Six reasons to say Annyeong to K-Fest at National Museum of Australia

Posted on 2 April, 2026

K-Fest lands at the NMA on Saturday, 11 April from 4 pm, and it’s shaping up to be the next best thing to a trip to Seoul.

Silk lanterns strung across the deck of the National Museum of Australia. The smell of sizzling Korean Fried Chicken. Browsing market stalls to the sound of live music. Learning your favourite K-pop choreography.

Running alongside the museum’s Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition, K-Fest is a free festival celebrating the full spectrum of Korean culture – from its ancient roots to the contemporary sounds and styles that have captured the world’s imagination.

The museum’s Senior Programs Producer for Hallyu, Lilith Silva, puts it simply: “It’s an incredibly unique opportunity to experience Korean culture outside of Korea.”

Here’s why you should go.

Myeongdong has nothing on this lineup

Korean street food is a flavour explosion, and K-Fest’s vendor lineup is no exception. We’re talking tteokbokki, ramyeon from Nongshim, kimchi pancakes, twist potato, dalgona candy (you may have seen it in Squid Game) tteok skewers and mandu from the Korean Association of Canberra – the list goes on.

Kyung Hotteok will be there (yes!!!), and Mukbar is bringing pork jeyuk, beef bulgogi, japchae and jokbal.

Sarah & MJ round things out with odeng and kimchi pancakes, while Our Hours and Dippin’ Dots handle the sweet treats (Korean desserts, ice cream and more!).

Come hungry.

Your K-era starts here

J-Dance

K-Fest is an invitation to get hands-on with Korean culture.

J-Dance will run traditional Korean dance workshops, and Dance til Dawn will be teaching a K-Pop dance workshop on the night. Best brush up on your choreo. If moves aren’t really your thing, drumming workshops will also be on offer.

The Korean Cultural Centre will lead a hands-on activity for children aged 5–12 years, which will see them decorate beautiful butterfly wings with personalised Korean characters, creating a unique artwork to take home while discovering the beauty of Korean culture.

But wait, there’s more! The Korean Association of Canberra brings traditional games and hanbok try-ons to the mix. Whether you’re 15 or 50, it’s guaranteed fun.

A stage lineup worthy of a Seoul festival

Harry Jun

Headlining the stage is Harry Jun – comedian, MC, and by Lilith’s own assessment, “the star of the show.”

Peace Kwon and JYL-PO round out the musical lineup, both Korean-Australian artists whose music carries the influence of their heritage into contemporary pop.

Peace Kwon.

J-Dance, the Sydney-based traditional and contemporary Korean dance company who wowed audiences at Australia Day at the Museum, will also perform in the evening.

PURE, an Australia-based Korean traditional art music ensemble, will share the beauty of Korean sounds, and local studio Dance til Dawn will bring the energy with a K-Pop set.

Shop like you’re in Insadong

The NMA’s K-Shop

Beyond the food vendors, K-Fest has assembled a market worth browsing.

Mama Kim’s Kitchen is bringing handmade Korean sauces and kimchi.

MiranDay – an Australian maker – offers traditional Korean-inspired pieces, including hanboks, daenggi, and accessories.

There’ll be Korean-style press-on nails, handmade coin rings and jewellery, traditional Korean accessories from the Korean Association and Sarang, and pop-ups from Round Lab and Kakao Friends through the NMA shop.

Jinju called, and it’s lending Canberra its lanterns

Hundreds of silk lanterns, lent from Jinju City in South Korea, will be draped across the museum’s deck and throughout the festival space. Jinju is home to one of Korea’s most celebrated lantern festivals, so this is no small gesture.

As the sun goes down over Lake Burley Griffin and the lanterns come into their own, Acton Peninsula will be transformed into a little slice of South Korea.

The perfect time to ride the wave

If you haven’t seen Hallyu! The Korean Wave (or even if you have) K-Fest is the perfect opportunity to dive into the exhibition – visitors receive 20 per cent off tickets. The exhibition traces how Korean culture – music, film, beauty, food – became a global phenomenon. K-Fest brings that to life.

There’s also 20 per cent off items in The Hallyu Shop. Whether you’re after your K-Beauty fix or a BTS plushie (or even your ult group’s light stick), there’s plenty to discover.

Getting there

With limited parking available at the Museum and large crowds expected, public transport is highly recommended.

A free shuttle bus service will run every 15 minutes from the city between 3.30 and 9.15 pm, with convenient pick-up and drop-off locations including:

• City Interchange, Platform 5, Mort St
• City West Interchange, Marcus Clarke St
• Marcus Clarke St, after Farrell Pl
• NFSA, Liversidge St, after Ellery Cr
• Liversidge St, after Brian Lewis Cr
• National Museum of Australia, Lennox Crossing

Consider parking near these shuttle stops for the most stress-free experience or consider these other ways of getting to the Museum.