Haeundae Light Festival

About the festival

Haeundae-gu, led by Mayor Kim Seong-su, holds the 13th Haeundae Light Festival from the lighting ceremony on November 28 through January 10 of the following year. This year’s theme, “Deep Dive Haeundae,” presents a journey of light that grows brighter as it descends from the surface into the deep sea. Colorful light installations and media art themed around the sea, sailing and the ocean depths will stretch from Haeundae Square (Gunam-ro) to the sandy beach, offering visitors an immersive experience of underwater exploration. During the festival, Haeundae Square becomes the setting for a dynamic voyage toward the deep sea. A “Cruise Gate” marking the ship’s departure and a 30-meter light tunnel welcome visitors. Wave-inspired photo zones and light installations recalling a cruise-ship party lead to a large diver sculpture whose LED panel will show ocean-exploration media art. The Christmas trees illuminating Haeundae Square will also receive a special treatment. A forest of 11 Christmas trees, the tallest reaching 6 meters, creates a fairy-tale winter landscape. At Christmas, a snow machine adds the romance of a snowy white Christmas. The deep-sea exploration begins in earnest on the beach. A 12-meter-long ship sculpture, the festival’s landmark, stands at the center of the beach. Surrounding it, marine creatures, a giant whale, submarine sculptures and a sea-turtle arch depict the world beneath the waves. At the end of the journey, visitors encounter a large glowing pearl-oyster sculpture and a golden treasure chest. The exploration that began at the surface culminates in a forest of deep-sea jewels. This year’s festival expands participatory activities that visitors help bring to life rather than simply view. Interactive lighting throughout the site changes color in response to visitors’ touch, allowing everyone to move and transform the light. A lighthouse sculpture at the end of the beach features a Wish Message Zone for New Year wishes and a photo zone celebrating 2027. On weekends during the festival, visitors can create winter memories through activities such as making glow-in-the-dark ocean bracelets and aquarium-lamp mood lights.