By tight travellers, June 2026
Wanting to visit the ‘Hawaii of South Korea’ but don’t know when? We got you. Here’s everything you need to know: from weather, festivals and the most budget friendly months! We are tight travellers after all.
January
The coldest month of the year, so not a good place for us Yorkshire folk wanting some winter sun. It averages less than 10 degrees, but it is the perfect time to see the red Camellia flowers at Camellia Hill. This is definitely one of the cheapest times to visit, but make sure to avoid Lunar New Year if you do decide to brave the cold weather.
Festivals
Hallim Park Daffodil Festival: runs throughout January and showcases thousands of daffodils (the clue is in the name). This costs 15,000 KRW for adults.
Get your Hallim park tickets here.
Seogwipo Winter Sea Penguin Swimming Festival: this festival takes places on January 1st at the popular Jungmun Saekdal Beach. There are a few activities going on, but the main one is the cold plunge in the sea! This is totally free and marks a healthy and happy New Year.
February
Cold. Windy. But there are early signs of Spring towards the end of the month as plum blossoms begin to open. Definitely the cheapest month to see blossoms!
Festivals
Tamna Ipchungut: Tamnaguk (the ancient name for Jeju Island), Ipchun (the first day of Spring). This is a 2 day festival and involves traditional clothing, music and food. There are also ‘gut rituals’ that are performed to express ancient beliefs and hopes of a good harvest.
Apricot Flower Festivals: also mark the first signs of Spring as white and pink blossoms begin to bloom. The most famous is held in Hueree Park, but you can also see them at Hallim Park and Norimae.
Mokgwana New Year Greetings Folk Festival: is an annual celebration in Jeju City. There are traditional folk games, hands on experiences (seasonal wish lanterns, traditional crafts), and includes free admission into the government office where it’s hosted.
March
Still a bit chilly, but Spring is approaching. You can find the popular yellow canola fields around the island in bloom, as well as the early cherry blossoms towards the end of the month. Tourism starts back up again in the Spring, so it’s slightly more spenny but it’s ain’t gonna break the bank!
Festivals
Canola Flower Walking Festival: the canola flowers are in bloom, so why not make a festival out of it? This is an annual Spring event, and is pretty simple in terms of planning. It is completely free and involves walking along the coastal paths where you can see these flowers in bloom- walkers can stop at photo zones and food spots on the way!
Hallim Park Tulip Festival: because why not have loads of flower festivals? It is what it says on the tin.
Get your Hallim park tickets here.
April
Peak cherry blossom season, and it’s starting to heat up without it being sweltering. All of this comes with peak spring prices, but it is the perfect weather for sightseeing and exploring the island.
Festivals
April’s festivals are also all flower and harvest themed. Hallasan Bracken, Jeju Rape Flower, Gapado Green Barley. But the highlights are definitely:
Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival: Jeju island is known for its King Cherry Blossoms, with some of the largest petals in the world this is definitely a must see.
Seosara Cultural Street Festival: held in Jeju City and centred around Yoshino cherry trees. Expect live entertainment, food stalls, cultural activities, and evening illuminations.
May
Dry and warm – the perfect weather to explore nature, and that basically covers everything there is to do in Jeju. The masses depart after the end of cherry blossoms and the prices go down with this! We started our trip to Jeju mid May and can confirm that it is the perfect walking weather, the sea however is pretty chilly!
Festivals
Bomok Coralfish Festival: held in Seogwipo-si Port celebrates the local damselfish. Try the seasonal fish and take part in cultural activities!
June
The official start of Summer, the island is covered in greenery and hydrangeas. Average temperatures are low 20’s but the monsoon season begins towards the end of the month! With the rainy forecast comes cheaper flights. We stayed in Jeju till the end of June, and we can also confirm that the rain forecast is no joke. The last 2 weeks of our trip was forecast rain everyday!
Festivals
Gotjawal Firefly Festival: a nighttime firefly walk through Cheongsu Gotjawal forest. This cost 10,000 won per person and online reservation is required prior. This was one of the festivals that we were able to participate in and it is worth the £5.
Yongyeon Concert: traditional fishing rafts are made into a floating stage for classical and cultural music. This is generally free to visit.
July
Monsoon season is in full swing, July is the wettest month – yet also the busiest and most expensive (what?). It’ll be chuckin’ it down, humid (like stepping off that plane every step!), busy, and likely more than you would like to pay!
Festivals
Samyang Black Sand Festival: Beat the fierce summer heat with therapeutic volcanic sand! Bury yourself in the naturally heated black sands known for their healing properties, then jump into night beach concerts and colorful firework displays.
Pyoseon White Sand Festival: Unleash your creativity on Jeju’s widest white sand beach! Compete in massive sand-sculpting contests, participate in beach volleyball tournaments, and stay for the high-energy evening music concerts and firework shows.
August
Peak summer. The hottest and busiest time of the year. Jeju will be full of domestic and international tourists with the summer holidays in full swing, high 20’s and warmer water so perfect for swimming.
Festivals
Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival: Feel the island resonate with world-class brass and woodwind music! Watch stunning outdoor concerts at the Jeju Seaside Arts Center and global musical competitions held across the island’s parks and beaches.
Dodu Oraemul Festival: Cool off with Jeju’s crystal-clear natural spring water at Doduhang Port! Splash in massive fresh-water kids’ pools, join the lively Dodu Olle Trail treasure hunts, and watch dynamic musical performances right by the ocean.
September
Mid 20’s, less humidity, smaller crowds; but make sure to avoid the Chuseok holiday (Korean Thanksgiving). If you can, hold out- prices will be soon dropping!
Festivals
Sanjicheon Festival: Experience old Jeju traditions where the city meets the sea! Enjoy a fascinating night parade, participate in hands-on fish catching with your bare hands, and watch dynamic musical and theatrical performances along the waterfront.
Jeju Haenyeo Festival: Honor the legendary female free-divers of the island! Watch the iconic haenyeo parade, experience traditional shamanic rituals for safe seafaring, and taste incredibly fresh seafood caught straight from the ocean.
October
Arguably one of the best months to visit Jeju. Little rain, warm weather and beautiful Autumn foliage. Definitely making the iconic hike up Hallasan more beautiful. Not the most budget friendly month, you may notices an increase in price over the weekends.
Festivals
Honinji Festival: Experience the magic of Jeju’s romantic founding myths at the historic Honinji Pond! Watch beautifully reenacted traditional wedding ceremonies of Tamna’s mythological founders, enjoy classical folk music, and take in the stunning autumn scenery.
Jeju Horse Festival: Celebrate the island’s legendary equine heritage during peak autumn! Watch exciting horse parades featuring Jeju’s native ponies, enjoy live horseback riding demonstrations, and sample traditional horse-themed crafts and foods.
November
Temperatures drop to mid-low teens and the autumn colours are vibrant. Hallasan may get its first dusting of snow towards the end of the month. As the temp drops, crowds and prices plummet. You can still enjoy the many walks with shoulder season prices.
Festivals
Moseulpo Yellowtail Festival: Feast on fresh, seasonal Bangeo (yellowtail) at Moseulpo Port! Enjoy fish-catching contests, street parades, local food markets, and cultural performances celebrating Jeju’s winter seafood bounty.
Jeju Olle Walking Festival: Trek the island’s scenic coastlines alongside global walkers! Complete a new Olle trail route each day while enjoying local village food stalls, live music, and cultural exhibitions.
Jeju International Citrus Expo: Celebrate Jeju’s famous sweet mandarins during peak harvest season! Join hands-on citrus picking, taste unique orange-infused foods, and explore massive agricultural exhibitions.
December
Prices drop to their annually lowest point, and crowds disperse. The wind, and tangerine-picking experiences pick up. You will need proper winter hiking gear to hike Hallasan and get ready to get up before the sun!
Festivals
Seongsan Ilchul Festival: New Year’s Eve at Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone (Sunrise Peak). Dance performances, parades, and of course fireworks on the 31st and then watch the first sunrise of the year from the peak!
