When the rivers of Gangwon Province freeze, Korea puts on some of its most fun festivals: thousands of people fishing through holes in the ice, sledges and ice slides, snow sculptures and grilled fish on the riverbank. Closer to Seoul, the city and the gardens around it light up with lanterns and millions of small lights. Here are the best winter festivals for visitors and how to enjoy them.
One thing first: ice festivals depend on the ice being thick enough to stand on. In a mild winter they can be postponed, shortened or cancelled at short notice. Always check the official website or the Korea tourism site a few days before you go.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
The biggest and best known ice festival, held on a frozen river in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, usually for about three weeks in January. The main event is ice fishing for sancheoneo (mountain trout): you sit by a hole in the ice with a short rod and wait. There is also bare-hand fishing in icy water for the brave, ice sledging, ice football and a giant ice sculpture area. There is usually a section of the river set aside for foreign visitors, and the stalls by the river will grill or prepare your fish for you.
Getting there: Hwacheon is about two and a half to three hours from Seoul. Intercity buses run from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, and many tour companies run day trips from Seoul in festival season, which is the easiest option.
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Held in Jinbu, Pyeongchang, in the same mountains as the ski resorts, usually from late December into January. It has ice fishing, sledging, snowmobiles and ice slides, and it is easy to combine with a day of skiing. Jinbu is reachable by KTX on the Gangneung line.
Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival
Taebaek is one of the highest towns in Korea, and its snow festival, usually from late January into early February, is known for its big snow sculptures, snow slides and a winter climb up Taebaeksan mountain. It is a good choice for snow rather than ice. Taebaek is about three and a half hours from Seoul by bus or train.
Inje Icefish Festival
A smaller, more local festival on a frozen lake in Inje, usually in January, where people fish for bingeo, tiny icefish. It has been cancelled in some recent mild winters because the ice was not thick enough, so check before planning around it.
Seoul Lantern Festival and Winter Festa
In the city, the Seoul Lantern Festival lines Cheonggyecheon stream with large lit lanterns and art installations, as part of the Seoul Winter Festa. Last winter it ran from 12 December to 4 January, with a Christmas market in Gwanghwamun Square and an ice rink at Seoul Plaza. It is free, central and easy to reach on foot from Gwanghwamun or Jonggak stations. Go on a weekday evening to avoid the biggest crowds. See our Christmas and New Year in Seoul guide.
Winter light gardens
Several gardens and parks hold long-running winter light festivals, covering paths, trees and hills with small lights from late autumn to early spring. The best known near Seoul is the lighting festival at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, which is often combined with Nami Island on a day trip. Further south, the green tea fields of Boseong are lit up in winter too. Opening hours and dates change each season, so check before you go. See our day trips from Seoul guide.
Tips for ice festivals
- Dress for standing still in the cold. Thermal layers, a padded coat, waterproof boots, a hat and gloves, and heat packs from a convenience store. Sitting on ice is much colder than walking.
- Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends, especially the first one, are very crowded.
- Arrive early. Fishing areas fill up, and fish bite better in the morning.
- Book tickets or tours ahead for the big festivals, especially at weekends.
- Bring some cash for food stalls, although cards are widely accepted. See our cash and cards guide.
For what to wear and how cold it gets, see our January guide and winter travel guide.
FAQ
When is the Hwacheon ice fishing festival?
Usually for about three weeks in January, when the river is frozen. The exact dates are announced each winter and can change if the ice is too thin.
Can foreigners join the ice fishing?
Yes. The big festivals welcome foreign visitors, and Hwacheon usually has a separate fishing area and booking option for them. Many tour companies run day trips from Seoul.
What is the easiest winter festival to visit from Seoul?
The Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon, in the city centre and free. Of the ice festivals, Hwacheon is the most popular day trip from Seoul.
