Jeju Fire Festival
Jeju Fire Festival
The Festival
The Jeju Fire Festival (Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival) is one of Korea’s most dramatic traditional festivals, held at New Byeoldobong Park in Jocheon, Jeju Island (March 9–14). The centerpiece is the ceremonial burning of the hillside fields — an ancient agricultural practice to prepare the land and ward off pests — which creates a breathtaking spectacle of fire sweeping across the volcanic hillside at dusk. The sight of controlled fire moving up the slope of an oreum (volcanic cone) against the darkening sky is unlike anything else in Korea’s festival calendar.
What Else to See
Beyond the fire ceremony, the festival includes traditional haenyeo (female diver) performances, Jeju folk games, archery demonstrations, and food stalls featuring Jeju’s distinctive cuisine — black pork, Jeju tangerines, and fresh seafood. The site near Byeoldobong offers views toward Hallasan on clear days. Byeoldobong itself is an easy short hike with panoramic coastal views, worth climbing before or after the festival program.
Getting There
- From Jeju City: Bus toward Seongsan — Byeoldobong/Jocheon stop is about 30–40 minutes from the city center
- Rental car: Jeju is most conveniently explored by car; a rental from Jeju Airport makes the festival site easy to reach
- Fire ceremony timing: The main burning ceremony takes place at dusk — check the exact schedule for each year as timing varies by sunset
- Free entry: General access to the festival grounds is free
