❄️ 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Complete Guide to Korea’s World-Famous Winter Festival

Recognized by CNN as one of the “7 Wonders of Winter,” the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is Korea’s most iconic winter event, attracting over one million visitors every year from around the world.

Held on the frozen Hwacheon Stream—where ice reaches over 30 cm thick—this festival offers an unforgettable mix of ice fishing, hands-on winter activities, and dazzling night illuminations.
If you’re looking for the ultimate winter experience in Korea, this is it.

Before You Head Out to Nonsan 1950 Romantic Studio

Before you head out, be sure to download Naver Map — Korea’s most reliable navigation app.
It provides accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English, making your travels easier and more enjoyable.

📅 Festival Dates & Location

Main Festival

• Official Webpage: 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

• Dates: January 10 – February 1, 2026 (23 days)

• Location: Hwacheon Stream, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Korea

Pre-Festival Attractions (Night Lights & Ice Art)

• December 20, 2025 – February 8, 2026

• Includes the Illuminated Ice Lantern Street and the World’s Largest Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza

• Worth visiting even outside the main festival dates

🎣 Ice Fishing at Hwacheon: How It Works

(Advance Reservation vs On-Site Registration)

Ice fishing is the heart of the festival and is offered in two different ways.
Understanding the difference is important—the fishing zones, entry process, and waiting time are not the same.

✅ 1) Advance Reservation Ice Fishing (Highly Recommended)

This option allows smooth entry with minimal waiting, making it ideal for foreign visitors and weekend travelers.

Operating Period

• January 10 – February 1, 2026

Hours

• Weekdays: 09:00–18:00 (ticketing 08:30–17:00)

• Weekends: 08:30–18:00 (ticketing 07:00–17:00)
  Hours may change depending on ice conditions.

Location

• Upper stream area (Baemeori Bridge → Baemeori Weir)

Capacity

• Up to 4,000 people simultaneously

How to Use

• Book online in advance (official ticket site): 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Reservation Site | NOL Ticket

• Pick up your ticket on-site on the day of use

• Remaining slots (if any) may be sold on-site

📌 Important Note
The reservation fishing zone is completely separate from the on-site fishing area.

👉 Best for: First-time visitors, weekends, travelers on a tight schedule

⚠️ 2) On-Site Registration Ice Fishing (First-Come, First-Served)

No reservation required—but weekends often sell out early in the morning.

Operating Period

• January 10 – February 1, 2026

Hours

• Same as reservation fishing (subject to on-site conditions)

Location

• Lower stream area (1st Tunnel → Gadong Weir)

Capacity

• Up to 8,000 people simultaneously

How to Join

• Register on-site during the festival

• Entry may close early if capacity is reached

👉 Best for: Weekday visits, flexible schedules

🎯 Top Things to Do at the Festival

▪ Sancheoneo Ice Fishing (Main Event)

Drill a hole through the ice and catch sancheoneo, a trout species that lives only in clean Grade-1 water (Korea’s highest water quality rating).
This hands-on experience is unique to Hwacheon.

▪ Bare-Hand Fishing (Challenge!)

Jump into an icy pool wearing shorts and a T-shirt and try to catch fish with your bare hands.
Short, intense, and incredibly popular with adventurous foreign visitors.

▪ Eat What You Catch

Your freshly caught fish can be prepared on the spot:

• Raw (sashimi-style)

• Grilled

• Steamed

This is a true “only-in-Korea” winter food experience.

▪ Ice Lantern Street & Ice Sculpture Plaza

• Over 20,000 glowing fish-shaped LED lanterns

• Massive indoor ice sculptures created by experts from Harbin, China
  📸 Best enjoyed after sunset

💰 Ticket Prices & Foreigner Discounts

📌 Foreigner Tip

• Foreign passport holders qualify for the discounted price

• Bring your passport or Alien Registration Card

• Vouchers can be used like cash at the festival

⛸️ More Winter Activities

• Ice sledding & snow sledding

• Bobsleigh rides

• Zipline (“Sky Gliding”)

• Figure skating zone

• Some activities refund part of the fee as Hwacheon local vouchers

⚠️ Important Rules & What to Bring

Prohibited Inside Fishing Zones

• Food and drinks

• Coolers, ice boxes, styrofoam containers

• Personal tents or windbreaks

• Heating or cooking equipment

• Pets

👉 Eating is only allowed outside the fishing zones.

Fishing Rules

• Maximum 3 fish per person may be taken out

• Smoking is prohibited throughout the fishing areas

What to Bring

• Very warm clothing, gloves, heat packs

• Small fishing rod or traditional hand rod

• Live bait is not allowed (artificial lures only)

• Fish collection bags are provided on-site

🏠 Accommodation Tip

• Local pensions and guesthouses sell out quickly

• Staying overnight often includes free weekday or night fishing passes

• Bring your accommodation receipt to exchange tickets (2–6 passes depending on stay)

🚍 How to Get There

By Bus

• From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Hwacheon Bus Terminal

• About 10 minutes on foot from terminal to festival site

By Train

• Take ITX-Cheongchun to Chuncheon or Namchuncheon Station

• Transfer to a local bus bound for Hwacheon

🚐 Optional: Private Tours from Seoul

If traveling independently feels inconvenient—especially in winter—
there are several Seoul departure day tours available for the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival.

These tours usually include roundtrip transportation, and some also provide fishing gear, which can be helpful for first-time visitors.

Common tour options include:

• 👉 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Day Tour from Seoul (Klook)

• 👉 Hwacheon Sancheonfish Ice Festival & Eobi Ice Valley Tour (Klook)

• 👉 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival with Roundtrip Transfers (Klook)

• 👉 Eobi Valley + Fruit Picking + Ice Fishing Tour (Klook)

• 👉 Ice Festival Day Tour with Free Fishing Rod Included (Klook)

• 👉 Seoul–Hwacheon Full-Day Ice Fishing Tour (Klook)

For travelers planning an overnight stay:

• 👉 Hwacheon Sky Valley Pension (2026 deals available on Klook)

✨Next stop after Hwacheon:

1. Nonsan — home to the 1950s Romantic Studio and iconic Mr. Sunshine filming locations, where retro streets and K-drama history come alive.
It’s an easy add-on to your itinerary and a perfect contrast to Hwacheon’s icy adventure with a warmer, cinematic vibe.

2. Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Discover World’s most famous ice fishing festival, loved by both locals and international travelers.
👉 View the complete guide: 2026 Pyeongchang Trout Festival: Complete Guide To Korea’s Famous Ice Fishing Festival

✨ Final Thoughts

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is more than a winter event—it’s a rare chance to experience Korea’s winter culture with all five senses.
From ice fishing on a frozen river to glowing lanterns at night, this festival delivers memories that last long after the ice melts.

Whether you visit independently or join a guided tour, Hwacheon offers one of the most unforgettable winter experiences in Korea.