Guide to Winter Festivals (December-February)

Winter in Korea means plenty of festive gatherings, from Christmas to New Year’s Eve parties. As December comes to an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival Venues across Korea to welcome in the first sunrise of the New Year. January and February are perfect for reveling in the chilly weather by visiting snow and ice festivals. Each region has its own unique winter culture and specialty products, for endless opportunities to enjoy an active winter in Korea.

Active Festivals to Keep Warm

Pyeongchang Trout Festival
•Period: December 22, 2018-January 27, 2019
•Venue: Areas of Odaecheon Stream
3562, Gyeonggang-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
•Pyeongchang Trout Festival annually takes place in Pyeongchang-gun, the largest trout producer in Korea. Trout cultivated in the clear waters of Pyeongchang are popular for their rich and chewy texture. At the festival, visitors can enjoy ice fishing along with other fun activities such as barehanded fishing and sledding. The festival venue is also close to Alpensia Ski Resort and Yongpyong Ski Resort, where PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games took place.

Jaraseom Singsing Winter Festival
•Period: December 14, 2018-February 17, 2019
•‌Venue: Areas of Gapyeongcheon Stream
60, Jaraseom-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
•‌The Jaraseom Singsing Winter Festival is famous for ice fishing for trout, and your catch can be eaten right away, raw or grilled! Other activities include ice sledding, riding bumper cars on snow, traditional experiences, and more. It is easy to reach Gapyeong simply by taking the ITX Cheongchun train from Yongsan Station. There are also popular attractions nearby such as Namiseom Island, The Garden of Morning Calm, and Petite France.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
•Period: January 5–27, 2019
•Venue: Areas of Hwacheoncheon Stream
‌ ‌137, Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
•‌The Sancheoneo Ice Festival is held in the pristine natural environment around Hwacheoncheon Stream, the natural habitat of mountain trout and otters. One of the most popular programs at the festival is ice fishing, where people cut a hole through thick ice and try their luck at catching trout. Visitors can also brave the icy water and try catching fish barehanded. Helpful staff are available to ensure that even first-timers get a catch. Freshly caught fish can be consumed either raw or grilled on site.

Inje Icefish Festival
•Period: January 19-January 27, 20189
•Venue: Areas of Bingeoho Lake
555-2, Bupyeong-ri, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
•‌At Inje Icefish Festival, visitors can enjoy ice fishing and other exciting programs such as ice sledding, a large icefish sled, and snow slides. All the icefish caught by participants can be served as hoe (sliced raw fish) or deep-fried for a warm treat.

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
•Period: January 18-February 3, 2019
•Venue: Areas of Taebaeksan National Park and Hwangji Pond, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do
162, Cheonjedan-gil, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do
•‌Taebaeksan Snow Festival offers guests an array of events and activities that are sure to amuse and entertain everyone. In addition to performances and exquisite snow sculptures, visitors can participate in snow sledding with the beautiful Taebaeksan Mountain covered with snow as their backdrop.

Jeju Fire Festival
•Period: March 7-10, 2019
•Venue: Areas of Saebyeol Oreum
San 59-8, Bongseong-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si
•‌The Jeju Fire Festival is held annually to wish for a healthy and prosperous new year. Long ago, Jeju farmers would set fire to their fields to kill harmful bugs and encourage new grass for their cattle. This tradition is reenacted by setting an entire side of the mountain (“oreum”) on fire. Visitors can also experience the traditional lifestyle and practices of Korea’s farmers, including a traditional wedding ceremony at the festival.

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