Seoul International Fireworks Festival facts for kids
The Seoul International Fireworks Festival (Hangul: 서울세계불꽃축제) is a super exciting event in Seoul, South Korea! It's where amazing fireworks light up the sky over the Hangang River. The Hanwha company organizes this big show.
Every year, different countries join in to show off their best fireworks. For example, in 2013, teams from Canada, Japan, France, and South Korea all participated. The festival first started in the year 2000. It usually happens in the evening during October at Hangang Park. Sometimes, the festival was cancelled, like in 2001, 2006, and 2009. After the fireworks, there's often a special photo exhibition. You can see amazing pictures from a fireworks contest at the 63 Building's observatory.
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About the Festival
This festival is one of the most famous events in Korea. Each year, about 100,000 fireworks explode in the sky! More than a million people come to watch the show. It's a huge gathering!
The main viewing area is at Yeouido, where about 20,000 people gather. Many more people, around 100,000, watch from nearby spots. These include areas near Wonhyo Bridge, Hangang Bridge, and Hangang Park Ichon Area. In total, about 120,000 visitors enjoy the festival together.
Best Places to Watch
Main Event Area
The best place to experience the festival is right in front of the 63 Building. This is the main event hall. Here, you can enjoy the fireworks along with special music. But be ready, it gets extremely crowded!
Other Great Spots
- Hangang Park Ichon Area: This spot is on the north side of the Hangang River. It offers a fantastic view.
- Nodeul Island: Located in the middle of the Hangang Bridge, this island also provides a great view.
At these other spots, you won't hear the music from the main event. They are perfect if you want to take amazing pictures or avoid the biggest crowds. If you prefer a less crowded experience, or are with family, you might be able to get official tickets from Hanwha for special viewing areas.
Getting There
Subway Stations
The closest subway station to the main event is Yeouinaru Station on Line 5. However, this station gets incredibly busy! It's often better to get off at other stations and walk a bit.
- For the main event:
* Line 5 Yeouido Station * Line 9 Saetgang Station * Line 1 Daebang Station
- For Hangang Park Ichon Area:
* Line 1 Yongsan Station * Line 4 Sinyongsan Station * Ichon Station
Many people choose to watch from the Hangang Park Ichon Area. This is across the river from the main event. The festival areas start getting crowded about three hours before the show begins. So, it's a good idea to arrive early to find the best spot!
See also
- Busan International Fireworks Festival - Asia's biggest fireworks festival
- List of festivals in South Korea
- List of festivals in Asia
