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Festival Shiwol - Busan’s Ultimate Celebration of Art, Culture, and Fun

Written by Majid

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The autumn season has begun, and that means the beautiful city of Busan is all set to welcome locals and foreigners to the most exciting festival of the year - Festival Shiwol. People often say that ‘Busan is Good’ and this festival proves it, and that’s why there was no way I could miss it. I had the privilege and honor of seeing the city transform into a serene playground of vibrancy mixed with culture and immense creativity.

The popular autumn festival will run from September 21st to October 3rd, and it was amazing to see all of Busan’s most coveted exhibitions and convention projects unite under one platform. As a whole, I got the chance to dive into an enchanting Busan experience while networking with leading professionals in the industry. This is the festival’s second year running, and it certainly went beyond my expectations of putting Busan out there as a cultural hub.

This year, Festival Shiwol expanded to include up to 26 fun-filled festivals that spread across 10 different sectors. I saw some breathtaking exhibits related to art, architecture, music, technology, food, culture, film, business, and more. Every program expanded across Busan brought an aura of celebration throughout the whole coastal city.

Even though every program and event of Festival Shiwol can’t be missed, I’ve picked 4 of my absolute favorites this year. So buckle up and fasten your seat belt (if you have one), and let me take you on a little journey through Festival Shiwol.

Busan International Architecture Festival

The Busan International Architecture Festival was a treat for the senses, especially for someone like me who adores seeing dream design projects come to life. This was the biggest architectural event to take place in Busan. As I made my way into the grand BEXCO, it was inspiring to see how many fun-filled activities I could participate in. This included design workshops to enhance skills and even a design competition to showcase talent. But that was just the start.

I was introduced to the work of some of the city’s finest architects. Their physical models stood beautifully on table tops while their dream visions were laid out. This gave me a sense of how much creativity and talent the people of Busan hold, including the determination to put the city on the global map of leaders in this field.

Other than physical models, I went through architectural displays in the form of pictures, sketches, and intricately detailed architectural plans. It was brilliant to see the addition of interactive installations that really gave a sense of what the final product would look like. Then came the chance to witness immersive virtual environments. There were even some grand projects where I could actually touch or stand inside the real buildings.

I was educated about various forms of architecture, and that fostered discussions about the impact these can have on Korean culture, society, and daily life. It was also interesting to see an emphasis on contemporary issues that we’re facing in today’s world, like sustainability and the development of urban areas. I was intrigued by the unique modern styles in use today as well as the creative solutions offered to overcome architectural challenges. The fact that I could personally engage with the unique architectural concepts really created that special immersive charm.

Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge: Local craft beer brands all in one place

As I made my way to the BEXCO outdoor plaza for another highlight from the Shiwol Festival, I was treated to the Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge. The event that expanded five days featured the city’s best local produce for beer. While I don’t personally drink, it was still wonderful to see how competitive the industry is in terms of local produce for this popular beverage.

Businesses really went the extra mile to compete against one another and enhance sales channels, especially those working on a small scale. Beer has slowly become a popular drink in Korea, especially during celebratory events. And this event celebrates just that.

Since its launch in 2018, each year is known for having a certain theme, and this time around, it was related to the Festival of October. This means you don’t only enjoy beer but also a great mix of food and vast cultural experiences.

As I walked into the main event, I was excited to see how lively the exhibition was. After the opening ceremony, there was a craft beer evaluation contest that took place. This showcased the talent of businesses that have made a mark in the food and drink industry. Other than that, I witnessed a pop-up beer zone which featured up to ten different breweries.

I was enchanted by how they were giving citizens the chance to participate as a judge for the competition. This meant they not only could sample but also vote for the beer that they felt was the best to help ensure a deserving brand wins the top prize of being a noteworthy craft brew. Depending on the opinions of the public and expert judge evaluations, a winner was selected.

As I strolled across the venue, I saw some exciting side programs taking place where small businesses put up stands to display their unique offerings. There were some scrumptious desserts, fun quiz competitions related to beer, and even workshops to help you design a great beer label. I stopped by some lifestyle activity challenges to try my luck, and while I may not have won, it felt great to participate.

2025 K-Drone to World Festival: a night sky filled with creative drone performances

South Korea’s advanced drone tech is second to none, and I personally got the honor of witnessing that live during the Shiwol Festival this year. Held at the North Port Waterfront Park, the K-Drone to World Festival lit up the sky with the most incredible drone performances. I would best describe this as an event packed with fun, excitement, and a complete thrill for the senses.

The mesmerizing LED-equipped drones gave rise to some of the most unique and dynamic patterns in the sky, including some unforgettable animations. The festival’s highlight for me had to be the stellar and dazzling fireworks drone spectacle. Words fail me to describe the experience of the night sky lighting up in that manner.

This year’s event theme was Journey Toward Hope. As I looked around, the crowds were just as speechless as me to witness something of this magnitude and greatness live. It’s safe to say that this was a breath of fresh air to see a peaceful and more eco-friendly variant to the classic fireworks display.

As I sit down to write this article and look back on my time at the Festival Shiwol, I can truly say it was one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve had in Korea. From the vibrant performances to the diverse cultural events, and the way the entire city happened to come alive, every moment carried something special. What impressed me the most was how beautifully the festival captured the essence of autumn. It felt like the perfect way to welcome the season.

Creativity shining at the Emerging Artists Art Show, imagination taking shape at the Busan International Architecture Festival, celebration everywhere at the Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge, and reflection in the skies with the K-Drone to World Festival, every festival was simply superb and I loved every second of it. For me, it stands as the best autumn festival I’ve ever attended.

Above all, more than just an event, it gave me lasting memories and a deep sense of connection to the city of Busan. So yes, Festival Shiwol made me realize why people love saying “Busan is good.”