Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival
JanuaryGangwon
The Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival is a winter festival held every January along the Hongcheon River in Gangwon Province. You can fish for ginseng-fed trout on the ice, or even try catching trout with your bare hands. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00, and admission is paid.
When is it held?
Every year around early January. The exact dates change every year.
This year’s dates
Held 2026: Jan 9 ~ Jan 25 (ended). Check the official website for next year’s dates.
Before you go, check this year’s dates and fees on the official website.
What can you do there?
- Ice fishing that people of all ages can enjoy
- Bare-hand trout catching in the water
- A family indoor fishing pond that kids love
- An ice sledding area and winter folk game zone
- Local Korean dishes beside thatched-house scenery
Tips for visitors from abroad
Getting there
From Seoul you can reach the Gangwon area by KTX, express bus or intercity bus. Once there, check public transit to the venue in a map app (Naver Map and KakaoMap are the most accurate in Korea).
Naver Map ↗ KakaoMap ↗ Google Maps ↗
What to wear and bring
Winter festivals are often below freezing. Bring a thick coat, gloves, a hat and non-slip shoes.
This is general guidance. Check the official website for what to bring and how to enter each event.
Photos
Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI. Dates may change. · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type3 · Shown unaltered.
Other festivals in the same month
Frequently asked questions
When is Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival held?
Every year around early January. The exact dates change every year. This year’s dates have not been announced yet.
How do I get to Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival?
From Seoul, take KTX, an express bus or an intercity bus toward Gangwon, then check public transit to the venue in a map app.
Is Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival free?
The official overview does not list admission. Please check the official website.
Places to visit near this festival in Gangwon
Top attractions close to the event site. Add them to the same day trip.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI. Dates may change.