2026 Ice Nation Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival Concludes 23-Day Journey
Safety Takes Priority Over Ticket Sales... Ice Thickness Maintained at Over 40 cm
Southeast Asia Marketing Strategy Pays Off... Attracts 110,000 Foreign Tourists
The 2026 Ice Nation Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, South Korea's premier winter mega event, came to a close on the 1st.
The closing fireworks of the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival are taking place on the 1st. Provided by Hwacheon County
The closing fireworks of the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival are taking place on the 1st. Provided by Hwacheon County
According to the Hwacheon Foundation, approximately 1.59 million people visited this year’s Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, which opened on January 10 and ran for 23 days. On the closing day, February 1, around 86,000 people visited the festival grounds.
This figure is slightly lower than last year's cumulative total of 1.86 million visitors.
However, considering that both rain and snow fell on the opening day and that an unprecedented cold wave warning persisted for more than ten days, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival still demonstrated its top-tier ticket power.
The festival attracted about 114,000 foreign tourists, showcasing its status as a global festival designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
This year, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival strictly adhered to the principle of "safety first" from beginning to end.
The closing fireworks of the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival are taking place on the 1st. Provided by Hwacheon County
The closing ceremony of the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival was held on the 1st at the festival site. Choi Moonsoon, Hwacheon County Governor, is presenting a certificate of appointment as Honorary Sancheoneo Festival Ambassador to Lee Eunseong. Provided by Hwacheon County
When weather conditions deteriorated on the opening day, Hwacheon County and the Hwacheon Foundation reduced the number of people allowed on the ice and limited the operation of ice programs to prioritize safety, even though this meant a decrease in admission revenue.
On days when the wind chill dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, the morning bare-handed fishing experience program was completely suspended.
This resolute approach by Hwacheon County actually instilled trust in the festival’s safety among visitors and became a driving force that encouraged people to come to the festival grounds despite the cold wave.
Hwacheon County’s expertise in ice formation also laid the foundation for the festival to conclude safely.
Rather than simply waiting for the ice to form, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival meticulously monitored water volume, water level, and flow rate through the Yeosu sluice, as well as underwater conditions, maintaining an average ice thickness of over 30 centimeters and up to 45 centimeters from before the opening until the closing day, ensuring the safety of visitors.
In addition to domestic promotion, the festival’s marketing strategy included local campaigns in Southeast Asia, briefing sessions for foreign media, familiarization tours, and the use of social media platforms and influential power influencers, quickly raising awareness of the festival both at home and abroad.
The 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival concluded its 23-day journey with the closing ceremony on the 1st. Photo by Hwacheon County
Beyond the Sancheoneo fishing experience, attractions such as an indoor ice sculpture plaza created by ice lantern experts from Harbin, China; the vibrant Sendeung Street Festival held every Saturday night; and special events featuring Santa Claus and elves from Finland captivated visitors’ attention.
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival also served as a strong pillar for the local economy.
Restaurants in town were packed with tourists, and lodging facilities were fully booked.
Local farmers recorded nearly 1 billion won in sales of agricultural products at the festival, and many county residents and university students in Hwacheon were able to increase their income by participating in festival jobs.
This year’s festival, in particular, was able to be held safely and cleanly thanks to the active cooperation of residents, strong support from the Hwacheon Police Station, Hwacheon Fire Station, and military units, as well as the dedication of volunteers.
Hwacheon County Governor Moonsoon Choi emphasized, "Thanks to everyone who did their best for the success of the festival, from early morning until night, whether on the ice, in the water, or behind the scenes, the festival was able to conclude safely and successfully."
He added, "I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who remembered and visited the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival."
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