Busan’s 30th Gijang Anchovy Festival Countdown: The Fresh-Anchovy Food Trip Taking Over Daebyeon Port

Countdown to Busan Gijang's 30th Anchovy Festival: A Spring Food Journey at Daebyeon Port

As spring reaches full bloom in April, the waters off Gijang in Busan are buzzing with excitement. From Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26, 2026 — three days in total — the 30th Gijang Anchovy Festival will be held at Daebyeon Port in Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan. Marking the festival's 30th anniversary, this year's edition features an upgraded guest performer lineup, special commemorative performances, and a fireworks show over the sea — and it's rapidly spreading across social media and blogs as "a must-do stop on any spring trip to Busan." From free fresh anchovy tastings and fishing boat rides to dazzling nighttime shows, here's a preview of the spring food festival that can only be found at Daebyeon Port.

30 Years of Tradition: The Taste of Spring at Daebyeon Port

The Gijang Anchovy Festival is a regional seafood festival centered around Daebyeon Port in Gijang-gun, Busan. Launched around 1997, this annual spring event was created to support local fishermen's livelihoods while boosting regional tourism. By keeping fishing village cultural experiences — such as anchovy harvesting demonstrations, on-the-spot tastings, and auctions — at its core, the festival has grown into one of Busan's signature spring events, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

What makes Daebyeon Port truly special goes beyond its location. The waters off Gijang are among Korea's finest anchovy fishing grounds, and the fresh anchovies caught in spring — particularly from April to May — are prized for their richness and freshness above all others. Spring anchovies, pulled from seas that have warmed after a cold winter, are plump and full of natural oils. Miss this window and you'll have to wait another year.

Who Knew One Bite of Raw Anchovy Could Be This Blissful — The Gourmet World of Daebyeon Anchovies

The greatest draw of the Gijang Anchovy Festival is, without question, the free fresh anchovy feast — no admission required. Running for just 40 minutes each day from noon to 12:40 p.m. throughout the three-day festival, the free raw anchovy tasting is open to anyone on-site. Two dishes you absolutely must try here are the freshly dressed anchovy salad and anchovy stew. The anchovy salad — tossed with sesame oil, gochujang, and fresh vegetables — is remarkably free of any fishiness, with a nutty, pleasantly tangy finish.

Beyond the tasting, a surprise fresh anchovy auction takes place daily from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Watching anchovies just unloaded from a fishing boat go up for auction on the spot is more than a transaction — it's an immersive glimpse into living fishing village culture that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. A receipt raffle event also runs throughout all three days, so be sure to hold onto your purchase receipts.

The Full 3-Day Program — Day-by-Day Highlights

DAY 1 (Friday, April 24) — A Spectacular Opening Night

• 11:00–16:00 Fishing boat ride experience (walk-in registration; early close-out possible)
• 12:00–12:40 Free raw anchovy tasting
• 14:30–15:00 Surprise fresh anchovy auction
• After 21:00 Sea fireworks show and guest performer concert (opening ceremony performance)
• Receipt raffle event in progress

DAY 2 (Saturday, April 25) — The Peak of Activities and Performances

• 09:00–17:00 Free shuttle bus between Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 and festival grounds
• 11:00–16:00 Fishing boat ride experience
• From 11:00 Bare-hands live fish catching "I'm a Fisherman!" (Saturday and Sunday only)
• 12:00–12:40 Free raw anchovy tasting
• 14:30–15:00 Surprise fresh anchovy auction
• Afternoon Anchovy Battle Song Contest — preliminary rounds
• After 21:00 Sea fireworks show + guest performer concert

DAY 3 (Sunday, April 26) — Finale and Local Cultural Experiences

• 09:00–17:00 Free shuttle bus service
• 11:00–16:00 Fishing boat ride experience
• From 11:00 Bare-hands live fish catching "I'm a Fisherman!"
• 12:00–12:40 Free raw anchovy tasting
• 14:30–15:00 Surprise fresh anchovy auction
• Salted anchovy kimchi-making workshop and presentation ceremony
• Taegun Singing Contest (song contest finals)
• After 21:00 Sea fireworks show + finale performance

The guest performer lineup for the 30th anniversary has been significantly enhanced compared to previous years. A total of seven acts — Jeong Seo-ju, Cheon Rok-dam, Son Bin-a, Chae Yun, Choi Ji-ye, Mr. Pang, Kim Su-hee, and Jang Ha-on — will take the stage across the three days. Planning your visit around your favorite performer's scheduled appearance is a smart strategy.

Fireworks Over the Sea and a Harbor Night — The Maritime Fireworks Show

On all three nights of the festival, fireworks will light up the sea off Daebyeon Port after 9:00 p.m. The sight of light reflecting off the calm spring waters, framed by the fishing boats in the harbor, creates a nighttime view that is uniquely this festival's own. Note that April evenings by the sea can get quite cold, so a light jacket is a must for the fireworks show. If you want to catch both the concert and the fireworks, stake out a good spot before sunset.

The Dawn Sea and a Fisherman's Toil — The Real Story Behind Gijang Anchovies

Behind the festival's glittering surface lies the hard daily reality of fishermen who head out to sea before dawn. Choi Il-cheon, head of the Daebyeon Port fishing village cooperative, spoke candidly about the challenges facing fishermen in a YTN Radio interview.

"As of April 1st, prices went up by over 40%. That's a heavy burden on the fishermen. We used to be able to buy tax-exempt fuel at about 60% of the market price — but now with a 40% hike, it's basically the same as what everyone else pays."

— Choi Il-cheon, Head of Daebyeon Port Fishing Village Cooperative, Busan (YTN Radio, April 7, 2026)

Since April 1, 2026, the price of tax-exempt fuel (gasoline) surged by over 40%, significantly increasing the operating costs for fishing boats at Daebyeon Port. A single vessel burns roughly 100 liters of fuel per day. What was once available at about 60% of the market rate is now effectively the same price as what ordinary consumers pay. Choi warned: "When fishing costs go up, we can't afford to supply fish and seaweed at low prices — which ultimately means the public pays more for their food." Tasting fresh anchovies at this year's Gijang Anchovy Festival is more than a tourist experience — it's also a show of support for the fishermen who keep working the sea despite these mounting hardships.

A Spring Food Moment to Share — At the Daebyeon Port Street Food Stalls

The rows of pojangmacha (street food stalls) spread throughout the festival grounds are another face of the Gijang Anchovy Festival. Sitting with a plate of freshly tossed anchovy salad, chatting with friends as the spring sea breeze rolls in — this is the festival at its most human. The Munhwa Nuri Card (cultural welfare card) is accepted at the venue, so visitors receiving social welfare benefits can enjoy the food and local products without worry. Experiential programs such as fishing boat rides and bare-hands fish catching are all free with walk-in registration, but they fill up fast. Your best bet is to arrive in the morning, register for activities first, and then plan your schedule around the tasting and auction.

Beyond Daebyeon Port — A One-Night-Two-Day Gijang Coastal Itinerary

The Gijang Anchovy Festival is more than enough on its own, but pairing it with nearby attractions turns a day trip into a memorable overnight getaway. Within 10–15 minutes by car from Daebyeon Port, you'll find:

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Korea's only coastal Buddhist temple, built on sea cliffs facing the East Sea. The Lotus Bridge and red spider lily blooms set against the spring sea are breathtaking.
• Jukseong Dream Cathedral: A charming seaside chapel made famous as a drama filming location. It's a popular Instagram destination, drawing especially large crowds in spring.
• Ilgwang Beach: A relatively uncrowded local beach, perfect for a leisurely spring stroll in the sunshine.

Combining these spots into a single itinerary creates a well-rounded Gijang tour: fresh anchovy cuisine + coastal temple + drama filming site + seaside walk. Staying overnight in central Busan and taking the Donghae Line to Gijang the next morning is another popular option.

Your Practical Visitor's Guide

Getting There

• Take the Donghae Line to Gijang Station, then use the local village bus or free shuttle — traffic on the approach roads can be severe
• On weekends (25th–26th), a free shuttle bus runs from Gijang Station Parking Lot 2 to the festival grounds (09:00–17:00) — a stress-free way to travel
• If driving, earlier is better for parking (arriving before 10:00 a.m. is recommended)

Recommended Schedule by Time of Day

• Before 11:00 a.m. — Arrive and register for fishing boat rides and bare-hands fish catching
• Noon (12:00) — Free raw anchovy tasting (runs for just 40 minutes — don't be late)
• 2:30 p.m. — Watch the surprise fresh anchovy auction
• Evening onward — Street food stalls + guest performer concerts
• 9:00 p.m. — Sea fireworks show (bring a jacket)

Essential Checklist

• Munhwa Nuri Card holders can use it on-site
• Keep your purchase receipts for the raffle event
• Bring a light jacket for the spring sea breeze
• Festival inquiries: 051-721-4063 / 051-709-4505 (Gijang Anchovy Festival Organizing Committee)

Tips for Choosing Your Visit Day

• Friday (24th): The thrill of opening day, with relatively manageable crowds
• Saturday (25th): Full activity lineup + song contest preliminaries + shuttle bus service
• Sunday (26th): Song contest finals (Taegun Singing Contest) + kimchi-making workshop + shuttle bus + finale performance

Why the Gijang Anchovy Festival — and Why Now?

It's not just about the 30th anniversary. It's the convergence of several forces: pent-up demand for local festivals finally exploding back after the COVID years; spring Busan travel topping the charts on social media searches; and a one-of-a-kind lineup that delivers food, hands-on activities, and live entertainment all in one place. On top of that, with free tastings, free activities, and free shuttle buses all included, the setup is practically ideal for families. And as the fishermen's real-world struggles — namely the sharp spike in fuel costs — gain media attention, an outpouring of public support and foot traffic toward Daebyeon Port and the Gijang fishing community is following.

If you had to name a single must-visit food travel destination in Korea this spring of 2026 — it's Daebyeon Port.