic Gala Show, staged in December at the Haneul Theater (하늘연극장) of Busan Cinema Center (영화의전당) and the Small Theater at Busan Citizens Hall (부산시민회관). Tickets cost 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) to 50,000 KRW (~$37 USD), depending on the show.
What Is the Busan International Magic Festival?
Launched in 2006, the Busan International Magic Festival is built entirely around magic, with competitions, performances, and lectures on the program. This year’s lineup has three parts: the Magic Convention, the 8th Busking Championship, and the Christmas Special Magic Gala Show.
Busan International Magic Festival 2026 Schedule and Venues
The June programs are finished, which leaves only the December gala shows still to come.
| Program | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Convention | Fri, June 26 – Sun, June 28, 2026 | Busan Cinema Center (120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan / 부산 해운대구 수영강변대로 120) |
| 8th Busking Championship | Fri, June 26 – Sat, June 27, 2026 | Haeundae Beach area (Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan / 부산 해운대구 해운대해변로) |
| Christmas Special: Magic Present | Sat, December 12 – Sun, December 13, 2026 | Haneul Theater, Busan Cinema Center |
| Christmas Special: Variety Fantasia | Fri, December 25 – Sat, December 26, 2026 | Small Theater, Busan Citizens Hall (16 Jaseong-ro 133beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan / 부산 동구 자성로133번길 16) |
For inquiries, call 051-626-7002. The official website is www.hibimf.org, and festival news also appears on the official Instagram account.
What to Expect at the Christmas Magic Gala Show
The Christmas special combines planned performances with on-site events, and both the show title and the venue change depending on the date. Neither show has an intermission.
| Show | Showtimes | Venue | Running time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Present | Sat, Dec 12: 16:00, 19:30 / Sun, Dec 13: 11:00, 15:00 | Haneul Theater, Busan Cinema Center | 80 minutes |
| Variety Fantasia | Fri, Dec 25 – Sat, Dec 26: 11:00, 14:00 | Small Theater, Busan Citizens Hall | 60 minutes |
June’s programs included:
- Magic Convention: the FISM QC BIMF international magic competition, a magic gala show, lectures, workshops, dealer booths, and an awards ceremony, among other events
- 8th Busking Championship: a busking competition held around Haeundae Beach
Busan International Magic Festival Christmas Gala Ticket Prices
| Show | Seating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Present | 1st floor | 50,000 KRW (~$37 USD) |
| Magic Present | 2nd floor | 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) |
| Variety Fantasia | All seats | 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) |
Ticket sellers include YES24 Ticket, Naver, Interpark Ticket, Nori-ui Balgyeon (놀이의발견), and Clip Service. Age limits, discounts, and refund rules should be checked with the ticket seller or the organizers before you book.
How to Get to the Busan International Magic Festival Venues
From Busan Station or Gimhae International Airport to Busan Cinema Center
| Starting point | Route | Travel time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan Station | Subway toward Nopo → transfer to Line 2 toward Jangsan → get off at Centum City Station | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Gimhae International Airport | Limousine bus bound for Haeundae (board at Stop 3 on the 1st floor of the international or domestic terminal; stops at Shinsegae Centum City and BEXCO) | About 1 hour to Haeundae New Town | 9,500 KRW (~$7 USD), credit card only |
| Gimhae International Airport | Busan-Gimhae Light Rail → transfer to Line 2 at Sasang Station → get off at Centum City Station | About 1 hour | See below |
The first limousine bus leaves at 07:10 and the last at 21:40, and both timetable and fares can change without notice. Light rail fares with an adult transit card are 1,600 KRW (~$1.20 USD) for one zone and 1,800 KRW (~$1.35 USD) for two zones, and the regional transfer fare is 500 KRW (~$0.40 USD). The fare chart doesn’t specify which rate applies between the airport and Sasang, so confirm that before you ride.
Nearest Subway Stations and Bus Stops
| Venue | Subway | Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Haneul Theater, Busan Cinema Center | Line 2, Centum City Station, Exit 6: 523 m, about a 5-minute walk | Get off at the Shinsegae Department Store or Centum City Station stop, then walk about 5 minutes / Regular: 5-1, 36, 39, 40, 63, 115, 139, 141, 155, 181 / Seat: 307 / Express: 1001, 1002 |
| Small Theater, Busan Citizens Hall | Line 2, Munhyeon Station, Exit 3: about a 3-minute walk; Line 1, Beomil Station, Exit 2: about a 10-minute walk | Get off at the Simin Hoegwan-Dongbusan Post Office stop (시민회관.동부산우체국), then walk about 8 minutes / Regular: 22, 27, 40, 42, 57, 68, 80, 83-1, 99, 101, 111, 134, 168, Nam-gu 3 (남구3) |
Is Parking Free?
| Venue | Parking for ticket holders | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Busan Cinema Center | Free in the underground lot if you exit within 4 hours | Prepay using the QR code in the 1st-floor lobby before leaving (the unmanned pay station on B1 can’t be used) |
| Busan Citizens Hall | Free for 4 hours | The lot is small, so public transit is recommended; if it’s full, use a nearby paid lot (no parking support is available) |
Busan International Magic Festival Tips Before You Go
- Match your date to the right venue. December 12–13 shows are at Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, while December 25–26 shows are at Busan Citizens Hall in Dong-gu, a different district entirely.
- Double-check show details when booking. Some notices on the official website list show titles and dates differently, so compare the title, date, and venue on the booking screen.
- Leave plenty of time. If traffic or parking makes you late, your ticket can’t be changed or canceled.
- Take public transit to Busan Citizens Hall. Parking is tight there, and Munhyeon Station’s Exit 3 is only about a 3-minute walk away.
- Ask about language support and payment in advance. Official materials don’t confirm English assistance, payment methods, or luggage storage, so call 051-626-7002 before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Christmas Magic Gala Show?
It takes place on December 12–13 and December 25–26 at two different venues. Magic Present plays the Haneul Theater at Busan Cinema Center on December 12–13, and Variety Fantasia moves to the Small Theater at Busan Citizens Hall on December 25–26.
How much are tickets for the Christmas Magic Gala Show?
Tickets cost 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) to 50,000 KRW (~$37 USD). Magic Present is 50,000 KRW (~$37 USD) on the 1st floor and 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD) on the 2nd floor, while all seats for Variety Fantasia are 30,000 KRW (~$22 USD).
How long are the shows, and is there an intermission?
Neither show has an intermission. Magic Present runs 80 minutes and Variety Fantasia runs 60 minutes.
How do I get to the Haneul Theater at Busan Cinema Center by subway?
Take Line 2 to Centum City Station. From Exit 6, it’s 523 m, or about a 5-minute walk.
How do I get from Gimhae Airport to Busan Cinema Center?
You can take either the limousine bus bound for Haeundae or the light rail and subway. The limousine leaves from Stop 3 on the 1st floor of the international and domestic terminals and costs 9,500 KRW (~$7 USD); get off at Shinsegae Centum City or BEXCO. By rail, take the light rail to Sasang Station, transfer to Line 2, and get off at Centum City Station, which takes about 1 hour.
Is parking free at Busan Cinema Center and Busan Citizens Hall if I’m seeing a show?
Yes, ticket holders get up to 4 hours free at both venues. At Busan Cinema Center, you need to exit within 4 hours and prepay using the QR code in the 1st-floor lobby before leaving. Busan Citizens Hall has a small lot, so public transit is recommended.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are sold through YES24 Ticket, Naver, Interpark Ticket, Nori-ui Balgyeon, Clip Service, and other sellers. For the date sales open, check with the ticket seller or the organizers.
