Pyeongchang-gun: "Winter in Pyeongchang, with Silver Trout"... Pyeongchang Trout Festival Opens on the 9th

The 17th Pyeongchang Trout Festival 2026, one of South Korea's leading winter tourism festivals, will be held for 32 days from January 9 to February 9 around the Odaecheon Stream in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province.

The 17th Pyeongchang Trout Festival 2026 will be held for 32 days from January 9 to February 9 along the Odaecheon Stream area in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province. Safety inspection scene at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival. Provided by Pyeongchang-gun.

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is a cultural tourism festival designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, centered around ice fishing, and featuring winter sports, hands-on experiences, food, and performances. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors attend, making it a representative winter festival.

Since its inception in 2007, the Pyeongchang Trout Festival has grown under the leadership of local residents, becoming a symbol of revitalizing the local economy and winter tourism. This year, marking its 20th anniversary, the festival will welcome visitors with upgraded facilities and amenities, as well as a variety of new programs and performances, transforming the event for a fresh experience.

Signature programs such as trout ice fishing and bare-handed trout catching will be offered at the 2026 festival. Ice fishing on the frozen Odaecheon Stream is a highlight of the winter festival, while the bare-handed trout catching in 50 cm-deep cold water is one of the most popular activities. For visitors sensitive to the cold, tent fishing and indoor fishing areas will also be available, with staff on hand to assist children and beginners for an easy and enjoyable experience.

In addition to trout fishing, the festival grounds will feature a variety of winter play facilities. Activities such as sledding, snow rafting, argo rides, ice bicycles, traditional sleds, and ice carts will be available, offering winter sports and hands-on content that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, ensuring fun for families and young visitors alike.

At the sashimi center and grill area on site, visitors can immediately enjoy the trout they catch, prepared as sashimi, grilled trout, spicy stew, sashimi rice bowls, and seasoned sashimi. Popular winter snacks such as fish cake soup, garak noodles, tteokbokki, ramen, as well as local specialty foods, will also be widely available.

At the ice fishing area, events such as "Catch the Golden Trout," where those who catch a golden trout receive a commemorative gift, will take place throughout the festival. There will also be visitor participation events and ongoing performances. Small stage performances, including acoustic guitar shows, will further enhance the festival atmosphere.

The 17th Pyeongchang Trout Festival 2026 will be held for 32 days from the 9th to February 9th along the Odaecheon area in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. Safety inspection at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival. Provided by Pyeongchang-gun.

This year's festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will introduce new facilities such as the Jinbu Multipurpose Center, serving as a sashimi center, and an air dome for added comfort and relaxation. Special programs and attractions will include a 20th anniversary photo exhibition, a trout fishing competition, "Catch the Pok?mon," a visible radio program playing visitors' song requests throughout the festival grounds, public broadcasts (including celebrity performances), a sauna, a foot bath, ice pillars, and an ice wall, providing an abundance of new experiences and special performances.

Above all, the festival is being prepared with safety as the top priority. The ice fishing area will operate only when daily checks confirm the ice thickness meets required standards. Safety measures such as mandatory helmet use, safety fences, and impact-absorbing mats will be implemented at all play facilities to prevent accidents. In addition, response manuals for weather changes and ice collapse scenarios will be in place to ensure that not a single safety incident occurs during the festival.

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival Committee (Chairman Jang Moonhyuk), Pyeongchang-gun, and the Pyeongchang-gun Tourism and Culture Foundation stated, "The 17th Pyeongchang Trout Festival 2026 is being prepared with the safety of visitors as the highest priority," and added, "We hope you will create special winter memories in Pyeongchang with your family, friends, and loved ones."