If you enjoyed Pokémon Festa in Seoul earlier this year, you’ll be happy to hear that the fun can be experienced once again, this time in Busan, with themed events popping up all across the city. From July 17th to August 9th, Pokémon fans can hop between photo zones, a pop-up store, a stamp rally, themed trains and buses, and even a drone light show. It’s a fun excuse to explore Busan differently, whether you’re there for the card game, the collectibles, or just the chance to spot Pokémon around the city!
1. Pokémon Train & Bus
a) Pokémon Train
- Dates: July 10th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Number of runs: 24–36 trips per day on each line
- Operating trains: 3 trains each on Line 1 and Line 2 (6 trains total)
- Decorated trains:
Line 1 Nopo-bound, Line 2 Yangsan- and Hopo-bound: very front car
Line 1 Dadaepo- and Sinpyeong-bound, Line 2 Jangsan-bound: very back car
The Pokémon-themed train is one of the main highlights of the Mega Festa, turning the subway into part of the event itself. For a limited time, trains will run on Busan Metro Lines 1 and 2, with one car fully wrapped in Pokémon Trading Card Game designs – Line 1 using a daytime concept and Line 2 a nighttime concept. Themed QR tickets are sold at key stations such as Busan Station, Beomnaegol, Jeonpo, Gwangan, and Centum City, where platforms and ticket gates are also decorated with Pokémon artwork and linked to stamp rally and photo zone activities.
*Depending on train operating conditions, the operating hours of the Pokémon-wrapped trains may change without prior notice.
b) Pokémon Bus
- Dates: July 10th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Operating themed buses: Busan buses No. 100, 17, and 3
- Pokémon photo zone bus stops: Myeongji Transfer Center, Olympic Junction Transfer Center, Yeongdo National Maritime Museum bus stop
*The operation schedule may change depending on traffic conditions.
*Photo zone bus stop operating dates may change depending on the organizer’s circumstances.
2. Chillin Summer Days Pop-up
- Address: Basement 1st Floor, Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch (Kakao Maps)
- Dates: July 17th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Hours: Mon-Thur 10:30 AM-8:00 PM, Fri-Sun & Public Holidays 10:30 AM-8:30 PM
The Chillin Summer Days Pop-up is a beachy, summer-themed spot that leans into laid-back vacation vibes rather than the more intense festival energy. Here you’ll find merch with sun, sand, and seaside motifs: think Pikachu and friends in swimwear, resort-style outfits, and playful patterns. Snap some photos at themed corners, browse the shelves, and take home adorable souvenirs!
On weekends, you can also catch the Photo Time Event at the department store, where Pikachu and Psyduck appear at the first-floor main entrance for character meet-and-greet photo sessions.
More to do nearby:
3. Stamp Rally
- Dates: July 17th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Hours: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Locations: Busan Station, Beomnaegol Station, Jeonpo Station, Gwangan Station, Centum City Station
- Prize collection location: 9F, Arena Plaza, Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch (Kakao Maps)
The Pokémon Stamp Rally turns the metro into a little adventure route instead of just a way to get around. Five stations have their own themed photo spots and stamp stands, so you can collect stamps as you ride between them and explore different neighborhoods. With three stamps, you can claim a Pokémon sun cap, and with all five, you get a clear file plus a QR ticket holder that matches the limited-edition Pokémon QR transit tickets sold during the event. Quantities are limited, so we highly recommend doing the rally early in your trip!
*Stamp rally sheets and prizes are limited in quantity; if they run out, the event may end early.
*Participants are responsible for any public transportation costs incurred while doing the stamp rally.
4. Card Game Event
a) Pokémon Card Exhibition
- Dates: July 17th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Hours: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Locations: Busan Station, Beomnaegol Station, Jeonpo Station, Gwangan Station, Centum City Station
Throughout the festa, several Busan Metro stations will host a Pokémon Card Game exhibition, turning platform areas into mini galleries of card art and themed displays. At Busan, Beomnaegol, Jeonpo, Gwangan, and Centum City Stations, you can see card panels, learn basic rules, and check out special visuals tied to the trading card game, making it an easy stop even if you’re just passing through on the subway. It pairs naturally with the stamp rally and themed trains, so you can browse the exhibition, grab a stamp, and continue your “Pokémon vacation” route around the city!
b) Pokémon School
- Dates: July 17th (Fri)~August 9th (Sun)
- Locations: Subway stations (Jeonpo, Gwangan, Centum City), Starfield City Myeongji branch (Kakao Maps), Toys”R”Us Busan branch (Kakao Maps)
The Pokémon School is a hands-on learning space for the trading card game, aimed at beginners, families, and anyone curious about how to actually play. Participation is free, and staff will walk you through deck basics, battle flow, and simple mini-games, so you can go from “I just like the characters” to “I kind of know how to play” in one visit. If you win the mini-games, you’ll be able to win a Pokémon card game sticker!
c) Pokémon Battle Tournament
- Dates: August 1st (Sat)
- Address: BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1, Hall 2B (Kakao Maps)
The big competitive highlight of the Pokémon Mega Festa is the battle tournament, a national Pokémon Card Game event tied into the festival. Regional qualifiers run at twelve designated card shops around Korea through July, and the final showdown takes place on August 1st at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, where players will battle using decks from the MEGA “Start Deck 100 Battle Collection.” All finalists receive a double-deck case as a commemorative gift, and the champion takes home a trophy plus LEGO Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise figures, making it a serious bragging-rights moment for card game fans visiting Busan during the festa!
5. Drone Show
- Dates: July 25th (Sat)
- Show Times: 8:00 PM, 10:00 PM
- Location: Gwangalli Beach (Kakao Maps)
Gwangalli Beach will host a special drone show to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, with hundreds of drones drawing Pikachu and other Pokémon across the sky.
Set against the backdrop of Gwangan Bridge and the shoreline, the performance combines drone formations, lights, and fireworks to create a seaside night view that is expected to be one of the most photographed parts of the whole festa.
*Show schedule and content may be partially changed or canceled depending on weather conditions or circumstances of the organizers.
More to do near Gwangalli:
- Beach Run & Surf Lesson (+ Ice Bath/ Seafood BBQ) at Songjeong Beach, Busan
- Busan Sightseeing Yacht Tour in Gwangalli Beach by Yacht Holic
- Sunrise SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) & Breakfast at Gwangalli Beach, Busan
- Busan Cine-Log 1 Day Tour: Cinema Center + Gwangalli Beach + Yeongdo Huinnyeoul Culture Village + Cinema Studio Experience
More local events to try in Busan:
- Busan Foodie Half Day Walking Tour: Local Market Bites + Korean Drinking Culture Experience + Karaoke Experience (Morning/Afternoon)
- 2026 Busan Seven Bridges Tour Cycling Entry Ticket (Sep 20) – 77K Course
- Busan K-Lifestyle 1 Day Tour: K-Beauty Styling/ Cooking Class + Haeundae Beach + Local Streets + Yacht Ride
- Korean Traditional Culture 1 Day Tour in Busan: Korean Drum + Mask Dance + Cooking Class (+ Daecheong Yeogwan Traditional Performance)
For more Korea travel inspiration, attraction tickets, and the latest seasonal events, visit Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, and start planning your next adventure.
Photo Credits: Pokémon Korea Official Homepage