Sand Festival 2025 Theme
The Haeundae Sand Festival is back for 2025 with a grand spectacle on Busan’s famous beach in celebration of its 20th anniversary. The festival will run from Friday, May 16th to Monday, May 19th. As always, the sculptures will remain on display for longer, until June 8th, giving visitors extra time to check out the beautiful creations.
The 2025 Haeundae Sand Festival’s theme, “Festival Meets Korean Culture,” is a deep dive into Korea’s heritage and its global cultural influence, often referred to as the Korean Wave or Hallyu. The sand sculptures depict a mix of traditional Korean culture, and modern pop culture icons.
The 20th anniversary is a blend of past and present, celebrating everything from historical traditions to K-pop and K-drama, to 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.
A Recap of Last Year
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:
- Festival: May 16th to 19th.
- Sand sculptures stay until June 8.
