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▶ Dates: July 18 (Fri) – July 27 (Sun), 2025
▶ Venue: Daecheon Beach, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do
▶ Highlights: Mud wrestling, Mud DJ party, Mud beauty spa, Night fireworks
▶ Official Website: View here
Held every July at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, the Boryeong Mud Festival is South Korea’s most iconic summer event—famous for its massive mud pits, energetic crowd, and endless list of playful activities. Originally started in 1998 as a promotional campaign for the region’s high-mineral mud cosmetics, the festival has since exploded into a global phenomenon. Thousands of locals, expats, and international travelers flock to Boryeong to immerse themselves—literally—in mud. What sets this festival apart is its unique mix of health, culture, and pure fun. Rich in germanium and bentonite, Boryeong’s mud is believed to have skin-purifying properties, but don’t expect a spa atmosphere: this is a place for wrestling, racing, and letting go. If you're looking for a festival that’s hands-on, messy, and unforgettable, this is it.
Mud Zones & Signature Events: Get Dirty or Go Home
The heart of the Boryeong Mud Festival is its vast Mud Zone—a sectioned-off area along Daecheon Beach filled with thick, cool, mineral-rich mud. Here, visitors of all ages dive into mud wrestling pits, slip down inflatable mud slides, join tug-of-war games, or run in the legendary Mud Marathon obstacle course. There are designated areas for families, children, and adults, including the infamous “Mud Prison,” where you get dunked in gray goo for fun. Foam parties, DJ sets, and live K-pop performances light up the evenings, blending the thrill of a music festival with the freedom of a beach holiday. Health-conscious visitors can head to the Mud Beauty Zone, where facial masks and foot baths are offered using the same therapeutic Boryeong mud. The mud wrestling matches are a crowd favorite, especially among tourists looking for a hilarious way to bond with strangers. According to the [official tourism site](https://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/kfes/detail/fstvlDetail.do?cmsCntntsId=506534&Flag=Y), the festival draws over 1.5 million visitors annually, and continues to expand with water-based stages and international artist lineups. The entire event is Instagram gold—expect flying mud, loud laughter, and unforgettable selfies.
Festival Vibe & Travel Experience: Mud, Music & Community
More than a mud party, the Boryeong Mud Festival is a full-on cultural experience that brings people from all corners of the world together in a unique celebration of summer freedom. With Daecheon Beach’s scenic coastline, clean waters, and wide sandy stretches, the festival feels more like a beach vacation mixed with a giant color run—only with mud. Festival-goers typically wear throwaway clothes or swimsuits, and the entire city of Boryeong joins in the festivities, offering food stalls, souvenirs, beach bars, and accommodation options that range from campsites to boutique hotels. Many visitors book “mud lodging packages” in advance that include activity tickets and local seafood meals. Evening programs include fireworks shows, EDM beach raves, and parades. The local community is incredibly welcoming, and free showers, lockers, and changing stations are well provided. International info booths, English-speaking volunteers, and mobile apps enhance the experience for non-Korean speakers. Whether you’re in it for the mud spa benefits, the high-energy vibe, or just a wildly different cultural event, the Boryeong Mud Festival delivers raw fun with a warm Korean heart.
Summary & Local Tips
The Boryeong Mud Festival is Korea’s wildest and dirtiest (in a good way!) summer bash, blending wellness, community, and chaos into a perfect beach celebration. Usually held over 10 days in mid-July, it’s best to plan early, especially for accommodations near Daecheon Beach. Getting there is easy via KTX to Daecheon Station, followed by a short local shuttle. Bring waterproof bags, quick-dry clothes, and backup phone protection—you will get soaked. Most events are free or low-cost, and combo passes are available online. Whether you're looking to detox your skin or your spirit, the answer lies in the mud.