In a vibrant effort to revitalize the historic downtown area, the city of Sokcho celebrated the year-end season with the '2025 Rodeo Winter Festa'. Held from December 24 to 27 at the KT Plaza area along Seorak Rodeo Street, the festival marked its second year as a cornerstone of the city’s winter tourism strategy, building on the immense popularity of its inaugural debut.

This year's festival was intricately linked with the city's new landscape lighting project, creating a luminous and magical atmosphere for both residents and international tourists. The heart of the event was a bustling flea market where local small business owners showcased an array of festive treats and unique Christmas-themed handicrafts, offering visitors a authentic taste of Sokcho’s local creativity.

Beyond shopping, the festa provided immersive cultural experiences designed for families. Visitors enjoyed capturing precious holiday moments through polaroid sessions with Santa Claus and participated in eco-friendly craft workshops, such as creating Christmas wreaths using recycled sock-neck fabrics. These activities were strategically curated to provide warm memories during the cold winter season.

To ensure the festival directly benefited the local economy, the city collaborated with the Seorak Rodeo Street Merchant Association to host a "Black Friday Sale Week." By integrating a receipt-linked reward system, the event successfully encouraged visitors to explore surrounding shops, effectively turning a festive celebration into a powerful driver for regional commerce.

Sokcho Mayor Lee Byung-sun expressed his hopes that the event would serve as a "gift of warmth and hope" for citizens and business owners alike. He further emphasized his commitment to continuously evolving the festival’s content, aiming to establish Seorak Rodeo Street as an iconic, must-visit destination for winter travelers from around the world.