Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Hwacheon's signature winter event, held every January along the frozen Hwacheoncheon stream. The event attracts over a million visitors every year. Programs are organized into four major categories, themed around ice and snow. The program relates to the fresh water fishes living in mountain lakes and creeks, especially sancheoneo - a fish which can only live in the best and clearest waters. Activities include ice fishing, lure fishing, and catching fish with your bare hands. This festival offers many different activities such as snow sledding, snow bobsleighing, ice bicycles. The festival takes place in the center of Hwacheon-eup, with large sections of the river frozen into thick ice platforms suitable for fishing and winter activities. The main attraction is ice fishing, where visitors drill holes in the ice and attempt to catch trout using simple fishing rods. Caught fish can be prepared on-site as sashimi or grilled. Beyond fishing, the festival includes snow and ice sculpture parks, ice sledding, skating areas, indoor experience zones, cultural performances, and local food markets. The lively atmosphere and wide variety of activities make it one of South Korea’s most popular winter festivals. Temperatures can drop well below freezing, so visitors should dress warmly in layers, waterproof shoes, gloves, and hats. Weekends are especially crowded; arriving early in the morning helps avoid long lines. Tickets are purchased at booths around the festival area, and English-language signs are usually available.