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TOP 28 Winter Places to Visit in & out Seoul, Korea 2024 - 2025
Winter holiday in Korea! Where are the best places to go in Seoul or nearby during winter?
Have fun at the snow sledding hills (yes, even for adults!), ice-skating right in Seoul city or skiing at one of the fabulous ski resorts near Seoul! For the non-skiers, look for a Korea's ski resort with gondola rides. Enjoy the thrill of riding through beautiful snowy landscape and ski slopes to the mountain top, covered with fresh puffy snow and taking in the awesome winter views right in front of you.
For nature lovers, enjoy quiet moments at the base of Seoul's National Parks, taking in the beauty of the freezing rivers, snow covered tall trees and walking paths.
For the more adventurous, a winter hike with the proper winter hiking gears to Seoul's mountain peaks will be a memorable experience.
Other fabulous winter festivals held around the country include the popular ice fishing festivals, snow festivals, lighting festivals and strawberry picking (& jam making) festivals.
Here are KoreaToDo's TOP Winter Places and Activities in Seoul and around:
Within Seoul
1. Winter Festa: Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink
서울광장 스케이트장
Highlights: City Center / Main Ice Rink, Children Ice Rink & Curling Rink
Period: 20 Dec 2024 - 9 Feb 2025
Hours: 10:00 - 21:30 (Sun-Fri) /
10:00 - 23:00 (Sat, Public Holidays)
Fees: 1,000 won (1 hr, including helmet & skate rental fees)
Getting There: City Hall Station (Line 1/2), Exit 5, 1 min walk
Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 110 (태평로1가)
Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink
Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink
2. Winter Festa: Seoul Lantern Festival @Cheonggyecheon Stream
Highlights: Seoul's representative winter festival / over 200 different light sculptures & experiences
Period: 13 Dec 2024 - 12 Jan 2025
Hours: 18:00 - 22:00
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Jonggak Station (line 1, exit 5). 1 min walk / Gwanghwamun Station (line 1, exit 5). 3 mins walk
Seoul Lantern Festival
Seoul Lantern Festival
3. Winter Festa: Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
Highlights: high-quality media art / light sculptures
Period: 13 Dec 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Hours: 18:00 - 22:00 / 18:00 - 24:00 (Christmas & year-end)
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Gwanghwamun Station (line 5, exit 7/9) / Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 5/6). 6 mins walk.
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
Seoul Light Gwanghwamun
4. Winter Festa: Gwanghwamun Market
Highlights: Christmas market / handicrafts & seasonal items / large tree
Period: 13 Dec 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Hours: 17:30-21:30 (Mon-Thu) / 18:00-22:00 (Fri-Sun)
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Gwanghwamun Station (line 5, exit 7/9) / Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 5/6). 6 mins walk.
Gwanghwamun Market
Gwanghwamun Market
5. Winter Festa: Seoul Light DDP
Highlights: large-scale media facade
Period: 19 Dec 2024 - 1 Jan 2025
Hours: 19:00 - 21:30 / ends at 01:30 (1 Jan) after countdown
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (line 2/4/5, exit 1 to arrive right next to DDP) / Dongdaemun Station (line 1/4, exit 7). 5 mins walk.
Seoul Light DDP
Seoul Light DDP
6. Lotte Christmas Market @Lotte World Mall
Highlights: Christmas market / large tree / carousel / 3D mapping show / Chanel Ice Rink
Period: 20 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Hours: 10:30 - 22:00
Fees: admission fee applies
Getting There: Jamsil Station (line 2, exits 1-2 / line 8 exits 10-11). Connected to the mall.
Lotte Christmas Market @Lotte World Mall
Lotte Christmas Market @Lotte World Mall
7. Wonderful Showtime @LOTTE Department Store Myeongdong Main Store
Highlights: Christmas light show / large media facade / Theater Sogong broadway street / neon signs / ticket booth photo zone / large tree
Period: 1 Nov - 31 Dec 2024
Hours: 17:30 - 23:00
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (line 2, exit 7/8).
Wonderful Showtime @LOTTE Department Store Myeongdong
Wonderful Showtime @LOTTE Department Store Myeongdong
8. Christmas Lights @Shinsegae Department Store Main Store
Highlights: large Christmas media facade
Period: 1 Nov 2024 - 31 Jan 2025
Hours: 17:00 - 24:00
Fees: free admission
Getting There: Hoehyeon Station (line 4, exit 7)
Christmas Lights @Shinsegae Department Store Main Store
Christmas Lights @Shinsegae Department Store Main Store
9. Happy Christmas Parade @Lotte World Adventure Seoul
Highlights: Christmas parade of Santa Claus & fairies
Period: 18 Nov - 31 Dec 2024
Hours: 14:00. 30 mins show.
Fees: admission fee applies
Getting There: Jamsil Station (line 2/8, exit 4). Connected to Lotte World.
Happy Christmas Parade
Happy Christmas Parade
10. Christmas in Seoulland
Highlights: Christmas market / large tree / Santa performances / photo sessions / fireworks display / laser shows
Period: 1 Oct - 31 Dec 2024
Fees: admission fee applies
Getting There: Seoul Grand Park Station (line 4, exit 2)
Christmas in Seoulland
Happy Christmas Christmas in Seoulland
The Light Rose Garden @Myeongdong Cathedral
The Light Rose Garden @Myeongdong Cathedral
12. Bukhansan National Park
Highlights: Winter snow / Frozen rivers / Snow covered trees, paths or peaks.
Period: Dec 2024 - Mar 2025 / Hiking at night is prohibited (from sunset to 2 hrs before sunrise)
Fees: Free
Getting There: Winter walking experience at the base: Bus from Gireum Station (17 mins) / For Baegundae Peak: Dobongsan Station & a short walk to the park
Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan National Park
13. Seoul Land - Winter Festival Luna Happy Holidays
Highlights: Impressive illumination, snow fun land (120m long snow shedding slope, snow playground, ice & smelt fishing), music performances & more
Period:⏳(ref: 1 Dec 2023 - 3 Mar 2024)
Getting There: Seoul Grand Park Station (Line 4), Exit 2. 15 mins walk or take the Elephant Train (1,500 won/Adult, 1000 won/Child) to Seoul Land
Address: 181, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 과천시 광명로 181 (막계동)
Seoul Land
Seoul Land
Outside Seoul
14. Christmas Fantasy @
Everland Theme Park
Highlights: Bling Bling X-mas Parade / Very Merry! Santa Village / X-mas Photo Time / Magic in the Sky (fireworks)
Period: 29 Nov - 31 Dec 2024
Fees: admission fee applies
Getting There: 40 mins by bus from Gangnam Station
Christmas Fantasy @Everland
Christmas Fantasy @Everland
15. MERRY BRICKSMAS @Legoland Korea Resort
Highlights: special events, performances & indoor activities (winter only) / giant LEGO Christmas tree
Period: 22 Nov - 25 Dec 2024
Fees: admission fee applies
Getting There: train + taxi / Shuttle Bus Tour Service
MERRY BRICKSMAS @Legoland Korea Resort
MERRY BRICKSMAS @Legoland Korea Resort
16. Snow Buster @Everland Theme Park
Highlights: Snow Buster Sledding Rink - Family, Racing & Express Courses
Fees: per Everland admission fees
Period: ⏳Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
Getting There: 40 mins by bus from Gangnam Station.
Snow Buster @Everland Theme Park
Snow Buster @Everland Theme Park
17. High1 Ski Resort
Highlights: Abundance of fresh puffy snow / 18 Ski slopes / 3 Gondolas (for non-skiers too) - Operates the most number of gondolas in Korea / On-site accommodations
Period: 6 Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
Getting There: around 3 hrs by bus. Direct shuttle bus available from Incheon Airport and various bus lines with pick up locations in Seoul City (e.g. Seoul Station, Myeongdong Station, Dongdaemun Gate, Sinchon Station)
High 1 Ski Resort
High 1 Ski Resort
18. Yongpyong Ski Resort
Highlights: Venue for 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games / 28 Ski slopes / Longest Gondola Course (7.8km) in Asia - for skiers & non-skiers / Water park / On-site accommodations
Period: 29 Nov 2024 - Mar 2025
Getting There:
-
2 hrs by KTX train followed by free shuttle bus to resort OR
-
3 hrs on direct shuttle bus from Incheon/Gimpo Airport OR
-
3 hrs on various bus lines with pick up locations in Seoul City (e.g. Myeongdong Station, Seoul Station, Dongdaemun Gate, Sinchon Station)
Yongpyong Ski Resort
Yongpyong Ski Resort
19. Strawberry Picking at Yangpyeong
Highlights: Strawberry picking at one of the many Yangpyeong's strawberry farms. Enjoy nature beauty of Dumulmeori and Semiwon Garden. Cycle to Bukhangang Railroad Bridge
Period: Nov 2024 - May 2025
Hours: vary according to strawberry farms
Fees: from 10,000 won
Getting There: On Seoul subway (70 mins from Seoul Station), followed by 28 mins walk (7mins by taxi) from Yangsu Station. Normally visited as part of the walking/cycling course to other famous attractions at Yangpyeong
Yangpyeong Strawberry Picking
Yangpyeong Strawberry Picking
20. The Garden of Morning Calm - Lighting Festival
Highlights: One of the biggest festivals of lights in Korea, covering nearly 330,000 m2 with lights.
Period: 1 Dec 2024 - 16 Mar 2025
Hours: 17:00 to 21:00 (till 23:00 on Saturdays)
Fees: per The Garden of Morning Calm entrance fees
Getting There: 1-1.5 hrs from Seoul on Seoul Subway or ITX Train followed by Taxi/City bus/Gapyeong City Tour Bus to The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm
21. Winter Wonder Nami Island
Highlights: Snow covered island in nature
Period: 1 Dec 2024 - 2 Feb 2025
Hours: 7:30-21:40
Fees: per Nami Island entrance fees
Getting There: 1.5-2hrs from Seoul on Seoul Subway/ITX Train followed by Taxi/Gapyeong City Tour Bus to the wharf and ferry/zipline to Nami Island
Nami Island
Nami Island
22. Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Highlights: Pyeongchang Trout Festival is the representative winter festival of Korea and designated as a cultural tourism festival. Enjoy ice fishing, amusement facilities (e.g. snow sledding, ice bike), trout bare-hands catching & food village.
Period: 27 Dec 2024 - 2 Feb 2025
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Fees: admission & activity fees apply
Getting There: 2hrs from Seoul on day tour/shuttle bus
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
23. Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Festival
Highlights: Introduced by CNN as one of the 'Seven Winter Wonders' in 2011. Experience trout ice fishing, snow sledding, indoor snow sculptures, ice soccer, trout sashimi, grilled trout, ice soccer & more at the winter village.
Period: 11 Jan - 2 Feb 2025
Hours: 9:00 - 21:00
Fees: admission & activity fees apply
Getting There: 2hrs from Seoul on day tour
Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Festival
Hwacheon Sancheono Ice Festival
24. Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
Highlights: Enjoy exhibition of large snow sculptures, giant snow slide, ice sledding, large igloo cafe, outdoor fireplace & food or take part in the Taebaeksan National Snow Flower Climbing Competition
Period: 7 - 16 February 2025
Hours: -
Fees: admission & activity fees apply
Getting There: 3.5hrs from Seoul by car
Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
25. Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
Highlights: The Daegwallyeong Snow Festival is held in Pyeongchang, the main host city for PyeongChang 2018 Olympic. Enjoy giant snow sculptures, snow tubing, traditional music & dance performances.
Period:⏳(ref: 27 Jan - 11 Feb 2024)
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00
Fees: admission & activity fees apply
Getting There: 3hrs from Seoul by car
Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
Daegwallyeong Snow Festival
26. Inje Ice Fishing Festival
Highlights: Inje Ice Fishing Festival features ice fishing, ice playground for all ages, snow playground, snow village and various programs held on vast ice and snow fields.
Period:⏳(ref: 19 Jan 2024, Cancelled)
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Fees: admission & activity fees apply
Getting There: 2hrs from Seoul by car
Inje Ice Fishing Festival
Inje Ice Fishing Festival
27. Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
Highlights: Sheep farm transforms into a winter wonderland, often referred as the Alps of Korea
Period: Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Fees: per Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm entrance fees
Getting There: 3 hrs from Seoul on intercity bus followed by local bus/taxi to Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
28. Wondaeri Birch Forest
Highlights: Over 700,000 tall white bark birch trees raising towards the blue sky in the snow-covered landscape
Period: 1 Nov 2024 - 1 Mar 2025
Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry time 14:00)
Fees: Free
Getting There: 1.5 hrs from Seoul on intercity bus followed by city bus or 15 mins taxi ride to Wondaeri Birch Forest
Wondaeri Birch Forest
Wondaeri Birch Forest
Tips: Mobile battery may drain fairly fast in cold weather. If you do not want to miss out any photo opportunity, do bring along a power bank and charge your mobile phone whenever the battery is running low. Transport and meal times are probably the best times to give your phone the 'extra' boost and be ready for your next destination/place of attraction. 😉
Winter Experiences
1. Vivaldi Park Ski World (@ Daemyung Resort)
From Seoul: 45 mins by bus
Highlights: Most visited ski resort in Korea / Up to 20,0000 visitors daily / 12 Slopes / Total slope length of 6,784m / 9 Lifts / 1 Gondola / Ocean World (with outdoor hot spring & jjimjilbang)
2. Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort
From Seoul: 1 hr by train/bus
Highlights: The only ski resort in Korea reachable by subway or ITX train / Lower difficulty level of slopes than other ski resorts / 10 Slopes / 5 Lifts / Sledding Slope
3. Host Venues of PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games
From Seoul: 2.5 hrs by bus
Ski Resorts: Phoenix Park Ski Resort, Yongpyong Ski Resort & Alpensia Ski Resort
4. High1 Ski Resort
From Seoul: 3 hrs by bus
Highlights: The highest attitude and world-class ski resort that operates the most number of gondolas in Korea / Known for its beautifully clean, natural and puffy snow / 18 Slopes / Total slope length of 21km / 7 Lifts / 3 Gondolas / Casino
5. Other Ski Resorts from Seoul
Ski Resorts: Eden Valley / Oak Valley / Jisan /Bears Town / Welli Hilli / Konjiam
6. Ice Fishing Festivals
7. Ice / Snow Festivals
8. Snowy Mountains
