20 Must-See Winter Festivals in South Korea

Reading Time: 5 minutes

When South Korea gets its winter coat on, the country turns into something out of a fairy tale. Think snow-draped mountains, icy adventures, glowing lights in sleepy towns, and enough hot street food to keep your mittens toasty. Winter isn’t just cold here—it’s a full-blown celebration.

So grab your warmest jacket and let’s explore 20 of the coolest (literally) winter festivals in South Korea. Whether you’re into ice fishing, sparkly illuminations, snowy fun, or magical New Year sunrises, there’s a winter adventure waiting for you.

---

Your Essential Korea Travel Resources

Before diving in, here are a few must-have tools to make planning your Korea trip easier:

✈️ Flights: Find convenient Europe–Korea routes with LOT Polish Airlines → book Korea flights here.
🏨 Hotels: Compare the best hotel deals across Korea on Agoda → check hotel deals here.
🎟️ Tours & Activities: Get 5% OFF Korea experiences on GetYourGuide with code LINDAGOESEAST5
🚖 Airport Transfer: Pre-book your Incheon Airport pickup with Klook → check options here.
📶 SIM card / eSIM: Stay connected from the moment you land → book sim here.

---

What’s So Special About Korean Winter Festivals?

Between December and February, the festival calendar in Korea gets packed. You’ll find festivals celebrating snow, ice, light, and even sunrise. They’re a beautiful blend of tradition, creativity, and full-on fun. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, there’s something magical waiting for you in every region.

Here’s a full list of South Korea’s top 20 winter festivals, broken down by vibe: 🎣 Ice Fishing, ✨ Light Festivals, ❄️ Snow & Ice, and 🎊 New Year Events.

Looking for festivals specifically in Seoul? Check out my post “7 Must-Visit Winter Festivals in Seoul for 2025/2026“.

Ice Fishing Festivals: Brrr-illiant Fun on Ice

1. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (화천 산천어축제)

Ever fished with your bare hands? Here’s your chance. In a stunning valley in Gangwon-do, thousands of people gather each year to fish through holes carved in the ice. Catch a trout, eat it fresh, and enjoy ice sledding and nighttime light installations on the frozen river. CNN even named this one of the top winter wonders of the world!

Ready to catch trout with your bare hands? Book your day trip now and join Korea’s coolest fishing tradition

📍 Where: Hwacheon, Gangwon-do
🗓️ When: Early to late January

2. Pyeongchang Trout Festival (평창송어축제)

This Olympic-famous town knows how to party in the snow. Drill a hole, fish for trout, and grill your catch right there. Bonus points if you try snow rafting or take an ATV ride around the snowy landscape.

Drill, fish, feast! Reserve your winter adventure in Olympic territory & book your trout festival tour here.

📍 Where: Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do
🗓️ When: Late December to late January

3. Inje Icefish Festival (인제 빙어축제)

Family-friendly and full of charm, this festival combines ice fishing with snow slides and cultural activities in a serene mountain village. Catch a fish, have it fried or served raw, and make winter memories in the snow.

Note: The Inje Icefish Festival for 2025 has been cancelled due to rising water levels at the Soyang River Dam. 

📍 Where: Inje, Gangwon-do
🗓️ When: Late January (dates vary)

---

Illumination Festivals: Light Up the Cold

4. Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제)

Held along Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square, this lantern show lights up Seoul nights with glowing sculptures, cultural themes, and street food galore. It’s a warm hug on a chilly evening and one of the most popular winter festivals in South Korea.

📍 Where: Downtown Seoul
🗓️ When: Mid-December to late January

5. Haeundae Light Festival (해운대 빛축제)

Busan’s famous beach transforms into a sea of glowing reefs and waves. Gunam-ro Street turns into a forest of LED trees, and you might even catch fireworks and laser shows by the water.

Ready to explore what Haeundae Beach has to offer? Check out available sites & attractions here.

📍 Where: Haeundae Beach, Busan
🗓️ When: Mid-November to late January

6. Busan Christmas Tree Festival (부산크리스마스트리문화축제)

Festive doesn’t even begin to describe it. Stroll through Nampo’s streets, under dazzling trees, surrounded by performances and festive cheer.

📍 Where: Nampo, Busan
🗓️ When: Mid-December to late January

7. Petite France Light Festival (쁘띠프랑스 별빛축제)

Ever dream of a European Christmas in Asia? Petite France in Gapyeong delivers with light shows, marionette performances, and fairy tale vibes.

Explore Petite France tours here.

📍 Where: Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do
🗓️ When: Winter season (dates vary)

8. Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival (오색별빛정원전)

One of Korea’s most stunning gardens goes full-on enchanted forest in winter. Wander through themed zones of lights shaped like animals, flowers, and magical scenes.

Wander through Korea’s most enchanting winter garden. Book this must-see night tour now.

📍 Where: Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do
🗓️ When: December to mid-March

9. Herb Island Light Festival (허브아일랜드 불빛동화축제)

Romantic, whimsical, and packed with photo ops—Herb Island transforms into a magical garden of rainbow lights, music, and twinkling tunnels.

📍 Where: Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do
🗓️ When: November to March

10. Jeju Fire Festival (제주들불축제)

Celebrate Jeju’s fiery farming heritage at the Jeju Fire Festival, held at Saebyeol Oreum. Once centered around burning fields for a good harvest, the event now features a virtual fire display with fireworks, media shows, and torch marches—keeping traditions alive in eco-friendly ways.

📍 Where: Saebyeol Oreum, Jeju
🗓️ When: September to early December

11. Jeju Light Garden (제주불빛정원)

This massive garden lights up Jeju’s nights with themed zones like Moonlight Garden and Water Light Cave. Perfect for couples or dreamy photos.

📍 Where: Jeju City
🗓️ When: November to March

---

Snow & Ice Festivals: Winter Playground Vibes

12. Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산 얼음분수축제)

Step into a frozen fantasy where fountains freeze mid-spray. It’s all about sledding, snacks, and sparkling ice at night in Cheongyang’s Alps Village.

See frozen fountains glow with color. Join this frosty adventure with round-trip transport.

📍 Where: Cheongyang, Chungcheongnam-do
🗓️ When: Late December to late February

13. Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival (산정호수썰매축제)

The frozen lake becomes a winter amusement park with sledding, penguin bikes, and the adorable duck train ride called Oritayo.

📍 Where: Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do
🗓️ When: Late December to early February

14. Taebaeksan Snow Festival (태백산눈축제)

Visit Taebaek for stunning snow sculptures, starlight shows, igloo cafés, and breathtaking winter hikes up Taebaeksan Mountain.

Snow sculptures, mountain hikes, and icy cafes await. Get your Taebaek winter pass today.

📍 Where: Taebaek, Gangwon-do
🗓️ When: Late January

---

🎊 New Year Festivals: Hello 2025!

15. Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 해맞이축제)

This coastal spot sees Korea’s first sunrise. Gather with thousands for fireworks, performances, and a giant communal bowl of tteokguk soup.

📍 Where: Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do
🗓️ When: New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day

16. Bosingak Bell Ringing Festival (보신각타종행사)

At midnight on December 31, the big bell in Jongno rings out the old year. Expect crowds, balloons, and cheers echoing through downtown Seoul.

📍 Where: Jongno, Seoul
🗓️ When: December 31

17. Gyeongpo & Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festivals

Celebrate the New Year with beachside fireworks and the first sunrise over the East Sea. It’s a local tradition filled with warmth (despite the weather!).

📍 Where: Gangneung, Gangwon-do
🗓️ When: December 31 to January 1

18. Lotte World Tower Fireworks

Seoul’s tallest skyscraper explodes in a kaleidoscope of light and fire. It’s an epic sight against the city skyline with celebrations by the lake.

📍 Where: Songpa, Seoul
🗓️ When: December 31

19. Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Festival

Watch the sun rise from a volcanic crater in Jeju. This UNESCO site offers stunning views and cultural performances to kick off the year.

📍 Where: Seogwipo, Jeju
🗓️ When: December 31 to January 1

20. Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival

Ulsan’s eastern tip hosts one of Korea’s earliest sunrise festivals. With bonfires, fireworks, and traditional snacks, it’s a cozy way to welcome the year.

📍 Where: Ulsan
🗓️ When: December 31 to January 1

---

Whether you’re fishing on ice, wandering glowing gardens, or chasing the first sunrise of the year, winter in Korea is nothing short of magical. Make sure to bookmark this list, pack your thermals, and start planning your snow-dusted adventure.

✈️ Want a Trip That’s Truly Yours?

Planning your first visit to Korea and not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered. Let me design a personalized Korea travel itinerary based entirely on your preferences.

For just $49 USD, you’ll receive a custom day-by-day travel plan with handpicked activities, hotel and transportation recommendations, and insider tips that help you explore Korea like a local. Plus, one free revision is included to make sure everything is perfect.

👉 Ready to plan your dream Korea trip?