2021 Korean Winter Festivals Recommended By Locals

It seems like winter has suddenly descended upon us, with the first snow in Seoul falling on November 10th, a month earlier than last year, ten days earlier than the average!

Today we're going to introduce winter festivals in Korea so you can enjoy the atmosphere and scenery!

Busan Christmas Tree Festival
부산 크리스마스트리 문화축제

When it comes to visiting Korea in the winter, many people want to come for Christmas, right?

Christmas is a very popular holiday in Korea and if you have the chance, we recommend you experience firsthand what it's like here!

Since 2009, Busan's Christmas Tree Festival has been the most famous in Busan and is widely regarded as the best Christmas tree festival.

Every year in December, Gwangbok-ro is lit up all month and Christmas carols play along both sides of the road.

In Nampodong, there is a great Christmas celebration every year, where a huge Christmas tree is placed on Nampodong Street. 

There are also fun holiday performances from time to time.

Busan's Christmas Tree Festival is a lot of fun, so if you're looking for the Christmas spirit in Busan, don't miss out!

Information

Address: 부산 중구 광복중앙로 1
1 Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan

Event Period: 2021.12.04-2022.01.09

How To Get There: Jagalchi Station (자갈치) Exit 2

Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival
태백산 눈 축제

Many people must be looking forward to the end of the year when snow will cover the mountains beautifully.

If you're one of those people, we recommend you check out Taebaek Mountain in Gangwondo as they have a snow festival every year.

Whether you enjoy winter sports, hiking, or are just looking for some beautiful scenery, Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival has whatever it is you're looking for.

Koreans come to participate in the festival as well, and when the event starts in January, you will see many couples and families working together.

The Taebak Mountain Snow Festival is the perfect way for anyone to experience a snow festival outside of Seoul in winter.

Since there are so many activities to do here, you don't even need to go skiing to enjoy it.

The festival is held for approximately ten days, from January 14th to January 23rd this coming winter, so be sure to mark it down.

Information

Address: 강원 태백시 태백산로 4778, 태백산국립공원과 황지연못 일대
4778 Taebaeksan-ro, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do

Event Period: 2022.01.14-2022.01.23

Garden Of Morning Calm
아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전

For those who plan on visiting Nami Island in winter, you can stop by Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong on the way.

Usually, tourists will visit during the day to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of flowers and trees, but in winter you can come at night and enjoy a totally different view.

It's the most not-to-be-missed winter festival!

Everything, including the trees, is decorated with different colors lights to enhance the night time scenery.

There are thousands of trees and plants in the garden and the lights make it look like a dreamscape.

Source: 문화체육관광부

For safety, the lights will not turn on when it's raining or snowing, but after the snow has fallen, the atmosphere of the garden is even more wonderful.

Information

Address: 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432
432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeon-gun, Gyeonggi-do

Event Period: 2021.12.03-2022.03.13 

Hours: 
Sun-Fri Sunset-21:00
Sat Sunset-23:00

Admission:
Adults 9,500 won
Teens 7,000 won
Children 6,000 won

Frozen Jecheon Festival
충북 겨울왕국 제천 페스티벌

Source: 투어코리아

In the winter of 2019, even though it was late at night, people were still out snapping photos!

The Frozen Jecheon Festival displays winter cherry blossoms and ice castles in the downtown area of Jecheon.

Source: 충청타임즈

Many people look forward to this Frozen Festival all year. With the parade, ice castle hologram show, skating rink, and delicious food, it attracts many visitors.

Source: 티스토리

Last year the festival was called off due to COVID-19, but this year it is planned to be held on a smaller scale than usual.

There will be a large skating rink and ice sculptures will be installed. 

Information

Address: 충북 제천시 모산동 241, 제천 시내 및 의림지 일원
241 Mosan-dong, Jecheon-si, Chuncheongbuk-do

Event Period: 2021.12.24 - 2022.01.23

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
얼음나라 화천 산천어 축제

Last year the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival couldn't be held due to COVID-19, but it looks as though it will be able to be held this year.

Since its opening in 2003, the Ice Festival has attracted millions of people from all over the world, including Koreans who bring their families to experience ice fishing in winter in Korea.  

In the winter the ice fishing festival is held for about 20 days so that everyone has a chance to come fish.

The waters are stocked with plenty of fish daily so that you're sure to catch some!

The Ice Festival is one that is considered representative of Gangwondo and because of the many fun things to do and see, it leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

There are many fun activities waiting for you! After seeing the photos, don't you want to go check it out for yourself?

Information

Address: 강원 화천군 화천읍 산천어길 137
137 Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do

Event Period: 2022.01.08 - 2022.01.30

Hours: 09:00-18:00

Inje Icefish Festival
인제 빙어 축제

Source: 연합뉴스

At the Inje Icefish Festival, visitors can enjoy a huge variety of exciting and unique winter activities.

Source: 프레시안

First held in 1997, the festival continues to grow and evolve with the interests of visitors.

Source: 조선일보

As of 2020, the Ice Fish Festival has become the favorite winter festival in Gangwondo, attracting more than 100,000 visitors in the first week.

Source: 티스토리

If you come to the Inje Icefish Festival, you're sure to make many wonderful memories and have some great stories to bring back home.

Information

Address: 강원 인제군 남면 부평리 555-2, 남면 빙어호 일원
555-2 Bupyeong-ri, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do

Event Period: Mid January 2022-

Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival
진주 남강 유등 축제

Source: 경남신문

Jinju's Namgang Lantern Festival originated from the Jinju Battle, a battle during the Imjin War. Lanterns were used to communicate with family and also as a military strategy to prevent the Japanese from wading across the river in the dark of night.

Source: 세일즈타임즈

During the day a variety of events and exhibitions take place relating to the lantern traditions. When the sun goes down, the lanterns are lit and the festival begins in earnest.

Source: 진주관광

In addition to the large variety of beautiful lanterns, there are also things like fireworks shows, but the highlight is the event where you write your wishes on lanterns and float them down the river.

Information

Address: 경상남도 진주시 성지동 남강로 626, 진주성 및 남강 일원
626 Naming-ro, Seongji-dong, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

Event Period: 2021.12.04-2021.12.31

Hours: 17:00-23:00

Suncheon Starlight Walk
순천 별빛 산책

Source: 뉴스1

Suncheon Bay National Garden is the number one national park in Korea and a must see attraction for anyone visiting the area, especially in the winter when the Starlight Walk Festival takes place. 

Source: 뉴시스

The Starlight Walk is a family-friendly event with special performances planned for family visitors at Christmas time.

There are many hands-on activities for everyone to enjoy and make great memories.

Source: 아시아투데이

The Starlight Walk Festival has been held since 2016, gaining a lot of popularity in 2018 with a total of over 356,000 visitors.

The Night Safari event, which involves models and holograms of dinosaurs caught the attention of not just children, but also TV shows and other organizations.

Information

Address: 전남 순천시 국가정원1호길 47, 순천만국가정원 서문 일원
47 Gukkajeongwon 1ho-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do

Event Period: 2021.12.23 - 2022.02.02

Admission:
Adults 4,000 won
Teens 3,000 won
Children 2,000 won

That was our introduction to Korean winter festivals that you don't want to miss when you visit Korean in the winter.

Why ones are you most excited to ad to your travel itinerary?