February is a bit of an odd month to travel to South Korea: there are no cherry blossoms or fall foliage to attract the crowds and daylight hours are short. Moreover, the freezing temperatures are not everyone's cup of tea. However, despite being one of the coldest months of winter, you can still have a great time in Seoul in February!
Jump to:
February is the ideal travel time to visit Seoul if you like the cold, prefer not to squeeze with the crowds or if you are want to enjoy a winter wonderland. (February is also the best time of year for travel deals in Korea!)
During the month of February, Seoul offers a wide range of winter festivals and activities. Though it is cold, there are fun outdoor activities like sledding, skiing, and ice fishing and light festivals to enjoy.
Weather
There's no getting round it: Korean winter is harsh.
Temperatures can plunge as low as -20C/ a4F and you can get lots of heavy snow- it's just a little bit warmer than January. (Awesome if you're warm indoors or looking at it via a photograph. However, it can be a pain if you're on the road.)
Long-term weather averages in Seoul range between - 4 degrees C/ 26 degrees F to 5 degrees C/ 41 degrees F. Thankfully there are plenty of sunny days. (January- March are some of the driest months of the year, whilst July is the wettest month.)
Seoul, the central and northern parts of South Korea tend to be colder whilst coastal areas such as Busan and Jeju Island + the southern parts of Korea tend to be slightly warmer. (However, the wind can be very strong so do take note of the wind chill factor.)
Pyeongchang is one of the coldest places in South Korea in February, with an average high temperature of -0.4 degrees C/31.3 degrees F and an average low temperature of-1.5 degrees C/13.1 degrees F.
Festivals & Holidays
Seollal
Seollal is a major Korean holiday.
The date of Korean new year (Seollal), like Lunar New Year, changes every year. It can be anytime from the end of January to February. (In 2025, Seollal will fall on January 29.)
Seollal is a 3-day national holiday, starting on the day before till the day after the New Year Day, ie January 28 - 30 2025.
Seollal is a time when Koreans return to their hometowns to visit their parents and relatives, pay respect to their ancestors, and play traditional Korean games such as.yunnori (traditional Korean board games), flying kites, or spinning tops. With Koreans travelling home from wherever they are to spend Seollal with their families, public transport becomes busier. Expect crowds at subways, bus stations and airports over this period.
Many shops are closed but, in central Seoul, you will still be able to find shops and restaurants to visit. Some special Korean foods to eat during this period include tteokguk (rice cake soup) and mandu guk (dumpling soup).
(a) Gyeongbokgung Palace: traditional ceremonies are held to welcome the new lunar year.
Witness the charye ceremony for rituals to honour ancestors and receiving blessings for the coming year
TIP: Rent a hanbok and wear it, and immerse in the traditional experience of Korean
culture.
(b) The Namsangol Hanok Village
Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain, Namsangol Hanok Village is opened during Seollal. Traditional performances and traditional rites are demonstrated. There are also activities like making kites, spinning tops, masks as well as making pancakes and playing Yutnori.
(c) Jogyesa Temple
This famous temple in central Seoul is very popular with locals and tourists for performing Buddhist rituals. During this period, the temple grounds are adorned with colorful lanterns and flowers.
Valentine’s Day
As you can tell from Korean drama, romance is a big thing in Korea. Restaurants will be crowded on the 14th of February (Valentine's Day), so it’s best to book them in advance.
The city will be decorated with hearts and alight with love. It's the best time to visit Seoul as a couple!
Some couple activities to enjoy together include:
- taking a couple photoshoot
- visiting N Seoul Tower and its Observation Deck: this is a popular place to place love locks, which symbolise being together forever. You can also have a romantic dinner in one of N Tower's restaurants overlooking Seoul. (It's just for the atmosphere though- the food is more expensive but not always that good.)
- taking a romantic stroll around the grounds of Korea's famous palaces. (I recommend Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung Palace.)
Wearing a hanbok gets you free entry to Seoul's Royal Palaces!
Winter Activities & Events
Seoul
Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink (서울광장 스케이트장)
- Dates: Last year it was held during December 2, 2023 to February 11, 2024 (Dates for 2025 TBC)
- Hours : 10 am - 2130 (Sundays - Thursdays), 10 am - 2300 (Fridays, Saturdays, Public Holidays)
- Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 을지로 12 시청광장지하쇼핑센터
- Admission Fee: 1000 Won
Don't forget to print out the Korean name and address to show the cab driver or in case you need to ask for directions!
This is one of South Korea’s top places for winter activities as it is easily accessible, being located in Central Seoul, by Seoul City Hall.
Every winter, the plaza will be turned into an outdoor skating ring- ice-skating is one of the quintessential winter Seoul experiences (especially if you're there during Valentine's Day. How many times have you seen couples skating in K-dramas?!)
There are separate rinks for beginner and advanced skaters, so don't be intimidated! (You can sign up for beginner classes if you want to learn how to ice skate.)
Note: you can rent skates, helmets, gloves and knee pads. (Some free, some rented for a fee.)
14th International Sculpture Festa
- Dates: February 4 - 9, 2025
- Address: COEX (515 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-do)
This festa combines art and creativity in an outdoor setting with local and international sculptures exhibiting their contemporary works. There will be art workshops and cultural performances.
Tip: if you're looking for a hotel close by, I stayed at Intercontinental COEX and was impressed by the service!
Seoul Fashion Week
- Dates: February 6 - 10, 2025
- Address: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) 282 Euljiro, Jung-gu
This event will showcase the next leaders in global K-fashion. There will be fashion shows and presentations from corporate brands, k-pop bands and other special events.
K-Illustration Fair Seoul 2025
- Dates: February 6 -9, 2025
- Address: COEX, Hall D (515 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-do)
Artists, illustrators, art and comic lovers head to COEX to see a wide range of styles and techniques from digital illustrations and comics (man hwa) to water colors and prints.
HMA Hanteo Music Awards
- Dates: February 15 and 16, 2025
- Address: Jangchung Arena (241 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu)
The 32nd annual Hanteo Music Awards (HMA) is a musical award held annually for artistes that have made a big impact on the music industry.
You can meet some of your favourite Korean stars and celebrate with them as they are rewarded for their hard work!
Outside Seoul
The Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival
- Dates: December 1 2024 to March 16 .2025
- Address: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
- Opening hours:
- Sunday to Friday: 5pm to 9pm
- Saturday: 5pm to 11pm
- The Garden actually opens at 11 am but the illuminations start from 5 pm.
- The restaurant and cafes inside the Garden mostly operate until 8 pm, subject to change.
The Garden of Morning Calm is one of my favorite easy day trips from Seoul. (I say easy because there are so many guided tours to this attraction, making it super convenient to get to.)
Its light festival was the first in South Korea to combine the natural surroundings with lights- 330,000 square meters of grounds are covered with environmental-friendly LED lights.
During winter, when the entire garden is covered with a thick blanket of snow, the lights twinkle on the white surface, transforming the Garden into a shimmering and glowing fairyland.
Your visit to The Garden of Morning Calm can also be combined with other nearby winter attractions such as Nami Island (see below), Petit France, Seoraksan National Park etc
Alternatively, you can also enjoy the Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival with Eobi Ice Valley, a new tourist spot in Gapyeong-gun famous for its magnificent frozen ice falls.
Tip: to see the dazzling light festival in winter at its best, visit after 5pm.
Winter Wonderland Nami Island
Dates: Dec 1 2024- Feb 28 20-25
Nami Island is famous all round the world, thanks to it being the shooting location of many Korean dramas. (You need a ticket to enter.)
Personally, I found it a little overhyped, though the zip-line entry is quite cool. (Less adventurous people can take the ferry across- there's an icebreaker to break the ice if the waters are frozen.) I also enjoyed warming marshmallows over the fire.
During winter, Nami Island’s landscape is sometimes covered with snow. You can enjoy serene walks and admire the views with sledding activities (between Jan 4 and Feb 2.)
Note: you can reach Nami Island by public transport but there are also tours from Seoul city centre.
Seoulland - Winter Festival
Dates: Last year it was held from December 1, 2023 to March 3, 2024. Dates for 2025 will be advised.
Address: 181, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Seoulland is Korea's first large theme park (tickets available here.)
Have fun at the 120m long snow sledding slope and snow playground. You can also enjoy smelt fishing, music, bumper cars, and various winter activities.
Note: despite the name, Seoulland is not in Seoul!
Everland Theme Park - Christmas & Winter Festival (Wintertopia)
Dates: Dec 6 2024 to Mar 3 2025
Hours: From 10 am to 8 pm (Sun-Thurs)/ 9pm (Fri-Sat)
Everland is located outside Seoul but there's a bus that'll take you directly there from Seoul. Besides a Santa Village and Christmas market, there will be fireworks, parades and a snow sledding rink. (Everland tickets are available here.)
Strawberry Picking at Yangpyeong
Address: 802-1 Yangsu-ri, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea 경기도 양평군 양서면 양수리 802-1
Dates: November 2024 - May/ mid June 2025
Opening times: 8 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays
Yangpyeong is an area famous for strawberries- it has an annual strawberry festival. (There are several farms but I recommend Young Farmer Farm as they can speak some English.)
Besides strawberry picking (and making strawberry jam) at the various farms in Yangpyeong, travelers are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Domulmeori and Semiwon Gardens. Alternatively, they can cycle to the nearby Bukhangang Railroad Bridge.
Note: If you don't want to fuss with transport, you can take a tour from Seoul to farm to pick strawberries!
Gapyeong Singsing Trout Festival (가평씽씽송어축제)
- Dates: Last year, it was held on December 23, 2023 to February 25, 2024. (Dates for 2025 TBC.)
- Address: 119, Gapyeongjebang-gil, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do 경기도 가평군 가평읍 가평제방길 119
Head to this festival for snow sledding, ice sledding, bumper car rides on ice and performances.
Sanjeong Lake Winter Festival
- Dates: Last year, it was held from December 30, 2023 to February 12, 2024 (Dates for 2025 TBC.)
- Address: 104 Sanjeong Lake-ro, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
This is a very cool event: you can sled over thick ice in a cute yellow duck-shaped mobile, gliding effortlessly across the frozen Sanjeong Lake.
Tip: If you are visiting Sanjeong Lake Festival, it can be combined with a visit to Hantang River Sky Bridge in Pocheon, a filming location made popular by the hit Korean drama “Crash Landing on You”. This can be done as a day trip. (Click here for other popular day trips from Seoul.)
Pocheon Baegungyegok Valley Dongjangkun Festival (포천 백운계곡 동장군축제)
- Dates: Last year it was held on December 22, 2023 to February 13, 2024. (Dates for 2025 TBC.)
This festival is held in the area of Doridol Village, an area famous for I-dong galbi (ribs) and I-dong makgeolli (rice wine). Visitors can enjoy winter activities like ice fishing, sledding and tasting a variety of yummy food.
E-World Illumination
- Dates: November 16, 2024 to February 20, 2025. Dates for 2025 will be advised.
- Address: 200 Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 대구광역시 달서구 두류공원로 200 (두류동)
E-World, a European-style city park that has waterfalls, fountains, flowers, rides, restaurants etc, and the landmark 83 Tower are lit up with 10 million ;ights- perfect for taking photos! The impressive 130,000 pyeong (approx. 106 acres) of lights can be observed from B3 Tower Observatory.
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival (칠갑산 얼음분수 축제)
Dates: Last year, it was held December 23, 2023 - February 28, 2024. Dates for 2025 will be advised.
Address: Cheongyang Alps Village, Chilgapsan
About 2 hours from Seoul, the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival in the remote Chilgapsan Mountain transforms this rural village into a winter delight with snowy sculptures, igloos, ice caves, snow statues, ice carvings with various ice-based activities. (Think the cartoon Frozen.)
During the day, the ice caves and sculptures are illuminated. At night, they come alive with rainbow-hued lights reflecting the icy landscape.
The festival is also family-friendly with lots of activities to keep the children busy and entertained. There is snow sledding, (on a rubber ring), ice sledding (on a small sleigh), flat snow sledding (on a traditional Korean wooden sleigh with short sticks for pushing along the ice) etc. (There are many snow machines around in case it doesn’t snow.)
Note: you have to pay extra (in addition to the admission ticket) to take part in the sledding.
No festival is complete without street food, and you can enjoy chestnuts, Korean dalgona, and hotteok here!
Go Skiing!
Korea is a great place for skiing. Some slopes have even hosted the Winter Olympics! This may sound quite intimidating to the novice skier but there's a ski resort for everyone, both beginners and experts.
I skied for the first time in Korea- their ski resorts have beginner friendly slopes that even someone terrified of heights like myself managed to conquer! (Photo above taken from the ski lift.)
The Korean ski slopes is a large enough topic that it deserves its own post, so I won't go into specifics here.
Indoor Activities
To escape from the cold weather, I suggest including a lot of indoor activities in your itinerary, such as:
Cooking Classes
For food lovers, Korean cooking classes provide a hands-on experience preparing famous Korean foods such as kimchi, Korean stews (jjigae), bibimbap (rice with seasonal vegetables and a sunny-side fried egg, bulgogi (marinated grilled meat) and more.
One of my favorite experiences was learning to make kimchi in a hanok! (Click here for the Seoul Kimchi Class review.) (The other was taking a Seoul food tour.)
Make your own Korean souvenirs
As they say, made with love. What's better than a souvenir you made yourself? (For those whose interests lie elsewhere, here's a list of the best South Korean souvenirs you can buy to bring home.)
Some popular craft classes in Seoul include:
Mother-of-Pearl
Address: (Just outside) Bukchon Hanok Village
Learn the Korean traditional technique and make your own hand mirrors, business card wallets, trays, coasters, key chains and hair ties or lacquered spoons. (You can choose what you want to make and pay accordingly- click here for my review of the Mother of Pearl class.)
Korean Pottery
Make your own Korean Moon Jars here!
Stone Stamp
The stone stamp (dojang 도장 ) is used to sign contracts in Korea - you can carve your own own in these Korean stamp classes!
Perfume Making
This perfume class is held in a renovated 80-year old hanok (traditional Korean house.) Here, you can make a fragrance that is unique to you, choosing from 400 different scents.
Give Yourself a Korean makeover
South Korea is renowned globally for its beauty industry and skincare products.
One of the most popular things to do in Korea is to get a hair cut, makeover, and pamper oneself with facials and massages. My Mom & I get at least 1 hair cut/ treatment/ perm, 1 facial, and 1 massage on our Korean trips. (Click here for my review of hair salons & facials in Seoul- to summarise, our favorite is the Sulwhasoo spa.)
Exploring Museums
Visiting museums in Seoul is a great way to escape from the rain or to warm yourself from the freezing weather in February!
Here are some of my favorite Korean Museums:
- National Museum of Korea
Established in 1945, this is Korea's largest, most popular Museum where you'll find:
- archeological and historical gallery with pieces of art dating back to Korea’s early history (1st floor)
- calligraphy and paintings (2nd floor)
- Buddhist sculptures (plus art and culture of Asia, 3rd floor.)
Plus it's free!
- War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)
This is a very popular museum for history enthusiasts.
Head to the indoor section of the museum to see exhibitions related to South Korean wars. Outside the museum, travelers can see tanks, vehicles, submarines, aircraft and artillery used by Korea during the World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Another free Seoul attraction!
- National Folk Museum
This museum is located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace and is one of my favourites.
Head to the first exhibition hall, “History of Korean People” displaying everyday life materials of the Korean people dating from prehistoric times to 1910. “The Korean Way of Life” of the second exhibition shows how the life of a Korean villager in ancient times was like. The third exhibition, “Life Cycle of the Koreans” is all about Confucianism and how this ideology has affected the life of Koreans in Korea.
- The Story of King Sejong Museum
This vast museum displays the many achievements of King Sejong who was the 4th king of the Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong is famous for the creation of the Korean alphabet, “Hangeul”, which makes the language very easy to learn!
Enjoy a Korean Show!
Nanta Cooking Show in Myeongdong
Nanta is a unique and non-verbal comedy that uses kitchen utensils (e.g. knives and cutting boards) to create music and movements and is very popular.
Food to Eat
King Crab (Kkotge)
February is the fishing season for king crab, so Koreans eat a lot of this seafood during this part of the year. King crab has a sweet and tender meat, and can be eaten grilled (kkotge gui) or in a spicy soup (kkotge tang.)
Tip: visit coastal areas such as Sokcho and Gangnueng to get the freshest and cheapest King Crab.
Stews & Soups
This is the ideal time to indulge in spicy Korean soups to keep warm- my favorite is Korean Tofu Soup (Soondubu Jjigae.)
Tips
- You can get heat packs from convenience stores all around Seoul/ Daiso to keep you warm
- Here's what you need to pack for winter in Seoul
Any questions about traveling to Seoul in February? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply