Incheon Queer Culture Festival
About This Event
The Incheon Queer Culture Festival is the pride event of Incheon, South Korea's third-largest city and the home of its main international airport. The first edition, on September 8, 2018 at the north plaza of Dongincheon Station, became one of the worst days in Korean pride history. Police estimated that about 1,000 anti-LGBT protesters, most of them from Christian groups, physically blocked roughly 300 participants for hours. Participants said they were assaulted. The stage and about 40 booths could not be set up, and a parade planned to last 20 minutes took around five hours, finishing at about 9pm. Organizers accused the police of standing by.
The festival has returned every year since. It is usually held on a Saturday in late summer or early autumn, with a daytime rally and booths followed by a march. The second edition, in 2019, moved to Bupyeong Station and went ahead without major disruption. Getting a venue approved is still a fight every year.
The 8th edition took place on September 6, 2025 around Aeddeul Plaza next to Incheon City Hall, under the slogan 'NOW QUEER! Queerly, Rainbow Incheon'. The organizing committee occupied the plaza that morning despite a court ruling, and the city said it was considering fines. Police used buses to keep the festival apart from a counter-rally, and the day ended without physical clashes. Turnout reports ranged from about 300 to the 1,700 that police had prepared for.
Expect counter-protesters and a heavy police presence, and go with friends. We couldn't confirm a 2026 edition, and nothing had been announced for 2027 when we checked.
Parade Route
Where to stay during Incheon Queer Culture Festival
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