Where to go in Korea in February: 6 festivals

Festivals and seasonal sights in 13 places across Korea in February: Daegwallyeong Snow Festival (Pyeongchang), Snow on Gwongeumseong (Sokcho), Hallasan…

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Pyeongchang

• Daegwallyeong Snow Festival — House-sized snow and ice sculptures plus a sledding hill. The 2026 edition ran February 13 to 22.

Sokcho

• Snow on Gwongeumseong — Eight minutes up to a snow-covered Seorak without hiking. Winter wind stops the cars, so check the morning notice.

Jeju

• Hallasan Snow Hike — The Yeongsil trail is a four-hour round trip to Witse Oreum through frost-covered fir forest. Crampons are a must; check trail closures that morning.

Damyang

• Changpyeong Market and New Year Taffy — When the cold wind comes, houses in Samjinae boil taffy. Gukbap lines are long on market days.
• Free Admission on Lunar New Year's Day — The county waives admission at its main sights for the day. Check the yearly notice.

Yangyang

• Naksan Beach Moonlight Bonfire Festival — An evening festival of sitting by a bonfire listening to the waves. In 2026 it ran Feb 28–Mar 1; ₩10,000 with advance booking on the GoGo Yangyang app.

Ulleungdo

• Ulleung Winter Culture Festival — Around Lunar New Year: a guided snow bus (₩10,000), a Nari Basin snow tour, rice-cake soup and maple-sap tastings, and evening concerts. In 2026 it ran 15-17 February.

Uljin

• Uljin Snow Crab and Red Crab Festival — Held at Hupo harbour in the thick of crab season. Long queues for the mock auction and tastings, and the roads and car parks around Hupo jam for the duration.

Cheonan

• Aunae Torch Festival — On the eve of 1 March people carry torches from the memorial site down to the market. It is cold and crowded, so dress warm.

Suncheon

• Plum blossoms at Seonamsa and Geumdunsa — By late February the 600-year-old plum at Seonamsa opens first; the winter plums at Geumdunsa start even earlier, from late January.

Geoje

• Jisimdo Camellias — From January to March the path turns red with fallen blossoms. Boats stay in on windy days.

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