Updated September 28, 2024
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Korea in January is the coldest and snowiest month of the year.
That also means that it’s the low season, so if you don’t mind the chilliness, it can be a wonderful time to visit without the crowds!
You can go skiing in Pyeongchang (where the 2018 Winter Olympics were held!), skate at an amazing ice rink in Seoul, or create special memories at a seasonal festival.
Plus, this is when you can get some of the cheapest flights and hotels in Korea.
With that, let’s dive into everything you need to know before traveling to Korea in January!
Weather in Korea in January
How cold is it in Korea in January?
January is the coldest month of the year in South Korea, with a monthly average temperature between -6.9°C and 3.6°C (19.6°F and 38.5°F).
It’s also the snowiest month, with over 13 cm (5.1 in) of snowfall on average.
When’s the best time to visit Korea?
Spring & Fall are the Best
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Korea, because the weather is milder and it’s easy to walk outdoors and sightsee comfortably.
Many people flock to Korea in the spring months to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
In the fall, you can enjoy the lovely foliage, too.
Fall is the Peak Season
The peak season to visit Korea is in the Fall. Specifically, October is the most popular month to visit Korea.
There’s a lot of tourists in the summer, too.
While it can be the easiest to plan a summer vacation for the summer, especially if you have kids, do note that the summers in Korea are hot, humid and rainy.
Winter is the Low Season
If you’re intent on avoiding the crowds, or are on a budget, the winter is the low season of the year.
Average Monthly Number of Tourists in South Korea
| Avg # of Tourists Per Month | |
| Spring (Mar-May) | 852,163 |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 1,027,320 |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 1,147,640 |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 650,103 |
Public Holidays in January 2025
Yes! New Year’s Day and Seollal (Lunar New Year) are public holidays in Korea in January 2025.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day, on January 1, 2025, is a national holiday in Korea.
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
Seollal is one of Korea’s most important holidays and is in late January in 2025.
The public holidays are at the end of the month. Jan 29 is Seollal proper, and Jan 30 is also a public holiday.
Many Korean people visit their families to honor their ancestors, give each other gifts and feast on delicious food. This also means that many shops are closed or have reduced hours during the public holidays.It’s part of Korean tradition that we gain a year older after eating a bowl of teokguk, or Korean rice cake soup, the morning of Korean New Year.
What to wear in Seoul in January
It’s a good idea to bring your thickest and warmest jacket.
Koreans don’t shy away from “long paddings,” or long parkas (though you’ll spot people with bare ankles and legs underneath!).
Do note that South Koreans keep things pretty toasty indoors, so you might want to wear coats that are easy to take off and carry.
Long-sleeve Uniqlo Heattech shirts are easy to transport and are great for layering because they’re so thin.
15 Best Things To Do in South Korea in January
Winter Seasonal Festivals
Consider planning your trip around some of these winter events outside of Seoul for the ultimate, unique cultural experience!
1. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival (화천산천어축제)
Go ice fishing in the Hwacheoncheon frozen river for Korean native salmon, called sancheoneo.
The ice fishing isn’t just for fun; the salmon’s fresh and delicious as sashimi or grilled over charcoal.
In addition to ice fishing, there’s tons of winter activities you can do, like sledding, ice skating and even bobsledding!
This festival is fantastic for families with young kids, too.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival attracts more than 1 million people every year. No wonder it’s been named one of the 7 wonders of winter by Lonely Planet.
- Dates: January 11 – Feburary 2, 2025
- Address: (1.5 hour drive from Seoul): Jung-ri, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- Tours:
2. Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival (평창송어축제)
There’s plenty to do and eat for families, especially with young kids, at Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival.
Go ice fishing for trout in the clear Odaecheon Stream!
Plus, 2-3 times a day you can try catching trout with your bare hands in a designated pool.
If you have very young children or are a bit worried about being in the cold too long, there’s the option to fish indoors (in a pool), too.
Beyond fishing, you can go sledding, snow rafting, ice skating, ride an ATV and more!
The trout’s super delicious, and you can eat it fresh as sashimi or grill it.
There’s no shortage of good food from the many food vendors at the festival!
- Dates: TBD for 2025, December 29 – January 28 last year
- Address (2 hour drive from Seoul): 1289-80 Hajinburi, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
- Tickets (reserve by calling +82-33-336-4000 or booking a tour): Ice Fishing (25,000 KRW, 19 USD), Ice Fishing Package Plus Activities (43,000 KRW, 32 USD)
- Tours:
3. Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산얼음분수축제)
Fully embrace the holiday spirit by admiring the larger-than-life, jagged ice fountains that look like a crazy cluster of ice-blue icicles.
There’s also themed sculptures made from snow and ice that look like trains, castles and the characters from the kid’s show Pororo, which light up colorfully at night.
The festival has plenty of winter activities to keep the whole family entertained. Why not hop on a cattle-drawn sled, go ziplining, fishing or horseback riding? There’s sledding and snowmobiles, too.
- Dates: TBD for 2025, typically January 1 – Mid-February
- Address (2 hour drive from Seoul): 223-35 Cheonjangho-gil, Jeongsan-myeon, Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Tickets: 8,000 KRW (6 USD)
- Tours:
4. Yangpyeong Trout Ice Fishing Festival (양평빙송어축제)
Yangpyeong is famous for its clear waters. In the winter, head onto Sumi Village, where you can go ice fishing for trout and smelt.
In addition to fishing, there’s plenty of activities like sledding, ATVs and kite flying.
If that’s not enough, why not try drone ice fishing or play a drone soccer game?
- Dates: TBD for 2025, Dec 9 – Feb 26 last year
- Address (1.5 hour drive from Seoul): Sumimaul Visitor Center, 55-2 Gopdani-gil, Danwol-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- Tickets: 19,000 – 29,000 KRW (14 – 22 USD)
5. Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival (아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전)
Inspired by visits to botanical gardens in the US during his time as an exchange professor, Prof. Sang-kyung Han opened this garden in 1996.
The Garden of Morning Calm, which has 5,000 plants across 22 gardens, is a fantastic way to experience Korea’s breathtaking natural beauty.
Once the winter sunset hits, this arboretum transforms into a colorful, magical scene out of Frozen.
While you’re out there, it’s worth checking out Nami Island, too.
- Dates: December 1, 2024 – March 16, 2025
- Address (1.5 hour drive from Seoul): 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Tickets: Adults (11,000 KRW, 8 USD), Youth: Middle School to High School (8,500 KRW, 6 USD), Kids (7,500 KRW, 5.50 USD)
- Tours:
- With Strawberry Picking
- With Petite France & Italian Village
- With Rail Biking
- With Alpacas
6. Unwind & Relax at a Jjimjilbang Korean Bathhouse
You might be familiar with a luxury spa, but a Korean jjimjilbang is a totally different experience.
At these 24-hour bathhouses, couples and families unwind in unisex heated saunas, nap atop heated ondol floors, and snack on boiled eggs and ramen.
The locker rooms are separated by gender and typically include hot tubs and cold plunges.
- Spacious & Clean: Sparex Dongmyo
7. Spin & Twirl on Korea’s Best Ice Skating Rinks
Koreans are great at speed skating, and part of me wonders if it’s because there’s such convenient access to both indoor and outdoor skating rinks in Seoul.
Time to dive into the holiday spirit and hit the rink!
If you have younger children, both of these options are kid-friendly. Get the lower-cost Entrance Ticket if you’re just planning to watch over your kid.
- Outdoor Rink, Pricier but Truly Festive: Grand Hyatt Ice Rink
- Affordable & Spacious Indoor Rink: Lotte World Ice Garden
8. Cozy Up with Heartwarming Comfort Food
The cold weather calls for some Korean comfort food. From soupy delights to streetside snacks, there’s so much to try!
When your legs are freezing, there’s nothing like stopping for a streetside pocha snack like odeng, or fishcake on a skewer, which typically comes with unlimited complimentary broth.
Then you gotta down a bungeo-ppang, a waffly piece of bread shaped like fish that’s stuffed with sweet red bean paste.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Soupy Delights: Ipoh Fishcake, Samcheongdong Sujebi, Myeongdong Kyoja Main Restaurant
- Streetside Snacks (Look out for the vendor stalls!): Bungeo-ppang (fish-shaped bread with red bean), Odeng (fishcake skewers), Hotteok (fried pancake with melted sugar filling)
9. Eat & Gunbae (Cheers!) to Your Heart’s Desire at a Pocha
Back in the day, Korea was full of soju-serving streetside restaurants inside pitched red tents, called pojangmacha, or commonly called pocha for short. Korean locals would drink and eat all night at these pochas.
While outdoor pochas are fewer in number today, here are some fantastic indoor alternatives that serve the same tasty Korean bunshik, or snack food, like ddukbokki (spicy ricecake) and gimbap (rice rolls).
10. Hit the Ski Slopes
Korea’s ski slopes are convenient, generally well-maintained and have beginner-friendly options.
Plus, there’s a decent amount of options that aren’t too far from Seoul, if you’re open to taking a day or weekend trip.
11. Trek Through the Snow
Did you know that 70% of the Korean peninsula is covered with mountains? Actually, Seoul itself is surrounded by mountains.
It’s no winter that Korea has so many hikers.
Winter sports enthusiasts will love winter hiking at the national parks or mountains surrounding Seoul. You can enjoy the crisp air and breathtaking, snow-covered views.
- In Seoul: Bukhansan National Park
- In Jeju Island: Hallasan National Park
Do make sure to gear up to protect from the cold air and iciness!
12. Admire the Snowy Korean Landscape
The clay roofing tiles of traditional Korean architecture are even more magical topped in snow!
Given that January is the snowiest month of the year in Korea, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a snowy scenery.
Whether it’s the city views or top historical sites, you’ll get more space to yourself since Korea’s much less trafficked in January.
- Panoramic City Views: N Seoul Tower, Inwangsan Mountain
- Top Historical Sites: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village
13. Cold Weather? Perfect Time to Hit a Museum!
The cold winter is the perfect excuse to take all the time you want at a museum.
If that sounds like your kinda thing, you’re in luck because Korea has plenty of museums that detail its 700,000 years of rich history.
- History Buffs: National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea
- Art Lovers: Leeum Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul
14. Shop ’Til You Drop in Korea’s Fancy Department Stores
In-person shopping culture is very much alive and thriving in Korea, and you’ll see why when you visit these department stores.
Burrow away in the cold at one of Korea’s fancy department stores. Peruse through the dozens of Korean clothing and beauty brands and pick up your next favorite item!
- Newest & Best To Walk Around: The Hyundai Seoul
- Hip & Vibey: Galleria Department Store
- Classiest: Shinsegae Myeongdong
15. Snuggle Indoors & Create Your Own Mementos
Buying trinkets at Myeongdong is serious fun, I know.
But taking an arts & crafts class and making your own mementos, all while learning about Korean culture, is the best!
Make a “couple ring” like young Korean couples, who love making personalized rings! (They’re not engagement rings, not just yet!)
Or create your very own Korean stamp. Dojang, or personal seals, are commonly used on official documents in Korea.
Klook.comSouth Korea in January (Conclusion)
This article was all about South Korea in January.
While the average daily temperatures are the lowest in Korea in January, it can be the best time of year to enjoy Korea with the least crowds.
We went over amazing things to do in Korea in January, including unique experiences like ice fishing and interesting places like jjimjilbangs that are the perfect opportunity to authentically experience Korean culture.
Plus, there’s so many wonderful places like the hanoks in Bukchon that look even more beautiful covered in snow.
Korea in January: 15 Best Things To Do + Weather (2025)
Weather in Korea in January
- How cold is it in Korea in January?
- Winter Seasonal Festivals
- Public Holidays in January 2025
- What to wear in Seoul in January
15 Best Things To Do in South Korea in January
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival (화천산천어축제)
- Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival (평창송어축제)
- Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산얼음분수축제)
- Yangpyeong Trout Ice Fishing Festival (양평빙송어축제)
- Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival (아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전)
- Unwind & Relax at a Jjimjilbang Korean Bathhouse
- Spin & Twirl on Korea’s Best Ice Skating Rinks
- Cozy Up with Heartwarming Comfort Food
- Eat & Gunbae (Cheers!) to Your Heart’s Desire at a Pocha
- Hit the Ski Slopes
- Trek Through the Snow
- Admire the Snowy Korean Landscape
- Cold Weather? Perfect Time to Hit a Museum!
- Shop ’Til You Drop in Korea’s Fancy Department Stores
- Snuggle Indoors & Create Your Own Mementos
Thank you for checking out my guide to Korea in January!
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