A Winter of Thin Ice: The Festival Comes to a Halt

Andong's Winter Brand Attracting 300,000 Visitors
A Choice to Prioritize Safety Above All

The Andong Amsan Ice Festival, which has become a symbol of winter tourism in the Yeongnam region, will be taking a break this year due to climate variability.

On January 5, Andong City and the Korea Institute of Spiritual Culture held a meeting of the Amsan Ice Festival Promotion Committee and decided to fully cancel the '2026 Andong Amsan Ice Festival,' which was scheduled to be held for nine days from January 17 to 25.

Andong City Decides to Cancel the '2026 Andong Amsan Ice Festival' 2024 Ice Festival Site

The Andong Amsan Ice Festival has been a signature winter event, attracting around 300,000 visitors annually and revitalizing the local economy. By combining ice sledding and interactive programs against the natural backdrop of Amsan Recreation Area, it has established itself as a tourism model that resonates across generations.

This year, the organizers had planned to enhance the festival’s content with new programs such as the 'Bell of Memory,' 'Ice Mailbox,' kite-flying experiences, and a unique sledding competition. However, due to the recent spell of warm weather, the ice conditions at the festival site did not meet the required standards, making it difficult to ensure visitor safety.

After careful consideration, the city decided to cancel the festival, prioritizing safety above all else.

An official from Andong City stated, "We put significant effort into preparing for the festival, but the safety of citizens and visitors comes first. Even if we pause this year, we will return next year with a safer and more complete festival."

Meanwhile, separate from the festival cancellation, some winter leisure facilities such as skating and sledding, operated by private businesses within the Amsan Recreation Area, will continue to operate as usual. The city plans to strengthen on-site safety management and visitor guidance to minimize confusion.

Winter is no longer a season where ice can be guaranteed. Andong’s decision, though disappointing, is more of a declaration to uphold safety and trust. The competitiveness of local festivals is now determined not by scale, but by sustainability.