2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Ultimate Winter Festival in Korea | Dates, Activities & Travel Tips

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is Korea’s most famous winter festival, held every year in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province.
Known for its ice fishing, bare-hand fish catching, snow and ice activities, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from Korea and abroad each winter.

In 2026, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is expected to continue its reputation as one of the world’s top winter festivals, offering unforgettable cold-weather experiences on a frozen river.

📅 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Dates (Confirmed)

Festival Period: January 10 – February 1, 2026
Duration: 23 days
Location: Hwacheoncheon Stream area, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea

Thanks to Hwacheon’s extremely cold winter temperatures, the ice thickness is stable, allowing the festival to operate safely for several weeks.

🎣 Signature Festival Activities

🐟 Ice Fishing for Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout)

Ice fishing is the heart of the festival and the main reason people visit Hwacheon in winter.

Fish directly through holes drilled in thick river ice
Beginner-friendly experience with equipment rentals available
Caught fish can be cooked and eaten on-site

This activity alone makes the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival a must-visit winter event in Korea.

✋ Bare-Hand Sancheoneo Catching

One of the most thrilling experiences at the festival.

Participants enter icy water pools
Catch live mountain trout with bare hands
Short but intense and incredibly memorable

Warm changing areas and rest zones are provided afterward.

❄️ Snow & Ice Play Zones

Perfect for families and children, the festival includes multiple winter activity zones:

Snow sledding
Ice slides
Winter playgrounds
Ice skating and sled experiences

These zones turn Hwacheon into a full-scale winter theme park.

🧊 Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza

The festival features one of Korea’s largest indoor ice sculpture exhibitions.

Thousands of ice blocks
Artistic sculptures illuminated with colorful lighting
Popular photo zone, especially in the evening

This area allows visitors to enjoy winter art without exposure to extreme cold.

🌃 Seondeung Street Light Festival

Before and during the main festival period, Hwacheon hosts a light festival across the town.

Illuminated streets and bridges
Night photo spots
Romantic winter atmosphere

This event enhances the overall festival experience beyond daytime activities.

🎫 Admission & Activity Fees (2026)

🎣 Ice Fishing Fee

Adults: KRW 15,000
Children (elementary school age and below): Free
Discounted entry (seniors, military personnel, foreigners, people with disabilities): KRW 10,000

※ In many cases, a portion of the fee is returned as local gift vouchers usable within Hwacheon.

❄️ Additional Activity Fees

Snow sledding & ice sledding: from KRW 5,000
Ice slide attractions: KRW 8,000–12,000, depending on activity

Prices may vary slightly depending on the program.

🍲 Food & Convenience Facilities

Visitors can enjoy freshly prepared local food throughout the festival:

Grilled or raw sancheoneo (mountain trout)
Hot winter snacks (fish cake, roasted chestnuts, soup)
Local specialty markets
Heated rest areas and cafés

Eating the fish you just caught is one of the most satisfying parts of the experience.

🚗 How to Get There & Travel Tips

🚘 From Seoul

By car: approximately 2.5–3 hours
Festival season shuttle buses and tour packages are available

❄️ What to Wear

Heavy winter coat, gloves, earmuffs
Thermal layers and heat packs
Non-slip winter boots (strongly recommended)

📌 Helpful Tips

Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds
Arrive early in the morning for the best ice fishing spots
Consider staying overnight to enjoy night events and lighting festivals

🌍 Why the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Is World-Famous

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is often introduced internationally as one of the top winter festivals in the world.

What makes it special:

Pure natural winter environment
Hands-on ice fishing experiences
Well-organized safety and facilities
A perfect blend of tradition, nature, and tourism

For international visitors, it offers a rare chance to experience authentic Korean winter culture.

✨ Experience Korea’s Winter at Its Best in 2026

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival transforms freezing temperatures into excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Standing on a frozen river, catching fish through ice, enjoying warm food, and exploring snow-filled landscapes—
this is what winter in Korea truly feels like.

In 2026, Hwacheon once again invites the world to celebrate winter in the most Korean way possible.