The Haeundae Sand Festival is back for 2025, promising another spectacle on Busan’s famous shores. This year’s festival will run from May 23rd to May 26th—a four-day celebration kicking off on Friday evening and wrapping up on Monday. As always, the sculptures will remain on display a bit longer, likely through early June, giving visitors extra time to marvel at the creations.
The 2025 Haeundae Sand Festival’s theme, “Festival Meets Korean Culture,” promises a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Korea’s heritage and its global cultural influence, often referred to as the Korean Wave or Hallyu. The flyer showcases this beautifully with elements of Korean soft power woven into the sandy spectacle: sand sculptures likely depict traditional Korean architecture, as hinted by the hanok-style building, and modern pop culture icons like the giant doll from Squid Game—a nod to the global phenomenon of Korean dramas.
The “K-Culture” sign and characters in traditional hanbok alongside contemporary figures suggest a blend of past and present, celebrating everything from historical traditions to K-pop and K-drama influences. Even the presence of a character resembling Baby Shark ties into Korea’s impact on global children’s entertainment. This theme aims to immerse visitors in Korea’s cultural journey, bridging its ancient roots with its modern-day worldwide appeal, all crafted in the ephemeral medium of sand.
2024 Recap
The 2024 theme celebrated art history, with sand renditions of classics like Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and Picasso’s Guernica, alongside modern masterpieces like Warhol’s The Marilyn Diptych. There was even a promotional sculpture for Disney’s Star Wars: The Acolyte, timed with its release.
While you explore the sand festival, be sure to head to the right side of the beach, where you can find the famous bright red HAEUNDAE sign. You can also see the panorama walkway, where signs bearing instructions on how to get the best picture can be found.
One of the rites of passage when visiting Busan’s beaches is to completely ignore the signs that say “DO NOT PLAY WITH FIREWORKS” that are littered all over the beach. While the signs announce that there is a 50,000 won fee for breaking this rule, you are bound to see loads of people setting off fireworks and playing with sparklers nightly in the summer.
If you’re planning a trip to Busan in late May 2025, the Haeundae Sand Festival is a must-see. It’s a short-lived but stunning blend of creativity and coastal charm—sand and all. Mark your calendars and get ready to step through time!
Location & Dates
Location:
Haeundae Beach Event Plaza
Dates:
May 16th to 19th
