December in Korea means holiday lights, snow (think cute hats and scarves), Christmas, and last but not least, plenty of winter festivals. Why fight the cold and stay bundled at home? Embrace it! Put on a coat and go outside. There are winter events celebrating everything from arts to fruits and winter activities for everyone to enjoy, young and old alike.
As the twelfth month comes to an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival locations across the nation to welcome in the first sunrise of the 2013. When the brand new year comes in, January and February will be the perfect time to revel in the chilly weather and visit any of the snow and ice festivals across the nation. Popular festivals include the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, Inje Icefish Festival, Jaraseom Singsing Winter Festival and many more. When you’ve had enough of the snow and ice, head over to Jeju-do for the hot and smoky Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival that’s not to be missed.
 2012 Sunrise Festivals
Ulsan Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival 
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Ganjeolgot Lighthouse, Daesong-ri, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan-si
Ganjeolgot is known as the seaside location where one can witness the first sunrise in Korea. People all across the nation gather to celebrate and watch the first sunrise of the New Year here. New Year’s celebrations also include a wide array of events such as fireworks, eating tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup traditionally eaten during New Year), and a wide range of performances. Nearby attractions include thick groves of pine trees, oddly-shaped rock formations and an onggi (earthenware) village.
Maryangpo Sunset & Sunrise Festival 
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Maryangpo Port, Maryang-ri, Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Why spend New Year’s Eve indoors when you can spend it at this beautiful beach on Korea’s west coast? One of the few places that offer a stunning view of both the sunset and the sunrise, this sunrise festival venue has it all: a great location and lots of celebratory events such as a local specialty market and seaside bonfires.
Homigot Sunrise Festival
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Homigot Sunrise Plaza, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Homigot Beach, where the Sunrise Plaza is located, is definitely one of the most popular places for watching the new year’s sunrise due to its brilliant yellow and golden sunrise scenery. People can see a variety of performances and fireworks in the sky when the New Year’s Day approaches. In addition, people can also enjoy Korean folk games and taste local food like Guamegi (partially dried herring or mackerel pike) or Makgeolli in the food market.
Seongsan Sunrise Festival
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Ilchulbong Peak area, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-si
Join the countdown and welcome in the New Year at Jeju’s premier sunrise attraction, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (also known as “Sunrise Peak”). Fishermen from every port will turn on their boat lights and blow their whistles in unison to mark the occasion. With the port town down below and a view of the sun coming up over the ocean, it is truly a spectacular sight to behold.
Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Hourglass Park District, Jeongdongjin Beach, Gangneung, Gangwon-do
Get off of the train in Jeongdongjin and walk only a few meters to the beautiful beach and its large hourglass. The beach’s hourglass is so big that it takes one full year for the sand at the top to fall to the bottom. As 12am on New Year’s Eve approaches, the last grains trickle down and the hourglass is turned over once again as part of a grand ceremony, kicking off the brand-new year.
Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Gyeongpo Beach, Jeo-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon-do
Gyeongpo Beach is well-known for its beauty, which shows itself in a different light throughout the year. On New Year’s Day, people gather for a huge celebration counting down the seconds until the New Year, watching fireworks and participating in an array of programs and cultural events.
Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival
When: December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 (New Years Eve/Day)
Where: Impo Village (Hyangiram) area, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
Hyangiram Sunrise Festival is an annual overnight festival attended by those who want to enjoy the sunrise scene. Beginning with the Gukak (Korean traditional music) performance, there are various events like the “sunrise singing contest”, “wish lighting”, “dance festival”, “family film festival”, and a lot more activities for the visitors to enjoy.
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