Ulsan Whale Festival

The 30th Ulsan Whale Festival is a leading cultural tourism festival of Ulsan, hosted by Nam-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and organized by the Whale Cultural Foundation. Against the historical backdrop of Jangsaengpo’s transformation from a former center of whaling into an ecological city where whales and humans coexist, the festival marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 under the theme “The Whale’s Invitation, a 30th Birthday Party!” and the slogan “Whale Be Together.” The festival will take place for 4 days, from Thursday, October 15, 2026, through Sunday, October 18, 2026, throughout the Jangsaengpo Special Whale Culture Zone. Its main event spaces include the Whale Theater main stage, Shrimp Yard, Whale Experience Yard, a busking zone, and a flea-market zone exclusively for small businesses. A transfer-style welcome gate will operate around Taehwagang Station Plaza to make access more convenient for visitors. During the festival, a range of signature programs will be held, including opening and closing ceremonies, a special fireworks show, a thematic performance, a 300-person citizens’ grand choir, and a whale parade. A wide variety of cultural experiences and competitions for all generations will also take place, including Whale Kingdom Kids Festa, Challenge! Whale Rider Challenge, the Wish Whale Project, AR and interactive media experiences at the Whale’s Dream AI Zone, Whale Family Dancing Star, and a family singing contest. Other offerings include the 30th-anniversary archive exhibition “The Time of Whales,” a food zone called Whale Table, a whale flea market, and associated tourist facilities such as the Whale Sea Cruise Ship, Whale Experience Hall, and Jangsaengpo Culture Warehouse, providing visitors with various things to see and enjoy.