There’s plenty to enjoy in Korea in winter. Light festivals fill city nights with dazzling displays, with frozen rivers becoming playgrounds for ice fishing and snow sledding. Sunrise festivals bring people together to welcome the first sunrise of the New Year. From Seoul and Gangwon to Busan and Yeosu, discover the winter festivals you won’t want to miss in 2026–2027. Come experience winter in Korea!
Location: Gwanghwamun Square (Seoul Light Gwanghwamun) & Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square area (Seoul Lantern Festival), Seoul
- Seoul’s streets light up for the holiday season. Traditional hanji paper lanterns and vibrant media art displays illuminate Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square, two of the city’s best-known attractions. Take in the light installations reflected in the water, and then stroll over to nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace. On December 31, join the countdown and ring in the New Year at the heart of Seoul!
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Location: The Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do
- This popular winter festival is held at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, which is open all year round. Colorful, eco-friendly LED lights fill its sprawling outdoor gardens spanning some 330,000 square meters, creating a spectacular display and a romantic setting surrounded by nature. Close to Seoul, it’s an ideal stop on a day trip that also includes Nami Island and Petite France.
Location: Throughout E-World and around 83 Tower, Daegu
- Daegu’s E-World theme park lights up for this dazzling winter festival. Enjoy the rides, stroll through tunnels of light, and take photos at designated photo spots. Head up to the 83 Tower observatory for sweeping nighttime views of Daegu. It’s a great choice for travelers looking to experience a Korean theme park!
Location: Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro area, Busan
- Now in its 13th year, this festival is one of Busan’s signature winter events. Stroll past dazzling light displays from Gunam-ro to the sands of Haeundae Beach, enjoying views of the winter sea along the way. With refreshing sea breezes and romantic light installations, it’s a popular destination for visitors from around the world. It’s an easy subway ride from Busan Station, fitting perfectly into a day of sightseeing in Busan.
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Location: Hwacheoncheon Stream in Hwacheon, Gangwon State
- As one of Korea’s best-known winter festivals, this event is a favorite among international visitors. Try catching mountain trout with your bare hands, and then let your inner child loose on the giant snow slide or go ice sledding on the frozen Hwacheoncheon Stream. There’s enough excitement to make you forget the cold!
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Location: Hantangang River Mulwit-gil Trekking Course in Cheorwon, Gangwon State
- A popular rafting destination in summer, the Hantangang River gorge offers a very different adventure in winter: walking on the frozen river. This trek through the Hantangang UNESCO Global Geopark gives you a rare chance to admire dramatic cliffs and columnar rock formations from the ice. Towering walls of ice and rugged rock formations create an ancient landscape of otherworldly beauty.
Location: Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park in Gangneung, Gangwon State
- Celebrate the New Year in Jeongdongjin, famous for its train station right beside the sea. Make a wish as the sun rises in brilliant red above the horizon. Travelers from around the world gather here to welcome the year ahead and make resolutions, giving the festival a lively atmosphere. Why not book a sunrise train tour through a travel agency and travel overnight to catch the first sunrise of the year?
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Location: Taebaeksan National Park area, Gangwon State
- This popular snow festival in Gangwon State is held around Taebaeksan Mountain, which rises over 1,500 meters above sea level. Giant snow sculptures by world-renowned artists stand against the snowy backdrop of Taebaeksan National Park. Hike among snow-covered trees or feel the rush of snow sledding as you explore this winter wonderland.
Location: Alps Village in Cheongyang, Chungcheongnam-do
- Enjoy a warm village welcome at this winter festival in Alps Village in Cheongyang, Chungcheongnam-do. Towering ice fountains made by spraying water and letting it freeze and ice sculptures turn the village into a winter wonderland. From snow sledding and ice sledding to roasting chestnuts, discover the simple pleasures of winter in the Korean countryside.
Location: Hyangiram Hermitage area in Yeosu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City
- Hyangiram Hermitage overlooking the deep blue sea is one of the most popular sunrise spots on Korea’s southern coast and the setting for this festival. Watch the sun rise over a stunning landscape of rock formations and camellia trees. It’s a special chance to welcome the New Year at a Korean Buddhist temple!
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Location: Homigot Sunrise Square in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Ring in the New Year at one of Korea’s best-known sunrise festivals in Homigot on the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Take in the breathtaking sight of the red sun rising behind the Hands of Harmony sculpture reaching up from the sea. It’s the perfect place to start the year feeling hopeful and recharged!
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- [FAQ] Q1. When is the best time to visit Korea for winter festivals?
- Most light festivals run from late November through January or February, making them a great addition to a year-end trip. Ice festivals including mountain trout and trout festivals are at their peak from mid-January to early February when rivers freeze solid. Sunrise festivals run from the evening of December 31 to the morning of January 1.
- [FAQ] Q2. What should I wear to an ice festival?
- Temperatures in the mountains of Gangwon State often drop below −10°C mid-winter. Bundle up in a thick padded coat, a pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf, and wear waterproof shoes with good traction. Pack some disposable hand warmers, too—you can easily find them at pharmacies in Korea.
- [FAQ] Q3. How can I get to festivals in Gangwon State from Seoul?
- During the festivals, shuttle buses run from local intercity bus stops or train stations to the venues. For convenience, you can book a day tour designed for international visitors—inclusive of transportation and admission—from Seoul. Tourist taxis are another good option for international visitors!
- [FAQ] Q4. Can the weather affect festival schedules?
- Yes. If the ice is too thin to meet safety standards, ice festivals may delay opening or offer fewer activities. Dates marked “tentative” have yet to be confirmed, so check the festival’s official website or social media for updates before you go!
