🐟✨ Gijang Anchovy Festival April 24–26 FREE Entry 2026 – Live Concerts, Bare-Hand Fish Catching & Sea Fireworks Full Guide
WOW, you have to see this! 🐟🎆 Korea's most legendary seafood festival is turning 30 — and it's going ALL OUT! Free anchovy sashimi tasting (yes, FREE!), bare-hand fish catching thrills, a dazzling sea fireworks show, and live K-pop concerts for THREE full days at Busan's iconic Daebyon Harbor. This is the ultimate spring experience near Busan — don't you dare miss it! 🌊🔥
※ Please verify all details on the official website before visiting, as schedules may change.
The 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival (기장멸치축제) is a beloved annual seafood celebration held at Daebyon Harbor in Gijang-gun, Busan.
Running for 3 days from Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, 2026, this is Korea's premier seafood festival — and this year marks the 30th anniversary edition, packed with even more incredible programs than ever!
FREE admission all 3 days, with fresh anchovy sashimi tastings, bare-hand live fish catching, sea fireworks, and top Korean artists performing live every night!
Full Festival Guide →
💡 Agoda and Booking.com have great deals on hotels in Gijang and Haeundae, Busan — book early before the spring peak season fills up!
Gijang and Haeundae (20 minutes by car) hotels sell out fast on spring weekends. Compare prices now on Agoda and grab your room before it's gone!📊 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival – Quick Overview
30th Anniversary! Free anchovy sashimi + sea fireworks + live K-pop concerts — all FREE!
Korea's top seafood festival celebrates 30 years with bare-hand fish catching, fishing boat rides, a Gijang Anchovy Song Contest, and the Taegun Singing Contest hosted by Na Tae-joo & Park Gun — 3 spectacular days!
Free shuttle bus (Donghae Line Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 → Muyang Village Roundabout) runs on weekends!
Dates: Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2026 (3 days)
Venue: Daebyon Harbor, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Admission: FREE
Free anchovy sashimi tasting is first-come, first-served — arrive early for the freshest bites!
Gijang Anchovy Festival 2026 – Key Info
Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
3 days / Daebyon Harbor, Gijang, Busan
30th Anniversary: K-pop concerts, sea fireworks & free anchovy tasting
Free weekend shuttle: Gijang Station Lot 2 → Muyang Village Roundabout
1. Top 3 Highlights at the 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival
Bare-Hand Live Fish Catching & Fishing Boat Rides
One of the most exciting activities at the festival — plunge your hands into a tank of live fish and catch them bare-handed! 🐠
Gomchwi (고무취, a fragrant Korean wild herb) meets the sea in this legendary event — the bare-hand fish catching activity is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, especially for families with kids.
Fishing boat ride experiences also run alongside, letting you feel the spring sea breeze of Gijang's famous harbor!
Sea Fireworks Show & Silver Anchovy Spectacular
The night sky over Daebyon Harbor explodes into color with a dazzling sea fireworks display — upgraded especially for the 30th anniversary!
Combined with the Melchi Eunbit (Silver Anchovy Spectacular) live stage performance, it's a breathtaking fusion of music, light, and ocean beauty.
Pro tip: arrive at least 1 hour before the fireworks to get a prime viewing spot along the harbor front!
30th Anniversary K-Pop Stage & Taegun Singing Contest
Three days of live Korean pop performances with a different artist lineup each night! 🎤
April 24: Jeong Seo-ju & Cheon Rok-dam | April 25: Son Bin-a, Chae Yoon & Choi Ji-ye | April 26: Mr. Pang, Kim Su-hee & Jang Ha-on.
The grand finale on April 26 features MC Park Gun and fan-favorite singer Na Tae-joo hosting the legendary "Taegun Singing Contest" — the single most exciting moment of the entire festival!
Full Concert Schedule →
💡 Booking.com and Agoda have great Gijang and Busan hotel deals — stay nearby and enjoy all 3 days of the festival without rushing!
Gijang is just 20 minutes from Haeundae Beach! Grab a Haeundae hotel on Booking.com and combine the anchovy festival with a Busan beach getaway!2. Festival Venues & Getting There
Main Venue – Daebyon Harbor
The festival takes place over 3 days centered on the main stage at Daebyon Harbor (대변항) in Gijang-eup, Busan.
Daebyon Harbor is the heart of Korea's spring anchovy fishing season — during the festival, the freshest possible anchovy sashimi (멸치회 / myeolchi-hoe) is served right at the source!
Free Weekend Shuttle Bus
A free shuttle bus runs on weekends (April 25–26) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, departing from Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 (Donghae Line) to the Muyang Village Roundabout near the festival.
Take the Donghae Line to Gijang Station and hop on the free shuttle — it's the easiest and most stress-free way to get there!
Gijang Anchovy Song Contest Stage
Preliminary rounds on April 25 and the finals on April 26 feature local singing talent competing in the Gijang Anchovy Song Contest.
Right after the finals on April 26, Na Tae-joo and Park Gun take the stage for the crowd-favorite Taegun Singing Contest — the festival's most electric moment!
3. How to Visit the Gijang Anchovy Festival – 4 Easy Steps
Step 1: Choose Your Transport
The most convenient way from central Busan is the Donghae Line commuter rail to Gijang Station, followed by the free weekend shuttle bus.
Driving is possible, but parking is extremely limited and congested — public transport is strongly recommended!
Step 2: Take the Free Weekend Shuttle
On weekends (April 25–26), board the free shuttle bus from Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
It runs to the Muyang Village Roundabout right near the festival grounds — fast, easy, and totally free!
Step 3: Head to the Free Anchovy Tasting First!
Free anchovy sashimi (멸치회 / myeolchi-hoe — thinly sliced fresh raw anchovy) is offered daily throughout the festival, but quantities are limited.
Make the tasting booth your very first stop upon arrival for the freshest and most generous portions!
Step 4: Plan Around the Activities & Concerts
Bare-hand fish catching and fishing boat rides may operate in sessions with limited spots.
Check the official festival website for exact activity times and build your schedule around them!
Daebyon Harbor Guide →
💡 Trip.com offers great deals on KTX tickets from Seoul to Busan — book your round trip in advance and arrive in Busan in just 2.5 hours!
Seoul → Busan by KTX takes about 2.5 hours, then switch to the Donghae Line for Gijang. Book your round-trip ticket on Trip.com for the best fares!4. Where to Eat & Stay Near Daebyon Harbor – Top 3 Picks
Daebyon Harbor Sashimi Restaurant Row
The streets surrounding Daebyon Harbor are lined with fresh seafood restaurants serving myeolchi-hoe (raw anchovy sashimi) and live fish platters at the peak of their springtime freshness.
Beyond the free festival tasting, dining at a proper local restaurant is the ultimate Gijang seafood experience!
Gijang Arte Museum & Gijang Seafood Market
Gijang is also home to the Arte Museum Busan (an immersive digital art experience) and the Gijang Specialized Seafood Market — perfect additions to your itinerary around the festival.
Combine the festival with nearby attractions for a fulfilling Busan 1-night 2-day trip!
Haeundae & Gijang Accommodation Tips
Haeundae Beach is just about 20 minutes from Gijang by car — making it the perfect base for your festival visit.
Search Agoda or Airbnb for ocean-view pensions in Gijang or beachfront hotels in Haeundae for the best spring rates!
5. 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival – Daily Concert Lineup
Each day has a different artist lineup — pick the day that suits you best!
| Date | Artists | Special Events |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 24 | Jeong Seo-ju, Cheon Rok-dam | Opening ceremony + Free anchovy tasting begins |
| Saturday, April 25 | Son Bin-a, Chae Yoon, Choi Ji-ye | Gijang Anchovy Song Contest – Preliminary Round |
| Sunday, April 26 | Mr. Pang, Kim Su-hee, Jang Ha-on | Song Contest Finals + Taegun Singing Contest (MC: Na Tae-joo & Park Gun) |
| All 3 Days | Free anchovy sashimi tasting daily | Bare-hand fish catching · Fishing boat rides · Sea fireworks |
| MC Hosts | Na Tae-joo & Park Gun (April 26) | 30th Anniversary Special Stage |
6. Top 5 Pro Tips for the Gijang Anchovy Festival
Use the Free Shuttle Bus!
On weekends (April 25–26), a free shuttle runs from Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 (Donghae Line) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Parking near the harbor is extremely limited — the shuttle combo is far easier than driving!
Free Anchovy Tasting = Go Early!
The free myeolchi-hoe (raw anchovy sashimi) tasting runs daily, but fresh anchovy is served in limited quantities.
Head to the tasting booth as soon as you arrive for the best and most generous servings!
Claim Your Fireworks Spot Early
The sea fireworks show is best viewed from the open area in front of the main Daebyon Harbor stage.
Grab your spot at least an hour before showtime for a front-row view of the harbor sky!
April 26 is the Ultimate Day
The Taegun Singing Contest with Na Tae-joo and Park Gun happens on Sunday, April 26 — after the Song Contest finals.
If you can only visit one day, make it April 26 for the biggest energy and the most unforgettable atmosphere!
Don't Miss the Surprise Seafood Auction
A surprise live seafood auction takes place during the festival, where you can bid on the freshest Gijang seafood at jaw-droppingly low prices.
Check the official website or ask at the venue for the exact auction schedule!
Full Festival Guide →
💡 Airbnb and Agoda have charming ocean-view pensions in Gijang and beachfront hotels in Haeundae — book now for the best spring prices!
Ocean-view pensions near Daebyon Harbor sell out fast in spring! Search Airbnb or Agoda now and lock in your Busan base for the festival weekend!Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why is the Gijang Anchovy Festival considered Korea's best seafood festival?
A. With 30 years of history, the Gijang Anchovy Festival is rooted in Daebyon Harbor — the epicenter of Korea's spring anchovy harvest. Visitors get to taste ultra-fresh anchovy sashimi (myeolchi-hoe) caught the same day, participate in bare-hand fish catching, watch a sea fireworks show, and enjoy live concerts. The combination of authenticity, scale, and variety makes it unbeatable among Korean seafood festivals.
Q2. How do I use the free shuttle bus to the Gijang Anchovy Festival?
A. On weekends (April 25–26), a free shuttle bus runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, departing from Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 (Donghae Line) to the Muyang Village Roundabout near the festival grounds. Take the Donghae Line commuter rail to Gijang Station, then board the shuttle for a smooth, hassle-free ride straight to the harbor.
Q3. When does Na Tae-joo appear at the Gijang Anchovy Festival 2026?
A. Na Tae-joo performs as MC on Sunday, April 26, co-hosting the "Taegun Singing Contest" with Park Gun — which takes place right after the Gijang Anchovy Song Contest finals. Son Bin-a performs on the concert stage on Saturday, April 25.
Q4. When and where is the 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival?
A. The 2026 Gijang Anchovy Festival (30th edition) runs from Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26 at Daebyon Harbor in Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan. Admission is completely FREE all three days, with fresh anchovy sashimi tastings, bare-hand fish catching, sea fireworks, and live K-pop concerts every day.
More to Explore
Planning your Busan trip? Check Agoda and Booking.com for spring deals on Busan & Gijang hotels!
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