subject: Winter Festivals in Korea Part1. December [print this page] Winter Festivals in Korea Part1Winter Festivals in Korea Part1. December
December Festivals (2010)
December in Korea means Christmas, cold weather (cute hats and accessories), and last but not leastplenty of winter festivals. Among the December festivals, there are winter events celebrating everything from international design to fruit. As the festival-packed month comes to an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival locations across the nation to welcome in the first sunrise of 2011.
Seoul Design Festival
When: December 8~12, 2010
Where: Hall C, COEX, Samseong-dong, Seoul
Since its inception in 2002, the Seoul Design Festival has been widely attended by well-known designers from both home and aboard and has served as a showcase for promising new artists. This year's festival theme is the "Thank U Project." Works of art focus on designers' thankful hearts and reflect their ideas on how to make the world a better, healthier, happier place. Designs are divided into the categoriesDonation,Ecology,Smile,Imagination,Global, andNeighbor (which spell out the word "DESIGN"). For those interested in Korea's modern art scene (and art in general) this is a must-visit festival!
Yeongdong Dried Persimmon Festival
When: December 17~19, 2010
Where: Nangye Hall of Korean Classical Music & Youth Training Center, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province
Yeongdong is affectionately called the Holy Land of Fruit' since it is the biggest fruit producer in Korea. Each year during the festival, to celebrate this unique town and its agriculture heritage, local produce including persimmons, pyogo mushrooms, walnuts and chestnuts are on sale at 10% off wholesale prices. In addition to the local produce market, there are a variety of interactive experience programs such as "making persimmon jam" or "peeling and slicing persimmons."
Boseong Tea Fields Festival of Lights
When: December 17~February 6, 2011
Where: Boseong Tea Fields, Hoecheon-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do Province
The magical allure of the Boseong Green Tea Fields grows tenfold this winter, when Christmas light displays cast a cheery glow over the expansive tea fields. Christmas lights and an enormous Christmas tree as well as a number of themed exhibits (the Love Galaxy Light Tunnel, Green Tea Themed Street, etc.) bring a whole new meaning to the words "Christmas decorations."
Ganjeolgot is one of the seaside locations where people all across the nation gather to celebrate the New Year and watch the first sunrise of the New Year. This New Year's Sunrise Festival includes interactive events such as stargazing programs and mosaic making. Visitors can also learn about the Ganjeolgot Lighthouse and the city of Ulsan through a series of 3D video clips. New Year's celebrations also include a wide array of events such as fireworks, eating tteokguk (an important New Year's tradition), and a diverse range of performances.
Maryangpo Sunrise Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Maryang Port, Maryang-ri, Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Province
Why spend New Year's Eve in a bar when you can spend it at this beautiful beach on Korea's west coast! One of the few places that offers a stunning view of both the sunset and the sunrise, this sunrise festival venue has it all: a great location and lots of celebratory events such as a local specialty market and seaside bonfires.
Homigot Haemaji (Sunrise Greeting) Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Homigot Sunrise Plaza, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
Catch the first sunrise of 2011 on the dawn of New Years Day at the Homigot National Sunrise Plaza, located on Homigot Beach. This is the first beach in Korea to catch the rays of the sunrise and is one of the most famous places to gather on New Years. Say goodbye to 2010 while watching performances and fireworks and welcome in the New Year with a steaming bowl of Tteokguk, a Korean New Year's Day tradition.
Seongsan Sunrise Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Ilchulbong Peak area, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island
Join the countdown and welcome in the New Year at Jeju's premier sunrise attraction, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (also known as "Sunrise Peak"). Fishermen from every port will turn on their boat lights and blow their whistles in unison to mark the occasion. With the port town down below and a view of the sun coming up over the ocean, it is truly a spectacular sight to see.
Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Hourglass Park District, Jeongdongjin Beach, Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province
Get off of the train in Jeongdongjin and walk only a few meters to the beautiful beach and its large hourglass. The beach's hourglass is so big that it takes one full year for the sand in the top to fall to the bottom. At 12am on New Year's Eve, the last grains trickle down and the hourglass is turned over once again as part of a grand ceremony, kicking off the brand-new year.
Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Gyeongpo Beach, Jeo-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province
Gyeongpo Beach is one of the biggest beaches on the east coast and is well-known for its beauty, which shows itself in a different light throughout the year. On New Year's Day, people gather in a huge celebration of the New Year, watching fireworks and participating in an array of programs.
Yangyang New Year Sunrise Festival
When: New Years Eve/Day
Where: Naksan Beach, Hangyeryeong Peak, Hajodae Beach, Gangwon-do Province
Legend has it that any wish made from atop Naksan mountain during the first sunrise of the year is sure to come true! Head to Yangyang to make your wish in the mountains before coming back down to the beach to join in festivities.
For more information about Winter Festival in Korea you can visit http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=867902 or KTO's main page http://visitkorea.or.kr
