"Into the Winter Cold..." Where and How to Enjoy the 2026 Winter Festivals?

"Because it is there." This was how famed mountaineer George Mallory (1886–1924) answered when asked why he climbed mountains. The reason people seek out winter festivals is not so different. They go because winter is there. The real charm of winter festivals lies in facing the cold head-on and experiencing the season with your whole body. As a severe cold wave sweeps across the country, interest in winter festivals is heating up among domestic and international travelers. Here is a look at some of the major winter festivals nationwide that have already begun or are about to open.

■ Winter Is More Fun at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
No matter what anyone says, the “flagship winter festival of Korea” is the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (January 10–February 1), held every January in Hwacheon County, Gangwon State. First launched in 2003, the festival now draws more than one million visitors every year and is considered a model regional festival in both scale and content.
The signature attractions of the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival are the biting cold, the river frozen solid, and ice fishing. Participants drop their fishing lines through small holes drilled in the ice and battle the frigid temperatures until a mountain trout bites. The festival’s experience-centered format—catching trout on the ice in midwinter and having the fish cooked on the spot—is what keeps people coming back.
The festival grounds, which are the size of about 40 soccer fields, also offer plenty of snow- and ice-based activities. At the snow sledding hill that crosses the Hwacheoncheon stream, visitors can race down a 40-meter slope on dedicated tube sleds, while the ice sledding zone lets them try traditional ice sleds and family sleds specially made by Hwacheon County. In the winter sports zone, visitors can also enjoy lively ice soccer, curling, and even figure-skating experiences.
An indoor ice sculpture plaza reminiscent of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China and massive snow sculptures on par with those at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan captivate visitors’ eyes and ears. Every weekend, a nighttime festival held along the lantern-lit street inside the venue, inspired by the Quebec Winter Carnival, adds to the fun.

■ Pyeongchang Trout Festival Marks Its 20th Anniversary
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Pyeongchang Trout Festival (January 9–February 9) is held along Odaecheon Stream in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. The core activity, trout fishing, can be experienced in many ways, including ice fishing, tent fishing, indoor fishing, and bare-handed catching. Among these, tent fishing—offering 250 two-person tents—has become especially popular with families and couples. Those who land a golden trout receive a pure-gold commemorative plaque, and a free fishing class helps beginners easily catch their first trout.
The highlight of the festival is the bare-handed trout-catching event, where participants compete in short sleeves and shorts despite the cold. Indoor fishing, introduced for the first time this year, is open to both children and adults so that anyone can try catching trout. The fish you catch can be eaten on the spot as sashimi or grilled, and the food court offers cleaning services along with a variety of trout dishes such as deep-fried trout and rice bowls, ensuring the experience also delights visitors’ taste buds.
The festival grounds also feature a wide range of winter leisure activities. Snowmobile-towed rafting across snowy fields, the amphibious vehicle “Argo,” newly added spinning snow sleds, traditional sleds, and ice bicycles all help visitors forget the cold.
Special programs prepared to mark the 20th anniversary are also drawing attention. At the exhibition “Epic of Hope Written on Ice,” visitors can trace the festival’s journey from its beginnings to the present at a glance. A collaboration with Pokémon GO, titled “Pikachu’s Four Seasons Journey,” has become a big hit with children.

■ Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival and Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
While the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and the Pyeongchang Trout Festival revolve around ice fishing as their main attraction, the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival (January 31–February 8) and the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival (February 13–22) are built around snow and winter landscapes, the very symbols of the season.
The two festivals, however, differ clearly in their focus and how they are enjoyed. The Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival is a nature- and scenery-centered event where visitors appreciate snow-covered peaks and artistic snow sculptures. In contrast, the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival is a hands-on, family-oriented festival where people dive into the snow and play.
What most sets the Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival apart is that it unfolds against the symbolic backdrop of Taebaeksan National Park. Large-scale snow sculptures harmonizing with the majestic snowy mountains, along with snow-flower climbing and trekking programs, highlight nature appreciation and mountain hiking. The overall atmosphere is relatively calm and solemn, making it ideal for visitors who want to take photos or savor the unique charm of winter mountains.
By contrast, the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival takes advantage of the highland area of Daegwallyeong, famous for strong winds and snowfields, and centers on snow-based play and hands-on activities. There are many participatory programs for families and children, such as snow sledding and traditional games, and it has a strong character as a community festival where local residents and tourists mingle. This year, in particular, the festival plans to create a “winter kingdom” experience zone under the theme “Snowflake Fairy-tale Winter Kingdom,” combining snow sculptures and snow playgrounds, which is already generating excitement.

■ “Into the Heart of Winter” at the Cheorwon Hantangang River Ice Trekking Festival
Held every winter along the Hantan River, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp), the Cheorwon Hantangang River Ice Trekking Festival (January 17–25) offers yet another flavor of winter.
The festival’s main stage is the Hantangang River Water-Top Trail, an 8.5-kilometer ice trekking course built over the Hantan River. Travelers walk directly on the frozen river, taking in the grandeur of the surrounding gorges while feeling the sting of winter cold on their faces. Along the route, they encounter many of the river’s signature sights, including the Hantan River gorge and columnar joints, Songdaeso Cliff and Madangbawi Rock, Seungilgyo Bridge and Goseokjeong Pavilion, as well as Sundam Valley and Jiktangpokpo Falls.
Although the Cheorwon Hantangang River Ice Trekking Festival leans toward an eco-tourism-style winter event, it also offers a variety of attractions for families, such as a snow sledding hill, snow playground, food zone, and busking zone. These facilities are concentrated under Seungilgyo Bridge, a midway stop on the trekking course, where weekend performances by the Cheorwon Arts Troupe and busking shows add an extra layer of enjoyment.
On the 24th, a special program called the Hantangang Ddongbaram Bare-torso Run will be held, in which participants run or walk along the Hantangang River Water-Top Trail in quirky outfits or with body paint. The event is expected to inject a fresh burst of energy into the festival.
jsm64@fnnews.com Jung Soon-min Reporter