January Festivals in Korea That Celebrate a Powerful Start to the New Year
- zone tp
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
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Would you like to kick off 2026 with energy and determination?
Although the weather is cold, a wide variety of festivals across Korea are still buzzing with energy.
Discover Korea’s January festivals, packed with winter charm and memorable experiences!
You will be able to create special memories at your very first travel destination of the new year.
Let's begin😎
The Hampyeong Winter Light Festival is a celebration where you can experience the romance of winter nights through a wide array of illuminations and exhibitions lighting up every corner of the Expo Park. Spanning a large area that includes Hampyeong Expo Park and the surrounding downtown district, the festival offers an even greater variety of sights and activities to enjoy. At the central plaza, you can admire a romantic carousel set against the night sky, and around it, explore diverse food stalls, media art displays, and interactive experience zones.
Throughout the festival grounds, igloo- and lodge-themed rest areas provide cozy interiors and a warm place to relax. In addition, jujube hotteok and a variety of winter snacks made with locally harvested produce from Hampyeong offer warm, sweet flavors that will melt away the cold from both body and soul. On December 31, a New Year’s Eve nakhwa-nori(Korean traditional fireworks) firework display and countdown event are scheduled, inviting you to welcome the new year in a more beautiful way than ever.
Address: 27 Gonjae-ro Hampyeong-eup, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do
Instagram: @hp_festival
Work: Nov 28th 2025 – Jan 11th 2026
At the Pocheon Baegungyegok Valley Dongjangkun Festival, you can enjoy winter scenery and a wide range of hands-on activities at the same time in Baegun Valley, where mountains and a flowing stream come together. Baegun Valley, the site of the festival, is well known for its beautiful snowy landscapes, and during the festival period, photo zones, igloos, and various play facilities that are perfect for children are set up throughout the area. In particular, experience zones on the frozen river allow visitors to enjoy traditional winter games such as sledding and spinning tops, offering a chance to experience Korea’s classic winter scenes firsthand.
Among the many attractions, the most popular activity for visitors of all ages is the snow sledding hill. Feel the thrill of riding a round tube as you spin and glide down the slope. In addition, indoor spaces offer smelt and trout fishing, as well as trout ice fishing experiences. Enjoy the fun of catching winter delicacies like smelt and trout yourself, then tasting them freshly grilled or as sashimi.
Address: 259 Pohwa-ro Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Website: https://dongjangkun.com/
Work: Dec 20th 2025 – Feb 22nd 2026
The Hongcheongang Winter Festival is a winter celebration where you can enjoy a variety of trout fishing experiences amid the pristine, snow-covered winter scenery of Hongcheon. What makes it especially unique is the chance to catch and taste trout that have been raised on feed blended with six-year-old Hongcheon ginseng, resulting in healthy, high-quality fish. In addition to ice fishing that anyone can easily enjoy on the frozen river, the festival offers a range of popular programs such as barehand trout catching, which remains a hit even in the cold weather, and indoor fishing zones that are especially popular with children.
As a festival truly dedicated to trout, visitors can fish in a variety of settings, including on the ice, from floating bridges, and inside tents. Beyond fishing, there are plenty of other attractions, including an ice sledding area, traditional folk play zones, and local food stalls offering regional specialties. At the unique straw-thatched house experience zone found only here, you can step into a traditional Korean thatched-roof house and soak in the nostalgic charm of rural life.
Address: 59-1 Neobeunae-gil Hongcheon-eup, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do
Instagram: @hc_frozen
Work: Jan 9th – 25th