Yeosu’s Historic Sunrise Festival Celebrates 30 Years with Fireworks and Expanded Events
The city of Yeosu, South Korea, is preparing to host its 30th annual Hyangilam Sunrise Festival, a two-day event beginning December 31st, promising a spectacular New Year’s celebration steeped in tradition and enhanced by modern attractions. The festival, held at the scenic Hyangilam Hermitage on Dolsan Mountain – recognized as one of the nation’s four major Avalokitesvara sacred sites and a premier sunrise viewing location on the southern coast – draws both citizens and tourists eager to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.
The Yeosu Hyangilam Sunrise Festival has become a cornerstone of the city’s New Year festivities, consistently attracting large crowds seeking a meaningful start to the year. According to city officials, the first day of the festival, December 31st, will commence at 8:00 PM with a traditional eulmadang – a gathering for sharing and connection – followed by celebratory performances. The evening will then transition into an official opening ceremony, a moving candle lighting ritual, and the symbolic ringing of the New Year’s Eve bell.
A highlight of this year’s festival will be a dazzling New Year’s fireworks display, scheduled for midnight on January 1st. The show, generously sponsored by Hanwha Aerospace, a prominent local company, is anticipated to illuminate the night sky above Hyangiram, adding an extra layer of magic to the New Year’s atmosphere. Following the breathtaking display, attendees will prepare to witness the first sunrise of the year, expected at 7:36 AM on January 1st, which will be followed by a performance marking the beginning of the new year.
Beyond the core ceremonial events, the festival will offer a diverse range of interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. These include crafting traditional Haeoreum wish lanterns, writing and hanging New Year’s wishes on designated paper, creating personalized wish bracelets, and crafting charming red horse keychains to commemorate the upcoming Year of the Blue Dragon. A “Saebit Hope Photo Studio” will also be available for capturing memorable moments. To ensure visitor comfort, the city will provide complimentary hot packs, knee blankets, traditional rice cakes, and warm beverages.
Recognizing the potential for traffic congestion, Yeosu City is proactively implementing a comprehensive transportation plan. Six temporary parking lots, accommodating approximately 1,600 vehicles, will be established, and a fleet of 12 shuttle buses will operate to transport attendees to and from the event venue. In the event that the Dadohaehaesang National Park parking lot reaches capacity, vehicle access will be restricted, and visitors will be directed to alternative parking areas along Soyul New Road, utilizing the shuttle bus service. Additional temporary parking will be available at Soyul Sindo-ro, Daeyul Peace Theme Village, Bangjukpo Beach, Gatgoeul Center, and the Jukpo Intersection.
Safety and security are paramount concerns, and the city is collaborating with multiple agencies – including the Yeosu Police Station, Yeosu Fire Department, Yeosu Marine Police Station, and Dadohae Marine National Park Management Corporation – to deploy approximately 250 personnel to the event site. This coordinated effort aims to prevent accidents and maintain order throughout the festivities.
To mitigate overcrowding at the popular Hyangilam Hermitage, Yeosu City is also implementing a “Dispersed Sunrise (Mall) System,” offering alternative sunrise viewing locations throughout the city. A sunset event will be held on December 31st at So Ramen Jangcheok Village, and on January 1st, sunrise ceremonies will be hosted at 19 designated spots, including the scenic Musulmok and Odongdo Island. These locations will offer a more relaxed atmosphere, complete with shared rice cake soup and warm drinks.
“We hope you will receive a lot of good energy for the new year through the Hyangilam Sunrise Festival, which has a 30-year history,” stated a senior city official. “We will do our best to prepare for the event so that all citizens and tourists visiting Yeosu can have a safe and meaningful New Year.”
