Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival
Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 · Gangwon
Overview
Enjoy the first sunrise of the new year at Gyeongpohaebyeon Beach and Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park.
Why go
Watch the year's first sunrise over the East Sea at Gyeongpohaebyeon Beach, with additional New Year celebrations at the nearby Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park. Admission is free, making it a simple and low-cost way to welcome the new year in Gangneung.
Getting there from Seoul
Take the KTX from Seoul Station (or ITX/express bus from Seoul's intercity bus terminals) to Gangneung, a trip of roughly two hours. From Gangneung Station or the bus terminal, a local bus or taxi will get you to Gyeongpohaebyeon Beach and Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park.
Tips
- Main programming runs 20:00-00:30, then resumes 06:00-08:00 on 1 January for the sunrise itself, so dress for a long, cold overnight wait.
- Entry is free, but KTX and bus seats to Gangneung sell out fast around New Year, so book transport well ahead.
- The beach gets crowded near sunrise, so arrive early and claim a spot on the sand or nearby viewpoints.
Best for: families, photographers, first-time visitors.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
Other festivals in Gangwon
Gangwon
2026 Dandandan Festival
Nov 26 – Nov 28, 2026
Dandandan (端單團) combines Dan (端), meaning "foremost," Dan (單), meaning "only one," and Dan (團), meaning "our group," together meaning "our one and only foremost festival."
Gangwon
Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Jan 1 – Jan 31, 2027
*The information below is based on the 2026 festivals. Details for the 2027 festivals will be updated as they become available.*In the past, winters in this region were unforgiving. Heavy snowfalls buried villages, and neighbors would stretch ropes between their homes, carving tunnels through the snow to find their way from one house to another. When the bitter winds sweeping across the river caused the shallow channels to freeze and merge early in the season, people would hammer at large rocks beneath the ice catch fish and secure a precious meal. Today, the hardships endured by our ancestors have been transformed into celebration. Every year from late December through late January, the Pyeongchang Trout Festival brings this winter heritage to life under the theme, “A Winter Story of Snow, Ice, and Trout.” Visitors can experience the thrill of trout fishing on the frozen Odaecheon Stream, where the crystal-clear ice reveals fish swimming beneath the surface. Along with a variety of winter activities, the festival offers an opportunity to enjoy the true charm and excitement of a Korean winter.
Reach travelers heading to Gangwon: sponsor this page.
Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site