🎸 Busan International Rock Festival (Sasang)
October 2-4 | Times vary by day | Samnak Ecological Park | 120,000 won for a 1-day pass, 193,000 won for 2 days, 266,000 won for 3 days.
Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeth, The Libertines, CNBLUE, Jannabi, and Hitsujibungaku headline three days of rock at Samnak. Tickets through YES24.

🎭 Busan International Performing Arts Market (Centum City)
October 1-7 | Times vary by performance | Dongseo University Centum Campus, Haeundae Cultural Center, and Busan Citizens Park | Price varies by performance.
A week-long showcase of theater, dance, and multidisciplinary performance from Korean and international artists, kicking off the festival-heavy stretch of the month.

🎉 Festival Shiwol (Citywide)
October 4-28 | Times vary by event | Venues across Busan, with major programming tied to BEXCO | Price varies by individual event.
Busan's big umbrella festival for October opens this weekend, folding music, film, food, culture, and tech programming into one month-long ecosystem. Check the official site as new sub-events get added throughout the month.

🍶 Starry Sea Busan Night Market (Hwamyeong)
Through October 18 | Thursday to Saturday 5:00 PM-10:00 PM, Sunday 4:00 PM-9:00 PM | Hwamyeong Ecological Park, Lotus Garden | Website for more information. Food, drinks, and some programs cost extra.
A night market built around Busan's traditional alcohol and makgeolli, with a food zone, picnic areas, a flea market, and programs ranging from cooking to running and yoga. Some programs can be reserved ahead of time.

🎬 Millak Ocean Cinema (Millak)
October 2 and 3 | 8:00 PM | Millak Waterfront Park | 3,000 won, refundable with a same-day Suyeong-gu food or drink receipt of at least 15,000 won.
A silent outdoor cinema night, everyone watches on headphones. Only 200 seats, so show up early.

🏺 Dalmaji Culture Festa (Haeundae)
October 3 | Check the post for times | Dalmaji-gil, Moontan Road tourist parking area | 30,000 won per person.
A night-view cultural experience combining pottery, gallery visits, tea, and craft workshops along Moontan Road, depending on the course.

🧘 Moonlight Workout Busan Challenge (Busanjin)
October 3 | 1:00 PM-9:00 PM | Busan Citizens Park, Dasom Plaza | Free.
Stretching, yoga, and bodyweight fitness programming open to the public, part of a Saturday series running through November.

✨ Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (Gwangalli)
October 3 | Show times on the official site | Gwangalli Beach | Free.
The weekly Saturday drone show over the beach. This year's October themes weren't posted at last check. Last October the shows moved to 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM for the colder months, so check before you head out.

📚 Busan Sea Library (Dadaepo)
October 3-4 | 3:00 PM-9:00 PM | Dadaepo Beach Park | Website for more information.
Outdoor reading with curated books, picnic kits, and a pet-friendly reading zone, running weekends through October 11.

Still running this week:

🎞️ Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (Centum City)
October 6-15 | Times vary by screening | Busan Cinema Center, with CGV, Lotte Cinema, KOFIC Theater, and other venues around Centum City | General screenings 10,000 won, Actors' House or Master Class sessions 15,000 won, opening and closing events 30,000 won.
Busan's biggest film festival opens this week and runs into Week 3. Check the official schedule for subtitle and dialogue language on each film.

🍽️ Busan International Food Expo (BEXCO)
October 9-11 | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM | BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, Hall 3AB | 10,000 won, check the official page since free entry with pre-registration was available at last check.
Cooking shows, chef programming, and food industry exhibits from Korea and abroad.

📚 Busan Sea Library (Dadaepo)
October 10-11 | 3:00 PM-9:00 PM | Dadaepo Beach Park | Website for more information.
Final weekend of this outdoor reading series, with curated books, picnic kits, and a pet-friendly reading zone.

🎬 Millak Ocean Cinema (Millak)
October 9 and 10 | 8:00 PM | Millak Waterfront Park | 3,000 won, refundable with a same-day Suyeong-gu food or drink receipt of at least 15,000 won.
Another round of silent outdoor cinema on headphones, 200 seats only.

🏺 Dalmaji Culture Festa (Haeundae)
October 10 | Check the post for times | Dalmaji-gil, Moontan Road tourist parking area | 30,000 won per person.
This week's course along Moontan Road, part of the ongoing Saturday series through November.

✨ Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (Gwangalli)
October 10 | Show times on the official site | Gwangalli Beach | Free.
Another Saturday drone show over the beach. Check the official site for this week's theme and times.

Still running this week:

🎞️ Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (Centum City)
Through October 15 | Times vary by screening | Busan Cinema Center and venues around Centum City | General screenings 10,000 won, Actors' House or Master Class sessions 15,000 won, closing event 30,000 won.
Closing week for Busan's biggest film festival. Check the official schedule for final screening times and subtitle language.

🍺 Hurshimchung Bräu Oktoberfest (Dongnae)
October 15-17 | 5:00 PM-10:00 PM | Hotel Nongshim outdoor beer garden | 34,000 won, early bird 31,000 won.
House beer, Hotel Nongshim food, and live performances in an outdoor beer garden setting.

🦀 Busan Jagalchi Festival (Jagalchi)
October 15-18 | Check the post for times | Jagalchi Market and the surrounding waterfront near Yurari Plaza | Website for more information.
Busan's biggest seafood market throws its annual festival, with a street procession and seafood-focused programming. The full daily schedule wasn't out at last check, so look before you go.

/🍲 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Grand Fair: Showcase (Location on official page)
October 16-18 | Check the post for times | Check the official page | Website for more information.
Twenty selected gukbap restaurants move from online voting into a physical showcase with food booths and cooking programs.

🏯 Dongnae Eupseong History Festival (Dongnae)
October 16-18 | Approximately 10:00 AM-9:00 PM | Dongnae Eupseong North Gate, Dongnae Cultural Center, and surrounding areas | Free, with some paid hands-on experiences.
History and culture programming around Dongnae's old fortress gate, including outdoor escape room style activities.

🍻 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge (Busan North Port)
October 16-18 | 4:00 PM-9:00 PM | Busan North Port area | Free general admission, beer and food purchased separately.
Korean and Busan breweries compete head to head, plus food trucks, pairings, DJs, and busking.

⛰️ Geumjeongsanseong Fortress Festival (Geumjeong)
October 16-18 | Check the post for times | Geumjeongsanseong Fortress Square and the surrounding fortress area | Free, with some paid activities.
History, culture, and ecology programming centered on the fortress and its newly designated national park status.

🛶 13th Nakdonggang Gupo Naru Festival (Buk-gu)
October 16-18 | Check the post for times | Hwamyeong Ecological Park, Lotus Garden area | Website for more information.
Opening events, performances, and exhibitions along the Nakdong River. Full details weren't posted at last check, so look before you go.

🌿 Jeonggwan Eco-Stream Learning Culture Festival (Gijang)
October 16-18 | Check the post for times | Jwagwangcheon area, including Jeonggwan Central Park, Witgol Park, and Gumokjeong Park | Free.
Ecology activities, a parade, a family walk, and children's programming along the eco-stream.

🎤 Busan Citizens' Lawn Festival (Dong-gu)
October 16 | 12:10 PM | Plaza in front of Busan Citizens Hall | Free.
A lunchtime performance series, with acts ranging from magic and dance to jazz, trot, K-flamenco, and hip hop depending on the date.

🎶 Sasang Riverside Festival (Sasang)
October 17-18 | Check the post for times | Samnak Ecological Park Cultural Plaza | Website for more information.
A riverside music contest alongside junior trot, performance stages, a kids zone, and food booths.

☕ Jeonpo Coffee Festival (Jeonpo)
October 17-18 | Saturday 12:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM | Jeonpo Cafe Street area | Website for more information.
Outdoor coffee and dessert booths, a market, and barista seminars throughout the neighborhood. Final details weren't posted at last check, so look before you go.

🎬 Millak Ocean Cinema (Millak)
October 16 and 17 | 8:00 PM | Millak Waterfront Park | 3,000 won, refundable with a same-day Suyeong-gu food or drink receipt of at least 15,000 won.
Final weekend of this silent outdoor cinema series for the season.

🧘 Moonlight Workout Busan Challenge (North Port)
October 17 | 1:00 PM-9:00 PM | North Port Waterfront Park | Free.
This week's stretching, yoga, and bodyweight fitness session, part of the Saturday series running through November.

🏺 Dalmaji Culture Festa (Haeundae)
October 17 | Check the post for times | Dalmaji-gil, Moontan Road tourist parking area | 30,000 won per person.
This week's course along Moontan Road, part of the ongoing Saturday series through November.

✨ Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (Gwangalli)
October 17 | Show times on the official site | Gwangalli Beach | Free.
Another Saturday drone show over the beach. Check the official site for this week's theme and times.

Still running this week:

🥩 Cheolma Hanwoo Bulgogi Festival (Gijang)
October 22-26 | Check the post for times | Cheolma Urban Agriculture Park area, 789 Gaejwa-ro, Cheolma-myeon | Website for more information.
A local Hanwoo beef and bulgogi festival with performances and hands-on experiences. This year's details weren't posted at last check, so look before you go.

🥐 LaLaLa Festival (Geumjeong)
October 23-25 | Check the post for times | Oncheoncheon area below Pusan National University Station | Free.
Coffee, bread, desserts, a flea market, and a walking or running event mark this festival's 10th anniversary.

🥁 Busan Folk Arts Festival (Busanjin)
October 24-25 | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM | Dasom Plaza, Busan Citizens Park | Free.
Intangible heritage performances, traditional culture experiences, and hanbok-related activities.

🎤 Busan Citizens' Lawn Festival (Dong-gu)
October 23 | 12:10 PM | Plaza in front of Busan Citizens Hall | Free.
Another lunchtime show in this ongoing performance series, with acts that change from date to date.

🧘 Moonlight Workout Busan Challenge (North Port)
October 24 | 1:00 PM-9:00 PM | North Port Waterfront Park | Free.
This week's stretching, yoga, and bodyweight fitness session, part of the Saturday series running through November.

🏺 Dalmaji Culture Festa (Haeundae)
October 24 | Check the post for times | Dalmaji-gil, Moontan Road tourist parking area | 30,000 won per person.
This week's course along Moontan Road, part of the ongoing Saturday series through November.

✨ Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (Gwangalli)
October 24 | Show times on the official site | Gwangalli Beach | Free.
Another Saturday drone show over the beach. Check the official site for this week's theme and times.

Still running this week:

🐟 Busan Mackerel Festival (Songdo)
October 30-November 1 | Check the post for times | Songdo Beach | Website for more information. Some activities carry separate fees, for example a fish market auction experience at 12,000 won.
A seafood-focused festival with food, market, and performance programming, plus optional paid extras like kayaking. Advance registration for many activities opens October 1.

🌉 Yeongdo Bridge Festival (Yeongdo)
October 30-November 1 | Check the post for times | Amir Park and Bongnae-dong wharf area | Website for more information.
Yeongdo's bridge-themed festival returns with opening and closing events, stage shows, and exhibitions. The full 2026 program wasn't posted at last check, so look before you go.

🎤 Busan Citizens' Lawn Festival (Dong-gu)
October 30 | 12:10 PM | Plaza in front of Busan Citizens Hall | Free.
The last October date for this lunchtime performance series, with one more show in November at Lotte Mall Dongbusan.

🧘 Moonlight Workout Busan Challenge (Hwamyeong)
October 31 | 1:00 PM-9:00 PM | Hwamyeong Ecological Park, Lotus Garden | Free.
This month's final stretching, yoga, and bodyweight fitness session in the Saturday series.

🏺 Dalmaji Culture Festa (Haeundae)
October 31 | Check the post for times | Dalmaji-gil, Moontan Road tourist parking area | 30,000 won per person.
This week's course along Moontan Road, part of the ongoing Saturday series through November.

✨ Gwangalli M Drone Light Show (Gwangalli)
October 31 | Show times on the official site | Gwangalli Beach | Free.
The last Saturday drone show of the month. Check the official site for the theme and times.

Still running this week:

🖼️ Busan Biennale 2026: Dissident Chorus (Multiple venues)
August 29-November 1 | Check the post for hours | Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Space OneZ, and the former Busan Nam High School | Busan MoCA is ticketed, other venues may be free, website for more information.
This year's Biennale runs across three venues with a free shuttle connecting them on open days.

🎨 The Greatest Colorist Michel-Henry (Nam-gu)
Through October 25 | 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, last admission 6:00 PM, closed Mondays | Exhibition Hall, Busan Cultural Center | Adults 18,000 won, youth 15,000 won, children 12,000 won.
A major colorist exhibition closing out its run this month.

💫 Jean-Michel Othoniel: In the Labyrinth of Love (Suyeong)
Through December 31 | 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, closed Mondays | F1963 Sukcheon Hall and Moonlight Garden | Adults 10,000 won, youth 8,000 won, children 6,000 won.
A contemporary art installation weaving through F1963's industrial hall and garden space.

🐴 Together We Ran: Stories of Horses Beside Us (Dongnae)
Through November 22 | Check the post for hours | Bokcheon Museum, Special Exhibition Hall | Website for more information.
A 30th anniversary special exhibition exploring the relationship between people and horses on the Korean peninsula, from ancient times through Joseon.

Event details can change, so check the official link before you head out.

HELP! If you have an event you want included in next week's newsletter or next month's guide, email me with the details. [email protected]