Korea is a land of striking color and rich tradition. One of the best ways to discover Korea’s vibrancy is to immerse yourself in the culture of the country by attending one of the many festivals and holiday celebrations. Many of the country’s most splendid events take place in Seoul, which is the capital and pulse of the country.

Here are the top five cultural events to attend in Korea:

1. The Seoul Design Fair

Seoul was ranked #3 on the New York Times’ list of The 31 Places to Go in 2010, and has been deemed the World Design Capital. The title, which was bestowed by a prominent council of industrial designers, means a whole year’s worth of design parties, exhibitions, and conferences will take place.

The third annual Seoul Design Fair will take place from September 17 to October 7, 2010. Last year’s festival drew 2.5 million people! You can visit the following website for updates on the year’s events:   http://www.wdc2010.seoul.go.kr

2.  The Celebration of Buddha’s Coming and the Lotus Lantern Festival Parade

This event is held to celebrate the birthday of Buddha. His actual birthday is celebrated in South Korea on the 8th day of the 4th month of the Chinese lunar calendar (which is in May on our calendar.) The celebration includes many attractions that are open to the public, including lantern exhibitions, and Buddhist cultural explorations in which the teachings of the Buddha are celebrated.

The Paper Lantern Parade is one of the most popular attractions and draws as many as 100,000 spectators, who come to see the colorful paper lanterns light up the night sky. Visit this link to see one lantern, a replica of a seven-story pagoda: http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/5439/photos/view/8/7

3. The Changing of the Palace Guard

Admission to this event is free and takes place every day except for Mondays. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremonies of the Joseon Dynasty, which occurred between 1392 and 1910, are re-enacted for the public at the Gyungbokgung, Deoksugung, and Changdeokgung palaces.

This solemn ceremony gives visitors an excellent chance to see a living example of Korean history, with the watchmen garbed in traditional military uniforms.

4. Royal Wedding Ceremony Re-enactment

The royal wedding of Gojong, who was the 26th emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, and his empress, Myeongseong hwanghu, is accurately re-enacted at Unhyeongung Palace. This ceremony allows viewers to feel as if they have stepped back in time and to experience all of the grandeur and excess that a royal wedding ceremony had to offer.

The re-enactment takes place on the third Saturday of April and the second Saturday of October from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

5. The Seoul Drum Festival

In 2010 the Seoul Drum Festival will be celebrating its 12th year. Both music and percussion play an integral role in Korean culture, and each year this role is expressed by a different festival theme.

The Seoul Drum Festival takes place in September or October, and offers attendees the opportunity to learn and directly experience the world’s percussion art culture. Both amateurs and pros have the space to play music and exchange information freely.

Side events include contests, art markets, and even attempts to break percussion Guinness Book Records. To see an example of a performance at the Seoul Drum Festival, check out the YouTube video clip at the beginning of this post.

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