“Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival”: In Buyeo County in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, a lotus festival will be held from July 21-24. The festival celebrates beautiful lotus flowers and highlights the importance of preserving wild flowers. Programs include some events related to lotus flowers, making paper lotus flowers and making lotus flower soap. Other tourist destinations are located nearby the festival area, including several Baekje (B.C. 18-A.D.660) cultural historic sites such as the Baekje Wangneungwon (royal mausoleum), Nakhwaam, and the Baekje Historical Museum. For details, call (041) 830-2921.

“Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival”: PiFan in Bucheon, an extravaganza of visual culture that encompasses movies, cartoons and games, will take place from July 14-24. As one of the most dynamic film festivals in the nation, PiFan has garnered support from moviegoers both at home and abroad. Movies of genres including horror, mystery, thriller and science fiction as well as discussions of film directors on controversial topics will be featured. The event will be at Bucheon Citizens’ Hall, City Hall and Bucheon CGV. For more information, call (032) 345-6313.

“Busan Sea Festival”: The Busan Sea Festival will be held from Aug. 1-9 at locations including Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Song-do Beach and Songjeong Beach, as well as at various places in the city of Busan. It is Korea’s largest sea festival, and is a liaison of Busan International Rock Festival, Busan International Beach Dance Festival, Korean Sea Literature Festival, Busan Beach Game Festival and more. All participating beaches offer windsurfing and beach volleyball tournaments, pin-swimming tournament, and a lot more water sports events. Visitors can also take advantage of free lessons offered in ocean rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving and banana boat rides. For more information, call (051) 888-3395 or visit seafestival.co.kr.

“Gangjin Celadon Festival”: Gangjin Celadon Festival will be held from July 30 to Aug. 7 at the Goryeo Celadon Porcelain Kiln in Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province. From the 10th to the 14th century, Gangjin was a flourishing celadon production site. Today, 16 kilns remain active and during the Gangjin Celadon Cultural festival, you can see how celadon is baked and even make your own pottery. Near the venue, there are natural wild flower fields, which make for a great photo spot. Celadon experience programs include shaping celadon and coiling, standing spinning wheel experience. Other event programs include balsam nail polishing and clam digging. Admission fee is 7,000 won. For more information, call (061) 430-3191.

“Boryeong Mud Festival”: The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of the largest festivals in Korea, attracting a large number of international visitors. This year, it will take place from July 16 to July 24 at Daecheon Beach area in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. Immersed in both the mud and the festival’s great atmosphere, visitors can try mud wrestling, mud sliding and even swimming in the mud mega tub. In the evening, music and fireworks will spice up the party atmosphere the beach. Other programs include local specialties exhibition and sale and a yacht parade. For more information, visit www.mudfestival.or.kr or call (041) 930-3820.