Discover Korea's Winter
Discover Korea's Winter
Throughout the world, the end of one year and beginning of a new one is filled with events, parties, and gatherings. This year, the celebrations are bigger than ever, celebrating not just the New Year, but also ringing in a new decade! If your travel plans have you spending time in Korea in the next few weeks, be sure to check out some of the ways Koreans enjoy year-end celebrations!
Hit the slopes at a ski resort
Ski resorts are popular all winter, but many Koreans plan their trips around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you come from a country that doesn’t get snow, Korea is a great place to enjoy skiing and snowboarding! With multiple ski resorts all offering slopes of varying skill levels, it’s easy to find one to enjoy, especially in Gangwon-do. Some of the resorts even served as official venues for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics,
Enjoy romantic lighting festivals
There are many lighting festivals in Korea, being perhaps the start of it all; the festival first took place in 1999 with a Millennium Tree. In the following 20 years, the festival has grown to include colorful lights on the terraced tea plants and media façade shows. This year’s festival takes place from November 29, 2019 to January 5, 2020 in the area of the Korean TEA Culture Park.
If Boseong is a bit too far to include in your travel itinerary, you can still enjoy fantastic lights at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul! Every evening from December 20 to January 3, the exterior of DDP will be transformed into a giant canvas for SEOUL LIGHT. The light show is designed by Refik Anadol Studio, and uses DDP’s signature silver color and fluid lines to create a mesmerizing performance of moving lights and music.
If you happen to be in Korea on New Year’s Eve, be sure to join one of the countdown celebrations taking place in Seoul! Seoul Sky, the observatory on 118-123F of Lotte World Tower, is holding a special countdown event on December 31, complete with videos and events for a complete party atmosphere.
Additional events taking place on New Year’s Eve include Eland Cruse`s fireworks cruise on the Hangang River and fireworks & music cruise in Sokcho, and a small firework & campfire festival at Sampo Beach. More lighting festivals include Ulsan Grand Park Light Festival, Seoulland Winter Light Festival, Haeundae Light Festival, and First Garden Light Festival.
Do something unique
If you really want to make memories of your winter trip, do something wild and crazy, like take a dip in the ocean! Listed as one of the 10 most unique winter festivals by the BBC, Haeundae Polar Bear Festival will take place January 4-5 at Haeundae Beach. The festival is an annual event, with hundreds of people taking the plunge each year. If you’re brave enough to join them, it will definitely be an experience you won’t forget!
If an ocean swim is too extreme, head to Hwacheon for the annual Sancheoneo Ice Festival. Located in Gangwon-do, the festival focuses on all things snow and ice, with both ice fishing and bare-handed fishing for mountain trout, ice sledding, ice and snow sculptures, and exciting performances. The festival is planned to take place January 27 - February 16, 2020, when the river is solidly frozen over.
There are many winter festivals taking place throughout the country, including Inje Icefish Festival, Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Yangpyeong Icefish Festival, Jaraseom Singsing Winter Festival, Ganghwado Icefish & Trout Festival, Sansuyu Village Icefish Festival, Paju Trout Festival, Baegungyegok Valley Dongjangkun Festival, Anseong Icefish Festival, and more!
Celebrate a classic Christmas
If you’re looking to celebrate Christmas away from home, a visit to Myeong-dong is a must! The department stores, shopping malls, and restaurants all try to out-do each other with elaborate Christmas displays and decorations. Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the birth of Christ; Myeongdong Cathedral has a reenactment of the nativity scene, followed by midnight mass. Both events are open to the public for free.
For families traveling to Korea with children, the best place to celebrate the magic of Christmas is at Lotte World! Take pictures in front of the indoor Dream Castle or the elaborately decorated Magic Castle, which has been transformed into Snow Castle for the holidays. Children and adults alike will fall in love with the cute characters of Lotte World as they perform stage shows and participate in parades.
Follow the stars
For hallyu fans, a trip to Korea wouldn’t be complete without checking out the latest stars and stocking up on idol goods. You can find many K-pop products at shops in and around Myeong-dong, such as Palette, located within Lotte Young Plaza, or in places such as I Doll Look and SP-Factory in Hongdae. For more than just shopping, head to hallyu experience centers such as SM Town or K-Style Hub. SM Town, located within the COEX complex in Gangnam, in particular focuses on idols signed with SM Entertainment. Visitors can purchase goods, desserts, and even watch hologram concerts of their favorite stars!