Los Angeles is getting ready for four days of Korean food, music and culture as the 53rd Los Angeles Korean Festival returns to Koreatown next week. The annual celebration takes over Seoul International Park from Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4, with free admission throughout the festival.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, giving visitors plenty of time to browse food vendors, shop for Korean products and artisan goods, check out cultural exhibits and catch performances.
Four days of Korean culture
The festival brings together a mix of Korean traditions and contemporary pop culture. The event will food booths, Korean products, artisan goods, exhibitions and interactive experiences, along with stage performances throughout the weekend.
The festival has also revealed its 2026 artist lineup, with different performers taking the stage throughout the four-day event. Thursday kicks things off with Evan Pak, Uzuhan and Dumbfoundead. On Friday, JINUSEAN is scheduled to perform from 9:15 to 10 p.m.
Saturday brings Shannon Bae, GSoul, Kang Yuchan, FROM20 and Big Ocean, with their evening performances scheduled between 8 and 10 p.m. Then Sunday closes out the festival with two major names, Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae, performing from 8 to 10 p.m. That gives the festival a mix of contemporary Korean music, hip-hop and other live performances alongside its traditional cultural programming.
🍜 Come hungry
Food is a major part of the festival, with dedicated food and snack booths planned alongside vendors selling Korean products and other goods. The festival also has a designated beer garden, while alcohol sales are restricted to that area.
One of the more unusual additions is happening Saturday afternoon. The festival is hosting a Corn Dog Eating Contest at 1:30 p.m. on October 3, presented by Smile Hot Dog. There are limited spots for contestants, and the prize money gives people another reason to watch. First place gets $500, second place gets $200 and third place gets $100.
🚇 Getting there
The festival takes place at Seoul International Park near Normandie and Olympic Boulevard. Because street parking is limited, organizers have arranged parking lots with shuttle service during the four-day event. The parking shuttles operate approximately every 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the festival. Several lots are available around Koreatown, with daily rates currently listed at $19 for several locations.
Public transportation is another option. The festival recommends using the Wilshire/Normandie Metro D Line station, where a festival shuttle will operate near Wilshire Boulevard. Several Metro bus routes also serve the surrounding area.
So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to spend a day exploring Koreatown, the LA Korean Festival is coming up soon. It is free to attend, runs for four full days and offers a mix of Korean food, shopping, cultural performances and modern Korean entertainment in one place.
🌐 Learn more at the official LA Korean Festival website!
