"Welcome, Cold Wave": 37 Days Until Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival... Preparations Progressing Smoothly Amid Severe Cold

The atmosphere is heating up for the "2026 Ice Country Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival," South Korea's premier winter festival, which is set to open on January 10 next year.

Hwacheon County is installing Sancheoneo lanterns for the lantern street lighting ceremony, which will open the curtain of the 2026 Sancheoneo Festival at 6 p.m. on the 20th in the Seondeung Street area of Jungang-ro, Hwacheon-eup. Provided by Hwacheon County

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In particular, anticipation is mounting as the lantern street lighting ceremony, which signals the start of the festival, is just around the corner, and preparations for the indoor ice sculpture plaza-one of the festival’s main attractions-are now in full swing.

According to Hwacheon County on December 4, the lantern street lighting ceremony, which will mark the opening of the festival, will be held in grand fashion at 6 p.m. on December 20 in the Seondeung Street area of Jungang-ro, Hwacheon-eup.

Since December 3, Sancheoneo lanterns and LED lights have been installed along Jungang-ro in Hwacheon-eup, lighting up the night in preparation for the event.

Tens of thousands of Sancheoneo lanterns, crafted by more than 100 local seniors including those at the Sancheoneo Workshop in Hwacheon-eup, come in various sizes and shapes, adding vibrancy and splendor to the festival. After the lighting ceremony, Seondeung Street will host a variety of performances and nighttime programs throughout the festival period, offering a dazzling spectacle of lights.

Hwacheon County is installing Sancheoneo lanterns for the lantern street lighting ceremony, which will open the curtain of the 2026 Sancheoneo Festival at 6 p.m. on the 20th in the Seondeung Street area of Hwacheon-eup Jungang-ro. Provided by Hwacheon County

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Another key highlight of the festival, the creation of the "Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza," is also underway in earnest.

A team of 31 technicians from Harbin Ice and Snow Culture Development Co., Ltd., renowned for their world-class expertise, has gathered at the Seohwasan Multipurpose Plaza in Hwacheon-eup to create a "winter kingdom."

More than 8,500 ice blocks, each weighing 135 kilograms, will be used to fill the 1,700-square-meter indoor space.

Over 30 large-scale ice sculptures-including replicas of the Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site and a giant Taegeukgi-will be installed, along with popular character sculptures and giant slides for children.

The ice sculpture plaza will open on December 20 to coincide with the lantern street lighting ceremony, and admission will be free on the opening day. Afterwards, paying visitors will receive a local voucher worth 3,000 won, which can be used in the Hwacheon area.

On the 4th, as a cold wave arrived, Hwacheoncheon, where the festival is held, began to freeze. Provided by Hwacheon County

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On the 4th, as a severe cold wave arrived, the Hwacheoncheon River, where the festival is held, began to freeze. Provided by Hwacheon County

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On December 4, as a severe cold wave arrived, the Hwacheoncheon River-where the festival takes place-began to freeze, ensuring that natural preparations for main events such as Sancheoneo ice fishing are proceeding smoothly.

The 2026 Ice Country Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival will run for 23 days from January 10 to February 1 next year, taking place along the Hwacheoncheon River and throughout the downtown area of Hwacheon-eup. A variety of winter experiences-including Sancheoneo ice fishing, barehand fishing, ice sledding, and snow sledding-await visitors.

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