Gwangalli Fireworks Can't Be a One-Day Affair... Busan Pushes Year-Round Tourism Citywide

Council reviews content linking the Suyeong River and Oncheoncheon Stream

Public input to be gathered; policy forum to be held in January 2027

A plan is underway to expand the Busan Fireworks Festival from a one-night event in Gwangalli into a year-round tourism attraction across Busan. The plan calls for using fireworks and light to extend the event to areas such as the Suyeong River and Oncheoncheon Stream, and for encouraging tourists to stay longer.

The Busan Metropolitan Council announced on November 5 that it will hold the 2nd Ieum Policy Forum in January 2027 to discuss ways to develop Busan into a four-season tourism city. Before the forum, it will also gather public 의견 from November 9 to 30, 2026. The council plans to incorporate a range of ideas into policy, including expanding tourism content and attracting corporate sponsorships.

The current plan grew out of a proposal made 12 years ago by Kang Mugil, chair of the Busan Metropolitan Council, to charge admission to the fireworks festival. At the 241st Budget and Accounts Special Committee meeting of the Busan Metropolitan Council in 2014, Kang criticized the festival's operating model, which at the time relied on national and municipal funding. He also proposed charging for seats, securing sponsorships from local companies, and linking the event with lantern festivals along the Suyeong River and Oncheoncheon Stream.

Kang Mugil, chairman of the Busan City Council

At the time, the proposal drew strong criticism that it would commercialize the festival. The first year of paid seating also brought operational difficulties. However, the paid-seat system gradually took hold as the organizers improved the reservation system and began attracting foreign tourists through overseas travel agencies. Introduced in 2015, paid seating has now become a major part of the Busan Fireworks Festival's operating model.

Interest among foreign tourists has also grown. Seats reserved for foreign visitors sell out within 10 minutes of reservations opening. Revenue from overseas sales of paid seats is expected to rise from about 39.95 million won in 2015 to 703.71 million won in 2026, an increase of approximately 17.6 times.

The impact of festivalgoers' spending in the region has also drawn attention. Foreign tourists who booked paid seats in advance spent an average of about 1.03 million won per person. Their spending on accommodation, shopping, food, and other local goods and services benefits the regional economy.

The council plans to extend these achievements across Busan. It aims to connect the fireworks festival, currently centered in Gwangalli, with waterfront areas such as the Suyeong River and Oncheoncheon Stream, as well as major tourist attractions. The goal is to hold seasonal fireworks and light festivals that encourage tourists to stay longer in Busan. Revitalizing local commercial districts and neighborhood economies is another objective.

The policy forum in January 2027 will discuss the “Development of a Four-Season Fireworks and Long-Stay Tourism Ecosystem.” It will also revisit ways to link the fireworks festival with lantern events along the Suyeong River and Oncheoncheon Stream, as proposed 12 years ago.

“When I proposed charging admission 12 years ago, there was considerable criticism and concern that it would commercialize the festival,” Kang said. “I concluded that change was necessary to ensure the festival's sustainability and secure a future for tourism in Busan.”

He added, “The fireworks festival should grow beyond a single event centered in Gwangalli and develop into a year-round tourism offering that connects various attractions across Busan. We will reflect citizens' opinions in our policy initiatives.”

The Busan Metropolitan Council also plans to incorporate public proposals into the policy forum. Suggestions can be submitted to the council by email from November 9 to 30, 2026.

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