May 1–3 at Oegosan Onggi Village
Plenty to do: pottery workshops, exhibitions and more
Plenty to do: pottery workshops, exhibitions and more
Ulsan’s signature, nationally certified festival—the “2026 Ulsan Onggi Festival”—takes over Oegosan Onggi Village in Onyang-eup, Ulju County from May 1–3. On April 23, Ulju County and the Ulju Cultural Foundation announced that this year’s festival will run under the slogan “Welcome to Onggi Village.” The program pairs the timeless value of traditional onggi (Korean earthenware) with modern content and experiences so visitors of all ages can join the fun. Having been named a “Cultural Tourism Festival” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism seven years in a row since 2020, this edition promises an even richer mix of sights and activities.
The festivities kick off on May 1 with a lively parade called the “Onggi Street Procession.” A feature stage show—based on the real-life story of father-and-son onggi masters Jo Hee-man and his son—will run as “Shoulders Stained with Clay,” celebrating the craftsperson’s life and family bonds. Immediately after the opening ceremony, a drone show and fireworks will light up the night sky. The festival closes on the evening of May 3 at 6:30 p.m. with the “Onggi Concert: Shake It Off, Onggi,” featuring popular performers including Kim Kyung-ho Band, Hong Kyung-min, Jung Su-ra, Jung Seo-ju and Park Seong-on.
Nighttime programming and hands-on experiences have been expanded this year. Relax by a real kiln fire during “Onggi Kiln Fire Time,” and take in the laser-and-fog media installation “Night Bloom” for a fresh take on the evening view. By day, try your hand at the potter’s wheel with “Make Your Own Onggi” and watch artisans shape clay the old-fashioned way. There are also family-friendly events like the Onggi Task Force’s clay playground, pop-up games and a stamp tour.
The festival’s community-driven spirit is a highlight: local residents and young people collaborate on programming. The resident planning group “Ongheyah” has put together experience booths and performances, and visitors can buy pieces made by Oegosan artisans as well as onggi-themed goods created by students from Busan Institute of Science and Technology. The food market serves plenty of crowd-pleasers, including pork belly grilled in onggi pots.
Ulju County Mayor Lee Sun-geol said, “I hope this becomes an opportunity to rediscover the value of tradition. We will prepare thoroughly to make sure safety and traffic measures leave no gaps.” To make visiting easier, Ulju County will more than double shuttle-bus service compared with last year.
Oegosan Onggi Village was established in 1957 and grew into Korea’s onggi pottery hub in the 1970s, when about 350 potters worked there. Today, roughly 40 households still produce more than half of the country’s onggi output.
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