Korea in February 2027: Weather, Lunar New Year and Where to Go
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February in Korea feels like two months in one. The first half is still deep winter, with frozen rivers in Gangwon and ski slopes packed on weekends. By the end of the month the afternoons are softer, and in Jeju the first plum blossoms are out.
In the middle sits Seollal, Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday of the year. For a few days, half the country travels home, trains sell out, and Seoul goes strangely quiet. If you know the dates, Seollal can be a highlight. If you do not, it can wreck a train plan.
Checked on October 22, 2026. Temperatures are long-term averages. Seollal dates follow the 2027 calendar guidance; event dates for February 2027 were not announced when we checked, so confirm on official sites before you book.
How cold is Korea in February?
Seoul in February is still cold, often below freezing at night, but drier and brighter than January. Busan and Jeju are mild enough for long walks. The mountains of Gangwon stay properly cold, which keeps the ski season going.
What to pack: a warm padded coat, layers you can take off indoors (heating in Korea is strong), gloves, and shoes with grip. Pack lighter if you only go south.
Seollal 2027: the dates that matter
Seollal falls on Sunday, February 7, 2027, with public holidays from Saturday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 9, including a substitute holiday. Here is what that means on the ground:
- Trains and buses sell out. KTX tickets for the holiday days go fast. Travel between cities before February 5 or after February 9 if you can.
- Small shops and restaurants close, especially on February 7 itself. Chains, convenience stores, hotels and big malls stay open.
- Palaces and museums usually open, often with folk games and performances. Some years entry is free over the holiday; check the palace site.
- Seoul is quiet. If you stay put in the city, the roads and subway are emptier than at any other time of the year.
Where to go in February
Seoul
Palaces under the last snow, warm markets and indoor sights. The outdoor ice rinks of winter usually close in the middle of the month. Our Seoul in winter guide has a 3-day plan, and our Bukchon guide covers the hanok village and its visiting hours.
Ski resorts
February is still full season. The resorts east of Seoul are reachable by shuttle bus, and weekdays are much quieter than weekends. See our ski resorts in Korea guide to pick one.
Jeju
The mildest place in the country, with camellias still out, plum blossoms at Hueree and the first canola on the east coast. Our Jeju in winter guide has a 3-day route without a car.
Busan and the south
Busan in February is cool and clear, good for coast walks. Further west, the plum festivals of the south coast start in March, so late February is the quiet week before spring.
Jeongwol Daeboreum
The first full moon of the lunar year, Jeongwol Daeboreum, falls around February 21, 2027. People crack nuts for good luck and eat five-grain rice, and some towns hold folk events and moon-watching. It is a small, local festival; check local listings closer to the date.
Getting around
Book KTX trains early if your dates touch the holiday. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for buses and walking routes, since Google Maps does not give full directions here. Both need data, so set up a Korean eSIM before you land.
Where to stay
Seoul hotels are often cheaper in February, outside the holiday days. For a central base near the palaces and Myeongdong, Namsan and Jongno are both good.
Checklist
- Know the Seollal dates: holidays February 6 to 9, 2027
- Book trains and buses early if you travel around the holiday
- Padded coat, gloves and layers for heated indoors
- Shoes with grip for icy mornings
- Book ski tours for weekdays if you can
- Set up an eSIM and Naver Map or KakaoMap before you fly
FAQ
Is February a good time to visit Korea?
Yes, if you like winter. It is drier and brighter than January, the ski season is still on, and crowds are thin outside the Seollal holidays.
How cold is Seoul in February?
Daytime highs are about 5°C and nights around -4°C, on average. Wind makes it feel colder.
When is Lunar New Year in Korea in 2027?
Seollal is on Sunday, February 7, 2027. The public holidays run from February 6 to 9.
What closes in Korea during Seollal?
Many small shops and family restaurants close, especially on Seollal day. Convenience stores, chains, hotels and big malls stay open, and palaces usually open.
Does it snow in Korea in February?
Yes, sometimes in Seoul and often in the mountains of Gangwon. Snow in Busan and on the Jeju coast is rare.
The short version
February is late winter with Seollal in the middle. Avoid travelling between cities from February 6 to 9, 2027, or book very early. Ski in Gangwon, walk the palaces in Seoul, and go to Jeju for the first blossoms of the year.
