Come See Legendary Singer Lee Sungri at the Special Stage on Haean-daero, Masan Happo-gu, Changwon

Free Gizzard Shad Tasting and Dried Seafood Auction
Variety of Events Including Seafood Cooking Competition

The 25th Masan Fish Market Festival will kick off with a grand opening ceremony at 7 p.m. on September 4, 2026, on a special stage next to the IBK bank at 323 Haean-daero, Masan Happo-gu. The festival aims to revitalize the local economy.

The event, which runs for three days until September 6, is organized and hosted by the Masan Fish Market Merchants’ Association and the Masan Fish Market Festival Committee, with sponsorship from Gyeongsangnam-do Province and Changwon Special City.

Changwon Special City Hall exterior view.
[Photo by Changwon City]

The opening ceremony will begin with a fusion Korean traditional music performance, followed by a celebratory stage by the legendary singer Lee Sungri, promising to boost the festive atmosphere.

Since its humble beginnings as the "Masan Fish Market Gizzard Shad Festival" in 2000, the Masan Fish Market Festival has steadily grown with continued support from citizens and tourists, now celebrating its 25th edition. This year’s festival is designed to promote the freshness of Masan Fish Market’s seafood and its generous hospitality, aiming to invigorate the traditional market and local economy by attracting more visitors and encouraging seafood consumption.

On the second day, September 5, the festival will feature a free gizzard shad tasting event, a pop music concert, an instant dried seafood auction, the semifinals of the Fish Market Song Festival, a youth dance performance, and guest performances by Lee Suyeon and Samchongsa. The final day, September 6, will include a seafood cooking contest, the finals and awards ceremony for the song festival, a 7080s group sound concert, and prize draws for visitors, culminating in a festive grand finale.

To prepare for the large crowds expected at the opening ceremony and guest performances, Changwon Special City has bolstered safety measures by conducting joint inspections of event facilities with police, fire authorities, and other relevant agencies, and deployed additional safety personnel—including city employees—around the stage, seating areas, major access routes, and parking lots.

In addition, as traffic congestion is anticipated around the festival venue throughout the event period, visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible and to actively cooperate with on-site safety personnel.

Kang Kiyoon, Mayor of Changwon Special City, stated, “It is truly meaningful to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Masan Fish Market Festival together with citizens and visitors, having started as a gizzard shad festival in 2000. I hope all guests enjoy Masan Fish Market’s fresh seafood and diverse performances throughout the festival, and we will do our utmost to ensure safe event management so that this festival can stimulate seafood consumption and boost the local economy.”

Tourists, couples, and families are encouraged to visit Masan Fish Market, enjoy the performances to the fullest, savor autumn delicacies such as gizzard shad sashimi, and create wonderful memories during the festival.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.