The vibrant celebration of Korean culture continues its journey across the Philippines as the 2026 Korea Festival arrives in Baguio City on May 9–10, 2026, at SM City Baguio.

First launched in 2022, Korea Festival has become one of the flagship events of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, bringing together diverse aspects of Korean culture through interactive and educational experiences. Each year, the festival travels to different regions across the country, expanding its reach and engaging new audiences.

The festival has steadily grown in scale and impact. In 2024, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines, the event was held in both Manila and Cebu, drawing a combined crowd of approximately 67,000 visitors. In 2025, Korea Festival continued its regional tour in Cagayan de Oro, once again welcoming around 200,000 attendees.

This year, the festival is coming to Baguio City in the province of Benguet, Northern Luzon. Known as the “summer capital” of the Philippines, it is also recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts (2017), making it a fitting host for a cultural celebration that highlights creativity, tradition and community.

As part of this, the festival features an engaging ASEAN Corner that invites visitors to explore the richness and diversity of Southeast Asian cultures. Through interactive elements such as storybooks, traditional crafts like puppets and masks, and ASEAN-themed games, guests can discover the region in a fun and educational way.

Visitors to the 2026 Korea Festival can look forward to a wide range of activities and attractions. Popular highlights include the Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing)-wearing experience, where guests can try on Hanbok, as well as interactive arts and crafts booths that showcase both Korean and Filipino creativity. Food and tourism zones offer a taste of Korea’s rich culinary heritage and travel destinations, while stage programs feature games, performances and engaging activities for audiences of all ages.

Q — The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines hosts Korea Festival every year—what makes this year’s edition different?
The major change this year is the shift to an outdoor venue, which allows us to create a more dynamic and vibrant atmosphere, with a wider range of activities taking place across the festival grounds. Compared to last year, when we focused on the traditional aspects of Korean culture—such as maedeup (traditional knots) making, writing one’s name in Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and exploring folk tales—this year we are highlighting a more modern perspective. Some of the featured experiences include digital painting, character exhibition and Korean pop art painting.

Q — If there’s something that sets the KCC Philippines’ Korea Festival apart from similar events hosted by other cultural centers, what would it be?
One of the defining characteristics of the Korea Festival hosted by the KCC Philippines is the active participation of Korean agencies and companies. We position the festival as a platform where various Korean institutions can showcase different aspects of Korea—from tourism, content, products, technology, to beauty—allowing visitors to enjoy a one-stop Korean experience. At the same time, we make a conscious effort to incorporate Filipino culture into the festival through special performances and promotional booths. This ensures meaningful cultural exchange and emphasizes that the festival is not a one-way presentation, but a two-way celebration of our cultures.

Q — What kind of cultural experiences does the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines aim to offer?
Korean culture is widely loved not only in the Philippines but around the world. While K-pop and K-dramas have played a major role in its popularity, there is so much more to discover beyond these. The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines actively promotes a diverse range of cultural genres, including webtoons, literature and traditional arts, in the hope that enthusiasts can experience a broader spectrum of Korean culture. We warmly welcome anyone interested in Korea and its rich cultural heritage to visit our center.