ULSAN — The Ulsan Whale Festival, the city's flagship event, opens on the 15th at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone to mark its 30th anniversary. This year's festival sharply expands programs built around resident participation, and a new landmark in the zone — an elevated pedestrian bridge called Goraedeunggil — officially opens on the first day of the festival to amplify the combined draw.
The Whale Cultural Foundation said on the 13th that the 30th Ulsan Whale Festival will run for four days from Oct. 15 to Oct. 18 under the theme "Invitation From the Whales, a 30th Birthday Party!" The defining feature is a lineup designed so that visitors take part as participants rather than simply watch.
The signature program is "Song of the Whale," a mass chorus bringing 300 residents onto a single stage. The 300 performers span all generations, from children to adults. Whale-themed special fireworks shows are scheduled for the opening and closing days, with a nighttime performance called "Hello 30, Sparkle Tonight!" and an evening party to follow. On the 18th, the festival's final day, a street parade featuring residents and professional arts groups will move through the Jangsaengpo area.
Other programming looks back on the festival's three-decade history. On the third floor of the Jangsaengpo Culture Warehouse, an archive exhibition titled "Time of the Whales" will display the festival's history alongside records kept by residents. Hands-on exhibitions for children and families and a special performance, "Fairy Tale Concert," will run alongside it.
The festival also pairs with programs supporting local small business owners. Organizers have set up "Whale Table," a local food court, along with "Whale Partnership Market," a flea market reserved for small business owners, and booths for hands-on activities and promotion, strengthening ties with neighborhood commerce. On-site activities include whale lantern making, a Whale Expedition family tour, augmented reality experiences and a whale-back riding challenge, as well as a giveaway for adult visitors whose birthday falls on the 30th of the month.
Goraedeunggil, a landmark elevated pedestrian bridge that serves as a viewing spot in the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Special Zone, opens on the 15th, the festival's first day. The bridge will link key points within the zone from above, creating a new route for walking and taking in the views.
Lim Hyun-chul, head of Nam-gu District, said the festival this year aims to be one that residents join and build together. "Since this is the 30th edition, I hope every visitor spends meaningful time in Jangsaengpo," the district head said.