The Korea Festival 2024, the UAE’s largest celebration of Korean culture, returns to Abu Dhabi for its 12th edition on November 15 and 16.
Organised by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in collaboration with the UAE’s National Festival of Tolerance, the event will be hosted at Umm Al Emarat Park.
Attendees can look forward to experiencing the best of Korean traditions, music, and cuisine, offering a mix of live performances, food stalls, and cultural booths.
Korea Festival 2024
The Korea Festival, running for two days, offers a variety of experiences for the whole family.
According to the KCC, “K-pop fans can get their groove on with performances by the talented K-Pop band ‘The Wind’.”
Alongside K-Pop, traditional Korean performances, including the powerful K-Nongak by Gwangju City Municipal Gwangjiwon Nongak Band, will captivate audiences with the rhythms of Korean folk percussion music. The "Unbelievable Show" by Bubble J promises an engaging start on Day 1, held near the amphitheatre.
K-Pop and Traditional performances
Day 1 Highlights
The festival’s first day features a performance schedule that combines modern and traditional Korean culture.
5:00-6:00 PM: “Unbelievable Show” by Bubble J – An interactive outdoor performance near the amphitheatre.
7:30-8:30 PM: K-Nongak by Gwangju City Municipal Gwangjiwon Nongak Band – Traditional folk percussion music.
8:30-9:00 PM: Taekwondo demonstration by Akh Unit and KCC Youth Taekwondo Team – Showcasing Korean martial arts.
9:30-10:00 PM: K-Pop Band “The Wind” performance – A live concert by the popular K-Pop group.
Day 2 Schedule and Activities
Day two offers even more activities, including a Korean speech contest, which has become a favourite among UAE residents learning Korean. This day also includes a meet-and-greet with K-Pop band The Wind, followed by another lively Taekwondo demonstration. The evening will end with a captivating performance by the Namwon Municipal Traditional Orchestra, blending traditional Korean instruments with contemporary sounds.
5:00-6:30 PM: 12th UAE Korean Speech Contest – Participants showcase their Korean language skills.
6:30-7:15 PM: K-Pop Meet-and-Greet with “The Wind” – A chance for fans to meet the band.
7:15-7:45 PM: Taekwondo demonstration by Akh Unit.
7:45-8:30 PM: “Unbelievable Show” by Bubble J.
8:30-9:30 PM: Namwon Gugak Meets the UAE by Namwon Municipal Traditional Orchestra – A fusion of Korean traditional music and modern performance.
9:30-10:00 PM: K-Pop Band “The Wind” performance – Wrapping up with another live K-Pop concert.
K-Food, Art, and Culture Booths
Throughout both days, the festival offers food stalls serving authentic Korean dishes, alongside booths featuring Korean art, crafts, and engaging workshops. Activities start at 3:00 PM, giving attendees plenty of time to explore.
The Korea Festival 2024 is free to attend; however, visitors must pay a Dh10 entrance fee to enter Umm Al Emarat Park. For event details and schedules, visit the official website.