From gourmet cuisine to movies, Festival Shiwol to bring energy and cultural innovation to Busan
As autumn descends upon Busan, the city is preparing for an explosion of creativity and culture with the upcoming Festival Shiwol. This festival promises a wide array of activities ranging from drone competitions and live music to film screenings, gastronomic experiences on a bridge, and even a cycling tour. Spanning from Sunday to October 3, Festival Shiwol acts as a cohesive platform for Busan’s various festivals and events, offering visitors an immersive experience while facilitating networking opportunities for industry professionals. In its second year now, the festival showcases Busan’s aspiration to establish itself as a global cultural center.
Organized by the city government, this year’s Festival Shiwol has significantly expanded to include 26 festivals spanning 10 sectors, including film, culture, music, technology, business, food, as well as the new additions of leisure, local, insight, and networking. Last year’s edition featured 17 festivals across six sectors, highlighting the festival’s growth. The duration of the festival has also been extended by five days, now spanning a total of 13 days, compared to the previous year. Unlike the inaugural edition, which was concentrated in Haeundae District, this year’s events will be spread throughout Busan, encompassing the entire city.
The festival’s opening on Sunday will introduce two new events on Gwangan Bridge, a popular Busan landmark. The “2025 Seven Bridges Tour” cycling event and the “Brunch on the Bridge” gourmet experience are set to enthrall participants. This year, the bridge will be accessible to the public, offering a unique opportunity for visitors. The cycling tour kicks off at 7 a.m., allowing participants from around the world to traverse Busan’s bridges on either a 77-kilometer or 33-kilometer course. Prior to the cycling event, a captivating 10-minute drone show parade will light up the skies above the Gwangan Bridge at 6:50 a.m. Food enthusiasts can indulge in the Brunch on the Bridge event at 10 a.m., featuring a special meal prepared by Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Le Dorer against the stunning backdrop of the bridge.
One of the festival’s exciting new additions is the Busan World Drone Festival, a two-day event and competition premiering at the North Port Waterfront Park. On the eve of the festival’s commencement, 2,000 drones will illuminate the night sky at 10 p.m., creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The main competition is scheduled for Sunday at 9 p.m., with teams from the United States, China, and Vietnam showcasing dazzling light performances using drones. This event will take place amidst the festival’s music concerts at the park venue.
Additionally, the Busan Jazz Festa will bring a charming picnic-style music experience to the same venue on Saturday and Sunday, featuring a lineup of talented artists. Tickets for the concerts are available for purchase on NOL InterPark, with options ranging from 99,000 won to 150,000 won. Pets are also welcome at the concert but will incur an additional 10,000 won charge. The Festival Shiwol also includes a myriad of other events such as the Busan International Film Festival, Busan International Rock Festival, Busan Craft Beer Master Challenge, and Busan Global Webtoon Festival.
For those interested in learning more about Festival Shiwol, detailed information can be found on the official website at https://shiwol.com.