The Best Winter Festivals in South Korea

Winter in South Korea brings ice fishing, Christmas lights, colorful parades, and outdoor celebrations. After living in Korea for seven years, I learned to enjoy the colder months. Some festivals are worth bundling up and spending several hours outside. Others are better enjoyed after dark, when thousands of lights illuminate gardens and walkways. These winter festivals offer visitors something different from the usual sightseeing attractions.

Table of Contents

• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
• Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival
• Herb Island Light Festival
• Everland Winter Wishes
• Final Thoughts

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is one of the largest winter celebrations in South Korea. Every January, visitors travel to Hwacheon in Gangwon Province to fish through frozen river ice. The festival is known for ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, sledding, and ice sculptures. Families gather around fishing holes while children enjoy activities on the ice.

Visitors can rent fishing equipment and try catching sancheoneo, a type of mountain trout. There are also food stalls where you can enjoy freshly prepared fish and Korean snacks. Festival hours are listed as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with night fishing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dress warmly because temperatures in Hwacheon can drop well below freezing. Some activities require reservations or additional fees.

2027 Festival Dates: January 9–31, 2027.

Where: Hwacheon, Gangwon Province.

Address: 137 Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea.

Official Website: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Address: 122-6 Sangseung-ro, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival

I have visited the Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival, and the nighttime displays are beautiful. The tea fields are decorated with thousands of colorful lights covering the hillsides. Visitors follow walking paths through illuminated gardens, tunnels, and large light sculptures. The displays look especially impressive against the dark winter sky.

Boseong is known for its green tea plantations, but winter offers a different experience. Instead of photographing the green hills during the day, visitors come to enjoy the lights. I recommend arriving before sunset to see the surrounding landscape. Then, spend time exploring the illuminated displays after dark.

2026–2027 Festival Dates: Not announced. The festival has traditionally taken place between late November or December and early January. Confirm that the event is operating before traveling.

Where: Korea Tea Culture Park, Boseong, South Jeolla Province.

Address: 775 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, South Korea.

Official Website: Boseong County

Herb Island Light Festival

Herb Island in Pocheon is known for its gardens, themed attractions, and evening light displays. During the colder months, colorful lights decorate walkways, buildings, and outdoor spaces. Visitors can walk through illuminated tunnels and photograph displays throughout the property. The decorations make this a popular evening destination for couples and families.

Unlike festivals that last only a few days, Herb Island offers light displays across extended periods. Some installations operate outside the traditional winter season. Plan your visit after sunset to enjoy the full effect of the lights. Pocheon gets very cold during winter, so wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

2026–2027 Festival Dates: The light festival has operated year-round in previous years. Specific winter dates and operating hours should be confirmed before visiting.

Where: Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Address: 35 Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Official Website: Pocheon Herb Island

Everland Winter Festival and Moonlight Parade

Everland is one of South Korea’s largest theme parks, located in Yongin near Seoul. During winter, the park features Christmas decorations, colorful lights, and seasonal entertainment. Visitors can enjoy decorated attractions, winter-themed activities, and evening performances. The park becomes especially busy during weekends and the Christmas holiday period.

The Moonlight Parade features illuminated floats, dancers, costumes, and music. The parade usually lasts about 30 minutes and operates during other seasons, too. I recommend arriving at least 20–30 minutes early to find a good viewing location. December is a good time to visit for Christmas decorations and nighttime entertainment.

The dates for the 2026–2027 Everland winter celebrations have not been confirmed here. Christmas celebrations generally begin in late November and continue through December. Some winter activities may continue into the following year. Check the Everland website for current festival dates, tickets, and parade schedules.

2026–2027 Festival Dates: Exact dates not confirmed. Winter programming generally begins in late November or December.

Where: Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Address: 199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Official Website: Everland

Tips for Attending Winter Festivals in South Korea

Winter temperatures in South Korea can be extremely cold, especially in Gangwon Province. Wear thermal clothing, insulated shoes, gloves, and a warm coat. Hand warmers are inexpensive and available at many Korean convenience stores. They are particularly useful when spending several hours outdoors.

Check festival dates and weather conditions before traveling. Some outdoor activities depend on snowfall, freezing temperatures, or safe ice conditions. Weekend crowds can also make transportation and parking difficult. I recommend booking organized tours when visiting remote festivals without a car.

Final Thoughts

Winter is also a great time to explore South Korea. Snow-covered mountains, colorful light displays, and seasonal activities make the colder months worth visiting. If you prefer warmer weather and traditional celebrations, explore my Best Fall Festivals in South Korea for more seasonal events.

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