Korea In January: The Weather, Tips From A Local, Flowers and Things To Do

Korea can become quite the winter wonderland in January, but it can also be pretty frigid and cold. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come in the midst of winter in Korea, though. Not at all. January can be delightful in a number of ways. You just need to know how to keep warm to enjoy it all.

I’ve lived in Korea for almost two decades and to me it seems like there’s some sort of cycle that happens for winters. You’ll have the absolutely most frigid winter some years, followed by two winters that really aren’t that bad. If you happen to visit on a frigid one, just be on the lookout for open doors to jump into to warm up, make more museum stops, and stock up on heat packs. But, also be prepared for beautiful sights and snow and lights and everything nice.

Will you be traveling to Korea in January? Here’s everything you need to know from the weather to the festivals.

• The Weather In Korea In January
• What To Know About Visiting Korea In January
• What To Pack and What To Wear
• The Public Holidays In Korea In January
• The Best Festivals and Events In January
• Where To Go Skiing or Snowboarding
• Ideas For Things To Do
• What To Eat In The Winter In Korea
• The January Flower Guide
• Day Trips & Adventures To Take From Seoul

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The Weather In Korea In January

January in Korea is in the heart of winter, and temperatures drop considerably, ranging from -10°C to 1°C (14°F to 34°F). This is the coldest time of the year, and the landscape is often covered in a pristine layer of snow on the mountains and in northern areas of the country.

Crisp, wintry air fills the atmosphere, and while it’s cold to be sure, there’s a unique charm in the winter wonderland that Korea becomes during this month. It can be downright frigid in Seoul at times, but the great thing about Seoul in the winter is that it’s sunny more days than it’s not.

There may be an occasional snowfall in Seoul but it doesn’t usually stick for long so if you start to see the flurries, step outside to enjoy it.

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What To Know About Visiting Korea In January

The beginning of January is still a relatively high period for tourism in Korea as winter vacations continue on past New Years. For Asia, travel can pick up again on Lunar New Year so it’s important to check the dates, which change each year, for that holiday.

Speaking of holidays, if you like Christmas lights and holiday decor, you can still see plenty of it into January as decorations stay up for most of winter in Korea.

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What To Pack and What To Wear

You will definitely want layers for winter in Korea. If you plan on leaving Seoul, Korea, make sure to get good gear that is water-resistant and will keep you warm and safe. Remember that your shoes need to be easy to take off though as many places require you to remove your shoes to be seated… and you’ll want to be seated because the floors are heated!

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The Public Holidays In Korea In January

New Year’s Day | January 1: While Korea’s do celebrate the New Year on January 1st, you should note that traditionally they celebrate with the first sunrise of the year, not with a New Year’s Eve kiss! What to do for New Year’s Eve in Korea

Lunar New Year/Seollal | January 28 – 30, 2025: The Lunar New changes each year and is dependent on the lunar calendar and this year, it’s in January. This is a huge holiday in Korea in which Koreans travel across the country to be with family partaking in traditional ceremonies called jesa.

Businesses may have adjusted holiday schedules during this time, so it’s best to be flexible with schedules. Major tourist spots may have special events though which makes it very fun. How To Celebrate Seollal in Seoul

Did you know there are unofficial holidays in Korea? On January 14, some Koreans celebrate Diary Day. Couples swap cutesy yearly planners/diaries that they purchased at one of the numerous stationary stores around town. Inside, they’ve marked birthdays, anniversaries and other special days so that no one is caught forgetting their special days together.

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The Best Festivals and Events In January

January in Korea is filled with some fantastic and fun events and festivals to those that like to celebrate winter. From snow festivals to lanterns and lights, ice—dress warmly and you will have a fantastic time.

Lighting Festivals

There are a number of lighting festivals that span from December into March so even if you start to notice the Christmas lights in Seoul being taken down, just know there are lights still to see.

• Seoul Winta Festa (서울윈터페스타): December 13, 2024 ~ January 5, 2025
  • This festival is held at various locations around Seoul including the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Sejongdaero, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggyecheon, and in front of Seoul City Hall
• Garden of the Morning Calm Lighting Festival (아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전): December 6, 2024 ~ March 13, 2025
  • From December through February, you can visit this gorgeous garden that has been transformed into a winter wonderland of lights.
  • Address: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432)
  • Join a tour: On Viator, On Klook
• E-World Illuminations (이월드 일루미네이션)
  • E-World Illumination is a lighting festival that takes place from mid-November to mid-February that decorates E-World and 83 Tower with ten million lights.
  • Address: 200 Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 달서구 두류공원로 200)
• Haeundae Lighting Festival (해운대 빛축제): December 14, 2024 ~ February 2, 2025
  • You can walk along a promenade of light displays in Busan. Light arches, light sculptures, trees, and fairy lights are on display for all.
  • Address: 264 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산시 해운대구 해운대해변로 264)

New Year’s Sunrise Festivals

Rather than ringing in the New Year at midnight, a lot of Koreans head to the tallest mountains near them or to the east coast of Korea to watch the first sunrise. Koreans believe that wishes made while watching that first sunrise of the year are the most powerful so if you need some good juju in the coming year, maybe this is the best way for you to celebrate.

• Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival (경포해맞이축제)
  • Address: 514 Changhae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 창해로 514 (안현동))
• Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해맞이 축제 모래시계회전식)
  • Address: Jeongdongjin2-ri, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 강동면 정동진2리)
  • Join a Tour: There’s a tour from Seoul that will take you out to Jeongdongjin Beach on Trazy or on Viator.
• Seongsan Sunrise Festival (제주성산일출축제)
  • Address: 284-12 Ilchul-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 일출로 284-12)
• Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival (울산 간절곶 해맞이축제)
  • Address: 39-2, Ganjeolgot 1-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan (울산광역시 울주군 서생면 간절곶1길 39-2 (서생면))
• Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전)
  • Address: 136 Haemaji-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 포항시 남구 호미곶면 해맞이로 136)
  • Join a Tour: There’s a tour from Busan to Homigot on Trazy, or on Viator.

Ice Fishing Festivals

• Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (얼음나라 화천 산천어축제): January 11, 2025 ~ February 2, 2025
  • Selected as one of the “7 Wonders of Winter” in Korea by CNN, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival is probably the most popular of the ice fishing festivals in the country
  • Address: 137 Sancheoneo-gil, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 화천군 화천읍 산천어길 137)
  • Join a tour: You can find a tour on Klook or on kkday or on Viator.
• Pyeongchang Trout Festival (평창송어축제): December 27, 2024 ~ February 2, 2025
  • Pyeongchang needs no introduction when it comes to winter activities. Host to the Winter Olympics, the area is a well-known winter destination. 
  • Address: 3562 Gyeonggang-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원특별자치도 평창군 진부면 경강로 3562)
  • Join a tour: You can find a tour on Klook or on kkday or on Viator.
• Inje Ice Fishing Festival (인제빙어축제)
  • First held in 1997, this festival focuses on the smelt fish and simultaneously hosts a fun(ny) ice soccer competition.
  • Address: 555-2 beon-ji, Bupyeong-ri, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 인제군 남면 부평리 555-2번지)

Snow and Ice Festivals

• Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산얼음분수축제): January 1, 2025 ~ Until the ice melts away.
  • Address: 175-11 Cheonjangho-gil, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 청양군 정산면 천장호길 175-11)
  • Join a tour: On kkday, or On Trazy
• Taebaeksan Snow Festival (태백산 눈축제): January 26, 2025 ~ February 4, 2025
  • Address: 168 Cheonjedan-gil, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 태백시 천제단길 162)
  • Join a tour: On kkday or on Klook
• Daegwallyeong Snow Festival (대관령 눈꽃축제): January 27, 2025 ~ February 11, 2025
  • Address: 135-5 Daegwallyeong-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령로 135-5 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령로 135-5)
  • Join a tour: On Klook

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Where To Go Skiing or Snowboarding

Korea offers a number of skiing opportunities thanks to its mountainous terrain. If you want to be assured you’ll see snow in Korea this winter, you should definitely plan a trip to the mountains outside of Seoul. Even if you can’t ski or snowboard, they have snowy fun activities and sledding too!

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Ideas For Things To Do

Don’t let winter get you down. I think the best way to enjoy the season is to have equal parts indoor fun and outdoor fun. Take advantage of the outdoor ice rinks and ice fishing festivals, but make sure to have some places to warm up and sights to take in like museums and a Korean sauna.

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What To Eat In The Winter In Korea

There are some delightful winter delicacies in Korea and many of them can be found right at your local street food cart or convenience store.

Some winter favorites to find at street food carts include hoddeok (호떡), a doughy treat stuffed with cinnamon, brown sugar and nuts, and bungeobbang (붕어빵), a bready treat that looks like a little fish and is stuffed with a sweet red bean concoction.

You should also look out for the fire roasted sweet potatoes (군고구마), walnut baked treats, or hodu-gwaja (호두과자), and roasted chestnuts (호두과자), too.

Of course, not all of the winter delicacies require you to find a friendly street food vendor while you’re braving the cold. One of my favorite warm soups is seolleongtang (설렁탕). This ox bone soup is hearty and filling and after a meal of it, you’ll be warm and happy. I recommend finding one of the oldest restaurants in Seoul to fill up. They can’t be beat.

Gomtang (곰탕) is similarly delicious and nutrient-dense. It’s a traditional soup made by boiling different cuts of beef including ribs, ox tail, and brisket, among other parts that was enjoyed by the royal courts. I recommend trying it at Hadonggwan in Myeongdong.

Doganitang (도가니탕), or Korean ox knee soup, is a traditional Korean soup that draws its deep, savory flavor from slow-cooked beef knee joints. The soup is somewhat reminiscent of seolleongtang but has a richer taste, thanks to the beef gelatin in the broth.

Sundubu jjigae (순두부찌개) is a popular comfort stew made with soft tofu and though it is red, it’s not spicy. You can find sundubu jjigae all over the place and really don’t have to travel far to get a good bowl of it. If you want an artisanal option, try Golden Bean Field.

• Yeongdong Dried Persimmon Festival (영동곶감축제): January 10-12, 2025
  • Yeongdong Dried Persimmon Festival aims to promote the excellency of Yeongdong’s dried persimmon and thereby boost the local economy through local produce. 
  • Address: 122 Yeongdonghwanggan-ro, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도 영동군 영동황관로 122)
  • When: Usually January

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The January In Korea Flower Guide

After all of that talk about it being cold, snowy, and frigid, you you might be surprised to learn that flowers bloom in the winter in Korea. One of my favorite reasons to head south to Gimhae to visit our in-laws in the winter is because I get to see the camellia flowers blooming.

Camellia Flowers (동백꽃): Native to Korea, camellia flowers bloom from November to March in the southern regions of South Korea. If you plan to travel in Korea in January and are headed south, be sure to look for these beautiful magenta blooms.

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Day Trips & Adventures To Take From Seoul

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I bet you didn’t guess that you could visit Korea in January and spot flowers, go ice fishing, and see a festival if lights! You can indeed! Get ready for an epic adventure in South Korea this January. Get ready for the fun.

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