Festival Guide
From Ferry Point to Festival: History of Gupo Naru Highlights: Performances, Traditions & Fireworks Visitor Info and Autumn Travel Tips📍 Venue: Nakdong River Riverside Park, Gupo-dong, Buk-gu, Busan
🎆 Main Features: Traditional markets, folk performances, family activities, river lanterns, grand fireworks show
From Ferry Point to Festival: History of Gupo Naru
The **Gupo Naru Festival** takes place along the historic **Nakdong River**, where Gupo once served as one of Korea’s most important ferry ports. The word “naru” means ferry crossing, and Gupo Naru was a bustling trading and cultural hub, connecting Busan’s inland villages to the sea and beyond. Today, the festival brings that legacy back to life—reviving the sights, sounds, and spirit of a traditional river marketplace. It celebrates both **Busan’s folk heritage** and the beauty of riverside life with **music, food, crafts, and lights.** The setting is as picturesque as it is symbolic. Under autumn skies, the Nakdong River glistens with reflection, children play on grassy banks, and traditional music fills the air. This combination of **nature, culture, and community** is what defines the Gupo Naru Festival. Since its establishment in the early 2000s, the event has grown into a beloved fall tradition, especially known for its **family-friendly programming** and **spectacular evening fireworks**. It’s the kind of festival where generations gather—grandparents to grandchildren—to share food, games, and memories by the water.
Highlights: Performances, Traditions & Fireworks
Whether you're seeking nostalgic folk fun or a riverside celebration, the Gupo Naru Festival offers something for everyone. Here are the key attractions for 2025:
1. Gupo Folk Market:
A recreation of the old ferry-day market with stalls selling handmade goods, regional snacks, herbal teas, ceramics, and vintage toys. Live sellers dressed in traditional hanbok welcome visitors in the old merchant style.
2. Traditional Performance Stage:
Daily performances include pungmulnori (farmer’s drumming), tightrope walking, lion dance, and Busan’s regional dance forms. Cultural storytelling acts and puppet shows make this area popular with families.
3. Hands-On Activity Zone:
Try your hand at rice cake pounding, lotus lantern making, straw shoe weaving, or printing woodblock patterns. Kids can enjoy old Korean games like yutnori, tuho (arrow toss), and top spinning.
4. River Lantern Ceremony:
As the sun sets, guests are invited to float small candle-lit lanterns along the Nakdong River—each representing a wish or a remembrance. This peaceful moment is followed by music and reflection.
5. Nighttime Fireworks Show:
The biggest draw of the festival is the **family-friendly fireworks display** over the river. Starting around 8:00 PM, the show combines traditional Korean music with modern pyrotechnics, lighting up the sky and water in spectacular harmony. 6. Folk Costume Photo Booths:
Dress up in Joseon-era outfits or ferry-merchant clothes and snap a photo by the riverbanks. Props and accessories are provided for free. The festival is open and spacious, with grassy fields, bike paths, and shaded resting zones. Announcements and guides are available in Korean, with multilingual assistance at major information points.
Visitor Info and Autumn Travel Tips
Attending the Gupo Naru Festival is a relaxed, scenic, and culturally rich experience. Here’s how to get the most out of your visit:
🚇 How to Get There:
Take Busan Metro Line 3 to **Gupo Station**, then walk 10 minutes to the riverside. Shuttle buses may also run from major parking zones during the festival.
🏨 Where to Stay:
Stay in nearby **Buk-gu**, or explore accommodations near **Oncheoncheon** or **Centum City** if you prefer seaside access. Guesthouses along the river offer quiet views and easy access.
🎟 Admission:
Entry is free. Hands-on programs and market purchases may incur small charges (₩2,000–₩10,000). Fireworks show viewing is free and open to all.
🍂 What to Wear:
October evenings by the river can get chilly. Bring a windbreaker, picnic mat, and flashlight if you plan to stay past dark. 🛍 Souvenirs to Grab:
Traditional snacks, handmade fans, wooden toys, and pressed flower bookmarks are popular take-home items. Local students and elders often run the booths.
📱 Festival App:
Download the **“Gupo Festival Guide”** (available closer to event date) for program schedules, map navigation, and activity bookings. Whether you’re visiting as a family, a couple, or a solo traveler, the Gupo Naru Festival offers a nostalgic, heartwarming, and truly Korean autumn memory—capped off by one of the city’s most beautiful riverside fireworks shows.