Ulsan Onggi Festival to Open May 1st with 'Welcome to Onggi Village' Theme

Ulsan is set to host its signature cultural tourism festival, the Ulsan Onggi Festival, from May 1st to 3rd. This year's event, themed 'Welcome to Onggi Village,' promises a vibrant fusion of traditional Korean pottery craftsmanship and contemporary entertainment, designed to captivate visitors of all ages. The festival will unfold in the historic Onggi Village, a place renowned for its centuries-old tradition of earthenware production.

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The 2026 Ulsan Onggi Festival will be held for three days starting May 1st in the Oegosan Onggi Village.

The opening day will kick off with a lively parade, 'Onggi Road Play,' followed by a poignant theatrical performance titled 'Mud-Stained Shoulders,' inspired by the lives of master Onggi artisan Jo Hee-man and his son. As dusk settles, the skies will illuminate with spectacular drone and fireworks displays, marking a grand transition into the festival's evening festivities.

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This year's festival, themed 'Welcome to Onggi Village,' is planned so that everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy it by combining the value of traditional Onggi with modern content.

Adding to the excitement, the festival's final evening will feature the 'Shake It Onggi Concert,' boasting a lineup of beloved artists including Hong Kyung-min, Jung Soo-ra, Park Seong-on, and Kim Kyung-ho, promising a night of diverse musical performances. Beyond the stage, attendees can immerse themselves in hands-on experiences, such as pottery wheel sessions and 'Make Your Own Onggi' workshops. The festival also champions emerging talent, showcasing works by students from Busan University of Science and Technology alongside pieces by established Onggi masters.

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I hope the Onggi Festival, Ulsan's representative cultural tourism festival, becomes an opportunity to publicize the new charm of traditional Onggi.

This year's festival places a strong emphasis on nighttime attractions, featuring not only the dazzling light shows but also 'Kiln Fire Gazing'—an experience utilizing the heat from traditional kilns—and 'Night Flower,' an artistic display combining lasers and fog effects to create an enchanting nocturnal ambiance. To ensure a smooth experience for the expected influx of visitors, Ulsan's Ulju County has significantly expanded shuttle bus services compared to previous years. Lee Soon-cheol, the Ulju County Governor, expressed his hope that the festival will highlight the unique charm of traditional Onggi pottery while assuring attendees of thorough safety, traffic, and convenience measures.

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As many visitors are expected, we will thoroughly prepare safety, traffic, and convenience measures.