Winter Festivals & Lights

Winter Festival Travel — Snow, Ice, Light: Three Ways to Enjoy Winter in Korea

Winter travel in Korea is broadly divided into three types — Ice fishing on frozen rivers, Snow festivals on snowy mountains, and Light festivals illuminating cities and gardens. It's a season not for escaping the cold, but for embracing it. Just follow the schedule below, and your weekends from December to February will be full.

At a Glance

Snow and Ice Festivals — Gangwon Province is the Main Stage

Ice fishing at the Sancheoneo Festival is popular for its pre-booked sessions and sells out quickly. Check official reservations before visiting. (Schedules and sessions may be adjusted annually depending on ice conditions.)

Light Festivals · Illuminations — Nights Illuminating Cities and Gardens

• Garden of Morning Calm Five-Color Starlight Garden(Gyeonggi, Gapyeong): A representative illumination that lights up the entire garden with lights every winter to early spring.
• Everland/Lotte World Christmas, The Hyundai Seoul Christmas: Representative downtown photo zones in December.
• Seoul Lantern Festival(Cheonggyecheon area): An annual winter lantern festival.
• Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival(Nampo-dong Gwangbok-ro): The representative illuminated street of the port city in December.

Exact opening dates and operating hours vary by season, so please check each official channel before visiting.

How to Enjoy

• 1-night, 2-day Gangwon Snow Festival: Combine Hwacheon (Sancheoneo) – Taebaek/Pyeongchang (Snow Festival) to fully experience winter in Gangwon. Winter wear and crampons are essential.
• Same-day Light Festival: Arrive an hour before sunset to capture the transition from sunset to night view for the most beautiful photos.
• Family Trip: Places with sledding slopes or indoor greenhouses are suitable for children.

Essentials Checklist

• Crampons (Snow Spikes) — Essential for icy/snowy paths. Risk of falling without them.
• Hot packs · Winter gloves · Scarf · Beanie — Outdoor waiting times are long.
• Waterproof boots · Extra socks — Snow melts easily and can get things wet.
• Portable charger — Batteries drain quickly in the cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When is the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival held in 2026? A. It is from January 10 to February 1, 2026. Popular ice fishing sessions sell out quickly with advance reservations, so book in advance.

Q. Where can I enjoy a winter atmosphere without snow? A. We recommend light festivals and illuminations. The Garden of Morning Calm Five-Color Starlight Garden, The Hyundai/Everland Christmas, and the Seoul Lantern Festival can be enjoyed from December regardless of snow.

Q. What are the essentials for outdoor winter festivals? A. Crampons, hot packs, and winter gloves are the three main essentials. Icy and snowy paths are especially dangerous without crampons, and hot packs significantly influence comfort due to long outdoor waiting times.