Andong Su (Water) Festa

'Urban Vacation' in the middle of the Nakdonggang River

When I think of Andong, I first picture traditional images like Hahoe Village, mask dance, and salted mackerel. But when I visited Andong again in midsummer, it had a completely different face. At 246 Gangnam-ro, on the Nakdonggang riverside in front of Seonghee Girls' High School, the 'Andong Water Festa' is the star, with a giant pool, water slide, and inflatable water playground laid out along the riverbank. It is a summer water-themed cultural festival, and in 2025 it ran for 9 days from July 26 to August 3 in the Nakdonggang area, while in 2026 it is scheduled for July 25 to August 2. By day, you jump into the water to cool off; by night, the program continues with performances and fireworks, so the atmosphere changes completely between day and night.

What I liked most was that there is no admission fee. The festival itself is free, so you can simply stroll along the riverside and enjoy the vibe without 부담, or choose only the water-play and hands-on activities. It has also grown larger every year, and in 2025 about 186,000 people visited over the 9-day period. That is an increase of more than 80,000 from the roughly 100,000 the previous year, so it felt like it had firmly established itself as one of Gyeongsangbuk-do's signature summer festivals.

A festival you enter by crossing the river - a day for foreign travelers

From Seoul, you can reach Andong in about two hours from Cheongnyangni on the KTX-Eum. The issue is getting to the festival site. The Nakdonggang riverside in front of Seonghee Girls' High School is a bit far from the city center, so I took a taxi from the Andong Station/Andong Bus Terminal area. If you come by car, I recommend parking at the music fountain parking lot across the river. From there, you cross the Nakdonggang River on a 14-seat party boat (water shuttle) to enter the venue, and that ride is an experience in itself. It really feels like the festival begins the moment you cross the river. The parking lot gets crowded during the festival period, so if you do not have much time, I recommend public transportation or a taxi.

The water facilities open from 10:00 a.m. I arrived in the morning and enjoyed the water slide and the giant pool before the crowds built up. Water-gun battles and water cannons are especially popular with children, and hands-on programs such as water bicycles and paddle boards accept both advance reservations and on-site registration, but they are so popular that they fill up quickly. If there is a specific activity you want to try, it is safest to reserve it in advance on the official website. What to bring: a swimsuit, a change of clothes, a waterproof pouch, aqua shoes, and a hat plus sunscreen to withstand the midsummer heat. Large shade shelters are provided, but on some days the daytime temperature can reach 37 degrees Celsius, so water and shade are essential.

The English guidance is not very extensive, so you may need to infer the program schedule as you go. Still, because the festival centers on water play and performances, there was not much difficulty enjoying it even without knowing the language. For payment, most food trucks and booths accept cards and mobile payment, but small snack stalls or market stands may require cash, so it is wise to carry a little.

When night falls, the mood changes - Andong Summer Night

Once the sun sets, the festival's character changes dramatically. Instead of the excitement of water play, the nighttime performance called 'Andong Summer Night' heats up the riverside. Popular artists take the stage on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, and in 2025 names such as Zion.T, Haha & Skull, and Mushvenom appeared. When this blends with the EDM party and fireworks burst into the night sky, the reflections on the river are truly beautiful. In addition, stages such as the Water Festa K-University Song Festival and the East Asia Culture City Rock Festival make the night program quite rich.

If you want to enjoy the night properly, you cannot miss 'Nakdong Pojangmacha'. It is a space where tent-style food stalls are paired with 1980s-style lighting, and it received good reviews for its retro atmosphere and reasonable prices. It is perfect for a simple drink while feeling the river breeze. If you want to stay overnight, lodging is also available in the Nakdong camping zone and auto-camping zone, but since these operate by advance reservation, all sessions are booked out every year. The camping site fee is relatively affordable, and if you do not have equipment, you can rent it on site for a fee.

What to check in advance so you do not make a wasted trip

The first thing to secure is advance reservations for activities and camping. Activities such as paddle boards and water bicycles have long waiting lines, and the Nakdong camping zone is sold out day after day, so it is easy to miss out if you visit on a whim. The nighttime performance lineup and schedule also change every year, so if there is a specific singer you want to see, it is better to check the date and plan accordingly.

• Water play starts at 10:00 a.m. - mornings are less crowded and more relaxed
• Performances are concentrated on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights - go on the weekend to enjoy both daytime water play and nighttime performances
• The parking lot is across the river, and entry is by party-boat shuttle - if you are driving, make sure you know this route in advance
• For the heat, be sure to bring water, shade, aqua shoes, a change of clothes, and a waterproof pouch

Operating hours, shuttle details, and reservation specifics are adjusted every year, so I recommend checking the latest schedule on the official website before visiting.

So, who is it for?

It is perfect for families or groups of friends who want to play in the water during the day and finish the night with performances and fireworks. In particular, the contrast of finding such a cool, lively summer festival in the traditional city of Andong was part of the charm. From the moment you cross the river to enter until the last fireworks explode, Andong's summer felt far hotter and cooler than I expected.