Korean university festivals are some of the most fun, high-energy events of the school year, and they’re one of the best ways to see campus life up close. Held mostly in spring, they fill campuses with street food stalls (called pochas), game booths, student stages, and late-night crowds that feel more like a mini city fair than a school event. The atmosphere is all about music, dancing, and blowing off steam together between exams.
On top of that, many schools invite big-name performers, sometimes keeping the lineup secret until the day of the show, so it’s not unusual to see A-list artists like aespa or PSY turn up on campus. Celebrity sets, traditional performances, and student bands all share the same stage, giving a snapshot of how old and new, serious and silly, blend together in Korean campus culture!
1. Korea University – KUlimax
- Dates: May 19th~21st
- Address: 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
*Photos from 2023.
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Korea University usually holds two major festivals – Seoktap Daedongjae and Ipselenti. Ipselenti is one of the biggest and most famous university festivals in the country, and with a stacked idol lineup, tickets are limited. Seoktap Daedongjae, on the other hand, is open to all, typically featuring two to three artists for the night! This year’s festival is titled KULIMAX, but you’ll have to keep an eagle eye for clues until the day of to find out which artists will be performing, as the list is still being kept under wraps.
2. Hongik University – Hlesta Memento
- Dates: May 13th~15th
- Address: 94 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Artist Lineup
Day 1: Dragon Pony, H//PE Princess, Dynamic Duo
Day 2: KINO, Yerin Baek, CORTIS, HAHA
Day 3: N.Flying, fromis_9, GRAY, Loco, Woo Wonjae
*Photos from 2025.
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Hongik University’s festival is known for its lively and artsy vibe that reflects the surrounding Hongdae neighborhood. This year’s festival is once again set to turn the Seoul campus’s sports field into a glowing hub of music, cheering, and student energy. The name, “HIesta: MEMENTO”, plays on the idea of collecting memories; each performance, late-night singalong, and inside joke with friends becomes part of one big shared “memento” of campus life.
The night performances are the highlight, as students gather on the main field with light sticks to cheer on artists. This year’s lineup is expected to draw huge crowds, with performances by Dynamic Duo, CORTIS, GRAY, Loco, Woo Wonjae, and more!
What to do near Hongik University:
- JUNO Hair in Seoul: Myeongdong/ Hongdae/Gangnam/ Garosu-gil/ Apgujeong (8 Branches)
- Seoul Nightlife Tour & Premium Pub Crawl in Itaewon/ Hongdae/ Gangnam
- Personal Color/ Body Analysis by image HO in Hongdae, Seoul (+ Makeup option)
- K-POP Dance Class with Professional Choreographers for Top K-POP Artists near Hongdae, Mangwon
3. Hanyang University – RACHIOS
- Dates: May 27th~29th
- Address: 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Day 1: ALL DAY PROJECT, Dragon Pony, Chang Giha, Since, Dynamic Duo, aespa
Day 2: H1GHR MUSIC, Yoon Miji, KiiiKiii, Davichi, WINNER
Day 3: Hearts2Hearts, PSY, Baek Yerin, YB
*Photos from 2025.
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Another popular university festival taking place is RACHIOS at Hanyang University. It’s a highly anticipated event that draws many students and local citizens each year. Although the center stage is reserved for students, the amphitheater is usually open for all to enjoy!
Known for its diverse performances, exhibitions, pochas, and game corners, the festival offers something for everyone. The cheering culture is a big part of the experience, with organized chant sections, light sticks, and a lot of call-and-response with the stage, especially when headliner artists appear!
What to do near Hanyang University:
- Seoul Walking Tour: Seongsu-dong Cafes, Shopping, K-pop & Culture
- Action Painting Experience in Hapjeong/Seongsu
- Seoul Hair Salon in Seongsu (May One Hair)
- Custom Silver Ring Workshop in Seongsu
4. Pusan National University – P:URIO
- Dates: May 26th~28th
- Address: 2 Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan (Kakao Maps)
*Video from 2024.
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And of course, these electrifying festivals don’t just take place in Seoul – take Pusan National University’s Daedongjae for example! PNU’s festival mixes classic campus fun with a strong community focus; both students and locals enjoy the event together, so it feels like a neighborhood celebration as much as a university party!
The campus will be bustling with sports tournaments, busking stages, student singing contests, and night markets lined with food trucks and snack booths. Headliner stages have featured big-name artists in recent years, so stay tuned for this year’s lineup!
What to do near Pusan National University:
- Busan City 1 Day Tour (+ Yacht Tour/Sky Capsule/Beach Train option)
- Visit Busan from Seoul (Round-trip KTX tickets included)
- Busan Diamond Bay Yacht Tour
5. Konkuk University – Green Zone: The Layer
- Dates: May 19th~22nd
- Address: 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Artist Lineup
Day 1: Hearts2Hearts, JANNABI, ZICO
Day 2: NOWIMYOUNG, HAON, KiiKii, Chang Kiha, Crush
Day 3: Norazo, izna, YENA, Jay Park
*Photos from 2023.
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Konkuk University‘s spring festival, known as “Noksaek Jidae” (Green Zone), is one of the most anticipated university events in Seoul, drawing attention for its vibrant atmosphere and impressive artist lineups.
The main festival is centered around Ilgam Lake, an artificial lake on campus that’s also a campus symbol, where students spread out on the grass, wander between booths, and gather by the water for evening stages rather than staying in a single tight courtyard.
What to do near Konkuk University:
- odt.mode Self Photo Studio Experience in Seoul
- Traditional Korean Rice Wine (Makgeolli) & Cooking Class in Seoul
- K-Pop Beauty Salon Hair Experience at Hosu Dosan Seongsu
Read more about the Kondae area:
- Introducing Seoul’s Next Hottest Neighborhood: Kondae
- 5 Must-Visit Clubs in Kondae (Konkuk University Area)
6. Yonsei University – UNIT:Y
- Dates: May 26th~29th
- Address: 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Artist Lineup: KARA, Hwasa, QWER, FTISLAND, SeeYa, Rain SUPER JUNIOR – L.S.S., BOYNEXTDOOR, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, Woody
*Photos from 2024.
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Last but not least is, inarguably, along with Korea University’s Ipselenti, the most recognized university festivals in Korea – Muak Daedongjae and AKARAKA at Yonsei University! They are two of the biggest events to take place throughout the year, making headlines in the news each year as well.
AKARAKA is unfortunately limited to students only, but the Muak Daedongjae makes up for this! Named ‘UNIT:Y’ this year, the festival has water slides, activities, food, and performances on the international campus, then wraps up with performances along Sinchon Baekyang-ro.
What to do near Yonsei University:
- Room Escape Experience in Sinchon, Seoul
- Learn K-pop Dance With BTS/BLACKPINK’s Songs in Sinchon, Seoul (Join-in/Private) [Arriving Soon]
- K-Beauty: 1 Day Makeup Class/Professional Makeup Service in Hongdae
- Cookin’ NANTA Show Seoul Discount Ticket
Check out our other blogs for more on student life in South Korea!
- Guide to Exchange Students in Korea: Clubs, MT & More
- Waste Disposal & Recycling in Korea
- 9 Essential Apps for Your Trip to Korea!
- South Korea’s Best May Festivals 2026
Even more K-Pop Tours & Experiences!
- 2026 Seoul Music Awards Ticket Package (Jun 20)
- MyK Festa: MyK LIVE Ticket & Seoul Tour Package (Jun 26 & 27)
- KMA (KM Chart Awards) Ticket Package (+ Red Carpet Option) (Jul 25, 2026)
Stay tuned for all the best activities and news in Korea via Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop.
