Ulsan Whale Festival

About the festival

The 30th Ulsan Whale Festival is a representative cultural tourism festival of Ulsan, hosted by Nam-gu of Ulsan Metropolitan City and organized by the Whale Culture Foundation. It is set against the backdrop of Jangsaengpo, which was once the center of whaling and has transformed into an ecological city where whales and humans coexist. In celebration of the festival's 30th anniversary in 2026, it will be held under the theme 'Invitation of the Whale, 30th Birthday Party!' and the slogan 'Whales to Share'. This festival will take place over four days from October 15 (Thursday) to October 18 (Sunday), 2026, in the Goraemunhwateuk-gu area of Jangsaengpo. The main event spaces will include the main stage at the Whale Theater, Saeuma-Hall, Whale Experience Hall, Busking Zone, and a flea market zone exclusively for small businesses. For visitor convenience, a transfer-type welcome gate will be operated in the plaza area of Taehwagang Station. During the festival, various representative programs will be held, including opening and closing ceremonies, a special fireworks show, themed performances, a 300-person citizen choir, and a whale parade. Additionally, there will be diverse cultural experiences and competitions for all generations, such as the Whale Nation Kids Festa, Challenge! Whale Rider Challenge, Wish Whale Project, AR and interactive media experiences (Whale Dream AI Zone), Whale Family Dancing Star, and Family Song Contest. Furthermore, in addition to the 30th anniversary archive exhibition 'Time of the Whale', a food zone (Whale Feast), a whale flea market, and linked tourist facilities (Whale Sea Travel Ship, Whale Ecology Experience Center, Jangsaengpo Cultural Warehouse, etc.) will be operated to provide visitors with various sights and enjoyable activities.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization · TourAPI