In South Korea festivals are usually bright, colorful and energetic. If you'd like to schedule your vacation around any of South Korea's festivals, you definitely have plenty to choose from. Here's a look at what you'll find throughout the year.

January

Inje Icefish Festival - Held every January to early February in Inje is the celebration of "icefish." You can take part in ice fishing and learn how to cook a proper "icefish." You can also join in any of the activities such as ice soccer, ice sledding, and even the dog sledding competition.

February

Seollal - The Lunar New Year is a 3-day celebration surrounding the first day of the first lunar month (usually in February). This is a time of families and games, when everybody in Korea turns a year older and feasts on birthday soup.

March/April

Cherry Blossom Festivals - The cherry blossom festival is a hallmark of many Korean towns and cities, including Seoul, Cheonan and Jinhae. The exact timing depends on when the trees begin to bloom, but once the countryside is a riot of pink blossoms then you can take part in the local carnivals, performances, dancing and fireworks.

May

Lantern Festival - On Buddha's birthday (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month) you can join in on the Lotus Lantern Festival in most every town. The Sunday before the big day heralds a parade with the lanterns, while on the actual day you can visit Buddhist temples to make your own lantern.

Ramie Fabric Festival - Head to Hansan to see these silks made from the Mosi plant. Watch the fashion show and demonstrations, then take part in the Mosi cord contest or learn how to weave or paint the fabric.

Hi Seoul - This celebration is all about Seoul, with a parade and various events at the 5 palaces in the city. You can also learn about the city's history at locations along the river. Plenty of dance parties make the nights wild and crazy.

Da-hyang Festival - This tea festival takes place in Boseong and celebrates everything tea-related. You can take part in tea picking, tea making or even the Miss Tea contest.

June

Firefly Festival - In Muju the environmentally conscious can watch the fireflies and fireworks while learning about how to keep our environment beautiful and natural.

Lily Festival - Taean is known for its beaches, but you can visit in June to see it filled with brightly colored lilies. There are indoor and outdoor exhibitions, flower sculptures, flower-baking classes and even pottery-making and face painting.

July

Mud Festival - A favorite with tourists is held in the town of Boryeong in July, when the beaches are turned to mud for the annual mud festival. Join in on mud wrestling and sliding as well as the Mud King contest. Women will love the face packs and massages.

September

Chuseok - Korean Thanksgiving falls on the 14th to 16th days of the eighth lunar month and is a time for Koreans to return to their roots. There are plenty of games and ceremonies, as well as a great feast in thanks for the harvest. Chestnuts are a popular snack during the holiday.

Ginseng Festival - In Geumsan you can celebrate all things ginseng for the 10 days prior to Chuseok. Learn about health and well being while visiting oriental doctors and picking up all sorts of products, foods and wines all made from that incredible thing, ginseng.

October

Kimchi Festival - Gwangju is famous for this annual festival that includes cooking and making demonstrations and practices. You can also watch the traditional dress fashion show and listen to some traditional music.

Busan International Film Festival - Frequented by thousands every year is the International Film Festival in Busan. Hundreds of films are screened all across the city, and you're likely to run into a few famous people from around the world.

Mask Dance Festival - In Andong you can see the performances, plays and dances of the colorful mask festival. Be forewarned that participation by viewers is encouraged and often forced, but it's all in good fun.

November

Apple Festival - Occurring in late October or early November is the Yesan Apple Festival. Yesan's apples are known to be the best in the country, and for 1 day you can take part in the eating and peeling contests or go out and pick your own apples. There's also a Miss Yesan Apple Queen.