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Dongrae Eupseong History Festival

동래읍성역사축제

A three-day October festival at Dongrae Eupseong Fortress in Busan, commemorating the first battle of the 1592 Imjin War with historical reenactments, a traditional tug-of-war, tightrope walking, and a magistrate inauguration street parade.

October 16 – 18, 2026Busan, Busan

About this festival

In April 1592, Japanese forces launched the invasion that became the seven-year Imjin War, and Dongrae Fortress was among the first and most fiercely contested battles. The festival stages a large-scale reenactment of the battle and siege, with hundreds of participants in period armour, alongside the Dongrae Three-Strand Tug-of-War and open-air tightrope performances. Newly designated to the MCST 2026-2027 list, it takes place in the second week of October within a well-preserved fortress area of central Busan.

Getting there

Take Busan Metro Line 4 to Dongnae Station, then walk 10 minutes to the fortress area. From Busan KTX Station, take Metro Line 1 to Beomnaegol Station, transfer to Line 4 to Dongnae, total about 35 minutes.

Tips

The reenactment is visually spectacular and comprehensible even without Korean language. Dongrae district has good local restaurants and a well-preserved hot spring area nearby. Exact 2026 dates follow the second-week-of-October pattern; check Visit Busan for the confirmed schedule.

Dates by year

  • 2026

    October 16 – 18, 2026

    confirmed

Source: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Last verified 2026-05-09.