Busan Jagalchi Festival 2026 Guide | Dates, Seafood & How to Get There
The 2026 Busan Jagalchi Festival (33rd edition) is held around late October at Jagalchi Market. Free entry, the Oiso-Boiso-Saiso program, must-eat seafood, subway directions, and where to stay near the market — sorted by a Busan local.
When autumn arrives, the sea smell hits first at one place in Busan — Jagalchi Market. Every October, Korea’s largest fish market turns into a festival of its own: the Busan Jagalchi Festival.
2026 marks the 33rd edition. The official dates aren’t out yet, but the festival has traditionally run over four days in late October (Thu–Sun) around Jagalchi Market. Here’s a local’s rundown of the program, the seafood you have to try, how to get there, and where to stay nearby.
Event basics
| Event | 33rd Busan Jagalchi Festival |
| When | Late October 2026 (expected) — typically Thu–Sun ※official dates pending |
| Where | Jagalchi Market area (52 Jagalchi-haean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan) |
| Cost | Free (seafood purchases extra) |
| Slogan | Oiso-Boiso-Saiso (“come, see, buy”) |
| Host | Jung-gu, Busan · Jagalchi Festival Committee |
⚠️ The exact 2026 date hasn’t been confirmed yet. Bookmark this page and you’ll get the updated info the moment the schedule goes live.
What to do — the three zones
The festival is built around three areas:
- Oiso (experiences) — bare-hand fish catching, seafood auction try-outs, and other family-friendly activities.
- Boiso (performances) — outdoor stage shows, from singers to local performance troupes.
- Saiso (market) — discounted in-season seafood and food stalls. This is the real point, and the highlight.
During the festival you can taste in-season seafood cheaper than usual, with the whole market alive with shows and crowds.
Must-eat seafood 🦀
The Jagalchi rule is “buy on the first floor, eat on the second.” Pick your live seafood at a ground-floor stall, then head up to a second-floor restaurant, pay a table fee, and it’s served as a full spread with side dishes.
- Modeumhoe (assorted sashimi) — mostly white fish; the easiest starting point for first-timers.
- Steamed snow crab / king crab — steaming keeps it freshest. Always confirm the per-kg price before you buy.
- Grilled shellfish — grilled right at the stall.
- Spicy fish stew (maeuntang) — simmered from the leftover fish bones, so nothing goes to waste.
💡 For detailed ordering tips, price haggling, and basics, see our Jagalchi Market seafood guide. For a wider look at Busan food, try What to eat in Busan.
Getting there & visiting tips
- The subway is easiest: Busan Metro Line 1, Jagalchi Station Exit 10, about a 3-minute walk. Nampo Station is also within walking distance.
- Calmer times: the opening day and weekday afternoons are more relaxed. Weekend lunch and dinner draw the biggest crowds.
- Bring cash and card: some stalls take cards, but cash is handy for small buys and haggling.
- Walk-together spots: BIFF Square (hotteok alley), Gukje Market, and Yongdusan Park cable car are all within walking distance. Buses to Gamcheon Culture Village leave from nearby.
Where to stay near Jagalchi & Nampo 🏨
To do the festival right, stay in Nampo within walking distance of the market — browse the stalls early and drop your bags back without a hassle.
Hotel Foret Premier Nampo A new boutique hotel steps from BIFF Square, about a 5-minute walk to Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market.
Walking distance to Jagalchi, Gukje Market & BIFF Square — ideal for an early-morning market visit
Trip.comToyoko Inn Busan Jungang Station A value chain hotel near Busan Station and the old downtown, with free breakfast — a solid budget base for a market trip.
Toyoko Inn Busan Jungang Station
Value pick near Busan Station, free breakfast, walkable to Jagalchi & Nampo
💡 For a wider look at where to base yourself, see our Where to stay in Busan guide.
Before you go
eSIM, Gimhae Airport pickup, and a transit card — sort them all before you fly
Make a half-day of it
The festival takes about half a day, so pair it with the rest of Nampo for a full route:
- Morning — Jagalchi Festival + a seafood brunch 🦞
- After lunch — BIFF Square seed-hotteok → Gukje Market → Yongdusan Park cable car
- Afternoon — a photo stroll through Gamcheon Culture Village
- Evening — Nampo night market, or head to Gwangalli
First time in Busan? Slot this straight into our Busan 3-day classic course.
📌 One last step before you go: before booking flights, hotels, or tours, check the latest discount codes for a coupon you can use — one code often covers the cost of a seafood meal.
Bookmark this page and you’ll be the first to know when the official 2026 Jagalchi Festival dates are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Busan Jagalchi Festival held?
The exact 2026 dates (33rd edition) haven't been officially announced yet. The festival has traditionally run over four days in late October (Thursday–Sunday) around Jagalchi Market (the 2025 32nd edition was held in late October). We'll update this page the moment the official dates are confirmed — bookmark it to catch the news first.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, it's free. Jagalchi Market operates as usual during the festival, and most performances and hands-on events are free too. You only need a budget for buying and eating seafood.
What's the program like?
It's built around three zones. 'Oiso' is hands-on experiences like bare-hand fish catching, 'Boiso' is stage performances, and 'Saiso' is the discount market and food stalls. The slogan 'Oiso-Boiso-Saiso' is Busan dialect for 'come, see, buy.'
What should I eat at Jagalchi Market?
Assorted sashimi (modeumhoe), steamed snow crab / king crab, grilled shellfish, and spicy fish stew are the classics. The routine is to pick your seafood live on the first floor, then take it up to a second-floor restaurant that plates it for a table fee. See our [Jagalchi Market seafood guide](/en/events/jagalchi-market-seafood-guide) for how to order.
How do I get to Jagalchi Market?
Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Jagalchi Station, Exit 10 — it's about a 3-minute walk. Nampo Station (Line 1) is also within walking distance, and BIFF Square, Gukje Market, and Yongdusan Park are all reachable on foot. Use the subway during the festival, as crowds are heavy.
How is the festival different from a normal day at Jagalchi Market?
During the festival there are discount sales, stage shows, and hands-on events, and the market buzzes with far more visitors. If you'd rather just eat in peace, the opening day or a weekday afternoon is noticeably calmer.
💰 Check before you book
Before you go, check the latest KKday discount codes — one code can shave a meaningful amount off your booking.
See the latest discount codes →💡 Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you complete a booking through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure