About
*The information below is based on the 2026 festivals. Details for the 2027 festivals will be updated as they become available.*Held in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a one-of-a-kind winter event that was named one of CNN's “Seven Wonders of Winter” in 2011. The festival takes place every January, when the famously pristine waters of Hwacheoncheon Stream freeze solid. Visitors can catch sancheoneo, mountain trout often called the "Queen of the Valley", through ice fishing or even with their bare hands. The freshly caught fish can be enjoyed immediately as raw slices or grilled on the spot. Beyond fishing, the festival features a wide range of winter attractions, including ice sledding, snow sledding, and bobsledding, drawing more than one million visitors each year.
Program
Ice Fishing (On-site/Reservation), Bare-Handed Catching, Lure Fishing, Snow Sledding, Ice Sledding
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (얼음나라화천 산천어축제)
Sat, Jan 9 – Sun, Jan 31
23 days
Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do Province
137, Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
09:00-18:00 (Night fishing 18:00-21:00)
Paid
Organizer Hwacheon-gun, Nara Foundation
Contact +82-1688-3005
About
*The information below is based on the 2026 festivals. Details for the 2027 festivals will be updated as they become available.*Held in Hwacheon, Gangwon-do, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a one-of-a-kind winter event that was named one of CNN's “Seven Wonders of Winter” in 2011. The festival takes place every January, when the famously pristine waters of Hwacheoncheon Stream freeze solid. Visitors can catch sancheoneo, mountain trout often called the "Queen of the Valley", through ice fishing or even with their bare hands. The freshly caught fish can be enjoyed immediately as raw slices or grilled on the spot. Beyond fishing, the festival features a wide range of winter attractions, including ice sledding, snow sledding, and bobsledding, drawing more than one million visitors each year.
Program
Ice Fishing (On-site/Reservation), Bare-Handed Catching, Lure Fishing, Snow Sledding, Ice Sledding
More festivals to see
Yanggu Punchbowl Siraegi & Apple Festival (청춘양구 펀치볼 시래기사과축제)
Gangwon Handon Festa (강원한돈페스타)
Wonju Mandu Festival (원주만두축제)
Gangneung Coffee Festival (강릉커피축제)
Wonju Chiaksan Sweet Potato Festival (원주농협 치악산 고구마축제)
Yangyang Pine Mushroom & Salmon Festival (양양송이연어축제)
Jeongseon Heritage Night (정선 국가유산야행)
Gangneung Noodle Festival (강릉 국수 축제)
Chuncheon Makguksu & Dakgalbi Festival (춘천막국수닭갈비축제)
Inje Autumn Flower Festival (인제가을꽃축제)
Source: Korea Tourism Organization
Data as of 10.17. Dates and prices can change, so check the official site before you go.