Koreatown is always buzzing with weekend activity, but this weekend it’s going all out for the 52nd Los Angeles Korean Festival, happening Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 19 at Seoul International Park. This four-day celebration brings together food, music, performances, and culture in a way that captures the spirit of L.A.’s Korean-American community while welcoming newcomers eager to explore it.
RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Koreatown
The festival dates back to 1974, when Korean-American community leaders launched it as a way to preserve heritage in a city defined by diversity. Over the past five decades, it has become a fall tradition, offering visitors the chance to wander under lanterns, sample street food, and watch everything from drummers and dance troupes to K-pop bands.
It’s a mix of spectacle and intimacy; the first day alone opens with a Korean National Opera performance and closes with a celebrity hip-hop show, while the rest of the weekend features everything from traditional dance to interactive contests like hot dog eating. There are also cultural experiences, including calligraphy stations, hanbok try-ons and hands-on craft stalls that let attendees engage with Korean traditions firsthand.
Food is at the heart of the festival. Street-style Korean staples like tteokbokki, hotteok, soondae, grilled squid and Korean barbecue fill the grounds, accompanied by beloved condiments and sweets. Expect smoke and sizzle from the grills, long lines for Korean fried chicken, and bowls of icy bingsu to cool down on sunny days.
Of course, staging a festival in K-town comes with friction. Parking is notoriously tricky in the whole neighborhood, but the festival has partnered with some local garages for a parking discount (and even a shuttle to and from the fest). Or just rely on ride shares to simplify matters even further. Even so, the festival retains a kind of laid-back charm. It feels like a neighborhood block party elevated by purpose.
The 52nd Los Angeles Korean Festival runs October 16–19 at Seoul International Park, 3250 San Marino St. For a full lineup of performances, food offerings, and cultural experiences, check the festival’s website and plan ahead for a weekend that captures both the heritage and the energy of L.A.’s Koreatown.