Korea’s winter is well underway and there are plenty more activities for you to enjoy and create unforgettable memories with friends and family. The weather can be chilly, but you can warm up with some amazing snacks at any of the many winter festivals planned for the season.

Make plans to embrace the season and head to these fun events where snow and ice are a main attraction. You still have plenty of chances to enjoy Korea’s winter in February at these six great festivals offering warm snacks and enjoyable activities!

CHEONGYANG ALPS VILLAGE FESTIVAL (청양 알프스마을 축제)

Social media has hyped up the Cheongyang Alps as a must-go winter destination and the alps-themed festival is a popular event to attend. Enter a winter kingdom with beautiful ice and snow sculptures, including igloos perfect for some stunning photos. In the evening, the ice village is illuminated with star lights, creating a magical, romantic vibe.

There are also other fun activities to explore, including snow and ice sledding, ziplining, and ice fishing, but they require extra fees. You can also savor a variety of winter snacks like roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts in front of a warm fire. Parking is free, but it’s recommended to visit near opening hours, especially on weekends. Ice and snow displays’ condition can vary depending on weather, so visit on a cold day.

• Address: 223-35 Cheonjangho-gil, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Naver Map

• Date: Early January to mid-February

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Weekdays) / 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Weekends)

• Phone: 041-942-0797

• Tickets: Admission 10,000 won / Sleds 30,000 won / Zipline 10,000 won / Free for those under 36 months - proof is required.

HWACHEON SANCHEONEO ICE FESTIVAL (얼음나라 화천 산천어축제)

The annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is one of Korea’s most famous winter events. Visitors can catch mountain trout, known as sancheoneo in Korean, by ice fishing or with their bare hands. Each person can take up to three fish to either bring home or cook on site. Sancheoneo is a type of salmon found only in clear, cold streams and is beloved for its rich nutritional content. It tastes great whether grilled, steamed, or served raw. Alongside sancheoneo dishes, visitors can enjoy diverse delicious winter foods at the festival.

The festival attracts over a million visitors each year and offers a variety of winter activities such as ice sledding, snow sledding, figure skating, ice soccer, and more. Also, live performances and other attractions such as ice sculpture displays add to the festive atmosphere.

• Address: Sancheoneo-gil 137, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, Naver Map

• Dates: Jan. 11 – Feb. 2

• Hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) / 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Weekends)

• Phone: 1688-3005

• Tickets: 15,000 won for adults / 10,000 won for foreigners and elementary school students / Free for children under elementary school age when accompanied by a paying adult.

• Website

YANGPYEONG ICE FISHING FESTIVAL (양평빙송어축제)

Sumi Village is a picturesque spot with sweeping mountains and crystal water reservoirs. Every winter season the village hosts its famous Yangpyeeong Ice Fishing Festival. Visitors come from all over to enjoy a variety of activities, including, of course, ice fishing. Other activities at the festival include barehand trout catching, drone ice fishing, snow and ice sledding, kite flying, and even ATV rides. The festival even offers indoor ice fishing inside warm domes.

For food, you’ll love the many hot dishes like tteokbokki, fish cake soup, various grilled meats, and hotteok pancakes.

Sumi Village is also famous for its strawberry picking where you can pick plump and lovely strawberries and take home a pack with a 18,000 won fee. You can visit anytime without reservations, and if you purchase tickets through the website or Naver, you can enjoy a 20-30 percent discount. There is a wide space for parking.

• Address: Sumi Village Visitor Center, 55-2 Gopdani-gil, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Date: Nov. 23, 2024 - March 3. 2025

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Phone: 031-775-5205

• Tickets: 19,000 won - 36,000 won (depending on activities) - Discounts are available with prior reservation through phone call or the website.

• Website

ANSEONG ICE FISHING FESTIVAL (안성동막골빙어축제)

This festival takes place at Gwanghyewon Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Anseong City. It is an ideal location for experiencing ice fishing in a fresh and clean reservoir. The festival site is conveniently located within an hour drive from Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base.

For smelt fishing, it’s recommended to dress warmly since you may spend a long time on the ice. You’ll need a small chair and a container for the smelt. You can pay 26,000 won to rent all the items for ice fishing on site or bring your own. After catching smelt, for 5,000 won fee the staff will fry them for you on the spot. Also, various winter snacks, including warm fish cake soup and other hot treats are available. Visitors can also enjoy ice sledding with plastic and wooden sleds available.

The event is cash only, so make sure to bring enough won. Parking is available.

• Address: 451 Dugyo-ri, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Date: Late December to mid-February (Closed during Lunar New Year)

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Phone: 031-674-4528

• Tickets: 10,000 won for one person / 50 percent discount for accompanying individuals / Free for children under 5 years old and individuals over 80 years old.

POCHEON BAEKUN MOUNTAIN STREAM WINTER GENERAL FESTIVAL (포천 백운계곡 동장군 축제)

Held in the Baekun mountain stream of Pocheon, the northern region of Korea, this festival is a large-scale winter event.

Families with children can enjoy a variety of exciting activities such as ice fishing for trout and smelt, exploring igloos, snow sledding, traditional sledding, and ice skating. The festival also boasts traditional activities such as making traditional wooden crafts, makgeolli (Korean rice wine), feeding animals and playing traditional folk games. Additionally, there are more amusement rides like mini biking and mini trains and diverse winter snack options, including roasted sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and BBQ. Parking is available.

Address: 259 Pohwa-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

Date: Until mid-February

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Phone: 031-536-9917

Tickets: Admission 1,000 won / Fishing: 15,000 won – 30,000 won / All ice experience ticket (sledding, igloo experience, traditional games, etc.) 35,000 won

POCHEON SANJEONG LAKE SLEDDING FESTIVAL (포천 산정호수 썰매 축제)

At this festival, you can enjoy thrilling rides on the snow with a variety of cute sleds decorated to look like Santa’s sleigh, ducks, penguins, Winnie the Pooh and more. This festival is less than 20 minutes away from the Pocheon Baekun Mountain Stream Winter General Festival and many visitors make it a day to visit both.

Address: 108, Sanjeonghosu-ro 411beon-gil, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

Date: Late December to early February

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Phone: 010-3024-6222

Tickets: 12,000 won for renting a special sled for 30 minutes

THINGS TO KNOW FOR ENJOYING WINTER FESTIVALS

It is recommended to attend on colder days since ice and snow can be affected by weather. Please note that events may be canceled on rainy days. The best way to confirm the festival schedule is to call or check their website before your trip.

For ice-fishing, most equipment can be purchased on-site, but buying small items such as patio chairs, containers and hot packs at affordable stores like Daiso can be a good option.

If you plan to catch trout, it’s recommended to bring towels and extra clothes.

For a better chance of catching smelt through ice fishing, it’s recommended to visit the spot at opening hours.

SPEAKIN’ KOREAN FOR WINTER SEASON

Winter: Gyeoul (겨울)

Snow: Nun (눈)

Ice: Eoreum (얼음)

Festival: Chukje (축제)

Snack: Gansik (간식)

Cold: Chuun (추운)

Warm: Ttatteutan (따뜻한)

It’s snowing: Nuni naeryeo-yo (눈이 내려요)

It’s cold: Chuwo-yo (추워요)

It’s beautiful: Areumdawo-yo (아름다워요)

I need something warm: Ttatteutan-ge pilyo-haeyo (따뜻한게 필요해요)

I love winter snacks!: Gyeoul gansik joahaeyo! (겨울 간식 좋아해요)

Camp Casey

Camp Humphreys

USAG Daegu

Osan Air Base

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Yongsan

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