Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival to Open on January 10 Next Year
Seondeung Street Lighting Ceremony and Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza Unveiled on December 20
Tens of Thousands of Sancheoneo Lanterns Crafted by Local Seniors Draw Attention
The "2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival," South Korea’s leading winter festival, which is set to open on January 10 next year, officially kicked off on December 20 with a spectacular lighting ceremony.
Hwacheon County held the 'Seondeung Street Lighting Ceremony' on the afternoon of the 20th around Jungang-ro in Hwacheon-eup. Provided by Hwacheon County
On the 20th, the Hwacheon lantern street lit up brilliantly with colorful mountain trout lanterns and LED lights. Provided by Hwacheon County
On this day, Hwacheon County held the "Seondeung Street Lighting Ceremony" around Jungang-ro in Hwacheon-eup.
As the countdown ended and tens of thousands of mountain trout lanterns simultaneously illuminated the city, cheers erupted from both residents and tourists who had gathered at the site.
"Seondeung Street" is a nighttime landscape project designed to attract tourists to the city center and invigorate the local economy. Notably, the mountain trout lanterns displayed this year were handcrafted over the past year by local seniors in Hwacheon workshops, adding special significance. As a festival content created by the local community, it is regarded as having value beyond that of a simple installation.
Hwacheon County is opening the 'Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza' on the afternoon of the 20th. Provided by Hwacheon County
Hwacheon County is opening the 'Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza' on the afternoon of the 20th. Provided by Hwacheon County
On the same day, the "Indoor Ice Sculpture Plaza" set up in Hwacheon-eup was also unveiled to visitors for the first time. Covering a total area of 1,700 square meters, this plaza was created with the direct participation of technicians from Harbin, China, renowned for their world-class ice and snow art.
Inside the exhibition hall, which used more than 8,500 large ice blocks, famous architectural landmarks from around the world and dazzling creative sculptures filled the space, evoking the atmosphere of a winter wonderland.
On the opening day, admission was free, drawing a steady stream of family visitors throughout the day.
Choi Moonsoon, Mayor of Hwacheon County, stated, "We have prepared a joyful festival with safety as our top priority for the tourists who have been waiting for the Sancheoneo Festival all year. We hope you fully enjoy Hwacheon’s unique winter charm and the warm hospitality of its residents."
The indoor ice sculpture plaza tubing event, a popular program of the 2026 Ice Country Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, is being held on the 20th at the Seohwasan Multipurpose Plaza in Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon County. Provided by Hwacheon County
Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Choi Moon-soon, Mayor of Hwacheon County, are inspecting the indoor ice sculpture plaza tabing ceremony, a popular program of the 2026 Ice Country Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, on the 20th. Provided by Hwacheon County
Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is delivering a greeting speech at the 'Seondeung Street Lighting Ceremony' held on the afternoon of the 20th around Jungang-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun. Provided by Hwacheon-gun
Choi Moonsoon, the governor of Hwacheon County, is delivering a greeting at the 'Seondeung Street Lighting Ceremony' held in the area of Jungang-ro, Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon County on the afternoon of the 20th. Provided by Hwacheon County
Meanwhile, the 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival will take place for 23 days from January 10 to February 1 next year, along Hwacheoncheon and throughout Hwacheon-eup, featuring a variety of programs such as mountain trout ice fishing, barehanded fishing, and snow sledding, welcoming tourists from all over the world.
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