About this festival
The Haeundae Sand Festival is one of the few events worldwide where professional sand sculptors are given the scale of a major beach to work with, and the results are consistently impressive. The four-day festival (May 15 to 18 in 2026) features an international roster of sculptors whose completed works remain on display until June 14, giving visitors weeks after the opening events to see the art without the crowds. The 2026 theme traces Busan's history from Joseon-era diplomatic missions through the Korean War era and into modern BIFF and baseball culture. Free entry throughout.
Getting there
Take Busan Metro Line 2 to Haeundae Station (about 50 minutes from Busan KTX Station) and walk 10 minutes to the beach. Multiple buses connect Haeundae to central Busan. From central Busan, taxis to Haeundae take about 20 minutes outside peak hours.
Tips
The sculptures are on the open beach and free to view at any hour, though evening lighting makes them particularly photogenic. May in Busan is warm and sunny. Haeundae Beach has good English signage and is one of the most internationally accessible neighbourhoods in Busan. The Dongbaek Island park adjacent to the beach is worth a loop before or after the sculptures.
Dates by year
- confirmed
2026
May 15 – 18, 2026
Source: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Last verified 2026-05-09.