Korea in January 2027: Weather, Ice Festivals and Where to Go
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January in Korea is a test of how well you dress. It is the coldest month of the year, and in Seoul the wind off the river can make -5°C feel like -15°C. It is also the month when the palaces look best under snow, the rivers in Gangwon freeze hard enough for festivals on the ice, and the sights are as empty as they ever get.
Visitors who plan well have a very good time. Visitors who pack for “winter” in a mild country tend to spend the trip in cafes. This guide is written from Korea, where we deal with January every year.
Checked on October 21, 2026. Temperatures are long-term averages. Festival dates for January 2027 were tentative or not announced when we checked; confirm on the official sites before you book around them.
How cold is Korea in January?
The numbers hide three things:
- Wind is the real enemy. Seoul’s open spaces, bridges and palace courtyards are windy. A coat that blocks wind matters more than one that is just thick.
- Cold waves. A few times a winter, very cold air sits over the country for three or four days. Nights in Seoul can drop below -12°C. Keep those days for museums, markets and the subway.
- It is dry and mostly sunny. January is clear far more often than it is snowy. When it does snow, it is beautiful for a morning.
What is on in January 2027
New Year’s Day
On January 1, Koreans go east to watch the first sunrise of the year. Beaches on the east coast like Jeongdongjin fill up before dawn, with hot drinks and a lot of standing in the cold. Trains and hotels sell out early. Our Gangneung guide covers the KTX and the sunrise spots.
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
The best-known winter festival is in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, where a frozen river turns into a field of ice fishing holes for mountain trout. You catch a fish through the ice, take it to a grill tent, and eat it. There are ice slides, sledding and an ice sculpture area. Tour operators list January 9 to 31, 2027, but the official dates had not been confirmed when we checked. The festival depends on thick ice; in warm winters it has been delayed.
From Seoul, the easiest way is a day tour, since public transport to Hwacheon is slow.
Ski season
January is the heart of the ski season. The resorts in Gangwon have their best snow and longest open runs, and most run shuttle buses from Seoul. Our ski resorts guide compares them for visitors without a car.
Lunar New Year comes just after
Seollal, the Lunar New Year, falls on February 6, 2027, with the holiday running roughly from February 5 to 8. That matters if your trip runs into early February: trains and buses sell out, many small restaurants close for a few days, and palaces and museums keep different hours. If you are planning late January, check how close you are to the holiday.
Where to go in January
- Seoul: palaces under clear skies, ice skating in the city if the rink opens, warm markets and food. Our Seoul in winter guide has a 3-day plan.
- Gangwon: snow, skiing and the ice festival. The coldest place, and the most wintry.
- Busan: the mildest big city, with days around 8°C, sea views and hot pork soup.
- Jeju: green fields, tangerines and snow on Hallasan. Windy, but rarely freezing at sea level.
- Gyeongju: quiet, clear and cold, with almost no crowds at the tombs and temples.
If you have a week or more, combine a cold base and a milder one: Seoul with Busan, or Gangwon with Jeju.
What to pack
- A windproof outer layer with a hood, plus a warm mid layer
- Thermal base layers; Korean shops sell good, cheap ones if you forget
- Gloves you can use a phone in, a hat and a scarf
- Shoes with grip; pavements and temple steps get icy
- Lip balm and moisturiser; the air is very dry and heated rooms make it worse
Heat packs, called hotpacks, are sold in every convenience store for about 1,000 won. Put one in each coat pocket.
Getting around in the cold
The subway is warm, and you will use it more than you planned. For walking and bus routes, use Naver Map or KakaoMap; Google Maps does not give full directions in Korea, and the Korean apps need mobile data. A Korean eSIM bundled with a T-money card covers data and transport fares in one step.
Checklist
- Book New Year and Lunar New Year travel early
- Check the ice festival’s official dates before you book a tour
- Plan indoor days for the coldest stretch of the forecast
- Pack windproof layers, gloves and good shoes
- Set up Naver Map or KakaoMap and mobile data
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Korea?
Yes, if you like winter. It is cold, dry and clear, with snow in the mountains, ice festivals, skiing and the quietest sights of the year.
How cold is Seoul in January?
Days are around 1°C and nights around -7°C on average, with cold waves that drop nights below -12°C for a few days.
Does it snow in Korea in January?
In the Gangwon mountains, often. In Seoul, a few times a month at most, and it rarely stays long. Jeju has snow on Hallasan but rarely at sea level.
When is Lunar New Year in 2027?
Seollal falls on February 6, 2027. The holiday runs roughly from February 5 to 8.
Where is warmest in Korea in January?
Jeju and Busan. Both stay above freezing during the day and rarely get snow at sea level.
The short version
January is Korea’s coldest month and a very good one for snow, skiing, the ice fishing festival and quiet sights. Pack for wind, not just cold, check the 2027 festival dates before booking, and keep an eye on Lunar New Year on February 6 if your trip runs into February.
