The BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL takes over Songdo Beach in Seo-gu, Busan for three days, from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. Entry is free, and the grounds are open from 10:00 to 21:00. The whole event is built around mackerel. You can try catching mackerel with your bare hands or join a surprise mackerel auction. There’s also an opening concert with fireworks and a market full of mackerel dishes.
What Is the BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL 2026?
This local specialty festival has been held at Songdo Beach every October since 2008. The venue has its own history: Songdo was Korea’s very first public beach. Nearby you’ll find the Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge (송도용궁구름다리), the Songdo Cloud Trail (송도구름산책로) and the Songdo Marine Cable Car (송도해상케이블카).
Busan has a strong claim to the mackerel crown. It’s home to the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative (대형선망수협), whose fleet lands about 90% of Korea’s coastal and offshore mackerel catch. It’s also home to the Busan Cooperative Fish Market (부산공동어시장), which handles roughly 80% of all mackerel traded in the country. The festival celebrates that heritage with food, live shows and hands-on activities in one place. People from the fishing industry plan and run it together with local residents.
BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL 2026 Dates and Venue
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00–21:00 |
| Venue | Songdo Beach area, Busan |
| Address | 100 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 서구 송도해변로 100, 암남동) |
| Admission | Free |
| Host | Seo-gu District, Busan |
| Organizer | Busan Seo-gu Cultural Center (부산서구문화원) |
| Inquiries | 070-8658-4085 (listed on the official website), 051-231-4085 (listed on the tourism information page) |
| Official website | https://busangde.co.kr/ |
| Official social media | https://www.instagram.com/bsseogu/ |
There’s one detail to watch with the address. Busan City’s English beach guide lists Songdo Beach at 50 Songdohaebyeon-ro, not 100. The beach’s main address and the festival site’s address seem to differ, so the easiest fix is to search “Songdo Beach” (송도해수욕장) in your map app.
Bad weather can lead to events being canceled or postponed. Check the notices on the official website before you set out.
BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL Program Schedule by Day
The main events for each day, as posted on the official website:
| Date | Time | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | 18:30 | Opening concert (Na Sang-do, Baek Su-jeong) + fireworks show | Special stage, Songdo Beach |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 11:00 | Seo-gu Hope Education & Lifelong Learning Festival | Songdo Ocean Park area |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 14:30 | Local Star in Seo-gu | Special stage |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 18:00 | Songdo Street Dance Competition | - |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 09:00 | Namhang Bridge Walking Event | - |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 14:30 | Busan Traditional Performing Arts Festival “Modu-ae Yeonhui (모두愛연희)” (Busan nongak (Korean farmers’ music), Dongnae Hakchum crane dance, and more) | Songdo Ocean Park |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 15:30 | Mackerel Hot Stage (Tandanji, Roco Band, SORA) | - |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 18:00 | Songdo Youth Night (DJ Mino, Vista) | - |
Na Sang-do and Baek Su-jeong share the opening concert lineup with the Busan Seo-gu Women’s Choir and Countdown, a retro mixed-gender band. On Saturday and Sunday, look out for “Songdo Busking PLAY,” a marionette puppet show performed busking-style.
When Can You Try Bare-Hand Mackerel Catching and Other Activities?
Hands-on activities run only on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. Friday, October 30 has no activities, just the opening performances and fireworks.
| Activity | Sat, Oct 31 | Sun, Nov 1 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan Cooperative Fish Market field experience | ○ | ○ | Advance registration |
| Bare-hand mackerel catching | ○ | ○ | |
| Find the Mackerel by Kayak | ○ | ○ | Advance registration |
| New mackerel menu tasting | ○ | ○ | |
| Surprise mackerel auction | ○ | ○ | |
| Fly! Mackerel Rocket | ○ | - | |
| Mackerel paper boat race | - | ○ | Advance registration |
The official website says advance registration has closed for every activity that required it. It also asks visitors to check the notices section to see whether on-site sign-ups will be offered. The program list also includes a “Mackerel Physical Challenge” among the participation events.
Mackerel Food Market and Other Things to Do
The festival grounds host a mackerel food market and a seafood direct-sale market. At the direct-sale market you can use discount coupons that take 1,000 KRW (~$0.75 USD) off every 10,000 KRW (~$7.50 USD) you spend.
| Zone | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Mackerel food market | Mackerel dishes for sale |
| Seafood direct-sale market | Discount coupons (1,000 KRW off per 10,000 KRW spent) |
| Songdo Youth Market | Flea market |
| Activity booths | 27 booths |
| Central plaza | Character parade, mackerel wish cards |
| Activity yard | Picnic zone, sand playground |
With a picnic zone and a sand playground on site, the festival is a good pick for families with kids.
How to Get to the BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL at Songdo Beach
To get there by public transportation, take Busan Metro Line 1 to Jagalchi Station and switch to a bus.
| From | Transport | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Jagalchi Station, Metro Line 1 | Bus 7, 26, 71 or 96 | Jagalchi Station Exit 1 → board bus → get off at the “Songdo Beach” (송도해수욕장) stop |
The official information doesn’t list travel times or fares. Official sources also don’t cover routes from Seoul or from Gimhae and Incheon International Airports, or taxi fares, so those aren’t included here. Use a map app to plan your way to Jagalchi Station.
Is There Parking?
Songdo Beach has paid parking. Official sources don’t confirm parking, shuttle buses or road closures for the festival period. On the weekend, public transportation is the better option.
BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL Tips
- Go on the weekend for activities: Bare-hand mackerel catching, the surprise mackerel auction and the other activities run only on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1.
- Fireworks are on opening night: The fireworks show goes with the opening concert at 18:30 on Friday, October 30.
- Check pre-registered programs: Registration has closed for the Busan Cooperative Fish Market field experience, Find the Mackerel by Kayak and the paper boat race. The notices section of the official website will say whether on-site sign-ups are available.
- Use the market coupons: At the seafood direct-sale market, you get 1,000 KRW off for every 10,000 KRW you spend.
- Watch the weather: Events may be canceled or postponed because of weather, so check the notices before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL 2026?
It runs from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Songdo Beach in Seo-gu, Busan. Hours are 10:00–21:00, and the address is 100 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan (부산광역시 서구 송도해변로 100, 암남동).
Is there an admission fee for the BUSAN MACKEREL FESTIVAL?
No, entry is free. Anyone can walk into the festival grounds at no charge, but food and seafood purchases cost extra.
When is bare-hand mackerel catching, and do I need to register in advance?
Bare-hand mackerel catching takes place on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. The official schedule marks three programs as requiring advance registration: the Busan Cooperative Fish Market field experience, Find the Mackerel by Kayak and the paper boat race. Advance registration has closed for all of them. Check the notices on the official website to see whether on-site sign-ups are available.
What time are the opening fireworks?
The fireworks show goes with the opening concert, which starts at 18:30 on Friday, October 30. It takes place on the special stage at Songdo Beach, and Na Sang-do and Baek Su-jeong perform at the concert.
How do I get to Songdo Beach by public transportation?
From Exit 1 of Jagalchi Station on Busan Metro Line 1, take bus 7, 26, 71 or 96 and get off at the “Songdo Beach” stop. The official information doesn’t list travel times or fares.
Can I park at Songdo Beach during the festival?
Songdo Beach has paid parking. However, official sources don’t confirm parking, shuttle buses or road closures for the festival period.
Are there activities on the first day (October 30)?
No. Friday, October 30 has only the opening concert and fireworks show. Activities run on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1.
Will the festival be canceled if it rains?
Events may be canceled or postponed because of weather. Check the notices on the official website (https://busangde.co.kr/) before you visit.
Who do I contact with questions about the festival?
The official website lists 070-8658-4085 as the inquiry number. The festival pages of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization list 051-231-4085.
