A Winter Night Spectacle of Light Over the Sea, Walk the Haeundae Light Festival With Me
Introduction
As late autumn passes and winter draws near, lights begin to flicker on one by one over the night sea of Haeundae. When the warm illuminations and media art that fill Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro spread through the cold air, a quiet thrill naturally seeps into each step you take along the shore. Picture in advance the waves of starlight that will soon unfold, and come walk Haeundae’s winter nights this year together.
A Winter Night Spectacle of Light Over the Sea, Walk the Haeundae Light Festival With Me
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Where to Stay
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event Name : Haeundae Light Festival
- Dates : 2025-11-29 ~ 2026-01-18
- Hours : 18:00 ~ 23:00
- Location : Haeundae Beach, 280 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Jung-dong)
- Admission : Free
- Theme : STELLAR HAEUNDAE: Waves of Stars Roll In
- Host : Haeundae-gu Office, Busan
- Inquiries : 051-749-4062
- 18:00 Arrive at Haeundae Beach and stroll around the illuminated art installations on the sand to soak in the atmosphere just after the lights come on.
- 18:30 Move to Haeundae Square, enjoy hands-on programs such as sand art and line art, and take photos at Starlight Plaza.
- 19:30 Walk along the Haeundae Universe Zone set up on the beach, taking in the night view alongside sculptures of planets, stars, and spaceships.
- 20:30 Pass through the Starlight Gate on Gunam-ro and the Stellar Wave Zone, taking your time to shoot photos at various photo spots along the street.
- 21:30 Stroll around Haeundae Market and Oncheon-gil, warming up with a light late-night snack or a hot drink.
- 22:30 Head back down to the beach, enjoy one last look at the waves of starlight accompanied by the sound of the surf, then get ready to head home.
Arrive around 6 p.m. to fully enjoy the moment the lights are switched on.
The Haeundae Light Festival is one of Busan’s signature winter festivals, held around Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro. In 2025 it returns with the theme “STELLAR HAEUNDAE: Waves of Stars Roll In.” Illuminated sculptures and media art set against the backdrop of the sea, along with a variety of interactive programs and events, offer plenty to see and do for both visitors and locals.
Thanks to the nighttime lighting that stretches along the starlit beach and the dazzling street displays on Gunam-ro, it’s a perfect place for a stroll where you can feel warmth even in the cold winter air. As the festival connects Haeundae Beach’s sandy shore with Haeundae Market, Oncheon-gil, and other nearby commercial areas, it’s considered a prime seasonal destination where you can experience the sea, the city, and the lights all at once.
Program Information
At the entrance to Gunam-ro, the Starlight Gate and the “Stellar Wave Zone,” which represents waves of light flowing toward the sea, create a scene where starlight seems to stream along Haeundae’s night streets. The path leading to the beach itself becomes one long photo spot, ideal for enjoying a walk and taking pictures at the same time.
In the center of Gunam-ro, a 4-meter-tall 3D star sculpture will serve as a photo zone. Under this enormous star, couples, families, and friends can take pictures together, making it a space sure to be loved as an iconic backdrop of the festival.
At Haeundae Square on Haeundae Beach, “Starlight Plaza” runs every day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering sand art, line art, photo booths, pedal-powered bikes and more. You can create light yourself and leave behind your own works, immersing yourself even more deeply in the festival atmosphere.
During the Christmas season, a “Four-Cut Photo” program is offered at Starlight Plaza with free prop rentals. With seasonal props full of holiday spirit, it’s a great time to capture photos and record your year-end memories.
On the beach, a 10-meter-tall Earth-shaped media art installation and the approximately 180-meter-long “Haeundae Universe Zone” will be created. Milky Way lights together with illuminated sculptures of planets, stars, and spaceships make it feel as though you’re taking a walk through the universe above the night sea.
Throughout the festival period, various light installations and media art pieces will be set up along Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro, lit from 18:00 to 23:00. As you walk following the light displays interwoven with the sound of the waves, you may feel as though you’ve stepped away from daily life into another world for a while.
Interactive programs and events that let you create light, capture memories in photos, and enjoy the space as a whole will run throughout the festival. They are designed so that both visitors and local residents can participate and spend their winter nights a little warmer.
On the day of the lighting ceremony and in the early days after opening, you can take in the main programs at a more relaxed pace. If you aim for the time right after the lights turn on, you can fully enjoy the scene of the sky darkening as the lights come to life.
If you check key photo spots in advance—such as the Starlight Gate, 3D star sculpture, and Haeundae Universe Zone—it’s easier to plan your route. Visit your must-see photo zones earlier, before the crowds build up, to shoot more comfortably.
Visitor numbers tend to peak on weekend evenings and during the Christmas season, so if possible, opt for a weekday evening or the time right after the lights are switched on. Visiting during quieter hours shortens waiting times for activities and makes taking photos easier.
Visit on a weekday evening or just after the lights turn on to avoid the crowds and look around at a relaxed pace.
During the Christmas season, waits can be long, so it helps to set priorities for experiences and photo spots.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
The festival hasn’t started yet, so anticipation is running high. As today is November 21, 2025, the Haeundae Light Festival is just around the corner. Since it runs from November 29 to January 18 of next year, thinking that light and sound will soon fill the night sea of Haeundae at winter’s doorstep makes my heart flutter. With the festival about to open, I can almost see the lights sparkling as they cut through the clear, cold air, like puffs of breath in front of me.
This year’s theme is “Stellar Haeundae,” centered on a production where starlight spreads like waves surging into Haeundae’s night sea. Around Gunam-ro and Haeundae Beach, spaces like the Starlight Gate and “Stellar Wave Zone” will be set up, and on the sandy beach, a massive star sculpture and Milky Way lights will create the feeling of walking through outer space. Imagining the moment the lights come on, when soft glows shine into the corners of your heart along with the sound of the waves, makes this time of waiting for the festival feel incredibly delightful.
I’m also looking forward to the spaces where different experiences and moods intersect. At Haeundae Square there will be sand art, line art, and photo booths, plus an interactive program where you generate electricity on a bike to create light yourself. It sounds like a fun way to move your body and forget the cold. Imagining a Christmas tree installation casting warm light under the frigid night sky, and hearing bursts of laughter and camera shutters at every photo zone, it feels as if the unique warmth of this season will come through even in the sea breeze.
I think the cold weather will actually pair well with the lights and make the festival stage stand out even more clearly. Keeping the forecast and the sea breeze in mind, I plan to bring a scarf and gloves, and if possible visit on a weekday evening or around the opening days of November 29–30, when there may be fewer people and it will be easier to enjoy the festival at leisure. While imagining the spectacle of light and night that I’ll soon encounter, I’m going to wait for this time with warm clothes and a light heart.
Where to Stay
As the Haeundae Light Festival takes place around Haeundae Beach, it’s most convenient to choose hotels and residences along the seafront. Many accommodations are within a 5–10 minute walk, so you can enjoy the festival until late and still stroll back without any hassle.
287 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Jung-dong)
Right by Haeundae Beach · Great for seaside walks
Very close to the festival site, making it easy to enjoy the night view until late and head back at your own pace.
Distance: 0.1 km
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271 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Jung-dong)
Beach-view residence · Korea Quality-certified
A great choice for enjoying Haeundae’s nightscape and the festival lights right from your room.
Distance: 0.1 km
12 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 237beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (U-dong)
Excellent beach access · Ideal for families
Close to Haeundae Beach, making it a good base for families to enjoy both the festival and a beach outing.
Distance: 0.4 km
11 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 237beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (U-dong)
Walking distance to the beach · Value-for-money choice
Within an easy walking distance of Haeundae Beach, ideal for short trips focused on the festival.
Distance: 0.5 km
31 Gunam-ro 12beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (U-dong)
Near Gunam-ro · Perfect for strolling the festival street
Close to Gunam-ro, so you can easily enjoy both the street illuminations and the beach.
Distance: 0.5 km
30 Songjeonggwangeogol-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Songjeong-dong)
Near Songjeong Beach · Linked to scenic drives
A good choice if you’d like to visit both Haeundae and Songjeong.
Distance: 3.8 km
17 Dongbusan-gwangwang 7-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
Near East Busan Tourism Complex · Great for scenic drives
Ideal for exploring Busan’s eastern coastline together with the Osiria Tourism Complex.
Distance: 5.6 km
20-11 Hwangnyeong-daero 7beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Beomcheon-dong)
Close to Seomyeon commercial district · Convenient for both downtown & Haeundae
Suited for those who want to stay downtown and take the subway to the Haeundae Light Festival.
Distance: 9.1 km
Choose accommodation within walking distance of Haeundae Station or Haeundae Beach to make public transport much easier.
Restaurants & Cafés
Around the festival area, beaches, Dalmaji-gil, and Gwangalli are lined with seafood spots, diverse dining options, and cafés. If you choose places that don’t take you far off your route before or after the festival, you can enjoy meals and tea time at your leisure even on cold winter nights.
52 Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Jung-dong)
Eel specialty · Dishes that pair with the sea
A hearty eel meal that goes well with the winter sea, perfect before heading to the festival.
Distance: 0.7 km
52 Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Jung-dong)
Mackerel specialty · Haeundae flagship
A good pick if you’d like to enjoy Busan-style fish dishes near Haeundae’s Dalmaji-gil.
Distance: 0.7 km
154 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (U-dong)
Dining near the beach · Meals with a night view
Close to Haeundae Beach, making it a good spot for dinner after taking in the festival lights.
Distance: 1.3 km
9-5 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 344beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan (Millak-dong)
Near Gwangan Bridge view · Unique dining
A route that suits those who want to enjoy the night views of both Haeundae and Gwangalli.
Distance: 2.8 km
143 Songjeongjungang-ro 6beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Songjeong-dong)
Songjeong café & lounge · Relaxed atmosphere
A nice place to drop by when you want to unwind in a quiet setting after the festival.
Distance: 3.7 km
145 Bunpo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (Yongho-dong, W)
Nam-gu coastal view · Desserts and tea time
A great place to leisurely enjoy desserts while taking in views of Busan’s southern sea.
Distance: 5.3 km
145 Bunpo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (Yongho-dong, W)
Seaside restaurant · Nam-gu ocean view
Ideal for those who’d like to dine with coastal scenery beyond Haeundae.
Distance: 5.3 km
13 Jungang-daero 1056beon-gil, Yeonje-gu, Busan (Yeonsan-dong)
Yeonje-gu café · Downtown retreat
A good café to relax between stops when you’re visiting both Haeundae and downtown.
Distance: 7.8 km
On weekend evenings, popular restaurants may have long waits, so we recommend eating a little earlier.
Nearby Attractions
If you also visit nearby observatories and cultural spaces along with the Haeundae Light Festival, your day’s itinerary becomes even richer. By planning your route around spots close to the beach, you can enjoy the sea and exhibitions during the day and the festival lights at night.
Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Views over Haeundae · Nightscape spot
Good for viewing both the sea and cityscape of Haeundae by day, and the festival lights woven into the scenery by night.
Distance: 1.8 km
120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan (U-dong)
Film-related resource space · Indoor cultural stop
An ideal place to spend a quiet time indoors on cold winter days while browsing film-related materials.
Distance: 3.4 km
64 Baegunpo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan (Yongho-dong)
Coastal trail & sports facilities · Family outing course
A good park for a light walk or outdoor activities during the day.
Distance: 7.8 km
40 Seojeon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Jeonpo-dong)
Near Jeonpo café street · Downtown stroll course
A stylish downtown spot to drop by when visiting Haeundae together with Seomyeon and Jeonpo.
Distance: 8.7 km
125 Beomil-ro, Dong-gu, Busan (Beomil-dong)
Urban culture & exhibition space
A great venue for combining exhibitions, shopping, and city views in a single day course.
Distance: 9.5 km
Beomjeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Urban night walking path · Light displays
A nice place to enjoy an urban light walk with a different mood from the Haeundae Light Festival.
Distance: 9.6 km
13 Sincheon-daero 162beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan (Bujeon-dong)
Hands-on math exhibits · Family outing course
A good indoor space to spend the daytime with children exploring science and mathematics.
Distance: 9.9 km
168 Jeungsan-ro, Dong-gu, Busan (Beomil-dong)
City observatory · Busan night view
An ideal vantage point for ending your day while taking in Busan’s city lights.
Distance: 10.0 km
If you’re planning to take photos, aim for the time just before or after sunset to capture both the sky and the lights together.
Getting There
Public Transport — Take Line 2 of the subway to Haeundae Station, then walk about 5–10 minutes to reach the festival area around Haeundae Beach. You can also use local and express buses that stop at Haeundae Beach Bus Stop, allowing convenient access from many parts of Busan.
By Car — You can use nearby public parking lots such as the Haeundae Beach public parking lot, but they frequently fill up and traffic congestion is common on weekends and during event hours. If possible, prioritize public transport, and if you do drive, allow plenty of extra time to arrive.
On weekends and during the year-end holiday season, traffic congestion around Haeundae can be heavy, so public transport is usually much smoother.
Closing
The Haeundae Light Festival is an event where you can feel waves of light along Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro with your whole body on winter nights. The warm glow of illuminations and media art spreading through the cold sea breeze, combined with the footsteps of people walking together, turns the tail end of the year into a special memory.
If you’d like to step away from everyday life at the threshold of winter and walk along the Haeundae night sea under a blanket of starlight, don’t miss this period. With warm clothes and a light heart, the winter nights of Haeundae—where light and sound come together—will gift you scenes that stay with you for a long time.
