▲ A visitor looks at ice sculptures at the venue of the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, on Feb. 6, 2022. (Yonhap)
▲ Visitors look at ice sculptures during the 30th Mount Taebaek Snow Festival at Mount Taebaek National Park in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, on Jan. 29, 2023. (Yonhap)
▲ Visitors enjoy fishing on a frozen river at the 2023 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in the Gangwon Province county of Hwacheon, 89 kilometers northeast of Seoul, on Jan. 29, 2023, in this photo provided by the Hwacheon County Office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ A farmer binds peeled persimmons together to dry them in Yeongdong, a town in North Chungcheong Province, on Oct. 24, 2023. Dried persimmons, called "gotgam" in Korean, are a favorite Korean delicacy. (Yonhap)
▲ This image of the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is captured from the website of the Korea Tourism Organization. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ Colorful lanterns are displayed on the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul on Nov. 25, 2021, one day before the opening of the Seoul Lantern Festival. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
▲ This photo was taken during the 2022 Pyeongchang Trout Festival. (Yonhap)
▲ This photo captured from the homepage of the Haeundae Lighting Festival shows people attending the festival held at Haeundae Beach in the southeastern port city of Busan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Festivals Calendar-January 2024

Festivals Calendar - January 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- The following are major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in January.

* Daegwallyeong Snow Festival

When: Jan. 27-Feb. 11

Where: Daegwallyeong in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province

The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival offers lots to do, including making snowmen, top spinning and various traditional winter games, as well as exhibitions of snow and ice sculptures on the snow-covered hills of Daegwallyeong in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, a famous winter retreat.

For further information, visit the festival's website (http://www.snowfestival.net).

* Mount Taebaek Snow Festival

When: Jan. 27-31

Where: Mount Taebaek National Park in Taebaek, Gangwon Province

Various events will be held in the highlands of Taebaek Mountain, 800 meters above sea level, during this five-day festival. The program includes a snow sculpture competition for college students, snowball fights, snow rafting, concerts and a fireworks show. Snow sculptures produced under various themes will be on display.

For more information, visit the festival's website (https://www.tbsnow.co.kr).

* Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

When: Jan. 6-28

Where: Hwacheon, Gangwon Province

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a winter festival held every January when the Hwacheon Stream, the source of the North Han River, freezes solid. Visitors can enjoy a variety of winter activities, including fishing for mountain trout under the thick ice on the stream, catching trout with their bare hands, ice sledding, snow sledding and bobsledding.

For more information, visit the festival's website (http://www.narafestival.com).

*Yeongdong Dried Persimmon Festival

When: Jan. 19-21

Where: Areas of Hasang Parking Lot in Yeongdong, North Chungchong Province

Yeongdong is a major persimmon growing area in South Korea and a mecca of traditional Korean music. Dried persimmons, called "gotgam" in Korean, are a delicacy, especially eaten in winter time. Yeongdong County is holding the festival to show the exceptional quality of Yeongdong persimmons. Visitors will be able to see the process of making "gotgam" and buy products at discounted prices. Enjoying traditional Korean music will also be among the attractions.

For more information, visit the festival's website (http://www.ydfesta.com).

* Seongsan Sunrise Festival

When: Dec. 30-Jan. 1

Where: Villages and coastal areas surrounding Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Jeju Island

Festivals to greet the first sunrise of the new year will be held across the nation from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1. For the breathtaking sunrise from a peak that is one of Jeju's must-see attractions, the annual Seongsan Sunrise Festival on the southern resort island of Jeju is one of the sunrise festivals most worth experiencing.

The festival peaks as spectators watch the rising of the sun on Jan. 1, and includes performances and an event where participants record their wishes for the new year.

For more information, visit the festival's website (https://www.sunrisefestival.kr).

* Seoul Lantern Festival & Gwanghwamun Square Market

When: Dec. 15-Jan. 21

Where: Gwanghwamun Square

The Seoul Lantern Festival is one of the city's most famous annual nighttime festivals.

Previously held at the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul, the festival moved its venue to Gwanghwamun Square last year to mark the reopening of the square after nearly two years of renovation.

This year's festival will be held simultaneously with the Christmas market for small merchants at Gwanghwamun Square.

The major landmark in the capital city will become an extravaganza of light, with about 30,000 lanterns illuminating the winter nightscape.

The Gwanghwamun Square Market will feature handicrafts, seasonal items, and delectable food and beverages.

For more information, visit the website (https://stolantern.com).

* Pyeongchang Trout Festival

When: Dec. 30-Jan. 29

Where: Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place annually in Pyeongchang County, the largest trout producing area in South Korea. Trout cultivated in Pyeongchang are popular for their rich and chewy texture. At the festival, visitors can enjoy ice fishing, along with other fun activities, such as barehanded fishing and sledding. The festival venue is also close to Alpensia Ski Resort and Yongpyong Ski Resort, where the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games took place.

For more information, visit (https://www.festival700.or.kr).

* Haeundae Lighting Festival

When: Dec. 20-Jan. 31

Where: Haeundae Beach and Haeundae Square, Busan

The 10th Haeundae Lighting Festival is establishing itself as one of the key winter season festivals at Haeundae Beach in the southeastern port city of Busan.

Visitors can see light sculptures installed in a 1.4-kilometer section linking Haeundae Beach to Haeundae Oncheon-gil.

This year's highlight is the "media project zone" spanning some 40 meters in front of the event plaza at Haeundae Beach. Five short videos created by famous Korean media artists will be shown.

For more information, visit the website (https://www.haeundae.go.kr/tour/index.do?menuCd=DOM_000000309006000000).

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