Bottom line: Korea in January is the coldest month of the year: KMA’s 1991-2020 normals put Seoul at −1.9 °C on average, the Pyeongchang mountains near −7 °C and Jeju above +6 °C. The headline events are the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (9 to 31 January 2027) and ski season, and Seollal follows on Sunday 7 February 2027 with an official holiday block of 6 to 9 February. Information as of 16 October 2026.
Quick Korea Travel Guide
Getting in: Landing at Incheon? See every airport-to-Seoul option.
Stay in touch: Get a Korea eSIM from Airalo before you fly (from $4.00, as of October 2026). Cold drains phone batteries fast, so carry a power bank.
Download first: Naver Map for routes and Kakao T for taxis.
Where to book: the Hwacheon ice fishing day tour on KKday, the Elysian Gangchon ski day tour on KKday or GetYourGuide Seoul tours.
Getting around: The Seoul subway guide and T-money vs Climate Card cover warm, heated transport.
For more planning: Korea Travel Toolkit.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
January is cold and dry in Seoul, snowy in the mountains and mild on Jeju, and it is the month for ice festivals and skiing. This guide gives weather by city from Korea’s own climate normals, the official Seollal 2027 date, the winter festivals worth planning around, and what closes. For the whole year, see the best time to visit Korea.
Quick answer
- Weather: Seoul averages −1.9 °C (high 2.1 °C, low −5.5 °C); Busan 3.6 °C; Jeju 6.1 °C; the Pyeongchang mountains −6.9 °C (KMA 1991-2020).
- Seollal 2027: Sunday 7 February 2027. The official holiday runs Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February (4 days), per the Korea AeroSpace Administration.
- New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January 2027 is a public holiday, giving a three-day weekend from 1 to 3 January.
- Top festival: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, 9 to 31 January 2027 (official site).
- Skiing: January is peak ski season; see the ski trip guide for resorts and ski bus prices.
- Closed: palaces keep weekly closing days (Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung on Mondays); banks and government offices close on 1 January.
Winter festival day tour · via KKday
Hwacheon Trout Ice Fishing, Sledding and Eobi Ice Valley Day Trip
⭐ 4.8/5 from 1,287 KKday reviews · 3K+ sold · from ₩50,000 · 11 hours · pickup at Hongdae, Myeongdong and Gwanghui-dong · free cancellation 2 days before (as of Oct 2026)
What this guide covers
1. Korea in January Weather by City
The Korea Meteorological Administration’s 1991-2020 normals give a clear picture: the north and the mountains are far colder than the south coast, and Seoul sits in between. Use the table to choose clothing, then check the KMA forecast a few days before you fly.
| City (KMA station) | Mean °C | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | −1.9 | 2.1 | −5.5 | 16.8 |
| Chuncheon | −4.1 | 1.9 | −9.3 | 18.6 |
| Hwacheon | −5.5 | 1.9 | −11.3 | 15.4 |
| Daegwallyeong (Pyeongchang ski area) | −6.9 | −1.8 | −12.2 | 53.1 |
| Gangneung | 0.9 | 5.3 | −2.7 | 47.9 |
| Daegu | 1.1 | 5.9 | −2.9 | 18.6 |
| Busan | 3.6 | 8.2 | −0.1 | 34.5 |
| Jeju | 6.1 | 8.6 | 3.7 | 67.5 |
KMA also counts the days with snow in an average January: 7.1 in Seoul, 8.3 in Jeonju, 7.2 on Jeju, 4.2 in Daegu and 1.4 in Busan. Seoul’s cold is dry and sunny, so streets are rarely buried; the mountains and the east coast get the heavy snow, and Jeju stays mild near the coast. Indoors, Korean buildings and the subway are well heated.
2. What to Wear and Pack in January
- Seoul and the cities: a padded coat, thermal base layer, hat, gloves and a scarf. Wind makes −2 °C feel colder.
- Mountains and festivals: add waterproof trousers and insulated boots; the Hwacheon river averages −5.5 °C with an average low of −11.3 °C.
- Jeju and Busan: a mid-weight coat and a windproof layer are enough.
- Extras: hand warmers (sold at convenience stores), lip balm and moisturiser for the dry air, and shoes with grip. See the Korea packing list for the full list.
3. Seollal 2027: The Official Date and What It Means
Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is Sunday 7 February 2027. That is the official date in Korea’s 2027 calendar, published by the Korea AeroSpace Administration on 29 June 2026. The holiday block is Saturday 6 February (the day before), Sunday 7 February, Monday 8 February (the day after) and Tuesday 9 February, a substitute holiday added because Seollal falls on a Sunday. Many calendars print 6 February because that is the date of Chinese New Year; Korea’s official calendar is the one that decides the holiday.
The same release lists 1 to 3 January 2027 as a three-day holiday (Friday 1 January plus the weekend). For travel in January and early February: trains and express buses sell out around both holidays (see KTX sold out: backup routes), many small restaurants close for Seollal itself, and the big attractions mostly stay open. The Chuseok and Seollal closures guide covers what closes and what stays open.
4. Winter Festivals in January 2027
Only one major January festival has confirmed 2027 dates so far.
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, Hwacheon (9 to 31 January 2027). The official site and VisitKorea both list these dates. Visitors fish for mountain trout through the ice, ride sleds and grill their catch; a day tour from Seoul starts around ₩50,000 (KKday, as of October 2026), and the organiser’s 2026 ice fishing ticket was ₩15,000 (₩10,000 for foreign passport holders).
- Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Pyeongchang. VisitKorea says it runs from late December through late January; the 2026 edition ran 9 January to 9 February, and 2027 dates have not been posted.
- Taebaeksan Snow Festival, Taebaek. Korea.net lists snow sculptures and winter programmes running 31 January to 8 February in its current listing; 2027 dates have not been posted yet.
Check each festival’s site for 2027 dates before booking flights around them. If you are driving, the Jeju rental car guide covers winter road conditions on the island, and the DMZ tour guide is an option in the cold, dry weather.
5. Skiing in January
January is the heart of the ski season, and resorts such as Konjiam, Elysian Gangchon and Vivaldi Park run day trips from Seoul by ski bus. The ski trip guide compares resorts, lift tickets and rentals; here are two ways to book. Overnight near the slopes, Phoenix Hotel Pyeongchang is 500 m from Phoenix Park on Agoda.
Ski day trip from Seoul · via KKday
Elysian Gangchon Ski Day Tour from Seoul
⭐ 4.5/5 from 675 KKday reviews · from ₩27,000 for the shuttle-only option · shuttle from central Seoul (as of Oct 2026)
Resort-area hotel · Pyeongchang · via Agoda
Phoenix Hotel Pyeongchang
⭐ 8.5/10 from 2,884 Agoda reviews · 500 m from Phoenix Park · ski lifts 550 to 760 m away (as of Oct 2026)
6. What Is Closed in January
- 1 January: a public holiday on Friday 1 January 2027; banks and government offices close, and the long weekend runs to Sunday 3 January.
- Palaces on their weekly closing day: Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays, and Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung on Mondays (palaces open on a holiday and close the next day instead).
- Palace hours are shorter: Gyeongbokgung is open 09:00 to 17:00 (last admission 16:00) in January and February; Changdeokgung is open until 17:30 (last admission 16:30), with Secret Garden sessions from 10:00 to 16:10.
- Seollal: 6 to 9 February 2027; plan transport and meals ahead if your trip runs into early February.
7. Things to Do in Seoul in January
Seoul rewards cold-weather planning. Walk the snowy palace grounds in the morning (wearing a hanbok earns free palace entry; see the hanbok rental guide), warm up with hotteok and tteokbokki from street stalls, soak in a jjimjilbang, and take the cable car up N Seoul Tower for a clear winter view. The convenience store guide covers hot drinks and snacks, and Nami Island is a snowy day trip.
For a base, voco Seoul Myeongdong by IHG puts you near the subway and airport limousine stop, and N285 Hotel Insadong is a walk from the palaces. More areas are in where to stay in Seoul.
Hotel pick · Myeongdong · via Agoda
voco Seoul Myeongdong by IHG
📍 100 m from Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) · airport limousine stop nearby · walk to Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong (as of Oct 2026)
Also on Expedia: voco Seoul Myeongdong by IHG · Trip.com
Hotel pick · Insadong · via Agoda
N285 Hotel Insadong
⭐ 8.7/10 from 7,218 Agoda reviews · about 300 m from Insadong · 448 m from Jonggak Station · walk to Bukchon Hanok Village (726 m) (as of Oct 2026)
Also on Expedia: N285 Hotel Insadong · Trip.com
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using 6 February as Seollal. The official 2027 date is Sunday 7 February, with the holiday from 6 to 9 February.
- Packing for Seoul and heading to the mountains. Daegwallyeong averages −6.9 °C and Hwacheon −5.5 °C in January.
- Planning a palace visit on its closing day. Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays.
- Booking transport for early February at the last minute. Seollal trains and buses fill up first.
- Assuming every festival has set 2027 dates. Only Hwacheon has confirmed them so far.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Korea in January?
Korea in January is cold and dry. KMA’s 1991-2020 normals give Seoul an average of −1.9 °C (high 2.1 °C, low −5.5 °C), Busan 3.6 °C and Jeju 6.1 °C. The mountains are much colder, with Daegwallyeong at −6.9 °C.
When is Seollal in 2027?
Seollal is on Sunday 7 February 2027. The official holiday is Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February, including a substitute holiday on 9 February.
Does it snow in Seoul in January?
Yes. KMA counts about 7 snow days in an average January in Seoul. Heavy snow is more common in the mountains and on the east coast.
What festivals are in Korea in January 2027?
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival runs 9 to 31 January 2027. The Pyeongchang Trout Festival and the Taebaeksan Snow Festival usually fall in January and early February, but 2027 dates have not been posted.
Is January a good time to ski in Korea?
Yes. January is peak ski season, and Konjiam, Elysian Gangchon and Vivaldi Park are the easiest day trips from Seoul.
What is closed in Korea on 1 January?
1 January 2027 is a public holiday, so banks and government offices close. Palaces keep their weekly closing days: Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung on Mondays.
What should I wear in Korea in January?
Wear a padded coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and a scarf, and add waterproof trousers and insulated boots for the mountains and festivals.
Is it worth visiting Korea in January?
Yes if you want winter activities, ice festivals and fewer crowds at the palaces. Plan around the cold, short daylight and the Seollal holiday in early February.
What Should You Plan Next for a Winter Trip?
Build the days with the 7-day Korea itinerary, compare Seoul with the south coast in Busan vs Seoul, and keep Korea emergency numbers handy in the mountains. Carry a little cash for stalls and lockers.
Sources (official pages checked)
- Korea Meteorological Administration, climate normals 1991-2020: monthly (general elements and phenomena days), January
- Korea Meteorological Administration, climate analysis: Seoul monthly mean temperature
- Korea AeroSpace Administration, “2027 calendar essentials” press release, 29 June 2026
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, official English site: 9 to 31 January 2027
- VisitKorea: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
- VisitKorea: Pyeongchang Trout Festival
- Korea.net: Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center: palace admission, hours and closing days
- Korea Heritage Service Promotion Agency: Changdeokgung hours
Book the basics for your Korea trip
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Related Guides
- Korea Travel Toolkit: what to book before you fly
- Best Time to Visit Korea – month by month
- Ski Trip from Seoul – resorts and ski bus prices
- Korea Packing List – winter layers
- Where to Stay in Seoul – areas and hotels
- Chuseok and Seollal closures – what closes at the holiday
- KTX sold out: backup routes – holiday trains
- Korea Itinerary 7 Days – winter-ready plan
- Nami Island and Petite France – a snowy day trip
- Jjimjilbang etiquette – warming up
- Hanbok rental in Seoul – free palace entry in hanbok
- N Seoul Tower – winter views
- Hotteok in Seoul – winter street food
- Korea convenience store guide – hot drinks and snacks
- Seoul Subway Guide – heated and fast
- Naver Map in English – routes
- Jeju rental car guide – winter driving
- DMZ tour – a cold-weather day trip
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival 2027: Dates, Tours and How to Go from Seoul
- Korea in December: Weather, Festivals and Ski Season
Information as of 16 October 2026. Weather figures are KMA 1991-2020 normals, not forecasts. Festival dates, hours and prices change, so confirm on each official site before you go.
