The 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Festival is on the verge of surpassing one million visitors, with 943,490 attendees recorded as of January 22. According to Hwacheon County, the milestone is expected to be reached on January 24, just 14 days after the festival’s opening on January 11.
Among the attendees, over 51,000 were international tourists, highlighting the festival’s growing global appeal. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has consistently attracted over one million visitors annually since 2005, with only a few exceptions due to unforeseen challenges.
The festival faced difficulties in 2020 due to unusual weather conditions and reduced attendance, while outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and 2022 forced cancellations. However, the event rebounded strongly in 2023 and 2024, each year exceeding one million visitors. This recovery culminated in its designation as South Korea's first winter festival to be recognized as a Global Promotion Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
With the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday stretching up to nine days, thanks to an extended public holiday from January 25 to February 2, this year’s festival is anticipated to set new attendance records. The prolonged holiday period has prompted additional preparations, including securing more mountain trout supplies from nationwide fish farms and reinforcing festival infrastructure. Measures include assigning extra holiday staff, inspecting ice conditions, enhancing safety protocols, and improving amenities such as heated shelters and dining facilities.
The festival has also been included as a recommended destination in the 2025 Korea Grand Sale, a tourism and shopping festival organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee. The inclusion is expected to further attract international visitors, especially from Southeast Asia, amid favorable exchange rates.
Hwacheon County Mayor Choi Moon Soon stated, “We anticipate a significant increase in visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday and are fully committed to ensuring their safety and satisfaction. All preparations are being fine-tuned to make this year’s festival an unforgettable experience.”
As the 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival continues to captivate both domestic and international audiences, it solidifies its reputation as a premier winter event, blending cultural celebrations with thrilling outdoor activities.
Sayart / ReaA JUNG, queen7203@gmail.com
