If your playlist is filled with BTS, Blackpink and Twice, mark your calendar for K-Travel Fest: Hello Korea.
Toronto’s newest free festival is bringing the K-pop craze directly to Sankofa Square, complete with live performances, innovative K-beauty pop-ups and savoury street eats.
Presented by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Canada, the inaugural festival runs from Sept. 12 to 13 and showcases the “authentic sights, sounds and tastes of Korea,” according to Youna Oh, KTO Canada director. The event was designed to be a fully interactive experience.
A trip to Korea in the heart of Toronto
Kick off your visit at the Welcome Zone by picking up a free event travel card. As you explore the festival, collect stickers at each activity booth. Once you gather six, you can redeem them for a special Korea-themed passport cover.
Here is what to expect at the festival.
K-Travel Fest main stage
The main stage serves as the pulse of the event and features live K-pop dance showcases and dynamic Random Play Dance sessions.
Beyond performance art, the stage program includes the interactive Nongshim Shin Crush Challenge, high-energy Taekwondo and Nanta drum demonstrations, live K-beauty tutorials on current trends and a culinary master-class led by celebrity chef Song Hoon.
The K-Travel experience
Want to experience where K-pop originates from? Travel through five booths representing notable Korean cities — each transforms a local attraction or cultural experience into an interactive activity.
Check out Seoul to discover cutting-edge beauty trends in the nation’s capital and the birthplace of K-pop. Get a personal colour consultation to find shades that complement your skin tone or try an AI skin analysis for customized product recommendations.
In Busan, step inside a 360-degree cinematic studio inspired by the coastal Haeundae Blueline Park, which captures video inside a replica sky capsule.
Head over to Gyeongju and create a decorative mirror using monster-of-pearl pieces representing Korea’s ancient Silla capital. Afterwards, make your way to Jeju Island and sample tea sourced from the area, while learning about its ingredients.
The last destination is Jeonju, a booth revolving around traditional culture through colours and details in Korean clothing. Before wrapping up the travels, take advantage of the Jeonju Hanok Village inspired photo-op.
The K-Pocha Zone
Get ready to go on the ultimate snack run at the K-Convenience Store. It features a wide selection of popular Korean snacks and the trending “Hangang River Ramyeon” station, where guests can prepare hot noodles on-site. The food zone also features festival favourites like bibimbap, Korean fried chicken and savoury wang galbi (short ribs).
Signature Event Zone
Take a moment to relax with a guided tea tasting hosted by premium tea house Hoesoodaok during the Jeju Tea Ceremony (advance registration required).
Visitors can drop in for calligraphy and colouring classes or get a temporary K-culture tattoo.
Catch all the festivities at 1 Dundas St E. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.